They have created a tent with electricity supply by solar panels, with wooden floors and LED lights, in addition, it is called Jupiter.
«Form follows function.» Two centuries ago, an American architect named Louis Sullivan, born in Boston, first ruled this precept widely used in architecture. Although the phrase wasn’t exactly like that, it was rather: «Form is subordinate to function.» The year was 1896 and he was one of the fathers of modern architecture that was installed during the following decades.
Shelters that are like a tent
Time has passed and perhaps only architecture students and some other building lovers remember this phrase, but the spirit is so neutral and versatile that it is applied almost without thinking.
I immediately remembered the phrase when I saw Jupe’s wonderful portable mini-homes. Shelters (almost tents) that allow you to live off the grid and that are also very «cool».
The company Jupe, an American like Louis, has created some space-themed shelters, we imagine to attract attention, because their work could not be more earthly…
These are travel capsules (that’s what they call them) that protrude from a flat base with a birch wood finish, from which a canvas with a very unique shape unfolds and is illuminated with LED lights (always LEDs).
The owners of the project have worked at Tesla
The design came from Liz Lambert (a hotelier with a background in design) and Cameron Sinclair (a pioneer of humanitarian architecture).
Between the two of them, they generated enough synergy for the rest of the company’s team, whose members have worked at Tesla, such as manufacturers of rockets Space X or on an Aribnb platform, to get to work.
In fact, calling the capsules Jupiter is a bid for a futuristic alternative to tents and yurts (very light modular homes).
According to the creators, it is inspired by the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Specifically in the scene where signals are sent to Jupiter from the Moon for the last time, and they were responded to (you didn’t expect so much development for a tent, huh?).
In short, whatever the original idea, the tent of the future is protected by a fire-resistant tarpaulin. It is fixed on fold-out aluminium structures that reach up to 3.35 metres in height at their highest point.
The LED lights are located both on the tarpaulins outside and at the base, allowing them to be located from afar (so you don’t lose sight of it).
The lower frame or chassis has all the tools you need: the connection to the solar panels that will provide energy to the house, the illuminated frame, wifi, electrical outlets and USB ports. And if that wasn’t enough, a battery pack assures you some performance for days without the possibility of solar recharging.
Up to ten suitcases can be stored in the chassis inside
Of course, as a modern «home» it cannot miss the connection with the famous Alexa, the one from Amazon. And as extras, a porch and a safe so that no one takes valuables.
The chassis not only serves to elevate the tent, it also has space to store up to ten suitcases (I was going to say almost nothing, but who knows what size suitcases they think of).
The cabin has an approximate area of 11 square meters, with a zippered entrance door. Inside, thin windows can be opened on the sides, to see the beautiful place where we have decided to install them or to let in more air.
Of course, as a tent of the future they weren’t going to settle for a single bed, so the pull-out bed is double.
The company is headquartered in Los Angeles
The capsule also has built-in furniture that includes a chair, a desk, and even an ottoman (that’s it).
While it’s worth noting that the Los Angeles-based company developed intensive care units that could be installed anywhere and could be used by overwhelmed hospitals during the recent pandemic (bravo for them).
Jupe tells us that some 1.5 billion people are without decent housing in the world. Additionally, up to 70 million of them cannot take shelter after a tornado, hurricane, fire or war in which they are forced to leave their home, so this solution may be valid.
They even envision a future where a ship could carry hundreds of their homes to the places where they were needed.
This tent reduces CO2 in its creation
For those who are passionate about nature, three details that you will love. The first is that this capsule/tent/mini-dwelling can be easily set up anywhere, without disturbing the environment. The second is that its creation reduces the CO2 that is released into the atmosphere; and third, that we should not abandon the technological life with it.
During 2020 and 2021, the company already placed more than 80 booths in six different locations in California. In fact, their intention is for their capsules to be treated as “Universal autonomous housing” (UAH), that is, universal autonomous housing and that no one is missing one. By the way, its design is very cool and its idea is very practical but… what about the bathroom?