Are you interested in living off the grid? Meet, the Port-a-Bach Gen 3...

[Charlotte Bowie]

Hi there,
I am currently studying for my Masters in Design. The project I am working on is a collaboration with an architecture company Atelier Workshop. These architects have designed the Port-a-Bach [see http://www.port-a-bach.com/ to watch slide show] as a portable housing unit that can be located nearly anywhere due to it's shipping container shell.

The Port-a-Bach contains a small kitchen, bedroom, dressing room and bathroom aswell as an extended living space formed by the unfolding of the deck.

My task is to design the Port-a-Bach Generation3 which will be independent of mains services. It must generate its own power and collect all necessary water. So far I have established the components required to make this unit work and being a designer, am configuring various fun and simple methods of assembling solar arrays and water harvesting catchments.

If you are interested in this project, and might like to participate in a focus group (at this stage held around near the end of July) please get in touch. You will need to live in Wellington as it will be held at the Massey University campus. It should be heaps of fun, involve some discussions, drawing and maybe even some lego making....

Please email me at: [e-mail] or leave me a comment!

Thanks,

Charlotte

[Ainsley]

Hi Charlotte, sounds like a pretty cool project! Unfortunately I'm based up north so unable to help on your project but believe that you shouldn't have too much trouble with your designs. I've been helping an uncle finish off an off-grid expandable portacabin in coromandel recently and most of the technology in that is readily available. i take it you have seen habode and loft cube? Ainsley

[Charlotte Bowie]

Hi Ainsley,

Sounds like an awesome project you have been helping with - for me its just a matter of integrating the technology so its fun and easy to assemble. Have seen habode and loft cube - there are definitely some good micro architectural projects out there! Thanks for your reply,

Charlotte