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Space-Age Houses

Posted by michael on from the forecast-calls-for-snow dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The dream of building the Jetson's Skypad Apartment may come to true because technology designed for space could become the basis of the new German Antarctic station. The same ultra-light composites that ESA uses onboard its spacecraft for antennas and solar panels, will be used to make a self-supporting lightweight shell-like structure able to withstand severe earthquakes. This approach is in sharp contrast to many contemporary design solutions that use ever more steel and concrete..."

2 of 230 comments (clear)

  1. What's cooler? by bobhagopian · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "The house is designed to be autonomous. It uses energy-efficient solar power as well as advanced systems for recycling and cleaning water. Another idea, now on the drawing board, is to include a system to remove pathogenic particles in the sub-micron range from the air."

    I think this is the coolest part about the house, not the ultra-light composites. Think about never having to pay an utility bill again! Sure, you can do that for just about any house, but one that's built with self-sufficiency in mind is nice.

  2. Sounds familiar by nytes · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Of course, you could also jump into your time machine and visit the house of the future at Disneyland, circa 1957.

    It was made so well that the wrecking ball just bounced off of it when they tried to demolish it. They had to bring in a crew with saws.

    --
    -- I have monkeys in my pants.