These Self-Sufficient Biocabins Are Designed for the Post-Climate Change Era

All images courtesy of W-LAB

Architecture firm W-LAB recently proposed an innovative architectural plan for living in a post-climate change world. Combining bioconstruction techniques with existing technologies, the plan proposes a living solution to the extreme climates and resource challenges resulting from rising CO2 emissions and temperatures.

The plan involves a series of living units surrounded by drought-resistant plants. These units would be arranged in a circle to create a protective perimeter of plants and water that can mitigate the effects of extreme desert environments. The circular, artificial oasis would receive water from a solar desalination plant and a mist collector system, which collects water from fog, further helping to reduce the settlement's overall temperature and improve comfort.

The cabins themselves would feature an aerodynamic design that improves stability; reduces wind damage; and minimizes erosion, sounds, and vibrations. Each cabin would also be surrounded by a tensile structure that provides shade and protection from extreme desert elements. This structure combined with thoughtful vegetation would help to protect dwellers from solar radiation.

W-LAB proposed the units to be made of alternative wood from agave plants. This desert plant easily grows in arid climates and can be treated to form laminates and panels. The wood’s fibers can also be recycled and turned into other building materials, such as thermal insulation, textiles, floors, and cladding.

The units’ interiors would feature greenhouses designed to grow edible plants for human consumption. And each home would come with a manual that instructs the dweller on how to plant and care for these botanicals until they’re harvested.

All of the cabins would receive energy from wind and solar radiation, both of which are abundant in the hot desert climates that will be all-too-prevalent when climate change takes full effect. Each unit will have its own solar panels and external wind turbines, making them fully autonomous when it comes to obtaining renewable energy, and batteries installed in the basement of the house would allow dwellers to make use of said energy.

While most of us likely hope to combat climate change enough to avoid living in a dystopian desert climate, it’s nice to know that solutions exist if that day ever comes. You can read more about the proposed plans here.

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