The 'BI(h)OME' is an affordable and lightweight shelter that offers an eco-friendly housing solution. In many urban areas, real estate speculation continues to drive up the price of homes. In response to the shortage of affordable housing, a team of students at UCLA designed a cheap eco-friendly home.
The BI(h)OME is a lightweight shelter that is designed to be built in the backyards of single-family homes. The shelter features wooden-framed walls, with a coating of double-layered recyclable plastic. A series of paper cylinders on the inside help to support the structure and divide the interior area. Inside the home there is a kitchen, a graywater-recycling system and a composting toilet, all of which can function off the grid. The 350-square-foot home is extremely cost-efficient, making it an affordable type of shelter for those with a limited budget.
Not only is the BI(h)OME affordable, but it is also eco-friendly. The unique design of the home helps promote local biodiversity by providing shelter for birds, insects and bats.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Affordable Housing Solutions
- The BI(h)OME provides an affordable and eco-friendly housing option for those with limited budgets.
- Eco-friendly Architecture
- The BI(h)OME's unique design promotes local biodiversity and encourages sustainable living.
- Off-grid Living
- The BI(h)OME's self-sustaining features, such as a graywater-recycling system and composting toilet, enable off-grid living opportunities.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Construction
- The construction industry can explore affordable and eco-friendly housing solutions like the BI(h)OME.
- Architecture
- Architects can incorporate elements of biodiversity-promoting designs into their eco-friendly architectural projects.
- Sustainable Living
- The BI(h)OME opens up possibilities for businesses in the sustainable living industry, such as off-grid technologies and eco-friendly household solutions.
