The Ecocapsule is an energy self-sufficient "living egg", which is unique in its form and visually an absolute eye-catcher.
The capsule was designed by a team of young architects during about 10 years with a lot of commitment in Bratislava. The idea came out of a design competition. Accordingly, both the interior and the exterior were designed with a lot of love for design. The energy required for heating, ventilation, induction stove, refrigerator, water treatment and pump, as well as light is fed by solar cells integrated into the roof and a wind generator mounted on the roof. In addition, rainwater is collected on the roof of the capsule, fed into a tank and processed into drinking water.
The Ecocapsule is a symbol of the village development project "Guttannen bewegt", which shows how people in the mountain village live with the consequences of climate change, such as thawing permafrost and debris flows, and what measures are being taken against aging and migration. With the capsule project, the village community wants to convey the high quality of life in the mountain village to the guests and let them forget everyday life for a moment while admiring the mountain scenery. Because the view from the Ecocapsule is breathtaking and shows mountain peaks with or without snow and a meadow property with a magnificent old tree and a mighty rock.
Rooms + Rates
| Tiny House | from120 € |
Sustainable
ArchitectureThe design of the capsule is designed to minimize the consumption of heating energy. The Ecocapsule was deliberately made as a purely European product in Slovakia. Various components, specially developed in Slovakia for the Ecocapsule, are built into the capsule to ensure energy-saving operation.
The Ecocapsule is run by an association of volunteers. In summer 2021, the cleaning of the capsule is to be advertised locally as a paid service. The nearby restaurant and hotel Bären, with which the Ecocapsule project has a close cooperation, will clean the laundry. So that the overnight stays generate added value locally, a voucher of CHF 40.- is included in the overnight price, which can be redeemed either in the village shop or in the "Bären". WWF Switzerland receives a donation of CHF 10.- per overnight stay for climate protection projects. Guests Those who do not travel by public transport pay a surcharge of around 10%, which is donated to two specialized organizations as CO2 compensation. The Ecocapsule project also maintains other partnerships with the location promotion of the Canton of Bern, Haslital Tourism, myclimate and with newTree.
EnvironmentThe Ecocapsule is completely self-sufficient with wind and solar energy and has a high level of thermal insulation based on years of development work. The rainwater is collected on the roof, fed into a tank in the bottom of the capsule and processed into drinking water using several filters. The waste separation is a matter of course and is communicated to the guests and the furniture in the garden is made of FSC wood. The wool duvets and pillows are made by a small company in the neighboring village with wool from the local community. Bed and bath linen are made from 100% organic cotton.
Characteristics
- Energy self-sufficient living on 6 square meters
- In the center of the small Bernese Oberland mountain village of Guttannen
- Experience the hospitable population and the beautiful nature of the mountains on the Grimsel Pass
- The overnight price includes a voucher for a consumption in the Bären restaurant or a purchase in the village shop
- For guests arriving by public transport, the room rate is reduced by 10%
- Numerous hiking routes and lakes in the Bernese Oberland
- Many excursion possibilities in the area: e.g. the Gelmerbahn - steepest open funicular in Europe, the crystal museum, Alpbetrieb Handegg (sale of local cheese products)
- Various events: village market with local products (always on the 1st Saturday in July, August and September), historical packers "march with packers" festival (mid-August), old year week for the custom of “tryeling”, ringing cow bells (last working day before New Year's Eve)
Features
- Suitable for 1-2 people
- Shower and toilet
- Kitchen with stove, refrigerator and dishes
- WLAN on request (can be deactivated)
- Incl. Bed linen and towels
- Deck chairs and a camping table
- Cookbook with energy-saving recipe ideas
- Brochure with excursion ideas
Testimonials
Nebst abenteuerlustigen oder ökobewussten Touristen sowie Freunden des schöner Wohnens dürfte die Ecocapsule auch das Interesse von Klima- und Energieforschern wecken. Das kleine Wunderwerk der Technik ist nämlich nicht nur nachhaltiger Wohnraum, sondern auch Forschungsstation, hält Temperaturen von minus 15 Grad bis zu plus 40 Grad aus und Windstärken von bis zu 150 Stundenkilometer und könnte sogar auf einem Gletscher stehen und dort bewohnbar sein.
Im Rahmen eines Dorfentwicklungsprojekts soll ab dem 13. Juni im Berner Dorf Guttannen ein futuristisch aussehender Wohnwagen zu stehen kommen. Die Ecocapsule – ein selbstversorgendes und umweltfreundliches Wohnheim – soll Touristen in das idyllische Bergdorf bringen und diese zum Bleiben bewegen. Denn das Oberländerdorf kämpft gegen eine massive Abwanderung.
Rooms + Rates
| Tiny House | from120 € |
Location + Directions
By car
It takes a good hour from Lucerne to Guttannen (65 km). It takes just under 1.5 hours from Bern (98 km), from Zurich just under 2 hours (116 km) and from Chur it is a good 2.5 hours (206 km). The exact address can be found on the website.
With public transport
The closest train station is in Innertkirchen Grimseltor. From there a bus runs to Guttannen. The bus stop is only a 3-minute walk from the Ecocapsule.
Availability
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