Binishell Modular Shelters Look Like Green Hobbit Homes

This may look like Frodo Baggins' hobbit 'hood, but it's actually a network of modular, green-roofed structures called Binishells. However, as modern as they may appear, this idea isn't new. riginally conceived by renowned architect !ante Bini in the "#$%s, Binishells were recently relaunched with the help of Bini's son &icol'. The new system, which uses low air pressure to lift and shape a collection of thin reinforced concrete structures, is an array of incredibly efficient abodes that use (%) less materials, have #*) of the embodied + ,, and boast a carbon footprint (%) smaller than traditional constructions

The basic idea behind these dome-like structures is to substitute formwork and heavy machinery with air. -nstead of big cranes, low air pressure is used to lift and shape wet concrete on top of reinforced steel. .ince Binishells can be formed into an infinite variety of shapes, they can be used to build anything from schools, to offices, to low-cost housing, to emergency shelters and everything in between.

/hile they may sound fragile since they0re relatively lightweight shells 1hence their name2, they0re actually 3uite strong and able to resist hurricanes, flooding, earth3uakes and fires. They0re suited for temporary relief housing because they0re easily deployable and can even be fabricated from local materials. 4nother cool thing about Binishells is that they0re visually appealing, especially when they0re linked together to form larger communities or structures. The result can be contemporary 1as shown in the rendering of an airport above2 or idyllic 1like the green village seen in the opening image2. 5ike other modular building units, the shells can painted, covered in grass or customi6ed to suit the needs of the end user making it adaptable to almost any type of use.

.ince Binishells can be formed into an infinite variety of shapes, they can be used to build anything from schools, to offices, to low-cost housing to emergency shelters and everything in between.

/hile they may sound fragile since they're relatively lightweight shells 1hence their name2, they're actually 3uite strong and able to resist hurricanes, flooding, earth3uakes and fires.

Binishells are suited for temporary relief housing because they're easily deployable and can even be fabricated from local materials.

4nother cool thing about Binishells is that they're visually appealing, especially when they're linked together to form larger communities or structures.

The result can be contemporary, as shown in this rendering of an airport...

7or idyllic, like this green villa.

5ike other modular building units, the shells can painted, covered in grass or customi6ed to suit the needs of the end user making it adaptable to almost any type of use.