Portable

There are plenty of different 3D printers to choose from these days, from the popular Makerbot Thing-O-Matic to the budget-priced Solidoodle. These all have one drawback however in that they aren't exactly portable. Most need to be disassembled to be moved and even the fully-assembled Cubify printer isn't really built for travel. But now, two MIT students have developed the PopFab, a machine that does 3D printing and more, all while fitting inside a small suitcase.  Read More

Hypercubus is a modern prefabricated unit that is adaptable to various environments and offers simple accommodation for up to two guests. Designed by Austrian architectural studio WG3, the cubic module was created to provide holiday lodgings that can adapt easily to the fertile Austrian landscape.  Read More

On July 15th, the world’s first SolarKiosk was officially opened near Lake Langano, Ethiopia. The portable solar shop was designed in Germany by Graft architects and provides an “autonomous business unit” that sells energy, products, tools and services. With approximately 1.5 billion people around the globe who remain without access to a stable source of light, the SolarKiosk is intended to provide a safe and affordable solution for inhabitants in off-the-grid areas.  Read More

Del Popolo’s is a traveling pizza truck located in San Francisco, that features an impressive wood-fired pizza oven. The mobile restaurant has been constructed from a recycled shipping container which has been completely remodeled to include a modern kitchen workspace and two large glass doors that open out to the public.  Read More

Picture a scene in a sitcom where some character arrives at a beach party dressed in a suit and tie, and carrying a briefcase. Everyone thinks that they’re some un-fun fuddy duddy, until they open their briefcase to reveal that there’s a barbecue inside! Woo-hoo! Well, that’s the idea behind the real-life Darwin BBQ.  Read More

At Gizmag we have covered a range of modular housing prefabs, from the living-in-nature LEAP house, to the modern Loftcube and even the futuristic tree-hotel concept ... but it isn’t often that we come across a design that doesn’t leave you yearning for more space, an extra living zone or outdoor flexibility. However, Slovenian architectural studio Coodo may have come up with a solution that not only suits a variety of purposes but can house the entire family.  Read More

Leaf House is the creation of small home enthusiast Laird Herbert from Whitehorse, Canada, who was inspired by the idea of building his own home. After testing out several prototypes, Herbert has finally finished work on what he calls Version.2 ... and the result is a tiny portable home design that takes up a small amount of space, is big enough to live in comfortably, and reportedly accommodates a family of four.  Read More

While the G-POD may resemble a cabin from the London Eye’s giant Ferris wheel, the prefabricated pod does come with some backyard benefits. The futuristic looking pod is a portable unit that comes in four different options, designed to create a backyard lounge, dining room or office. Created by the British garden specialists, Ornate Garden in Birmingham, U.K., the G-POD series features rotating or fixed spheres that create a practical outdoor living addition.  Read More

In a deal announced this week, American high-end retailer Brookstone will become the first seller of a portable fuel cell made by MIT spin-off company Lilliputian Systems Inc (LSI). Described as a “plug-less charger,” it will allow users to recharge their electronic devices’ batteries wherever they are – as long as they’ve stocked up on butane.  Read More