Self-Growing Shelter

Biesbosch is a national park in the south of the Netherlands. Usually the river floods about three times a year and covers parts of the park with water. From that, to build permanent constructions from wood or bricks for recreation would be difficult. Feike de Jong came up with Biesbosch Expedition, a steel frame overgrown by willow shoots taking root. Embrace the nature, instead of preventing unwanted forces of nature to occur, like building dykes to prevent land from flooding. The roots of the willows on the riverside will secure the house, even when water levels rise. When it’s dry, it’s a picnic spot or even a shelter to stay in for a couple of nights.

With the same principles De Jong created a self-growing compost toilet, fresh water storage and kitchen to match with the shelter to complete the whole experience in nature.

This article belongs to our Dutch Design Week 2011 series, in which we showcase ten great designs spotted at the Design Academy’s graduation show.

PUC × Dutch Design Week

In October of each year, the Dutch Design Week takes place in Eindhoven. The biggest design event in Northern Europe presents work and ideas of more than 2,600 designers. In more than 110 locations across the city, DDW organizes and facilitates exhibitions, lectures, prize ceremonies, networking events, debates and festivities.

Step Into VRcation And Escape Reality

Eindhoven Design Academy graduate Emma Verhoeven has designed VRcation, a fictitious travel agency offering virtual package-deal vacations.

Trash And Treasure The Game

Eindhoven Design Academy graduate Wouter Vastenow has designed The ‘De Afvalbank’ or ‘The Waste Bench’, looking at how cleaning up the streets can be changed from a chore to an inviting game.

Bike Design For The Urban Nomad

A group a nine master students presented their City Bike concept at this year's Design Academy graduation show, part of this year's Dutch Design Week. The concept combines a mobile workspace with the Dutch cargo bike. This means that 'urban nomads' no longer have to use their bike to get to their favorite workplace, but their bike becomes a workplace in itself. The cargo part of the bicycle can be transformed into a desk to work on with your laptop. Not bothered with colleagues or loud speaking coffee drinkers, this could be the ultimate form of mobile workplaces...