Lumipod Connects to Nature

Lumicene designs and launches Lumipod, a minimal cell that allows the interiors to glide into the outdoors with just a swish of the sliding curved glass window.

French company, Lumicene has developed a circular reversible window concept in collaboration with Saint – Gobain, to create a prefabricated unit that sits amidst nature, in a cocoon of simplicity yet surrounded in nature’s abundance.

“Settled in the wild, it welcomes city dwellers seeking relief from the concrete jungle. It is a minimalist configuration, but without sacrificing comfort, for a unique experience of reconnecting with nature,” explain the creators. “Within only 18 square meters, it offers a bedroom, a shower area, a toilet and a wardrobe.”

Lumipod is built around a Lumicene® window. This new concept uses curved glass in aluminium frames sliding between two rails, allowing the interior space to be smoothly transformed into an outdoor space.

The unit eliminates the boundary between interior and exterior and answers the quest for an upscale hotel room surrounded by nature.

Perched at 1,000 meters above sea level, in the heart of a pine and oak forest, Lumipod offers a panoramic mountain view while blending harmoniously into the landscape.

Lumipod is wrapped into a black Douglas exterior cladding, following the Shou-sugi-ban Japanese tradition and the interiors has been designed following the standards of high-end hotel rooms. The wall cabinetry and the floor are made of natural oak. The ceiling is covered with a merino wool felt fabric. Curtains over the entire glass surface allow to block out the daylight. The fully-tiled bathroom comprises of a toilet, a shower and a sink.

Lumipod is designed and manufactured in Lyon, France and is available in 3 sizes: 5, 6 and 7 meters in diameter, from the 18 square metre minimalist bedroom to the 36 square metre family cocoon. The cabin is made up of 2 half-modules and is compatible with road and maritime transport, and assembled on site in two days according to the manufacturers. It is positioned on screw piles to minimize the environmental impact.

“LUMIPOD is available in Europe where the first units were installed over the last few months. Manufacturing lead time, according to the manufacturers’ is currently about 3 to 4 months depending on size and options. The pods will soon be available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand where several projects are currently under development,” according to the developers.