Architecture

B-And-Bee shelter looks to comfort festival goers

View 22 Images
The B-And-Bee, by Belgian company Achilles Design (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The modular shelter could bring festival goers a little extra comfort compared to a tent (Photo: B-And-Bee)
A roll-up canvas sheet acts as a "door" (Photo: B-And-Bee)
There's a king-size bed inside (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The interior also sports luggage storage, a locker, light, and a power supply (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
Access is gained via metal steps (Photo: B-And-Bee)
Multiple sleeping spaces can be stacked atop each other (Photo: B-And-Bee)
There's a king-size bed inside (Photo: B-And-Bee)
B-And-Bee takes up a small footprint compared to many tents (Photo: B-And-Bee)
Multiple sleeping spaces can be stacked atop each other (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The bed converts into a seat (Photo: B-And-Bee)
A roll-up canvas sheet acts as a "door" (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee, by Belgian company Achilles Design (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The B-And-Bee being installed at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival (Photo: B-And-Bee)
The interior also sports luggage storage, a locker, light, and a power supply (Photo: B-And-Bee)
View gallery - 22 images

Each year, millions of people head to their festival of choice with tent and sleeping bag in hand. Belgian company Achilles Design aims to bring those festival goers a little extra comfort – and save space too – with its honeycomb-shaped B-And-Bee shelter.

Bearing some resemblance to the Japanese Capsule Hotels we covered back in 2011, the B-And-Bee features a modular, stackable design that takes up a relatively small physical footprint when compared to a large number of tents. The company also states that it's easily transported and assembled.

Access is gained via metal steps and a roll-up canvas sheet serves as a zip-up door. There's a king-size bed inside that converts to seating, and the snug interior also sports luggage storage, a locker, light, and a power supply.

There's a king-size bed inside (Photo: B-And-Bee)

One can't help but think that the company is missing a trick marketing B-And-Bee solely toward festival organizers, as it could perhaps be useful in other areas too, such as in natural disaster situations, for example. Still, it's early days yet, and the design is currently being tested at Belgium's Gentse Feesten festival.

Source: B-And-Bee

View gallery - 22 images
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10 comments
hourglass
looks like an even more spartan example of Japan's capsule hotels - though larger per unit.
JPAR
if you are planning on using them for festivals then I suggest you think of a way to remove the smell of urine and vomit, and how you get stains out of the wooden paneling.
yrag
Precisely JPAR.
Adam, I think you're correct as well with: "One can't help but think that the company is missing a trick marketing B-And-Bee solely toward festival organizers, as it could perhaps be useful in other areas too, such as in natural disaster situations".
BigGoofyGuy
I agree, I think its potential should not be limited to festivals. I think it could - as you suggested - used in emergency situations. I think it could also be used in campgrounds and as a retreats for those who want to get away from it all for awhile.
Perhaps if the panels had some kind of sealant so they could be easier to clean? Perhaps with a power washer?
Paul Robertson
Sound proofing would be just as much of an issue.
Aruvqan Myers
Interesting idea for festivals like Burning Man or various multiday music festivals. I don' think [as JPAR pointed out] that as is it would serve because of sanitary issues [vomit, piss, shit and whatnot] but made out of recycled composite [like the planks for decks that are plastic and sawdust] with mattresses that are closecell foam [like those floating foam keychains and some floatation cushions on boats] so they could be hosed off it would work. Though I would personally include little bug screen panels in the front and back canvas panels for ventilation.
As to being used for emergency shelter - it is an interesting idea - though if I were going to be in a refugee camp I would like it a bit more secure than a tube with canvas flaps - I would have my computer case and go-box of important documents and my med bag[up to 3 months of medications including pain killers] and would be worried about being robbed. [I rarely take anything of value other than my messenger bag with phone, spare battery and wallet to a music festival.] If they could make a securely locking section under the bed perhaps it might work.
Dax Wagner
Every airport in the world needs these. I can't tell you how many times I've had long layoevers and had to nap on an uncomfortable bench or row of chairs.
Daishi
It probably beats having your tent in the mud.
mooseman
Very cool!
As Dax Wagner mentioned, these would be *very* useful at airports. *Hundreds* of people there would love to have a place to just "veg out", lie down in comfort and have a sleep for the time between flights.
Randy
These were used in the sci-fi version of HIGH NOON, called OUTLAND, with Sean Connery.