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Architecture

Groundfridge keeps food fresh, no electricity required

By Adam Williams
April 27, 2015
Groundfridge keeps food fresh, no electricity required
Groundfridge offers a smart new take on an old idea (Photo: Weltevree)
Groundfridge offers a smart new take on an old idea (Photo: Weltevree)
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Groundfridge offers a smart new take on an old idea (Photo: Weltevree)
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Groundfridge offers a smart new take on an old idea (Photo: Weltevree)
Access to Groundfridge is gained via a hatch-like door, and steps lead into the cellar proper (Photo: Weltevree)
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Access to Groundfridge is gained via a hatch-like door, and steps lead into the cellar proper (Photo: Weltevree)
Weltevree reports that the Groundfridge's storage capacity is equivalent to around 20 typical refrigerators (Photo: Weltevree)
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Weltevree reports that the Groundfridge's storage capacity is equivalent to around 20 typical refrigerators (Photo: Weltevree)
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During this year's Salone del Mobile, Dutch Design firm Weltevree unveiled its own updated take on the root cellar. The prefabricated Groundfridge uses the earth's own insulating properties to keep food fresh, no electricity required.

Of course, root cellars aren't a new invention by any means, but the Groundfridge looks well-built and relatively easy to install. Weighing in at 300 kg (661 lb), and measuring 2.28 m (7.48 ft) in diameter, the prefab cellar is built from hand-laminated polyester and ships with integrated cabinet and lighting. Access is gained by a hatch-like door and steps lead into the cellar proper.

Weltevree rates Groundfridge's storage as equivalent to around 20 typical refrigerators and says that it can store the harvest from a 250 sq m (2,690 sq ft) vegetable garden, or 500 kg (1,102 lb) of food. The firm further states that Groundfridge maintains a steady temperature of between 7 to 15º C (44.6 to 59º F), even if the temperature upside varies anywhere between -10 to 35° C (14 to 95° F)

The Groundfridge is available from mid-2015, price on request.

Source: Weltevree via Inhabitat

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ArchitecturePrefabricatedFridgeFoodSalone del MobileOff-grid
9 comments
Adam Williams
Adam Williams
Adam scours the globe from his home in Spain in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of New Atlas. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.

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9 comments
Bob
This looks like the prefab tornado shelters they sell in the Midwest.
Nik
I think I'd love one in my kitchen.......perhaps not.
pickypilot
Yep, I can just see how architects work that into the "kitchen triangle" with the sink and cook top. At those temperatures, the only things you could store are root vegetables, some cheeses and wine. I hope you like turnips. Wine? No problem!
Buzzclick
As a root cellar, the level of humidity is important as is the circulation of air, and these characteristics aren't mentioned. So basically, this is a lame refrigerator for the homesteader wannabes. In trying to be both it fails to be either.
There is no mention of the cost, but I suspect that it is enough to cover the expense of both a good fridge and root cellar.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
Looks like tornado shelter.
Alien
The 'hatch' entrance seems a bit awkward to use . It might be more 'saleable' if the door were made upright to facilitate access ...assuming that would not have too serious an effect on the insulating aspect.
milliard
Suggested price Jan, 2016 is USD17.000+. Would be fantastic for listening to high volume music without disturbing the neighbours.
GloriaBillings
I am a social worker and know of people who are unable to pay for electricity and some whose refrigerator has broken down beyond reasonable repair. People in those situations have felt desperate about keeping food cold and providing for their families. An alternative such as this would meet needs of far more people than readers might realize. Sadly, there are quite a lot of people who live in dire straits and need alternatives to be able to get by. I didn't see any mention of cost. Usually things cost most when first developed but reduce somewhat when it becomes more common. Time will tell on this.
MarcosCooper
Sadly, GloriaBillings, this piece of equipment doesn't get cold enough to keep milk and other perishables from spoiling. It looks like just another toy for the rich, something to keep them distracted from the suffering they cause all around them with their greedy, grasping ways. The only cure for the current situation is for executives and stockholders to acquire self-awareness and realize that by diverting every penny of profit into their own pockets, they are destroying the country. In my lifetime there was an era when CEOs were proud to pay their workers a living wage and stockholders understood the social value of sharing profits. Now, however, business schools teach that corporations have no obligation to the people and nations from which they extract their wealth. Dutch Design firm Weltevree would do the world much more good if they came up with a modern design for the tumbrel.