Tiny Houses

UrbanCampsite brings unusual tiny shelters to Amsterdam

UrbanCampsite brings unusual tiny shelters to Amsterdam
UrbanCampsite Amsterdam has transformed a barren stretch of land into a community of rentable shelters
UrbanCampsite Amsterdam has transformed a barren stretch of land into a community of rentable shelters
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UrbanCampsite Amsterdam has transformed a barren stretch of land into a community of rentable shelters
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UrbanCampsite Amsterdam has transformed a barren stretch of land into a community of rentable shelters
"Upside down you turn me" is designed by Rob Sweere
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"Upside down you turn me" is designed by Rob Sweere
Residents enter "Upside down you turn me" via a ladder, with a space to sit at the bottom
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Residents enter "Upside down you turn me" via a ladder, with a space to sit at the bottom
The sleeping space "Upside down you turn me" is very simple
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The sleeping space "Upside down you turn me" is very simple
"The Attic" is designed by Arjen Boerstra
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"The Attic" is designed by Arjen Boerstra
"The Attic" is based on the Boerstra's attic as a child
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"The Attic" is based on the Boerstra's attic as a child
"Solid Family" is designed by Boomhuttenfest
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"Solid Family" is designed by Boomhuttenfest
"Solid Family" sees two pods joined together by a tunnel and can sleep four
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"Solid Family" sees two pods joined together by a tunnel and can sleep four
"Val Ross" is designed by Mud Projects
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"Val Ross" is designed by Mud Projects
Residents enter Val Ross through an opening at the top, which closes behind them
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Residents enter Val Ross through an opening at the top, which closes behind them
Val Ross can sleep two people
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Val Ross can sleep two people
Kwiezien provides a space for residents to meet and cook
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Kwiezien provides a space for residents to meet and cook
There is a raised block of toilets called the Tribal Toilet Tower
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There is a raised block of toilets called the Tribal Toilet Tower
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Tiny houses tend to be highly functional and efficient. The shelters at an exhibition in Amsterdam, however, focus less on functionality and more on artistic license. UrbanCampsite Amsterdam features a host of "extraordinary sleeping accommodations" in an "exciting landscape."

The exhibition is based on the artificial island of Centrumeiland in the IJburg city district of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The location is described as an otherwise barren stretch of land and the exhibition is aimed in part at changing attitudes towards the area.

The sandy plain of Centrumeiland has been transformed into a community of rentable shelters with all the facilities of a regular campsite. It is flanked by the IJ lake, and an embankment around the site offers protection from the elements.

All of the shelters are pretty unusual, some more so than others. Some use recyclable materials to create functional sleeping spaces, whilst others are said to "focus more on the interaction between object and surroundings."

"Upside down you turn me" is designed by Rob Sweere
"Upside down you turn me" is designed by Rob Sweere

"Upside down you turn me," designed by Rob Sweere, looks like a spare part for a white plastic device of some sort. Residents enter via a ladder at one end and the pod is supported with some disparity by two thin poles at the other. Inside there is a room for sleeping and a room for resting. There is also a space for sitting below the capsule.

"The Attic" is designed by Arjen Boerstra
"The Attic" is designed by Arjen Boerstra

Another raised shelter is "The Attic," by Arjen Boerstra. It is based on the attic from Boerstra's youth, and is built entirely from wood. It is reminiscent of a child's climbing frame and has no little charm about it.

"Solid Family" is designed by Boomhuttenfest
"Solid Family" is designed by Boomhuttenfest

Boomhuttenfest's "Solid Family" has two of its ground-based pods connected by a tunnel or corridor. It can sleep up to four people, with a queen-sized bed in each pod.

"Val Ross" is designed by Mud Projects
"Val Ross" is designed by Mud Projects

"Val Ross," designed by Mud Projects, is one of the smallest shelters in the exhibition. It is a curved, tilted pod that is reminiscent of a cocoon. Residents enter through an opening at the top, which closes behind them. Up to two people can sleep in it.

Kwiezien provides a space for residents to meet and cook
Kwiezien provides a space for residents to meet and cook

Other structures have also been created to provide different facilities. Kwiezien provides a space for residents to meet and cook. There is also a reception, a raised block of toilets called the Tribal Toilet Tower, and space to work provided by KantoorKaravaan as well.

UrbanCampsite Amsterdam opened in June and runs through to August. It's possible to stay in the shelters via Airbnb.

The video below provides an introduction to UrbanCampsite Amsterdam. Most of the speech is in Dutch, but the images give a good insight.

Source: UrbanCampsite Amsterdam

Opening Urban Campsite 2015

View gallery - 13 images
2 comments
2 comments
Germano Pecoraro Designer
These housing solutions are suitable as a starting point to build "on the field" of emergency homes to big disasters.
the.other.will
A raised shelter might be a good alternative for areas with bears.