On the move: Walking house and 'creature' on wheels among world's quirkiest nomadic homes
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The ancient word "nomad" means "to pasture", or "to graze", and refers to the practice of moving around to follow plants and game with the seasons. Humans have lived this hunter-gatherer lifestyle for 99 per cent of our time on Earth and although the nomadic tradition is gradually disappearing, many groups still choose to practice it.
In his new book, leading contemporary architecture writer Philip Jodidio explores some of the most extraordinary examples of movable homes, from a floating underwater hotel room to a tiny self-sufficient house that literally walks.
"What more contemporary thought could there be than to seek nothing so much as to move, to grow perhaps, but always to move?" he asks.
Here are a handful of our favourites:
THE FLOATING HOUSE
Carbon neutral and self-sufficient, the Floating House was designed by Carl Turner Architects in response to the increased risk of flooding in many parts of the world because of global warming.
It is eco-friendly: rainwater is harvested in a tank on the roof terrace and solar panels are integrated into the walls.
The solid timber structure can be ordered and built on site in less than two weeks. This one is built on to concrete for about £175,000, it could also be built on piles or a floating pontoon.
THE ANIMATED FOREST
This luxurious house on wheels in south Snowdonia, Wales, plays into the glamping trend and is part of a bid to encourage tourists to discover the natural beauty of the region.
Originally intended to sit on legs high above the ground, it was designed by the young London team Francis & Arnett and costs just £11,000.
The structure, built from blackened timber and steel, aims to “resemble a creature meandering through the landscape” and the design is inspired by the Welsh poem Cad Goddeu, or Battle Of The Trees.
Skylights allow residents to enjoy the forest and sky from the padded leather bedding area in the natural spruce-clad interior. There is a wood-burning stove and a shower area.
THE UNDERWATER ROOM
For a hotel stay with a difference, head for Swedish artist Mikael Genberg’s awe-inspiring floating home found bobbing in the Indian Ocean near Zanzibar in Tanzania.
The three-level Manta Underwater Room boasts an underwater bedroom offering 360-degree views of the marine life, with spotlights in place to attract shy animals such as octopuses.
There is a lounge and bathroom on the landing deck and another lounge on the roof. It is little surprise that this sustainable hotel received a tourism innovation award in 2016.
THE TREE TENT
Tentsile tents from London weight just 10kg but can carry loads of up to 400kg when suspended from trees. They come in a variety of designs and colours and, unlike the many more glamorous options, only cost around $300.
Made from polyester and nylon, they can be set up in less than 15 minutes and are supported from the trees by high-tensile seatbelt material. They come with waterproof rainfly protection and the Stingray tent even has a "roof" made from anti-insect mesh.
THE ECOCAPSULE
Another self-sustainable micro-home, the Slovakian Ecocapsule’s aesthetically pleasing ellipsoid shape is designed to collect as much rainwater and dew as possible while minimising energy loss.
Dubbed the Rolling Stones capsule, its hollow walls are filled with thermal insulation for use in harsh, freezing environments.
It fits into a standard shipping container and a specially designed trailer allows it to be towed by a car and used as a caravan, while its small size - just 4.7 metres long, 2.2 metres wide and 2.5 metres tall - also suits urban environments because it can be readily placed onto a rooftop.
Weighing just 1,300kg with empty water tanks, its body is made of fibreglass overlaid onto a steel frame. Designer Tomas Zacek describes it as “a mobile house, almost like a hotel room that could operate off-grid”.
THE AUTONOMOUS TENT
The concept of leaving no trace has been taken to a new level with the transportable Autonomous Tent, which has a king-size bed, a gas fireplace and a fully-equipped bathroom but can still be erected in just a few days.
Found in the boutique Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California, it offers open-plan living and a high ceiling in a similar style to a yurt.
Described as a “giant cocoon”, it is wind and solar-powered, has bamboo flooring and glows in the dark when lit thanks to its membrane fabric exterior.
THE WALKING HOUSE
Danish group N55 took the concept of a movable home more literally with the Walking House in Copenhagen.
Up to four people can live in this unique dwelling, which walks on six legs to "enable living a peaceful nomadic life moving slowly through the landscape or cityscape, with minimal impact on the environment".
It can be built from steel, aluminium or wood and moves at a rate of 60 metres an hour. It uses solar cells and small windmills to generate power, collects rainwater and solar heats hot water.
Its design is inspired by nomadic cultures and traditional 18th-century Romany horse carriages.
Nomadic Homes by Philip Jodidio, £49.99 from Taschen.