EcoDomes: Cabins of the Future?

EcoCamp Patagonia

As the camp market continues to upgrade facilities to have more essential luxuries, the basic cabin still greatly resembles what it always has. A boxy, 4 walled, peaked roof with bunk beds and a quaint front porch is all one needs to stay in touch with nature, religion, or whatever else has brought them to camp. However, as architecture continues to push the limits of design and keep environmental impact low, it may be time to step even further out of the box.

EcoCamp Patagonia is located in Chile and has won multiple sustainability awards for its design. First, solar panels and a micro-hydro turbine create all of the camp’s energy.  Additionally, the domes are specifically designed to maximize heat and light energy through skylights and are made of renewable materials. Thirdly, the domes are connected by raised walkways so there is least disruption to the terrain. They also have composting devices to help with waste management and exercise high-quality recycling rules that start by bringing as little waste into the property and wilderness as possible. EcoCamp also house Community Domes at the center of camp. They act as meeting places, dining rooms, libraries, activity spaces, and places to relax and connect with nature. 

Solar panels among the domes
and Patagonia Mountains.

Raised wooden walkways 
connect the property. 

These Geodesic Domes are built in such a way that if they needed to be packed up and moved, they wouldn’t leave any footprint behind in nature. They are meant to blend in with their surroundings, staying rather small and low in height. These intentions derive from the Kaweskars, a nomadic group of Patagonians who lived in this land in the 15^th century. They lived a life of respect for the land and moved from place to place leaving no trace of their camp and nature as it was before they arrived.

Though hotel life is certainly different than camp life, we can take many of the sustainable practices done at EcoCamp Patagonia and apply them to camp design. Incorporating skylights and ample windows to help with natural lighting and heating is a simple concept that would be great for camps in high-sun areas. Raised walkways are not only least disruptive to the land and wildlife but also provide greater ADA accessibility. Green sources of energy such as water, sun and wind are ample on camp sites and would greatly reduce fossil fuel based power if put into action. Simply raising campers’ awareness of their impact on the Earth is a huge step in the right direction.

The somewhat 'futuristic' look of these Eco-Domes may not be for everybody or every camp. However, they do help catapult greater sustainable ideas into the forefront of camp design. How can we incorporate these values into the traditional cabin? Can we look to our natives for earth-friendly practices and implement them into living in the wilderness? If we were to pick up and leave, what type of footprint would we leave behind? 

For more information, visit EcoCamp.com.