Nature is Omnipresent with Vipp Shelter

What does a pedal bin, flashlight and prefabricated shelter have in common? I’ll give you a clue: each item is made by the same Danish masterminds who have brought us long lasting, well-designed and aesthetically pleasing household objects since the 1930s. That’s right Yellowtracers, it’s Vipp. It all started with the iconic pedal bin, the core product in the Vipp portfolio that defines the company’s philosophy of design where functional requirements and material processing define the form. From there we’ve seen an expansion into a cohesive range of products as well as complete bathroom and kitchen modules.

In 2014, they unveiled their most ambitious product yet: Vipp Shelter which launched as a fully integrated and all inclusive retreat that is built, delivered and installed in just over 6 months. It’s a modern plug and play getaway that has been marketed as easy and cost-effective. The product’s tagline nails this point by saying “you only have to lift one finger…to point where you want it.”

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The 55sqm prefabricated shelter has been designed to fit any type of landscape or natural environment. The basic construction of each shelter is adjusted according to specific locations so it can easily withstand the extremities of snow-capped mountains or barren deserts. According to Concept Director Sofie Christensen Egelund, since the launch of the product over 6 months ago “the response has been overwhelming and because of the internet, interest has come from all over the world.” This little guy is being used as a guesthouse at a coffee plantation in South America, as part of a fishing resort on top of a mountain in British Columbia, as a rooftop house in New York, or simply as a second home close to the ocean.

When they say “all inclusive” they mean it. Everything down to the espresso cup has been considered and provided. That means everything you see in these images is included from the appliances, feature lighting and furniture to the cutlery, towels and bedding. According to Sofie, “all you need is your weekend bag” and you’re ready to go. If you want to be able to use the kitchen and bathroom facilities, electricity and water must be connected. Aesthetically, Vipp questions our concept of a vacation home. The exterior form derives from the shapes of travel vessels such as planes, ferries or submarines. The use of darker tones for both the exterior and interior were carefully selected in order to keep the focus on nature. Nature is certainly the hero and there is a visual connection with your surrounding at all times.

Vipp Shelter isn’t for everyone. Its predetermined nature might be off-putting to some but it’s about a purity of design that negates the need for excessive ‘stuff’. Every item has a purpose and its place. Sure, I’m a fan of options and customisation but the more I look into Vipp the more I’m convinced that the shelter is a crazy-cool concept that has been well executed. The design is sleek, functional and refined.

So why build a shelter you ask? Well, the answer is simple – why the hell not? Vipp is not about playing it safe but about a desire to do something different and better than what already exists out there. They stand alongside pioneering designers who see beyond their immediate potential and embark on unfamiliar territory. Perhaps the lesson to be learned here is to be daring, different and just a touch wild with your creative vision. It certainly paid off for these guys. Bravo Vipp!