Dutch designer Floris Schoonderbeek has found a simple yet amazing solution to refrigeration – his ground fridge doesn’t need electricity to chill food.
Humans pursue strange objectives. Not only do we wish to live a ‘greener’ lifestyle, but we also try to retain some form of luxury, in the process.
When it comes to food storage and preservation, we desire the same solutions. We all love our refrigerators, it’s true. Why, the ability to come home, swing open that frosty door and grab a snack is just, how do I say it, priceless.
Well, the environment doesn’t benefit from modern refrigeration. So, what did our ancestors do?
The Root cellar
Root cellars were and are used for underground storage. Our ancestors used them for many purposes. In these spaces, fruits, vegetables, and even dairy products were stored throughout the seasons. This is just a genius way of storage without damage to the environment.
Guess what! We may have rebooted that idea. Floris Schoonderbeek, Dutch designer has given us the best modern solution to underground natural refrigeration – the Ground fridge.
This compartment doesn’t need electricity. Instead, the Ground fridge, originally designed for Weltvree, depends on thermal inertia-consistent temperatures throughout the year.
https://vimeo.com/142989143
What does the ground fridge look like?
This innovative creation is designed with a round base which holds numerous shelves. In fact, it has the storage capacity of twenty regular refrigerators. A staircase leads from the ground surface to the round base, and the entire structure is made from laminated polyester which is resilient to root invasion.
The ground fridge is sturdy and maybe one of the best solutions to the marriage of modern and green concepts.
I have a feeling, we have stumbled upon a lasting product. Think of all the environmental benefits of this invention. Since this product doesn’t need electricity, when power outages occur, we don’t have to worry about losing our food stores. It just makes sense!
The Ground fridge is a development recently qualified for the Dutch Awards of 2015, at the Veemgebouw in Eindhoven.
This was all a part of last year’s Dutch Design Week.
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I’m impressed!! Sometimes “old ways” are best*