Extraordinary Gervasutti Refuge in Italy is a Prefab Tubular Alpine Pod Home

<a href="http://www.leapfactory.it/index_eng.html">LEAPFactory's New Refuge Gervasutti</a> in Italy is an extraordinary solar-powered tubular mountain cabin that was installed on Mt. Blanc - by helicopters! This energy-efficient <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefabricated_home">prefabricated pod</a> was built out of high-quality materials that have zero impact on the sensitive environment in which it was placed. Since it is a temporary structure and fully recoverable, mountain climbers who brave the 9,300 foot summit can use it to take shelter from the elements while at the same time respecting nature in all its glory.

LEAPfactory's latest design is also their greatest.

The Gervasutti Refuge in Italy is completely energy-efficient.

Designed as a retreat for mountain cabins, this modular structure also respects the environment in which it was placed.

The prefabricated pod was installed on Mt. Blanc using helicopters.

It only took two days to install the pod.

According to their literature, LEAPfactory's Gervasutti refuge represents the pinnacle of the Italian firm's achievement.

It has 6 contact points with the ground and weighs 5,500 pounds, while the elongated shape creates nearly 100 square feet of hi-comfort interior space that sleeps up to 12 people.

Everything - from the exterior shell to the interior fittings - is modular so that when the time comes, the refuge can be relocated elsewhere.

In the city center before taking off!

The solar panels installed on the roof produce 2.5 Kwh of solar energy - making it completely self-sufficient.