Have you heard of a Groundfridge? For many people living with everyday modern amenities powered by electricity, it might be difficult to comprehend how to refrigerate foods and beverages without depending on the ever-expanding, and costly (residential) electrical grid.
Netherlands-based designer and entrepreneur Floris Schoonderbeek has done just that with his Groundfridge design.
Groundfridge
He is marketing the underground storage unit under his brand, Weltevree, which sells other products designed for outdoor living including ovens, hot tubs, and furniture.
As an article published on The Contemporist website describes the spherically-shaped cooling unit that was inspired by the root cellar, drawing upon the insulation from beneath the ground, combined with the cooling of groundwater.
It is insulated with a 3.5 foot layer of excavated soil, which helps to create a constant annual temperature between 10 and 12° C. This makes a perfect environment for storage of typical foods and beverages, such as dairy products, fruits, and vegetables, complete with wooden shelves.
Another perk is its volume, which is equal to twenty regular fridges. The Groundfridge has also been nominated for the 2015 Dutch Design Award.
Schoonderbeek has uploaded a video presentation on the Groundfridge you can watch below:
