Overview
Dutch design studio Blade-Made has innovatively repurposed a decommissioned wind turbine into a compact, solar-powered micro home. The project transforms the nacelle—the core structure that once housed vital turbine machinery—into a functional and minimalist dwelling lined with wood and powered by renewable energy. Architect Jos de Krieger, co-founder of Blade-Made and a member of Superuse studio in Rotterdam, spearheaded the project to explore new life cycles for retired wind turbines.
A Vision for Reuse and Circular Architecture
This project exemplifies a bold step in circular architecture, aiming to reduce waste and carbon impact by reusing high-performance industrial components. After observing the potential of turbine parts, Superuse was invited by Swedish energy provider Vattenfall and the Dutch Design Foundation—along with three other studios—to conceptualize architectural uses for discarded turbine components.
The nacelle was particularly promising due to its dimensions (~10m x 4m) and robust shell, making it viable for small-scale housing. As a clever nod to its form and function, the micro-home was named Nestle.
Design Features and Interior Functionality
Despite maintaining its original exterior, the nacelle was thoroughly reimagined on the inside:
- Compact Spatial Planning: Bathroom, kitchen, and technical systems are clustered to streamline plumbing and electrical work.
- Multifunctional Layout: The open-plan area accommodates a sofa, dining space, media unit, and ample storage, and can double as a meeting room, office, or exhibition zone.
- Minimalist Aesthetic: Interiors are finished in light plywood for walls and recycled PET felt for the ceiling, enhancing both warmth and acoustics.
- Local Craftsmanship: Dutch joinery studio Woodwave executed the internal fit-out.
Energy and Sustainability Systems
The micro home is completely off-grid and self-sufficient, featuring:
| System | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Solar Panels (x4) | Generate electricity for the home and EV charging |
| Solar Boiler | Provides hot water |
| Air-to-Air Heat Pump | Regulates interior temperature efficiently |
| Triple-Glazed Windows | Improves insulation and energy retention |
| Highly Insulated Shell | Ensures thermal performance and airtight integrity |
The Source Nacelle and Future Potential
The nacelle used for the Nestle project is sourced from a Vestas V80 turbine formerly installed in Gols, Austria, and decommissioned by Business in Wind. It’s one of more than 10,000 nacelles globally that may become available in the coming decades.
According to De Krieger, nacelles—like turbine blades—have excellent potential as building components due to their material strength, engineered form, and structural properties. He emphasized that these shells can be transformed into various small structures: sheds, stables, carports, and now, homes.
Towards Scalable Sustainability
Blade-Made’s tiny house is more than a design experiment; it’s a proof of concept for scalable, circular housing. By blending industrial reuse, compact living, and renewable energy, it opens new pathways for sustainability in architecture and inspires future adaptations for decommissioned infrastructure worldwide.
More on ArchUp:
