Camping is awesome. Except for the bugs, the lack of outlets for your gadgets, and the ongoing fear that you'll be attacked by a wild animal while you're doing your business in the woods. All of these issues might be resolved, however, with a solar-powered concept tent that minimizes one's impact on the environment.
Industrial Designer Benjamin Charles' Leav tent concept solves the problems associated with bringing powered gadgets into the wilderness, and also appears to deliver a level of comfort that we rarely find outdoors.
Roof-top solar cells power the tent's lighting system and supply electricity for consumer electronics. The roof also contains solar thermal panels that produce hot water, so campers won't have to bathe in a nearby river. In addition to a bathroom with a dry toilet, the Leav also contains a kitchen, two bedrooms, a living room, and a dining room. So, it's not exactly roughing it.
In his design brief, Benjamin states the Leav is a "sustainable outdoor habitat concept targeting the camping/hotel industry." Clearly the Leav won't fit in your backpack and is definitely not for the rugged outdoorsman/woman. But for vacationers who want to spend time outdoors without being forced to sleep under a tree and on top of a rock, the Leav concept could be a perfect fit.
