Aeropods, a company run by businessmen Kevin Regan and Shane Thornton hailing from Leitrim has introduced a phenomenal idea of turning old aeroplanes into living pods for human occupation.
The duo has a water services company but this particular business is bringing in the bucks for them as the demand for sustainable living is high.
Aluminium alloys are broadly utilized in the manufacturing of aircraft fuselages and other engineering structures and compounds in which lightweight and corrosion resistance are highly desired, so they are usually taken apart from one end to the other and then the parts are individually sent for recycling. But by transforming an entire aeroplane, the never-ending process of recycling and forging into other essential items can be omitted. This is somewhere good for the ecosystem while providing lifestyle solutions to people.
When an acquaintance working in the aviation industry convinced them that the decommissioned A320 airbuses could be used, they deconstructed the executive appeal of the aeroplane and restored it into a miniature residential unit.
At that moment they were not aware that the innovation would appeal to a larger class of people looking for accommodation.
The economic downfall due to the housing crash in 2007 had made Kevin, a building contractor, underestimate him and he thought about producing a small number this year and then waiting to see what turns out.
“I was contacted by someone I know who works with planes who said the fuselage on planes being junked might make a lovely garden pod”, said Kevin.
“I sent the idea on to my business partner Shane who also thought it was a great idea. These planes when they reach the end of their life – they are stripped down and the parts are sold off all over the world.”
He further added, “We bought our first plane from Cardiff in Wales where it was stripped down, cut up into five sections and shipped over to us in Ireland. We try to recycle as much of the original material as possible, the little windows still have the blinds on them you use on the plane.”
Kevin further breaks it down as he says: “It takes three to four weeks to complete a pod but when they are completed they come fully wired, with panel heaters, Bluetooth – as well as being wired for the internet. We’ve got four done so far but already have orders for five more. Honestly, we didn’t think we’d be this busy so quickly.”
“We never dreamt we’d have people from all over the world looking for it. The good thing is they can be used for everything from pop up pubs or hair salons – there are just so many options.”
“Also, it’s aluminium so it’s never going to rot and there’s nothing in it that can rot.”
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