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Headline : 'The Skysphere' - A solar-powered man cave
Caption : It might bear a resemblance to a control tower but this unique structure could potentially be a home.

New Zealand-based graphic designer and engineer Jono Williams is the creative mind behind this towering, solar-powered structure that offers 360-degree views of the surrounding rural landscape.

Known as The Skysphere, it stands at 33 feet tall and contains 270 square feet of circular living space, constructed around a giant column that includes steps leading you into the unique apartment.

Taking around 3000 hours to complete by himself, Williams took classes to teach himself everything—from welding to wind simulation testing—so that he'd know what to do as he went along.
The most eye-catching feature of The Skysphere is its 6.5-foot-tall window that bathes the room in natural light. Although anyone can see inside the space, Williams has made sure that you can lower the curtains for privacy.

The décor includes custom furniture with multicolour LED lights, as well as a built-in beer dispenser, which are both operated by voice commands. To add to his long list of futuristic technology, Williams has also added a visitor-recognition system. If you have your fingerprints recorded, you're automatically greeted by name when you enter. The only downside currently is the lack of bathroom facilities.

“There is no bathroom at the moment but I plan to build a small bathroom in the trees near the tower,” explains Williams. “I chose to exclude plumbing from V1, but if there is a V2 it may well have plumbing.
Initially my plan was to build some sort of structure in a tree or between multiple trees; after fighting with designs for months - trying to come up with something that would be completely robust (would not get damaged by forces applied to trees in high winds and the natural tendency for trees to grow), I let go of the idea of building the tree house in the tree - why not support the structure by a huge steel column that you can fix virtually anywhere?.. In amongst trees, on a hilltop, or even in the ocean... The possibilities are endless!”

At a cost of around $50,000 (£31,250), it seems there has been a definite interest in such accommodation.

Williams says, “I had no idea so many people would want one, I built the Skysphere for my own hangout without the intention of selling. Who knows, they may be for sale in the future!”
PersonInImage : Atmosphere