WashPod

Eco-Friendly Mobile HYGIENE Facility For People transitioning out of homelessness off-grid

WashPod is built upon Shine’s ShowerPod technology and incorporates laundry machines in addition to shower facilities.

Innovative Design

WashPod is built from the ground up to be sustainable and functional. WashPod uses affordable, high quality building materials. 

Inside, the pod is divided into two rooms, one with a full sized shower, bench, and changing area and another with state-of-the-art laundry facilities and a sink. 

WashPod can be used by two community members simultaneously, and prioritizes privacy, while at the same time maximizing efficiency. 

Student created

In 2018, the Catlin Gabel Community Engineering team and Shine researched, designed, and built the first WashPod prototype.

Throughout the design process, the team interfaced with residents of “tiny house” villages to understand and meet their needs.

SMALL FOOTPRINT

WashPod is designed to maximize energy efficiency and minimize carbon footprint. WashPod uses an innovative hybrid power generation system to filter, heat, pressurize, and treat water and power a high-efficiency washer, dryer, and shower.

WashPod's hybrid power generation system uses solar power supported by an efficient, quiet propane generator, propane dryer and hot water heater.

This project was funded by winnings from the first round of the Lexus EcoChallenge 2017-2018.

ShowerPod

Mobile shower facility for People Transitioning out of homelessness off-grid

Hybrid power: Solar + Propane

Shine members engineered this prototype hybrid shower system to pump, filter, and heat water while running an exhaust fan and lights on the interior of a ShowerPod.

We source our solar panels from Grape Solar in Eugene, Oregon and use a high-efficiency instant propane water heater to help ShowerPod function reliably and efficiently in the winter months.

Why ShowerPod?

For residents of off-grid tiny house communities, it is often challenging and time consuming to stay clean and healthy.

ShowerPod helps to restore dignity and confidence in people working to lift themselves upwards.

wHERE is Showerpod?

ShowerPod is currently situated at Hazelnut Grove, a village of houseless individuals in North Portland, OR.

We have worked directly with residents to integrate its systems into a full-service bath house in operation since 2017.

Next for ShowerPod?

ShowerPod is Shine's first prototype off-grid hygiene facility. Since its creation, we have developed WashPod and begun work on WashPod 2.0.

As we integrate evolving battery and energy generation technologies into our newest systems, we are using feedback from the users of ShowerPod to improve our products.