Key Takeaways
- Concealment technology: HiberTec Homes has developed dwellings capable of disappearing underground in 15 minutes via a hydraulic vault activated through an app.
- Thermal resistance: The underground vault withstands temperatures up to 1,090°C (1,994°F) for several days, compared to roughly five hours for traditional fire-resistant materials.
- Development stage: Following media exposure on Shark Tank and the deal with Barbara Corcoran, the company is now focused on building its first functional prototype.
A house designed to disappear
HiberTec Homes has developed a housing system in which the entire structure, in the event of a fire or an approaching tornado, retreats underground through a dedicated protective vault. The idea, born in California and presented in Season 17 of Shark Tank by founders Mikey Pearson and Holden Forrest, flips the conventional approach to fire resistance: rather than reinforcing the home's materials, it removes the home from the surface entirely.
The descent mechanism
Activation happens through a smartphone. A system of hydraulic jacks, engineered to function even without power thanks to gravity, lowers the structure into the vault in about 15 minutes. A lithium battery backup and a manual winch ensure the system still operates if the primary mechanism fails.
During the descent, patented mechanisms automatically disconnect water, gas, and electrical utilities. A system sprays a non-toxic flame retardant around the property, while a reinforced ceiling seals the vault airtight once the maneuver is complete.
Resistance capabilities
The underground vault withstands temperatures up to 1,090°C (1,994°F) for several consecutive days. Traditional fire-resistant materials, by comparison, hold their effectiveness for a maximum of about five hours before failing.
Technical and structural limitations
The system does not protect people: during an emergency, occupants must still evacuate, since the technology is designed to safeguard the building and its contents. It cannot be retrofitted onto existing structures and must instead be integrated from the design phase onward. The technology is also better suited to stable ground with low water tables, and construction times run around 18 months.
Available models
HiberTec offers three configurations: a single-story model at 149 sq m (1,604 sq ft) with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms; a two-story version at 232 sq m (2,497 sq ft) with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms; and a luxury model at 372 sq m (4,004 sq ft) with 5 bedrooms, a study, 5.5 bathrooms, and premium finishes.
Future outlook
Following the deal reached with shark Barbara Corcoran, the company is now concentrating its resources on building the first functional prototype, a necessary step to validate the system's engineering at full scale. The stated goal centers on future reductions in production costs, a condition considered necessary to extend the technology's application beyond its current market segment reserved for areas at highest risk of natural disasters.
