We’ve seen some pretty odd bits of camping equipment in our time. From useful things like water bottles that filter out impurities, to the borderline insanity of inflatable ground pegs, there’s some pretty odd stuff out there.

However, one innovation that’s completely blindsided us is the concrete tent.

Normally, what sets tents apart from more regular dwellings like houses, flats, and abandoned warehouses on industrial estates is the fact that they can be folded away and made portable. Concrete and portability don’t exactly go hand-in-hand though.

However, these boffins have broken down these barriers in an act of unity the likes of which the world hasn’t seen since David Hasselhoff single handedly demolished the Berlin wall. We’re forever grateful, Dave.

The tent is actually made from a special material that has all of the same basic elements as concrete, but is actually completely flexible. As such, it can be folded and bent into any shape required. In this case, tent shape.

“it looks like a giant slug with a door but these concrete tents could save lives”

However, much like with Gremlins, it’s when you pour water on the tent that things really start to happen. Give it a good soaking, allow it to set, and the material hardens, giving you something that’s as strong and solid as concrete.

Granted, the one shown does look a little like a giant slug with a door where its face should be, but these concrete tents could become very useful indeed.

In areas of the world where emergency relief is needed following natural disasters or conflict, these tents could be shipped over and strong, semi-permanent homes could be constructed in just 24 hours, providing much needed security and safety for those affected.

However, they probably wont be so good at a rain soaked british festival. One minute, you’re drinking supermarket vodka and watching Paolo Nutini sing songs from the jungle book, the next, you’ve accidentally built a house on a swamp in Somerset.

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