Wwoofers
The next step was to insulate the shell and floor of the van. A fan of the mountains who was planning to use the van in both summer and winter, Bessou did not skimp on the materials, taking the time to research first. “I filled the hollows of the walls with wood wool, then I put in expanded cork in panels, in a thickness of 40 millimetres on the floor and walls.” Bessou then had to lay wiring for lighting at night. “I put a solar panel on the roof, which supplies the battery, which furnishes the van with electricity and makes it possible to stay in one place. I laid down cables for three LED spotlights and a dimmable ribbon in order to have precision lighting and a different ambiance. I knew about 220-volt lighting, but I had to relearn everything for 12 volts!,” he says. With the furniture, on the other hand, Bessou was in his comfort zone, and created the modules directly in his workshop. “I first manufactured the bed frame, which converts into a banquette, then the kitchen modules and the closet-office in 12-millimetre poplar plywood, the lightest there is.” In creating the furniture, Bessou always kept the final weight of his mobile home in mind. “According to the legislatio...
https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/van-tour-a-young-joiner-fits-out-a-mobile-home-fit-for-adventure-stsetivw-vs~157586820?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u17754&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery3_4&newsletterId=17754 Van at a Glance Who lives here: This van was designed by joiner Nicolas Bessou and his girlfriend, who are in their 30s and based in Limoges, France Van dimensions: 1.96 metres wide, 5.4 metres long and 1.97 metres high Size of interior, excluding the cabin: 3x1.6 metres Date completed: In the European summer of 2021 Duration of work: 1.5 months Joiner: Nicolas Bessou of Poligone Créations Total budget: Approximately $44.000AUD
It was not easy to select a van, as reliability, manoeuvrability and low fuel consumption were all priorities. Bessou opted for a Renault Trafic 3 L2H1, with a three-seater bench in front. This utility vehicle, beloved by craftspeople, is popular with van life adherents. “I knew [this model] well, because I have the short version for my work. The 1.97-metre height means it can pass under two-metre parking restrictions, and the 5.4 metres of length make it possible to park in a town without problems and offer maximum interior living space,” he says. That this was a good choice is corroborated by the fact that in the segment of vans below two metres in height, many decorators currently recommend this model in place of the iconic Volkswagen Transporter, thanks to its significantly lower cost and its squared shape, which is easier to furnish. “Now you’re starting to see quite a few ready-to-use fit-out kits and accessories for this model,” says Bessou. Before PhotoPoligone Créations The van before works. Bessou, on the other hand, created all of the furniture himself. Starting by unscrewing the partition wall between the cabin and the living space, he cut out the sheeting in the rea...
An elaborate hydraulic system was created with the help of Robbie's uncle to open the entire side of the living container. Part of the wall drops down to become a deck, while a second layer opens to become an awning over the deck. When closed, steel grating, usually found in industrial settings where it's used for things like balustrades and steps, is the perfect sunshade, blocking the heat of the afternoon sun, while letting in light in the morning and retaining views.
The look and feel of the containers retain an industrial edge. A heavy-duty industrial paint is used externally to tie all the elements together. Inside, plywood is used for floor, wall and ceiling surfaces, a nod to the plywood floors found in standard shipping containers. Plywood even continues into the bathrooms where Robbie has used an epoxy resin usually used to seal timber boats. If it's good enough for a boat, it'll protect the bathroom.
Both containers are self-contained and identical in plan. Either or both could be relocated to another site and function independently with a wet area on one end and an open-plan space with fold-down furniture taking up the remaining space. One container has been customised to act as a living zone, with a fold-down dining table, wood-burning stove and large glazed side which opens hydraulically to transform into a deck. The other acts as the sleeping zone, with a fold-down double bed and a triple bunk. The fold-down beds cleverly use self-inflating foam mattresses which compress down to virtually nothing, while fluffing up to a comfortable thickness when the Murphy-style beds are opened.
Cabinets open out and can be used to store kitchen utensils or act as countertops Occupying the front portion is the compact kitchen, which features several cabinets and a sink. Small, triangular cuts in the cabinet doors enable them to be opened without the use of handles. One of the doors folds down and becomes a table or countertop. Next to the kitchen is the living space, where the team placed a bench containing storage space. In front of this area is a large trunk that hides the van's portable table, which has legs that can be easily taken on and off.
Service functions were incorporated into the long sides of the vehicle, behind the front seats. "Design strategies were developed that allowed the space to be transformed into various configurations according to its needs, based on the decision to liberate longitudinal circulation and maintain the interior morphology of the vehicle," the designers said.
The home includes a kitchenette, fold-up dining table and a place to sleep The exterior was left mainly untouched. Within the van, the designers created a pared-down living environment that includes a kitchenette, a lounge space, a portable table for eating and working, and a sleeping platform for two people. The van's seating can accommodate the transportation of six passengers.
Architects Juan Alberto Andrade and María José Váscones have converted a van into a mini home To oversee the conversion of the van, they turned to architects Juan Alberto Andrade and María José Váscones, who are based in Guayaquil and have also completed an office in the city. The brief for the van called for creating a simple living environment within its five square metres of space, and under its 1.86-metre ceiling. "The area conditions the space – developing a project that is flexible enough to adapt to different everyday situations and solving the basic needs of living," the designers said.
Nice verandah deck extending the window frame and enhancing it Both these decks can only be reached from inside the cabin. Sliding doors provide access and when both are pushed back they form one platform that runs through the cabin. The decks are set low enough against the sloping site not to require a balustrade, and people can sit on the edge of the deck and look out over the landscape.
Spanish architecture studio Delavegacanolasso has created a modular, prefabricated cabin that can be ordered online and delivered on the back of a truck to act as a home office, weekend retreat or even a small dwelling. Called Tini, the compact unit arrives assembled and ready to be placed into a prepared plot. Measuring anywhere between 20 and 102 square metres, the cabin is made in Spain and comes fully furnished. Customised corten steel
Small house plan that works nicely
Storage spans one entire wall of the living room, covering the 3.3 metres from floor to ceiling. The storage features wardrobes on the bottom and square shelves on top, allowing the resident to access the clothes she needs easily every day, while using a ladder on the occasions she needs her books and other objects.
Open the door to 'oh my goodness'
Strandboard panels were used for the interior walls to eliminate the need for painting Tell us about your materials choices Prefabricated materials, such as SIPs, fibre-cement sheet panels and modular joinery were selected to minimise waste and allow for future flexibility and modifications. Materials were either pre-finished or left unfinished, eliminating painting from the job. SIPs were selected as the primary material for the project due to their environmental benefits and superior insulation, while blockwork was selected for its thermal mass and straightforward construction technique. anthrosite Tell us about the flooring Concrete slab flooring provides thermal mass and helps to regulate internal temperatures. The suspended living level and rear deck are finished with fibre cement panels as a low-cost, durable alternative to timber. We used broadloom carpet in the bedroom on the mezzanine floor.
Construction consisted of standard blockwork and affordable, prefabricated materials and modular components. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) were selected as the primary material for the walls and roof for their environmental benefits and superior insulation. Double-glazed, operable doors and windows promote cross-ventilation and maintain thermal comfort.
Rammed earth, metal dark beam, outside shower
Stair case is interesting
4. Pared-back sophistication. Montana, USA Designer: The Construction Group Montana
inside
A standout feature. Kangaroo Valley, NSW Designer: Couvaras Architects
Divide the bed and slide - for either 2 singles or one large double. The cleverest part of the bedroom design is the hidden wardrobe: the bed divides in the middle and slides apart to reveal access steps down into a large closet underneath.
To maximise space, Max suspended lolly-jar lights from underneath two slim shelves, leaving the surfaces clear rather than cluttering them with bulky lamp bases. He also created a textured paint effect on the walls by mixing sawdust and PVA in with the paint to create a tactile surface.
Making furniture, lights and fittings out of pipework. He used Jelly moulds for light fittings.
Corner sleeping/daybed unit - no windows. Like the table at the end - but needs to face out - so can use the back wall as a back rest.
Let’s finish off with the outdoor furnishings, which are indispensable to anyone wanting to live in connection with nature. An awning, which creates shade on hot days (not pictured), can be set up on the side of the van thanks to a rail that Bessou had fixed just above the sliding door. Poligone Créations As for the garden furniture, it is stored entirely lengthwise in the boot, which can be accessed under the bench. Bessou built the table himself out of an oak top and foldable aluminium legs he bought on the internet. The chairs are also foldable, and the carpet is a well-known accessory for van life enthusiasts, usually placed under the front step. It reduces the amount of dirt that gets tracked inside the living space. Bessou thought of everything: “I even have a 12-volt vacuum cleaner stowed near the bin. It can be charged from the plugs that we installed at the level of the kitchen.”
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