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This project was featured in Bruce Littlefield’s coffee table book Airstream Living.
| Project description |
MAK was interested in the Airstream trailer because of
its look, efficient use of space and also because of its embodiment of American culture
and invention. We wanted the trailer to be comfortable, stylish, and functional, and to
use the design opportunity to test green materials and technologies and demonstrate their
applications. We operated MAK out of the Airstream for the fist three years we were in business.
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| The design challenge |
The Airstream is a distinctive and pre-set
structure which defined a certain set of parameters - both spatial
and aesthetic - for the new design. We knew we didn't want to approach
the renovation as purists - Sorry, Wally! - and just restore the
original components. We were more interested in bridging the old
ways of thinking and design principals with new elements and uses
for the space.
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| MAK's solution |
MAK needed a space that was comfortable
for sleeping but would also provide a space for meetings,
file storage and a tabletop workspace. The original trailer had
two sofas which folded out into double beds, and we made the decision
early on to replace the sofa at the front end with a dinette which
would seat 4, provide file drawers, and also fold down into a
shorter bed for kids.
In order to open up the space, we replaced a tall refrigerator
next to the sofa along the side of the trailer with a shorter
one. The shorter refrigerator would make it more comfortable for
someone sitting at the dinette and someone on the sofa to talk
to each other and would serve as a side table for the sofa. We
also removed the cabinets above the sofa and added a row of cabinets
over the dinette so there was no net loss of precious storage
space.
The cabinetry was rebuilt using a green plywood alternative called
Dakota Burl, a pressed board made from the husks of sunflower
seeds. To demonstrate another plywood alternative, we used bamboo
plywood for the top of the refrigerator and for the dinette tabletop.
Although we have made some improvements to the energy efficiency
of the trailer by replacing the older refrigerator with a new,
more efficient model, we are still exploring the possibility of
installing solar panels for power and a swamp cooler to cool the
space in the summer.
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| Feats of magic |
The cabinetry is the star of this renovation.
The use of the Dakota Burl and the bamboo demonstrates how faster
growing and recycled materials can provide wonderful texture and
color. The design of the cabinet components themselves speaks to
the shape and style of the original cabinetry while bringing in
a contemporary and unique feel that expresses a more modern aesthetic.
The "Poor Man's Flat Screen TV" is also a favorite element
which is wired to a DVD/CD/receiver that is easily accessible in
the cabinets over the dinette. The speakers are mounted in the wall
between the living area and the bathroom for optimum sound.
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| Local and creative craftspeople |
We owe the success of this project in
large part to Rob Scheibel, a talented craftsman living in Fair
Oaks, CA, who built all the cabinetry, installed the new appliances,
found authentic Airstream parts and fixtures to replace those that
no longer worked, and made everything hum. Davis Upholstery deftly
copied the old cushions from the remaining sofa and created new
and oddly shaped cushions for the new dinette. We also want to thank
a score of local polishers who removed the interior paint to expose
the aluminum and brought a shine to the exterior which hasn't been
seen in years.
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