COTTAGE VAN

The Cottage Van was a project that stemmed from wanting to have a home that I could take with me while I journeyed through rural and remote Western Australia while completing contract work. The van was sourced as an ex pilot vehicle for a mining company, and as such was riddled with red dirt. The initial clean itself took several hours, and throughout the build more patches of hidden dirt would surface. This is a visual documentation of the project from start, to testing, to completion. A true home away from home.

INSULATION & FLOORING

Insulation from heat, cold and also noise is important. Marine plywood along with sound deadening pads and thermal foam were used as a foundation insulation. Later, when the timber panelling and ceiling panelling was added, more foam inserts were added. Wires were also chased through the timber panelling to create a clean look.

Flooring turned out to be the weak point in the Cottage Van’s insulation, with plywood and laminate floorboards being insufficient in the more extreme climates. This is something I would change if I were to complete it again.

Battery banks added above wheel arches, to be encased under the bed and accessible from the back doors of the van. Storage under the bed which is accessible at the back is also available.

THE BED

Framework for the bed was complex, with a concertina backing board providing the extension needed to extend the mattress over the kitchen benches. This allowed for a full size queen bed to be installed- Sleep is so important for a pleasant camping trip and there was to be no comfort spared on this front!

Cottage fretwork was a must, for creating a divide between the bedroom and kitchen/ dining.

COOKING

A gas bottle is encased in an airtight housing underneath the cooktop. Two alarms are fitted to detect any gas leaks. A collapsable oven was found online which turned out to be fantastic for baking and roasting- pizza, cakes and Sunday roasts are a must on a camping trip!

WATER

Sink and water flow- solar powered water pump underneath kitchen bench that feeds both the sink and shower. This was chosen to be one of the small touches that make the Cottage Van feel like a home- foot peddle pumps were not wanted.

An inset sink with the cutout to be able to be reinserted to extend the bench was another clever design trick, ensuring a dual use of the sink space.

The bed had fold out props added to level out the mattress.

Storage for all the important things..

SHOWER

A major downfall of camping is the feeling of being unclean. For me, a hot shower twice a day is a must. The shower recess under the bench top created a pop up shower, doubling as a bathtub when we were connected to water mains at campsites. The water heated in the unit under the sink, with towels hanging on telescopic towel rails also under the sink- located in front of the hot water unit so that it would double as a towel warmer!

WARDROBE

Gas lift base boards for the bed were introduced, with hanging space for clothing underneath the bed leading in to the back of the van. Bedside pockets were also hidden for smaller items and overhead storage, also with gas lift doors, for folded garments.

VENTILATION

Dual fans were installed, with the ability to revers airflow. This meant one could be set to air intake and the other outtake, creating cross ventilation throughout the van. Perfect for hot nights and cooking smoke.