Me too! Probably my favorite architect. Amazing how Habitat ’67 was his first project and how he was trusted despite his inexperience. I was actually at Expo ’67 though as 2 year old have no recollection. After the fair closed it reopened yearly as Man and his World for many years and I do remember being there.
There’s a furniture chain on the east coast (?) called ROOMS TO GO, I’ve never visited one of their showrooms, but here’s the perfect “spare room” to highlight their product.
Laugh all you want, but this is a clever adaptation. Even took the trouble to paint it to match the mother ship.
In most states 100 sq ft or less does not require a permit, unless it is attached. Likewise, code departments don’t have control over wheeled constructions. (Although other regs may prevent you from occupying it). This guy seems to have (almost) complied.
Face it, while the upper half of households gleefully cheer on house inflation, upgrading their digs to the max. The lower half, in part due to the upgrading mania, finds it more and more difficult to achieve home ownership.
I’m thinking tiny house with maybe 400 sq ft for myself. Since I’m divorced without kids, I have no need for a second bedroom.
Or living permanently in an RV in a long-term park. “Hey, some asshole just got a spot next to me, either I get a spot as far away as possible or I’ll see you guys later!” It really makes the bad neighbor problem easy to deal with.
I see where he kept the license plate. I’m guessing that’s in case a neighbor gets a case of the ass and turns him in, he can update the registration sticker so he doesn’t get cited for having an eyesore junk vehicle with subsequent towing.
Looks like it. Also rather clever how he painted over most of the windows. If left unpainted, it would have been much more obvious that it had once been mobile. Probably should have went to the effort to remove the rear view mirror, though.
I am rather curious about the access. Do you think he even removed the passenger door and sliding side door, or went to the trouble of cutting out the whole side?
I’m wondering what they put in there. Did they remove the front seats or maybe just swivel them around. I guess the cargo area is big enough for a twin-size mattress and bed frame.
Then there’s the whole insulation thing. It probably alternates between being too chilly or too hot in there, depending on the outside temperature.
I am quite curious if this was driven by a code-compliance thing, an attempt to save money by repurposing a no-longer-roadworthy van the homeowner already owned, or if he actually thought it would look cooler than a conventional addition. Notice the roofing material on the hood.
Just when you think you’ve seen everything. . . .
“Van for sale: No rust, ice-cold AC. Straight frame and masonry. Some owner modifications.”
I agree with Rob. And I add, UGH!
Not even “FREE CANDY” painted on the side would help with this.
If this van’s a-rockin, you live in Southern California.
…
High-rise:
Lemme guess…Brazil?
I googled it once. I don’t remember the exact details, but it was built as an outdoor set for a play. In the Netherlands I think.
I actually, really like this…
?
That last photo is someone’s interpretation of Habitat ’67 in Montreal.
There is a climbing park here in Edmonton that has a small trailer half way up that you would climb through.
LOL! (I *love* Habitat ’67 and consider it the greatest multi-unit residential development ever. This funky trailer-park version, I’m not so sure….)
I’m a HUGE fan of its architect (Moshe Safdie), and fortunate to pass by one of his later designs along a cycling trail that I frequently use.
Me too! Probably my favorite architect. Amazing how Habitat ’67 was his first project and how he was trusted despite his inexperience. I was actually at Expo ’67 though as 2 year old have no recollection. After the fair closed it reopened yearly as Man and his World for many years and I do remember being there.
Not sure what to say….um…when there’s a will, there’s a way?
I wonder what State that van’s in……
-Nate
“I wonder what State that van’s in……”
I’d say a state of advanced decomposition. 🙂
They won’t even let me add a carport on my house!
Happy Motoring, Mark
“Hawkins Power and Light” is getting better at hiding.
Livin’ in a van down by the river
There’s a furniture chain on the east coast (?) called ROOMS TO GO, I’ve never visited one of their showrooms, but here’s the perfect “spare room” to highlight their product.
“You know you’re a redneck when…….”
Laugh all you want, but this is a clever adaptation. Even took the trouble to paint it to match the mother ship.
In most states 100 sq ft or less does not require a permit, unless it is attached. Likewise, code departments don’t have control over wheeled constructions. (Although other regs may prevent you from occupying it). This guy seems to have (almost) complied.
Face it, while the upper half of households gleefully cheer on house inflation, upgrading their digs to the max. The lower half, in part due to the upgrading mania, finds it more and more difficult to achieve home ownership.
Under these conditions you have to be creative.
I’m thinking tiny house with maybe 400 sq ft for myself. Since I’m divorced without kids, I have no need for a second bedroom.
Or living permanently in an RV in a long-term park. “Hey, some asshole just got a spot next to me, either I get a spot as far away as possible or I’ll see you guys later!” It really makes the bad neighbor problem easy to deal with.
I see where he kept the license plate. I’m guessing that’s in case a neighbor gets a case of the ass and turns him in, he can update the registration sticker so he doesn’t get cited for having an eyesore junk vehicle with subsequent towing.
Ah, the traditional sidecar room.
Well I be darned! That is a neat addition and looks like they did it properly. Wonder if the back doors open?
Looks like it. Also rather clever how he painted over most of the windows. If left unpainted, it would have been much more obvious that it had once been mobile. Probably should have went to the effort to remove the rear view mirror, though.
I am rather curious about the access. Do you think he even removed the passenger door and sliding side door, or went to the trouble of cutting out the whole side?
Well, as for access, the other side would have the side door. It could have been removed, or left in place as the access to the room.
I’m wondering what they put in there. Did they remove the front seats or maybe just swivel them around. I guess the cargo area is big enough for a twin-size mattress and bed frame.
Then there’s the whole insulation thing. It probably alternates between being too chilly or too hot in there, depending on the outside temperature.
I’m speechless… O_o
When you mother in law moves in and you don’t want to spend a lot of money?
When you have teenagers and need to add another bathroom cheap?
Or when it doesn’t run but you don’t want to get rid of it?
or was it a case of the wife nagging ” I thought you were going to add a….”
and this is the smart @$$ answer?
The beautiful “Beauville Wing” of the estate.
No more calls, we have a winner 🙂
wonder what it looks like on the inside?
Park two vans side by side and call them a doublewide 🙂
You know, that might be his grow room
Ran when parked.
I like it! The van is probably an additional bedroom, and I bet the kids in the family fight for the privilege of sleeping in it..
I am quite curious if this was driven by a code-compliance thing, an attempt to save money by repurposing a no-longer-roadworthy van the homeowner already owned, or if he actually thought it would look cooler than a conventional addition. Notice the roofing material on the hood.
80 years ago it would have been a retired trolley car.
The ultimate “Conversion Van.”
“If’n the van be rockin’, don’t come a-knockin’.”