Airstream partners with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to release the Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer, a 28-foot mobile living space inspired by Wright’s architectural principles. Only 200 units are scheduled to be produced until 2027, each one merging Airstream’s traditional riveted aluminum shell with design elements drawn from Wright’s Usonian vision—compact, efficient homes built with a strong connection to nature. Developed collaboratively between Airstream’s design team in Jackson Center, Ohio, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation at Taliesin West in Arizona, the trailer combines mid-century modern aesthetics with adaptable interiors suited for travel, camping and everyday use.

all images courtesy of Airstream

Usonian Principles Applied to Mobile Living

Wright coined the term Usonian to describe a distinctly American architectural approach: modest, well-crafted homes with open layouts, built-in furniture, and a strong relationship to the surrounding environment. This design philosophy shaped the interior layout of the Usonian Limited Edition trailer, a collaboration between the Ohio-based team at Airstream and the Arizona foundation dedicated to Frank Lloyd Wright.

The result is a highly adaptable living space that reflects Wright’s principles and Airstream’s emphasis on efficient, mobile design. A rear sleeping area features twin beds that convert into a king-sized bed at the push of a button, with custom slipcovers and bolsters that transform the room into a daytime lounge. At the front of the trailer, a modular lounge serves as a dining area, workspace, or secondary sleeping area. Chairs and a stool collapse and stow within custom cabinetry, maximizing use of space without sacrificing comfort.

Airstream’s traditional aluminum shell meets design elements drawn from Wright’s Usonian vision

Design Details: Materials, Light, and Layout

The trailer interior emphasizes natural light and open views. A total of 29 windows, including two skylights and circular portholes, offer more glass surface than any other Airstream model to date. Overhead storage was reduced to make room for windows at sitting and standing height, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection central to Wright’s designs.

The color palette is based on Wright’s 1955 Martin-Senour Paint Collection, featuring earthy reds, mustard yellows, ochres, and turquoise tones drawn from the American desert. Floating shelves, open floor plans, and a custom slatted ceiling light fixture—inspired by a Taliesin West design—contribute to the trailer’s visual continuity and mid-century atmosphere.

only 200 units are scheduled to be produced until 2027

Historic Patterns and Limited Edition Features

Wright’s influence appears not only in the layout but also in the detailing. The Gordon Leaf Pattern, a geometric motif originally created by Wright associate Eugene Masselink, is used throughout the trailer—in lighting, cabinet panels, and doors. Each trailer is numbered and features special edition badging, including Wright’s signature Taliesin Red tile on the exterior. Interior furnishings also reflect Wright’s style, including deep, high-back lounge cushions and shelves designed for displaying books or travel keepsakes. USB charging ports are discreetly built into shelving for convenience.

The trailer has a GVWR of 7,600 lbs, making it towable by many full-size SUVs and trucks. It is available through Airstream dealers nationwide, with pricing starting at $184,900.

Wright’s influence appears not only in the layout but also in the detailing

the unit features a total of 29 windows, including two skylights and circular portholes

the highly adaptable living space reflects Wright’s principles and Airstream’s emphasis mobile design

the trailer interior emphasizes natural light and open views

overhead storage was reduced to make room for windows

the color paletter includes earthy reds, mustard yellows, ochres, and turquoise tones

interior furnishings also reflect Wright’s style

project info: 

name: Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer
company: Airstream | @airstream_inc
in collaboration with: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation | @wrighttaliesin

The post frank lloyd wright x airstream trailer brings usonian design on the road appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

It’s a very pink day for Gustaf Westman and his collection of camping gear and playful objects for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The Swedish designer is the second act of the car company’s Class of Creators initiative after Ice Spice’s molten chrome car. Let’s go back to March 13th, 2025: we’re in Rome, Italy, the city where Mercedes-Benz unveils the CLA for the first time. A few hours before that, designboom sat down with Gustaf Westeman for an interview, ahead of his art pieces’ debut. It’s a gloomy day, but the photos he shows us are all bright and pink.

‘My sketch process is making a kind of function, so you can use the vehicle in another way,’ the designer tells designboom. ‘Basically, it’s a car that has a picnic table at the rear that you can slide out and even sit on. It also has a tent on the car’s roof where you can sleep. It’s life-size. Let me show you.’ It’s exactly how he describes it: the Mercedes-Benz CLA shines in pink with a glossy surface, and right above it is a cupola-shaped tent that the vehicle can bring anywhere. These were only sketches when we met. In the evening of May 22nd, 2025, two months after our interview, Gustaf Westman shows the real-life models at the Protein Studios in London’s East End.

all images courtesy of Gustaf Westman

Collection with ‘star’ plates and hotdog tray

The Gustaf Westman spin on the Mercedes-Benz CLA is family-friendly and perky. The stowable picnic table at the rear slides in and out of the chunky pink car. There are two benches on both sides, then the sliding table between them. Just below the Mercedes-Benz insignia, there are four tubes that pop out of the car, serving as the wine glass holder for the diners. The pink Mercedes-Benz CLA and its pink tent aren’t the only ones in pink. Gustaf Westman has made an entire collection of it for the Class of Creators. There’s even a pink roll-up backpack that, once unfolded, reveals lots of plates, cups, and some trays for hotdogs (yes, the ones with buns). It also doubles as a picnic blanket. Once laid out, it has nine distinctive squares, reminiscent of bubble wrap but without the circular form.

Picking up one of these circular plates, which is a recurring theme in the designer’s repertoire, it’s so clear that the design is patterned after the car company’s iconic emblem star. That’s good, though, because there are three sections for food, so diners can eat three different meal types at once. Other than that, the designer pays more attention to the rounded edges of the plates. ‘When you look at the CLA’s base, it has the same base as the plates. I wanted to work with that base because it’s really nice. So, I used the existing lines around the Mercedes-Benz car and extruded them to make them chunky and fluffy,’ he explains to designboom.

picnic table at the rear that users can slide out and even sit on

Gustaf Westman’s vibrant colors for Mercedes-Benz CLA

That chunky and fluffy feel reappears in the hotdog tray. It’s a thick but cute slab, like a jolly-looking charcuterie board, with multiple pockets to hold hotdog buns on. ‘I just like how they kind of capture the shape, and then they disappear. They have no endings, which gives these objects a life,’ Gustaf Westman shares with us. As our conversation moves forward, the designer says this is his first time venturing into the automobile world. 

Even so, the design approach isn’t so different from when he creates homeware and other party-ful objects. ‘It’s more that it takes longer to understand what I want to do. I have to understand the Mercedes-Benz CLA first before starting to design the collection,’ says Gustaf Westman.  In the end, he has achieved that enlightenment, and it pours through his ever-bright use of colors. It’s a staple of his works, and one that he’s not looking to change. 

the Mercedes-Benz CLA shines in pink with a glossy surface and a cupola-shaped tent on its roof

‘I see these colors as helping you understand the shape. I like the idea that you can understand an object in a second. Then, I also don’t want the color to make you feel too much because I want you to focus on the shape,’ he tells us. For the designer, the muted and hushed-down shades give a mysterious feeling, and he’s not looking for that. It’s easy then to look at Gustaf Westman’s works, including the playful collection for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. They’re light and attuned to happy inklings. The shades recall the time between spring and summer, the airy afternoon in a garden or park, after lunch and before the sun begins to set. 

Our conversation with the Swedish designer is coming to a close. Before we get up, he says he has tried playing with AI tools because it’s fun. He thinks it’s bad, though. He hasn’t used it in any of his designs, and he has no foreseeable plans to adopt them. ‘I could just go on Pinterest if I want to see and do those kinds of things,’ he says. Is he on Pinterest all the time? ‘I try not to be,’ he replies. It’s a platform that lets users organize their pinned images in a digital board, and that’s not him. He’s chaotic, he says, and by definition, it means disorder. We disagree, then, because in Gustaf Westman’s purchasable collection for Mercedes-Benz CLA, it’s anything but chaotic.

view inside the tent on the car’s roof

there’s even a pink roll-up backpack

once unfolded, the backpack doubles as a picnic blanket

view of the hotdog tray

the CLA exterior lines inspire the tray’s design

Star Plate with the car company’s emblematic star

there’s enough food space on the Star Plate

portrait of Gustaf Westman during the CLA unveiling in Rome, Italy | image © designboom

the designer holding his winged mirror in London

project info:

designer: Gustaf Westman | @gustafwestman

company: Mercedes-Benz | @mercedesbenzusa

initiative: Class of Creators

The post it’s a pink party with gustaf westman’s camping gear and picnic table for mercedes-benz CLA appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

During Milan Design Week 2025, Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) opened the second edition of The Glitch Camp, an inclusive urban camping experiment designed for young international creatives. Under the theme Designing Togetherness, the initiative offered a temporary home and cultural platform for 400 ‘glitchers’ — students from 45 nationalities — transforming a Milanese sports centre into a living, breathing, shared campus. This vibrant collective gathering merged design, dialogue, and community, amplifying spontaneous, real-world connections in a global city obsessed with objects. Through installations, workshops, performances, and DJ sets, the Glitch Camp became a manifesto for design as a tool for the common good.

IED’s free urban camp accommodated students from all over the world during the Milan Design Week 2025 | all images courtesy of IED

IED’s master of arts students are ‘Designing Togetherness’

IED Milano stands as a creative hub within Milan’s design landscape, nurturing experimentation, research, and socially engaged design culture. Its Master of Arts programmes form the backbone of this philosophy, guided by DesignXCommons — a concept promoting design as a collaborative, civic, and relational tool. Through the activities of The Glitch Camp and its public programme, these courses showcase how design education can shape a future of inclusion, cultural accessibility, and collective well-being. 

At the heart of this initiative is Designing Togetherness, a programme conceived by IED’s Master of Arts students to explore the intersections of society, space, and interaction. The project transformed Milan’s Enrico Cappelli Sports Centre into a temporary urban commons, designed by students using second-hand materials and guided by sustainable principles. The programme invited Milan Design Week visitors into shared experiences, meditations, and performances celebrating the power of design to connect people.

through installations, workshops, performances, and DJ sets, the Glitch Camp became a manifesto for design as a tool for the common good

IED’s Master of Arts students go beyond classrooms

Powered by partnerships with IKEA, Bosch, and Ferrino, The Glitch Camp embodied the values of DesignXCommons — making Milan Design Week a place not just for design objects but for inclusive, socially conscious experiences. Through their work, IED’s Master of Arts students demonstrated how design education can go beyond classrooms, transforming spaces, forging new relationships, and generating dialogue around what it means to live, create, and connect together.

The programme’s focus on sustainability strengthened with the Atelier Upcycling by Ferrino in collaboration with Mental Athletic workshop, where campers creatively repurposed discarded camping tents under the guidance of Ferrino’s pattern-makers. This practical reflection on material reuse merged innovation and environmental responsibility. Meanwhile, Extreme Writing transformed creative writing into a live, competitive spectacle, where student teams battle through literary improvisations on design themes.

The Glitch Camp offered live performances and entertainment during the late afternoon slots

The Glitch Camp’s atmosphere was shaped by its Master’s students, who created a communal area of repurposed furniture, anchored by a large open-air table — a contemporary symbol of public conviviality. Reminiscent of Italian courtyards where neighbours once gathered, this shared space hosts workshops, performances, and informal gatherings. The students’ daily fanzine, Fregüj, meaning ‘crumbs’ in Milanese dialect, curated event highlights embodying inclusion and cultural dialogue, making design week more accessible and participatory.

A dynamic schedule of activities unfolded across the week, organized by the students. The Upcycling Atelier by Ferrino, in collaboration with Mental Athletics, encouraged the glitchers to reuse the life cycle of the tents by creating new solutions. Additionally, Rito di Panificazione Collettiva (Rite of Collective Breadmaking) turned breadmaking into a metaphor for coexistence and shared culture, led by master baker Davide Longoni and the Scuola del Pane e dei Luoghi collective. Moreover, social designer Gabriel Fontana hosted Beyond Competition: Playing for Connection, an alternative sports workshop where shifting teams challenged notions of identity, belonging, and solidarity through a playful, design-led lens.

the week also included a breadmaking workshop to open up conversations on food, ecology, and social justice

social designer Gabriel Fontana hosted Beyond Competition: Playing for Connection

The Glitch Camp wasn’t only an occasion for the international student community to connect, but also a networking opportunity among the cultural actors of the Fuorisalone. In fact, thanks to the cultural partnership with BASE Milano, The Glitch Camp also welcomed 20 young designers on the terrace of the Cultural Centre in Via Tortona, by Parasite 2.0. The 9-day stay program included workshops, wellness activities, moments of conviviality, and practice exchanges, designed together by the Master of Arts at IED and BASE Milano, with the participation of the Francesco Morelli Foundation.

Additionally, Angela Rui, head of MA programmes, Linda Di Pietro, Artistic Director BASE Milano, and Benedetta Marietti, Cultural Committee at Fondazione Francesco Morelli, curated a day of talks with thinkers including Carlo Alberto Redi, Manuela Monti, Gabriel Fontana, Raumlaborberlin, and Valeria Mosca. These voices addressed new pluralistic design frameworks, reconnecting urban communities with nature, public space, and collective identity.

thanks to the cultural partnership with BASE Milano, The Glitch Camp also welcomed 20 young designers on the terrace of the Cultural Centre in Via Tortona, by Parasite 2.0

the glitchers used a campsite equipped with Ferrino tents designed specifically for outdoor activities

each tent is supplied with a set of IKEA, products, designed to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep

the Fregüj fanzine which is handed out to the campers every day – Fregüj is Milanese for “crumbs”

campers also creatively repurposed discarded camping tents under the guidance of Ferrino’s pattern-makers

this practical reflection on material reuse merged innovation and environmental responsibility

the Camp offered two opportunities to young designers: a free entry and an opportunity to experience Designing Togetherness

‘with the second edition of The Glitch Camp, IED underlines the importance of the role of Design as a tool that also serves the common good,’ says Riccardo Balbo, Chief Academic Officer IED Group

project info:

name: The Glitch Camp 

organization: Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) | @ied_offical

program: Master of Arts

dates: April 13-21, 2025

location: Piazza Caduti del Lavoro 5, Milan

occasion: Milan Design Week 2025

main sponsor: IKEA Italy
premium partner: Bosch
sponsors: Ferrarini, Eroica
powered by: Ferrino

production partner: Piano B
media partner: Fuorisalone.it
cultural partner: BASE Milan

The post IED sets up urban glitch camp turning milan design week into a global campus for students appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Architecture students of Soochow University in Suzhou, China, complete the XBAMBOO Cabin, made out of raw bamboo and timber, a serene retreat inside the Dushuhu Campus. The 6-square-meter pavilion functions as a teahouse and meditation space, offering a tranquil environment framed by a lush bamboo forest. The project fosters hands-on learning in computational design, advanced fabrication, and real-world construction.

The outer shell of the cabin is made from acrylic panels and precisely cut wooden keels, improving airflow while letting in soft light. The shape of the keel frame was optimized using AI, more specifically, GAN algorithms, to keep the structure lightweight and efficient. Assembling the frame with tree branches and bamboo poles adds an organic touch, creating a layered, textured effect. Thoughtful openings bring the space to life—a welcoming front door connects to the main road, while a big bay window on the south side frames the bamboo forest.

bird’s eye view of the cabin | image courtesy of Soochow University School of Architecture

Fusion of Traditional Timber Techniques and Robotic Fabrication

The students at Soochow University School of Architecture explore a hybrid structural approach through XBAMBOO Cabin, inspired by historical timber constructions and contemporary robotic-fabricated architecture. The design-to-build process combines point cloud scans of raw materials, parametric structural optimization, GAN-based design, robotic craftsmanship, in-situ 3D printing, and customized bamboo-timber joints. Locally sourced materials play a key role, with tree trunks and branches forming the structural columns and curtain wall truss bracings, while bamboo arches, harvested from the campus garden, create organic lines.

To fully utilize the irregular forms of natural materials, the collected tree trunks and branches were 3D-scanned, digitally modeled, and robotically crafted for precise connections. Structural arches incorporate bundled thin bamboo poles combined with Moso bamboo segments, a species commonly used in construction. Two distinct jointing techniques enable the assembly. The ‘plug-in’ joints, where Moso segments are inserted into prefabricated slots and secured with bamboo sticks, and the ‘add-on’ joints, where thick bamboo poles rest on custom footings 3D-printed onto tree trunks. The cabin sits atop a steel frame with four concrete foundations, allowing for minimal environmental impact.

structural arches made from thin bamboo poles

solar panels on the roof power lights inside the cabin

the outer shell of the cabin is made from acrylic panels and precisely cut wooden keels

windows on the south facade

plug-in timber-bamboo joint

bamboo arches and pruned tree components compose the curtain wall truss bracings

sunlight shines into the cabin through the parametric facade

the cabin sits atop a steel frame with four concrete foundations

project info:

name: XBAMBOO Cabin

architect: Soochow University School of Architecture

location: Suzhou, China 

area: 6 square meters

design team: WANG Sining, FAN Haojie, XIA Xinyue, LI Shunuo, ZHENG Huangyan, XU Haoyi, ZHANG Jingyu, YE Fan

principal investigator: WANG Sining

research assistants: FAN Haojie, XIA Xinyue, LI Shunuo, ZHENG Huangyan, XU Haoyi, ZHANG Jingyu, YE Fan construction team: QU Zhengyun, BAI Kaiwen, HU Yidan, WANG Yingda, ZHANG Yewen, FANG Yujie, LUO Lifeng, CHEN Xinzhi, GAN Chenyu, WU Yujie, CHEN Shumei, ZHOU Yage 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

The post students craft XBAMBOO cabin with acrylic skin and AI-generated timber frame in china appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Airstream introduces its first fully electric travel trailer, the Basecamp Xe, which runs on solar power and batteries. Suitable for off-grid camping, the aluminum mobile unit comes with a 3,000-watt inverter that generates electricity to all outlets. On the surface of the vehicle lie 600-watt solar panels that harvest energy directly from the sun. The fully electric travel trailer features a 10.3 kWh lithium battery bank that powers up the appliances in the vehicle.

There’s even what the company describes as a Truma Combi Eco Plus system. It combines the water heater and furnace functions and can operate on multiple fuel settings, including all-electric, all propane, or a mix of both. The company adds a small, hitch-mounted propane tank to the fully electric travel trailer as well. With this, travelers can set up their outdoor grill while treating the tank as backup fuel for the furnace and the hot-water heater.

all images courtesy of Airstream

Configurable interiors with benches that turn into bed

For the interiors of the fully electric travel trailer, Airstream makes Basecamp Xe configurable. There are two benches that seat up to five people and span the inside of the rear door. Travelers can turn this space into their remote workstation as well. There’s an ethernet Smart Plug port on the exterior that connects to satellite internet providers. At the end of the day, these benches convert into a bed for two, covering the whole rear of the fully electric travel trailer. If wanted, the travelers can also just unfold one bench to create a single bed and retain the other seating.

The Airstream Basecamp Xe comes with a U-shaped small dining space that can accommodate up to four people with ‘room to spare,’ the company says. The design team makes the tabletop swivel-ready, so it rotates without bumping into anyone sitting around the dinette. It allows for easy entry and exit, especially for those sitting in the middle of the bench. For storage, the company says there’s a large hidden rear door that acts like one. The configurable living space of the fully electric travel trailer also opens up to plenty of space in the center aisle. In this way, the traveler can bring their gear and equipment, especially the ones they want to use for outdoor sports.

Airstream introduces its first fully electric travel trailer, the Basecamp Xe

towable with a variety of midsize SUVs

In the galley of the fully electric travel trailer, Airstream adds a single-burner induction cooktop that’s also portable and removable. With this, travelers can use it for outdoor cooking. The sink features a cutting board cover that expands prep space, an optional microwave, and a 12V fridge with freeze. There’s also extra storage for utensils and pantry items. Airstream says the Basecamp Xe is easily towable with a variety of midsize SUVs because it is lightweight. The fully electric travel trailer comes with large wheels to weather different road conditions as well as side skirts and wheel flares to help prevent gravel and debris from damaging the vehicle.

The Basecamp Xe features a standard 3-inch lift, rugged tires, and black protective-coated aluminum stone guards for extra protection against brush and branches while on the road. Just like Airstream’s other travel trailer, the fully electric Basecamp Xe has an aluminum superstructure. Its aerodynamic body and roof profile help increase its fuel efficiency. Then, panoramic windows clad the front parts of the model, so travelers can see the outside as the cruise.

the towable vehicle runs on solar power and batteries for off-grid camping

there are two benches inside that seat up to five people and span the inside of the rear door

these benches unfold into a two-people bed

the Airstream Basecamp Xe comes with a U-shaped small dining space

the aluminum mobile unit comes with a 3,000-watt inverter that generates electricity

panoramic windows clad the front parts of the model

rear view of the towable trailer

the model has an aluminum superstructure

project info:

name: Basecamp Xe

company: Airstream | @airstream_inc

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E22SSPIU! trailer by 2001 unfolds as sleeping hut in Luxembourg

The architecture company 2001 offers an innovative approach to mobile living with the Esch 22 Space Station (E22SSPIU!) in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg. In its compact form, the E22SSPIU! appears as a streamlined stainless steel trailer equipped with essential amenities, including a bath, kitchen, and dining area. This minimalist base allows for transport between locations. Once stationed, the structure undergoes a dramatic transformation: two lateral wings unfold to create a circular nine-meter platform atop the trailer, featuring a cork surface for comfort and sustainability. A double-shell pneumatic dome is then inflated above the platform, creating a spacious, climate-responsive sleeping habitat. 

all images by Ludmilla Cerveny, courtesy of 2001, unless stated otherwise

questioning architecture’s reliance on soil, water, and energy

Created by the Esch-Alzette-based team of 2001 to immerse participants in the cultural and environmental diversity of Esch-sur-Alzette during its tenure as European Capital of Culture, E22SSPIU! can host up to six occupants. This compact sleeping hut reflects on architecture’s relationship with natural resources while facilitating engagement with the evolving contexts and environments of the city. Beyond its functional versatility, E22SSPIU! raises critical questions about the reliance of society and architecture on resources such as soil, water, and energy. The lightweight, sustainable structure and transformable design of the project highlight the importance of adaptive solutions in architecture to address ecological and cultural challenges.

2001 offers an innovative approach to mobile living with the E22SSPIU!

in its compact form, E22SSPIU! appears as a streamlined stainless steel trailer equipped with essential amenities

the structure includes a bath, kitchen, and dining area

this minimalist base allows for transport between locations

once stationed, the structure undergoes a dramatic transformation

two lateral wings unfold to create a circular 9-meter platform atop the trailer

a double-shell pneumatic dome is then inflated above the platform

creating a spacious, climate-responsive sleeping habitat

immersing participants in the cultural and environmental diversity of Esch-sur-Alzette

The post mobile sleeping hut combines stainless steel trailer with double-shell inflatable dome appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Louise Middleton, founder of Kudhva campsite hotel, collaborates with architects Ben and Hannah Huggins of New British Design to create the K-Tent, a lightweight, off-ground tent that translates the ethos of the original Kudhva cabins into a portable format. Constructed with a recyclable aluminum frame and durable canvas, the K-Tent combines comfort with minimal environmental impact. Its tripod legs adjust to accommodate uneven terrain, making it versatile for diverse landscapes. Designed to house two guests comfortably, the K-Tent reimagines the traditional tipi and yurt aesthetic while maintaining a minimal footprint and off-grid functionality.

all images by Matt Cannon courtesy of New British Design, unless stated otherwise

K-Tent captures off-grid lifestyle with its modular design

The K-Tent by Sandford-based New British Design extends Kudhva’s vision of architectural wilderness experiences, responding to a growing demand for accessible versions of the original cabins. With its lightweight and modular design, the tent offers a solution that avoids the complexities of planning permissions while capturing the off-grid lifestyle celebrated by Kudhva’s off-grid campsite in Cornwall. This innovation makes the K-Tent suitable for wellness retreats, festival stays, and wilderness adventures.

New British Design unveils the K-Tent, a lightweight, off-ground tent | image by Louis Domville-Musters

translating the ethos of the original Kudhva cabins into a portable format

constructed with a recyclable aluminum frame and durable canvas

the K-Tent combines comfort with minimal environmental impact | image by Louis Domville-Musters

tripod legs adjust to accommodate uneven terrain

the tent is versatile for diverse landscapes | image by Louis Domville-Musters

designed to house two guests comfortably | image by Louis Domville-Musters

the K-Tent reimagines the traditional tipi and yurt aesthetic

maintaining a minimal footprint and off-grid functionality | image by Louis Domville-Musters

project info:

name: Kudhva Kanvas, K-Tent | @kudhva_kanvas
designer: New British Design 

lead designers: Ben Huggins, Hannah Huggins

photographers: Matt Cannon | @cannonmatt, Louis Domville-Musters | @louismusters

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

The post k-tent by new british design adapts to any terrain with its adjustable tripod leg system appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Lightship unveils the AE.1 Cosmos edition, an aero-electric travel trailer that expands and elevates with a single button. It’s the sibling of the AE.1, and both of them can transition from Road Mode to Camp Mode in a touch. When that happens, the aero-electric travel trailer rises upwards with more than seven feet of extra headroom and expands sideways for more space inside. Aside from the button, Lightship’s AE.1 Cosmos travel trailer has ‘lookout’ cameras.

These three ultra-wide lenses allow the driver to see the vehicle’s surroundings, so it’s easier for them to park, reverse, and navigate tight spaces (or see who’s knocking at the door). There’s also an AirRight Climate Control System installed, which keeps the travel trailer at the ideal temperature regardless of the conditions outside. On top of Lightship AE.1 Cosmos, 1.8 kW, heat-tempered solar panels clad the entire roof. They’re built directly there so that the design team can fully integrate them into the vehicle and create a direct channel for the electricity. These solar panels can still absorb and supply energy to the travel trailer even on cloudy and shaded conditions.

all images courtesy of Lightship

3D-knit upholstery for convertible lounge and dining areas

When driving through steep inclines or downhill slopes, the Lightship AE.1 Cosmos has an intelligent assist called TrekDrive that can give the vehicle a boost or a hand. The design team says that because of the travel trailer’s Aero-Electric design, meaning a combination of aerodynamics and battery technology, there can be near zero-range loss for towing vehicles, delivering up to 300 miles of extended range. Inside the trailer, there are nearly a dozen panoramic windows and half a dozen skylights to bring the natural light and scenery in. They are shatterproof, impact-resistant, and can weather extreme conditions to keep AE.1 Cosmos at a suitable temperature. 

The lounge area, crafted with BYBORRE 3D-knit upholstery by combining recycled polyester and wool, is transformable into a pre-made bed, making the owners easily switch from hosting guests to calling it a night. Even the dining table, which is also made from 3D-knit upholstery, is convertible to a comfortable bed for two. There’s a kitchen with a dual-burner induction stovetop, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator that doubles as a freezer. For the bathroom, the Lightship team draws inspiration from spas for the design, including the modular mirror, which slides to reveal hidden storage for toiletries.

the aero-electric travel trailer rises upwards with more than seven feet of extra headroom and expands sideways

Customizable cargo system for overheaD storage

For the AE.1 Cosmos travel trailer, Lightship adds a customizable cargo system for storage, and it includes hangers, bins, and shelves. Extra storage is also found under the vehicle in case the campers want to bring additional baggage or means of transport like a foldable bike. Accessories are also available, such as the overhead storage. 

This comprises cube-shaped boxes that the owners can hang near the ceiling if they want additional spaces to put their things in. A rugged, water-resistant, portable Wi-Fi sound system can also be installed on board, as well as the upper window blackout shades if passengers want to sleep in for a long time. There are only 50 units available, and the shipping of the Lightship AE.1 Cosmos travel trailer begins in the summer of 2025.

Lightship’s AE.1 Cosmos travel trailer has ‘lookout’ cameras so the driver can see the surroundings

the AirRight Climate Control System keeps the travel trailer at the ideal temperature

on top of Lightship AE.1 Cosmos, 1.8 kW, heat-tempered solar panels clad the entire roof

the Lightship AE.1 Cosmos has an intelligent assist that can give the vehicle a boost or a hand

there are nearly a dozen panoramic windows and half a dozen skylights

the modular mirror in the bathroom slides to reveal hidden storage for toiletries

Lightship adds a customizable cargo system for storage, and it includes hangers, bins, and shelves

there’s a kitchen with a dual-burner induction stovetop and a dishwasher

project info:

name: AE.1 Cosmos Edition

company: Lightship | @lightshiprv

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Ukrainian-German company LEMKI Robotix, in partnership with 3D printing constructor iScale3d, introduces DISCOVER 3D—the world’s first fully 3D printed mobile home. Made from an eco-friendly composite of recycled polypropylene, equivalent to 7,400 plastic bottles, and fiberglass, DISCOVER 3D is a lightweight, durable, and easily transportable home on wheels, with 80% of its materials being recyclable. Designed for sustainable, off-grid living, it features autonomous batteries and the option for solar panel integration.

images courtesy of LEMKI Robotix

DISCOVER 3D can accommodate a family of three

DISCOVER 3D showcases a leap forward in large-scale 3D printing by cutting production costs and construction time, making it more accessible to a broader audience. LEMKI Robotix company aims to scale this technology for mass production, promoting eco-conscious living through innovative design solutions. Equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, water levels, and battery charge, DISCOVER 3D is adaptable to various climates. Each component is printed to ensure efficient assembly and thermal insulation—ideal for a family of three seeking outdoor comfort.

LEMKI Robotix, in partnership with 3D printing constructor iScale3d, introduces DISCOVER 3D

DISCOVER 3D is the world’s first fully 3D printed mobile home

made from an eco-friendly composite of recycled polypropylene, equivalent to 7,400 plastic bottles

DISCOVER 3D is a lightweight, durable, and easily transportable home on wheels

80% of the materials are recyclable

designed for sustainable, off-grid living

the mobile home features autonomous batteries and the option for solar panel integration

DISCOVER 3D showcases a leap forward in large-scale 3D printing

equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, water levels, and battery charge

project info:

name: DISCOVER 3D
designer: LEMKI Robotix | @lemkirobotix3d, iScale3D

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

The post 3D printed mobile home reuses plastic bottles for sustainable off-grid living appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Polydrops – the makers of mobile spaces including XP19, P19, P17, and P17A1 – is back with a new movable home on wheels. Here comes P21, an all-electric towable home that has solar panels on the roof and a rust-free frame made of aluminum box tubing. The entire ‘trailer’ – a term the company tries to shy away from – is corrosion-resistant and insulated, so travelers can bring it anywhere regardless of the weather conditions.

The company wants to eliminate emissions, so they’re powering the Polydrops P21 with solar panels and energy. The integrated 1300W solar panels might be able to do that, converting sunlight into energy on the go. Whether the nomads are camping in the wilds or going on a cross-country road trip, the P21 is charged up wherever they are. The solar panels come from Aptera Motors, a collaborator of Polydrops and the makers of the three-wheeled spaceship-looking solar car that can drive for months without charging.

all images courtesy of Polydrops

Solar panels outside and climate control inside

There’s even climate control inside Polydrops P21. Since the electric mobile home might find itself in different places, it needs to be equipped to take on these varying climates. The company plants insulation and installs advanced A/C and heat pump systems that can help maintain the trailer’s ideal temperatures, independent of external power sources. Travelers can tweak the warmth or coolness through the 7-inch display in the cabin. It’s on this display that they can also monitor the trailer’s electrical system.

If they’re outside and still want to check the screen, they can simply connect their smartphone to the smart display. Their device also doubles as a remote control, so they can change the heating or air conditioning anytime they have their smartphone in hand. Just in case the travelers move into areas with consistent gray weather, they can plug into a 30A power source located on the passenger side of P21 to keep the electric mobile home’s battery charged.

travelers can bring Polydrops’ electric mobile home and trailer P21 anywhere

Retractable table under the bed for on-the-road workspace

Outside Polydrops’ P21, there’s a ‘spoiler’ at the rear, which helps the trailer move more smoothly through the air. It reduces the wind pushing against the electric mobile home, making it more stable and easier to tow. The mobile unit also has a flat bottom, so its movement through the air is smooth. Usually, parts like the frame and wires under the trailer would cause air resistance. The flat bottom style reduces it, making the trailer easier to tug by a vehicle.

Inside the electric mobile home, Polydrops keeps the theme of ‘apartment on wheels’. There’s a space for a bed, enough for two people, and it can also be transformed into a working space. The space is modular, so when it’s time to work, the travelers just stack up the pillows and pull up the retractable table below. If the travelers are a family, they can also go for the optional kid’s bed, which is also where the front storage deck is located.

solar panels and energy power the electric mobile home, Polydrops P21

Polydrops adds lots of storage around P21. Travelers can stash their luggage and objects in the compartments under their bed or the overhead bins. They can put their equipment in the outdoor storage, enough to accommodate the personal belongings they need while on the road. The electric mobile home is also customizable. Travelers can ask Polydrops to add a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, induction stove, and overhead cabinet for storage.

The company can also fit in essential amenities such as a sink, shower, and portable toilet, with 9 gallons of fresh water and a 1.3-gallon water heater tank. They can even slide a fridge in, positioned under the front storage deck or the kid’s bed. Several windows wrap around the insulated walls for ventilation, and the travelers can roll the blinds down for privacy. So far, Polydrops has started accepting reservations for their new electric mobile home, P21. Its production begins in the fourth quarter of 2024, and later on, interested travelers can customize their own trailer.

lots of windows for the electric mobile trailer and home

the integrated 1300W solar panels come from Aptera, the makers of the three-wheel solar car

inside the Polydrops P21 electric mobile home with a retractable table

the Polydrops P21 has a modular setup for its electric mobile home

outside Polydrops’ P21, there’s a ‘spoiler’ at the rear

aerial view of the solar panels on the roof

Polydrops’ P21 is rust-free due to its aluminum-made frame

production of Polydrops P21 begins in the fourth quarter of 2024

project info:

name: P21

company: Polydrops | @polydrops

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