Matthew Hofmann, a 28-year-old Central California Coast-based architect, is the master craftsman who’s turning back the clock. This is his second high-design Airstream project to be released this year. Hofmann Architecture (www. HofArc.com) is a a full-service Santa Barbara residential design and small space renovation firm.

Hofmann’s version 2.0 is truly better in several significant ways, offering more open space, a larger bathroom, and an office desk. There’s a lot that hasn’t changed inside and that’s good because so much of what he designed into the previous 25-foot 1978 Tradewind was quite simply solid design.

In Hofmann’s first project he combined the workspace cubicle, dining table and second bed in the forward convertible sleeping space – clever, but truly not an earth-shattering step. This time Hofmann found four feet of linear counter-height deck space for a built-in desk, mid-level chair and three drawers situated between the bathroom and kitchen.

This first edition has already been located on a recently-graded pad setting among a modest forest of avocado trees. A view of the Pacific Ocean is framed in a window that can be seen while sitting at the built-in desk.

A centrally-located hi-def 19-inch video monitor displays either DVDs or streamed Netflix videos from anywhere in the trailer. A surround sound audio system provides more than enough sound support. The monitor swivels on a pullout arm for optimal viewing adjustments and tucks away neatly behind a roll-up cabinet.

One of Hofmann’s signatures is his close attention to bathroom details and this project again offers a significant upgrade. Hofmann – who stands 6’4” – offers a refreshing change of space in the full height, stand-up shower. The lightweight 1/8-inch tiles span the shower basin and seal in the water more than a foot up three sides. And Hofmann guarantees the shower won’t leak thanks to an alternative tile installation method that uses a foam backer with acrylic adhesive to substrate.

A high-design brushed stainless steel sink and faucet sits on an elegantly curved deck that faces another nifty addition – a transparent fish tank that’s visible from the office and bathroom, with only the fish seeing what’s on each side.

The Cali Bamboo flooring is a nice sustainable feature. Although travel trailers don’t qualify as a LEED- qualified project, this abode would earn points for reuse and energy efficiency thanks to the 12-volt ceiling lights and refinished overhead tambour roll-up cabinets. The backlit ceiling lights emit a soft glow against the brilliant white surfaces. The cabinets were painted with zero-VOC earth-friendly finishes – together they create a futuristic tone. Three LED puck lights over the kitchen/office stubbornly keep electric usage down and specific task lighting cranked up.

Hofmann is LEED-certified and his sustainable training emphasizes the reuse and repurpose of every material that was disposed. “Construction waste management is one of the most effective ways to be green,” said Hofmann.

The dining area has been expanded to seat six comfortably at the table, with the addition of two fold-away chairs that adjoin the kitchen area. Underneath the left and right access benches are two “carry-on luggage-sized drawers,” as Hofmann calls them. “They’re for guests to store their travel bags.” The drawer guides, as are all installed drawers, constructed with silent closing Hafele German-crafted hardware that’s sturdy enough for 50 lbs. of gear.

There wasn’t any skimping on the kitchen sink, either. The extra-deep stainless steel commercial-style basin will shock seasoned RVers. Most trailer kitchen sinks barely get both hands wet at the same time. An adequate pullout food pantry fits next to a generous refrigerator. The 2-burner propane stove completes a no-hassles, no-nonsense food prep package.

Hofmann’s second Airstream project is a work of art that’s ultra eco-friendly, emits cool tones, is tech wise, and crammed with creative details.

Hofmann Architecture / (805) 618-2461 / info@HofArc.com / www.HofArc.com

“Sold” The airstream could use refurbishing and some cosmetic work.  All systems operable. It is road worthy and can be taken on the road anywhere. The trailer is located 20 miles west of San Antonio, Texas in a small community of Boerne.

The owners are asking  $8,000. If interested please contact me at tinyhouseblog(at)gmail.com and I will pass on your email and contact info to them.

[View with PicLens]

Her aim was to spend her free time satisfying her insatiable wanderlust and photographing the beauty of America. Initially an experiment in nomadic living, it has become a way of life for her now that she finds hard to beat. “I feel much more connected with the art of living now,” she says, “It’s nice, because wherever I go, I’m at home, and my neighbors are usually some of the nicest people around.” Her small home on wheels allows Sharon and her dog Harley to explore a continuous trail of new and beautiful places and brings a greater portion of the world into their everyday life.

The 20’ Airstream is just the right size for this solo woman and her dog. “I hardly know I’m pulling it,” she says, “and it’s much better on gas mileage than most other travel trailers. It’s really a breeze to tow and because it’s small, I can often get into some of the more rustic campsites. I love this model for the large galley with tons of counter space, storage and double sinks. I love that the bathroom and kitchen are on one end, and the lounging areas are on the other. I love that I have a real separate shower, not a wet bath…and I especially love the huge windows next to the dinette and the panoramic windows that surround the bed. The distance from the bed to the bathroom door is about five steps. One more step and you are at the kitchen sink.”

In the beginning, she admits it was a little daunting not knowing about plumbing, electrical systems, or anything related to a house on wheels. Now it’s old hat. She couldn’t dream of a better way to live, and feels her choice of small-space-living is a good way to de-clutter life, not just by minimizing the meaningless stuff that has a way of locking people down, but also by experiencing new places and people. She can’t help but live in the moment and enjoy life. She’s been at it for almost four years now (with no intention of stopping soon) and feels like she has only just begun to tap into the beauty our continent has to offer.

From the very beginning, Sharon has been documenting her travels on her personally-designed website www.TheSilverSnail.com. Not your standard blog, it’s a continuing graphic narrative of the places she visits, illustrated with stunning photographs. “I’m not trying to sell a product or advertising,” Sharon states. “If I am trying to sell anything, it is to embrace life and its beauty, enjoy yourself, and keep discovering. Now more than ever, technology is allowing us to explore the art of living creatively and living well.” And having a small house on wheels is just the thing to make it possible.

10 advantages of living and working in tiny spaces (with wheels)

Hofmann kicked off his quest for inner peace at the most logical place – CraigsList. He found an Airstream in “fair condition.” A 4-digit deal was struck and one dark and rainy night he rescued the abandoned abode from behind a chain link fence guarded by a Pit Bull in Mira Loma.

“Crap! I’d just written a sizeable check for what looked like a glorified dog house. The trailer’s swaying back and forth along rain-soaked 101, like the pendulum of doubt pounding in my brain.”

The body was solid, but inside the trailer was a mess. “I’m fairly certain the last resident was the junkyard dog.”

• Step #1: Demo – Take everything out (which got the wet dog smell out).
• Step #2: Design – The creative process, Hofmann believes, isn’t accomplished by adding more, but by taking away what’s distracting. “The design questions were How much does one remove? How much does one keep?

“For me the solution was creating open space using honest materials. I wanted to bring a sense of outdoors in, so it needed to be bright and airy by nature, yet warm and multi-functional.”

While dramatic life-changes, such as firestorms and the Great Recession has driven millions of Americans into meager lives, living with less didn’t mean enjoying life less. Hofmann dived headfirst into the “full timer” lifestyle; he now lives and works in the 160 sq.ft, completely renovated space. He prefers it, and it’s not hard to see why.

Here’s 10 advantages of living and working in tiny spaces (with wheels) – by Matthew Hofmann, founder of HofArc

1. Mobilization
   I rent space on a view lot on a burned home site in a 25-foot Airstream trailer. When I want a change of view I pack up my home/work place in less than 20 minutes. There are dozens of inexpensive places to park for short or extended stays. And why not? Wherever I go I’m home and at the office.
2. Creation
   Creativity comes from inspiration, and nothing inspires me more than the great outdoors. I don’t know how some firms expect to get imaginative work from their designers working in fluorescent-lit cubicles on the 34th floor.
3. Concentration
   When the time comes for focused, detail-oriented tasks, nothing beats my private, quiet and compact space for getting my best work done.
4. Inspiration
   I worked for years in a place that had no view and it was creatively painful. Now, ideas soar out like the boundless view of the Pacific Ocean out my windows. I took a vacation last week, and took my home with me. “Sometimes all it takes for a change of perspective is to move your house. – M Hofmann”
5. Interruption
   Clearly, working in a small space isn’t for every job. It’s wouldn’t be ideal for a seamstress to set up his sewing machine with yards of cloth, and then need to put it away for an interruption, like lunch. It’d be too cumbersome. For me, an architect, doing most of my work remotely and digitally – it works fine.
6. Commotion
   Some types of work cause commotion that wouldn’t be ideal for high-density areas. Living in a relocateable home/office offers unlimited remote options. I know a sculptor who carves black bears from tree stumps with a chainsaw. He lives in a trailer in an industrial park – hold on – in the High Sierra and he snowboards five days a week, too.
7. Individualization
   My father says, “You’ll never beat the herd by following the herd.” Small spaces are good for my mindset of being who I am – me. Small spaces allow me to maintain a good center of emotional balance. Cavernous office complexes with row after row of desks, chairs and monitors can’t be good for thoughtful expression.
8. Minimalism
   Living and working in a tiny space is unabashedly taking the minimalist route. It says, “This is enough for me. I don’t need more, so I won’t take more.” It’s respectful of resources.
9. Duplication
   The mindset of miniaturizing your living and workspace encourages and supports others who are attempting to do the same. I find office products, local food, and services online from other home-based businesses. Delicious brewers and wineries are springing up in small towns across the country. Our support of their hand-crafted goods perpetuates the cycle of responsible living.
10. “Muss mir sparen”
    Another one of my German Grampa’s fond sayings translates into English as, “I or the collective we… must, obligated, it’s imperative… economize, save, reserve, save for later, keep back for future use, set aside for a specific purpose, lay aside, conserve.” For right or wrong, Germans have modeled what it takes to recover from adversity. Prioritize. Use what you need, not necessarily what you want. It’s about quality and function, not how much you can grab.

“How much money is enough?” was the iconic question posed to John D. Rockefeller at the height of creating incredible wealth from oil. He responded curtly, “Just a little bit more.”

Later in life, a wiser Rockefeller also said, “I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money’s sake.”
Eventually he got it right. He discovered there’s nothing wrong with accumulating lots and lots of money, just respect it – yourself, others and the earth.

There’s a reason why so many people in an all-you-can-eat buffets are huge. It’s the same with money and spaces. There’s a point of diminishing returns on what we eat, the money we make, and the space we take. Even Biblical reference makes this distinction, when it cautions, “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

Contentment with small spaces for living and working is a journey that I’m eager to explore. Living in a 25’ Airstream Trailer has completely altered my view on space. The way we view space reveals our priorities. What are yours?
- Matthew Hofmann

Matthew is available to speak with to answer your questions. Check out their website and blog at www.hofarc.com for more information and project photos. They are always looking for new thoughtful and progressive architectural clients.

The Eddie Bauer Airstream is a 25-foot trailer with the classic Airstream styling and costs $74,000. It has a queen-size bed with an Eddie Bauer Goose Down duvet, pillows, and throw, maple and soapstone laminates, quilted fabrics, and stain-resistant Sunbrella upholstery on the interior, an oversized hatch for loading and unloading gear like bikes and kayaks, and a generous side awning. The panoramic windows and the hatch let in the outdoors and fresh air. Other features include:

• A non-slip Aquatrac” bumper perch to assist with loading/unloading
• Fold-away modular dinette/lounge furnishings to increase storage capacity (71 sq. ft. total)
• Perimeter interior-tie downs to secure stored items
• Premium Michelin” tires and 16″ wheels to provide greater ground clearance
• Rugged wheel-well cladding for protection against off-road debris
• A retractable clothesline in the bath and additional racks in the bedroom for hanging wet clothing
• A handheld outdoor shower for showering, hosing down equipment, or even washing the dog
• Heavy-duty exterior hooks for locking-up equipment or tying up the dog

Photos courtesy of Airsteam

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

As mentioned on their blog, Aluminum Bliss, Chris and Lani decided to make the Airstream their new home because of its sleek, rounded, aluminum interior and large windows that open up a small space and dispel the feeling of living in a box. The modern furnishings inspire a clean environment and the numerous storage spaces eliminate clutter. Their classic rig also turns a lot of heads.

Chris works out of the trailer using a Verizon MiFi, satellite dish and free campground WiFi. Lani takes care of the Airstream and the blog and awaits the birth of their new baby. They decided on this lifestyle because Chris is able to work from anywhere and it seemed like a good time in their lives to do some traveling. They were tired of be “owned” by their stuff and they craved the open road and a little adventure. After a year or so of traveling in an Airstream, they have a few insights on living the aluminum life:

“We no longer buy too many groceries that sit in our pantry well beyond the expiration date. In fact, we seem to buy more fresh foods and have learned to carefully plan our meals out in advance so as to avoid multiple trips to the store.”

“Our water consumption has decreased tremendously. When you only have a 15 gallon gray water tank, you quickly learn how to use less water when washing dishes or brushing your teeth.  Showers are quick, even when they are in the campground’s bathrooms.  And, laundry…well I’m pretty cheap when it comes to using my quarters so laundry is only done once a week.  And, with less clothing in tow, we’ve learned that some things can be worn awhile before being considered ‘dirty.’”

“We live in 160 square feet so it takes little to heat and power our humble abode. And, we grow tired of refilling our propane tanks so we are pretty stingy with our propane use. Additionally, we recently began converting the few lights in our home to LED.”

They plan on staying on the road indefinitely, or until they get tired of the lifestyle. In the meantime they have this to say about their decision:

“It’s been an incredible lifestyle change and one that will continue with us long after our Airstream journey comes to an end. I enjoy life so much more without the clutter and junk.  Don’t get me wrong, traveling the country and seeing what we’ve seen is amazing but so is this new sense of freedom from being owned and defined by our stuff.”

The 2010 Airstream Sport

Airstream Sport. Photos courtesy of Colonial Airstream.

For a big adventure in a smaller package, I recently saw a 2010 16 foot Airstream Sport for sale and was impressed with the design and layout. In this new model, the full bathroom from the back of the rig has been removed and has been replaced with a double bed. The reduced bathroom is now a wet bath without a sink. There seems to be plenty of storage space around the bed, in the closet and under the dinette. The tow weight is 3,500 pounds, it has a 23 gallon fresh water tank and a 21 gallon combination gray and black water tank. It also has a a 12,000 BTU furnace and an option for AC.

View the Airstream Sport brochure

The Sport is available in four types of decor: Cinnabar, Mochablue, Oatmeal and Sharksfin, and typical of the new Airstream designs, has clean, sleek retro styling. The price for this Airstream is about $35,000.

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

Now seems to be the time of year for suffering from Spring Fever, road trip ache and travel woes. Maybe the only way to remedy these ailments is to live vicariously through other travelers.

I have recently fallen in love with Kristy and Sean Michael who are living part time out of their 25-foot Airstream trailer. They recently got married and spent their honeymoon in the Airstream, and are documenting it on their Long Long Honeymoon website. The videos of their life on the road are amusing but also informative.

Albeit they still have a house that they are living in and the trailer right now is temporary, but their journey and their love for each other and the road is an encouragement to others to take advantage of what life has to offer. I found the website to be a love letter to the simpler life, and a classic American icon.

By Christina Nellemann

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“It has often been said that owners of travel trailers (and especially vintage travel trailers) are some of the friendliest people on earth…it also appears that the smaller the RV, the friendlier the owner.”

- Douglas Keister, Teardrops and Tiny Trailers

How would you like to get rid of everything and live in a tiny trailer? Once you take a look at Teardrops and Tiny Trailers by Douglas Keister, you will realize how stylish tiny trailers can be, and will want to run off with one of your own.

Keister, who has written books about and photographed everything from cottages to cemeteries has a new book about teardrops and tiny trailers. Last May, I attended the 15th Annual Dam Gathering of the Tears in Lakehead, Calif. with my Little Guy Rascal. I was able to meet Keister and view a slideshow of his teardrop and tiny trailer photographs. I also realized that teardroppers really are the friendliest people in the world. So, of course I had to buy the book.

Kit Teardrop from 1941

New Teardrop and Mini Cooper tow vehicle

Keister emphasizes the neighborly warmth that emanates from the owners of tiny trailers. Because of their small size, owners are really forced to spend more time outside their trailer or RV and interact with the people around them. Teardrop owners will even decorate their camping space to mesh with the design of their teardrop.

The other benefits of a teardrop or tiny trailer are:

• You don’t need a large vehicle to pull a tiny trailer. I pull my Rascal with a Dodge Neon.

• Your camping clutter is kept to a minimum in a small space. You only take what you really need.

• You save money on gas.

• Teardrops and vintage trailers are sure to gather a crowd. You will be popular in the campground, so be prepared for many admirers.

The book mostly profiles the design and history of teardrops, canned ham trailers such as the Shasta and the Serro Scotty, the Canadian boler and of course, the Airstream. The book also includes a chapter on European caravans.

Homebuilt Teardrop by Douglas Hoder

Li'l Bear Tag-Along Teardrop

There is really no mention of people who live out of their teardrops or tiny trailers, except for the temporary residents of Slab City in Niland, Calif. Most people use them for camping or more extended vacations. I use my tiny teardrop for camping and sometimes for guests who don’t mind the cramped quarters. Tiny House Blog recently had a post on using a teardrop as a guest room. I did run across the blog of Misty Tosh, who is a writer and producer and lives out of her vintage trailer while she travels and works.

If you are interested in staying in a vintage trailer, you can visit the Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona.

By Christina Nellemann

1957 12.5 ft Aljo

1951 13-ft Comet

1966 Kit Companion

Comet Interior

Teardrop Interior

Gypsy Caravan at the Mas dou Pastre Bed and Breakfast in France

All photos by Douglas Keister

Tin Can Tourists

Airstream Living

Vintage Trailer Crazy

Arizona Teardrops

Teardrops and Tiny Trailers Forum

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