Vardo - Part 3

Glenn’s Designer Off-Grid Micro-Home

by Glen Grassi I just finished designing and building my first micro-home. I am a theatrical designer who has taken a detour this year to build something sustainable. It is made almost entirely out of repurposed and recycled materials. It is 12 ft. X 7 ft. with a 3 ft. … Read more

Tiny Houses without Lofts

by Kent Griswold

There has been a lot of requests lately for tiny houses on wheels that don’t have lofts. Older people do not wish to deal with this issue and it is an idea that should be taken seriously.

Most of the designs we see out there resort to the loft for a bed. This saves precious floor space for living. However, this is not ideal for everyone. Unfortunately, at this time I only know of a few designs that take an alternative route to the loft – so I thought I would do a post to highlight these houses. My goal is to inspire others to design more homes with alternative sleeping quarters other than a loft.

The oldest version of a tiny home on wheels that I am aware of is the vardo or gypsy wagon. These homes were designed with a bed that sits up high and has storage below. You still need to crawl up a little to get in, but it is nothing like climbing a ladder. There are not many plans out there for this type of home. The only one I know that is available the “Don Vardo” by Portland Alternative Dwellings. While it is not a complete house I think the plans could be extended to make it into one with a kitchen and bathroom. Dee Williams from Portland Alternative Dwellings and I once talked about this revision and she may have even completed the plans by now. You can get an idea by looking at the picture of the Don Vardo here and a vardo picture I have included above in this post.

(Dee just sent word that she has the 12 foot vardo available which features a bathroom and kitchen. The plans are now available here for only $30. They are in the process of having one built out in Florida and I will share photos, etc. as soon as it is completed.)

Hornby’s Sandpiper Caravan

by Kent Griswold

Hi, I’m Michelle Wilson and my company is Hornby Island Caravans located on…yup, Hornby Island which is in British Columbia, Canada. So far my crew consists of me and occasionally my husband Lawrence Nyberg who is also a very fine luthier (builder of guitars and other stringed instruments).

We have just recently completed our 2nd caravan, the Sandpiper (named after our neighbourhood), which is 8’ by 16’ and was commissioned by a very lovely and talented couple-one is a well known double bassist and the other is a fabulous graphics designer.

Sale on Tumbleweed Vardo Plans

by Kent Griswold

Jay Shafer from Tumbleweed Tiny House Company is offering their Vardo Construction plans for sale for 10 days only. Starting today, the plans for the Vardo are $15.95. Normally, $29.95 so almost half off. The Sale ends July 8, 2011. Tumbleweed Vardo Plans – $15.95 The Vardo is not officially … Read more

Looking for a Carpenter/Builder

by Kent Griswold

Looking for a carpenter/builder to work with a chemically sensitive professiional author/journalist and her partner, who want to build a vardo travel trailer for traveling/living. I will have construction plans made and ready. Will probably be on an 8 by 12 or 14 trailer, with 2-3 by 8 porch. Need … Read more

Tiny Mobile House Insurance

by Kent Griswold

I receive a lot of emails every day and one of the questions that appears quite often is how do I insure my tiny house? Since I don’t have personal experience I usually pass on the question to a few people I know who own their own tiny houses and … Read more

Abel’s Vardo

by Kent Griswold

Update: Abel sent a picture of his galvanized tub.

Abel Zimmerman a friend and neighbor to Dee Williams from Olympia, Washington contacted me recently about his vardo he built for himself and to let me know he will build them for others too.

Abel says: “I have a family in Olympia Washington. (we use the vardo as a backyard getaway and extra room for now) I plan to do some summer vardo sabbaticals with the whole family — perhaps in the mountains.”

If you would like to contact Abel here is his contact information: dba: Zyl Vardos and Periscopa Lighting zylvardos@gmail.com

Thanks Abel for sharing your vardo and I hope others are inspired to create their own tiny home.

George’s Mini Vardo Update

by Kent Griswold

Back in January George one of my readers shared his vardo project that he was in the process of building. Recently George sent me an update on his completed vardo and shared that he had been using it regularly. Following is an update from George.

This is my home-built trailer using classic and modern building techniques and style. Based on traveler’s and “gypsy” wagons from Britain and France as well as sheep wagons from the western U.S. I am keeping this to the absolute minimum in size and weight. I don’t plan to live in it so it can be thought of a base camp. I have mulled it over for a very long time and was torn between this style and a teardop design. Each have advantages but this just seems to suit me better.

My final design is certainly not perfect but fit within the very tight parameters I set for myself. Small, light, and relatively cheap were important as were ascetics and traditional building techniques. Unlike modern RVs where people may spend large quantities of time inside the structure, I want this to be used more like early pioneer or “Gypsy” wagons where most of the actual living is done “outside”. The teardrop RV community has taken this to heart, often with a very modern and high-tech design, including microwave ovens, television and entertainment centers, and very modern kitchens.

MiniCasas Gypsy Caravans

by Kent Griswold

João Neves – a Portuguese ceramist and sculptor – is the creator, designer and builder of MiniCasas. MiniCasas Portugal is based in Caldas da Rainha, in the centre of Portugal.

With the help of MiniCasas, you can expand your living space, create your own special getaway or set up a summerhouse, studio or stylish office space.

The Gypsy caravans are built with a keen eye for detail and from natural materials, such as cork and timber, then painted in warm tones, with water-based paint. They may be used as additional mobile living space, a place to host guests, an office or other type of work space, a library … the list is simply endless! If required, a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom-lounge area, running water and electricity can all be provided.

Santa Fe Gypsy Wagon

by Kent Griswold

Libby who is building her own Bow Top Gypsy Wagon with her husband was recently visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico and discovered this old Gypsy Wagon. Though a totally different design than theirs they enjoyed looking it over and getting ideas that they might be able to incorporate into their own vardo. Libby especially liked the slide out table which comes out from under the bed.

Libby wishes she would have had her digital camera but was able to get these photos with their iPhone. Thank you Libby!

Protostoga Interior

by Kent Griswold

On the last update of the Protostoga there were many requests for interior photographs. Ann recently sent me some so I wanted to do another update.

Ann says: The interior of ProtoStoga is difficult to photograph because the space is so small. The floor area is 4’10”x7’6”. At the ledge it is it’s widest 6’4”x8’3”. I hope the photos I included this time will give a better idea of what the space feels like. The one through the front door is a photoshop collage and does not quite line up correctly but it still gives a pretty good idea.

We had our first guest this weekend. It was really exciting! We set up the interior as a bedroom with a full-sized bed across the space. There was enough room left over for a bags and stuff. She made a little video and when she sends me a copy I will share it with you…

Gypsy Wagon Design and Build Seminars

by Kent Griswold

Last year I let you know about a coveted workshop offered up in Port Townsend, Washington on Gypsy Wagon design and builds. Jim Tolpin contacted me the other day to give me the schedule for the 2010 year.

Jim says, “We’ve shortened the seminars to three days to focus on design development and to make the class more affordable.” The price is $295 for the three day seminar and limited to 25 students at each of the seminars offered. Register Here.

DSC00584-sm — Students helping to steam bend a wagon hoop around a form.

In this three day weekend we will begin by exploring in depth how the late 19th century, English-made “Living Wagons” (called “Vardos” by the Gypsies)—were designed, built and used.