Exhibit Mobile Artist Studio

By Jennifer Pecenka

This movable studio is a live/work space for the artist who seeks inspiration from the land and a vehicle for interaction between the display of work to the public as well as a response to the land and context in which it sits.

In a space as confined as this street legal 8.5’ wide x13.5’ tall trailer, privacy with the ability to utilize nature as a living room allows the greatest flexibility of use and comfort. Claiming outdoor space with the unfolding façade is vital for both functionality and inspiration for the artist in addition to its mobility for tours or living simply off-the-grid. Its operation gives the artist control over daylight, ventilation, and security through means of slatted screens, folding awnings, sliding skin, and extending decks.

The wooden screen is a repeating element that functions in multiple aspects. For the glazed façade, double wooden slatted screens are offset to allow diffuse light without compromising privacy. The exterior screen also folds up as an awning and shading device while the interior screen and enclosure can remain open or closed to the elements. The artist can engage this active façade to achieve desired effects from an open to partially screened to solid interface between the interior and exterior. The folded screens form outdoor spaces and become the media for art displays when open while providing a transition between the small interior and vast landscape.

 

21 thoughts on “Exhibit Mobile Artist Studio”

  1. This is a really cool and unique little structure. The renderings are awesome; I don’t think I could visualize this just based on the plans. I only wish I could see a larger view of the renderings just below the plans.

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  2. Yikes. The drag on this thing must be terrible, even folded up. That hood over the bedroom area looks like it will either suck up your gas or rip off at freeway speeds.

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    • They should get rid of that tow hitch and put a fifth wheel on it and pull it with a day cab semi with a roof fairing; aerodynamic problems – gone!

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  3. But Brian, why should that matter? This is a vital facade for interacting contextually with the land and responding to outdoor space while utilizing elements of the greatest flexibility.

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  4. Therein lies the problems with many designers… They make beautiful designs (and I actually really do like the style of this!) but they fail to take into account the constructability/practicality of them.

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    • Rebecca, I think you hit on a good point. And for that reason, I suspect this thing will likely remain a 3-D rendering, and not go further than that.

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  5. Ok, so who says you have to go 70 MPH down the freeway? Take the back roads and enjoy the scenery!

    (Incidentally, the shape of the BACK of a vehicle has more to do with drag than the front.)

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  6. This might work well for somebody who likes to live and create their art in various rural locations (seashore, mountains, farms, whatever)then head to a nearby population centre to exhibit and maybe sell. I don’t see it as something to drag long distances at great speeds but that isn’t always the objective. As long as the conversions needed for the different modes are simple and sturdy they should be OK. I really like the balcony thing, but perhaps it would be more aerodynamic if the lower end was at the tongue end of the trailer. Perhaps it could have a smooth cowling that detaches and converts to a porch overhang or separate pavilion when not on the road.

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  7. (Incidentally, the shape of the BACK of a vehicle has more to do with drag than the front.)

    A gigantic front end negates pretty much negates the effect of a streamlined rear. For example, although a cone with its point into the flow of air does not have a great coefficient of drag due to the disruption of air behind its large, flat rear, it is MUCH more aerodynamic than a cone flying through the air with the point trailing. For examples:

    http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0231.shtml

    There’s nothing on the front of this structure to break the air and send it flowing over the rest of the trailer.

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  8. This is a house first and a trailer to avoid fees, aerodynamics are irrelevant as it will rarely be moved. This is also super due to the modern design and flexible exterior spaces which expand the “living area”. Would love to buy a set of plans if such exist.

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