Site icon Tiny House Blog

Do-it-yourself Airstream Renovators

Kent Griswold
Sharon and Sam and the airstream

DIYer fulfills a longtime dream

Not everyone who dreams of renovating an Airstream should try it. Tackling such a project requires a broad skill set, ample free-time, problem-solving patience and courage. As the Airstream ownership craze grows, an increasing number do-it-yourselfers are stepping up to the challenge, and a family-run Airstream renovator in Santa Barbara is happy to help.
In the past four years, Hofmann Architecture (aka HofArc) has become known worldwide as the go-to standard for custom Airstream design/builds. Their renovations feature clean lines, sustainable materials and spacious interiors.

“Airstreams, with their iconic aluminum exteriors and mid-Century retro interiors are capturing the attention of more and more clients who are willing to tackle a renovation themselves,” said HofArc founder Matthew Hofmann, “and we’re happy to support them.”
HofArc has assisted dozens of Airstream owners with select phases of their project – providing everything from a bamboo floor or copper countertops, to installing a new PEX plumbing and fixtures, or a state-of-the-art solar system for off-the-grid living.

A case in point is a 1973 Airstream Safari 23’ named Coco. The owner, Sharon, owns and operates a landscape company. “I’m not terribly skilled in any of these things,” she admitted, “but I’m not afraid to learn!”

Sharon and her husband David have been dreaming of owning an Airstream to take quick getaways along California’s scenic coastline. They also wanted a cozy and quaint guesthouse to park at home on their expansive equestrian property.

“We wanted a cozy, comfortable, yet fashionable space for visiting friends and family,” she added. “It’s the perfect, private place for the children and grandchildren. They love it!”
***
Sharon hired a carpenter friend to do her cabinetry work and flooring. Although he was an experienced finish carpenter, with a wealth of home building experience, he didn’t know a much about complicated RV systems. He had worked in other small mobile spaces such as boats, but there were a host details he and the owner knew they weren’t suited for, such as dual-fuel appliances, fresh and waste water systems and fixtures that actually make sense in a mobile space.

Sharon wanted to finish-off the project right, so she called on Hofmann Architecture’s team of electricians, plumbing/systems specialists, metalworkers and carpenters to supplement her plan.

“The project went smoothly and seamlessly,” said Sharon. “It’s been a dream to do this project and HofArc made it easy – we could not be happier with the results.”

***
Here’s a quick look at materials installed in Coco:

Exit mobile version