Housing is a massive investment. That is why there are many people that are still renting apartments and do not own a house of their own. However, nowadays there are many innovations in architecture that can greatly reduce the cost of housing. And even though the solutions may not be typical, the result can turn out to be quite surprising. One of the housing alternatives offered by modern architecture are used cars. Used cars can be refurbished and turned into homes. Those can be mobile homes or even airbnb guest houses made of train cars. It all depends on one’s imagination. A house made from used cars can be a permanent place of residence, a summer house or a travel van.
With this article, let’s dive into the world of houses made of used cars and other means of transportation! Modern innovations today make it possible to get a house for the price of a car! I have always been fascinated by new ideas. And homes made from used cars clearly show that the conventional way is not the only way to build a home.
In this age, people appreciate travelling and being able to move from one place to another easily, work remotely and live as digital nomads; therefore, mobile homes seem to be the right choice for our generation. Now it is possible to take your home along wherever you go!
Used cars turned into mobile homes
A used car may still remain a car even though it may serve as a home at the same time. That may be an old spacious van with high ceilings, for example. At the back of the van, behind the drivers and passengers seats, a nice comfy bedroom can be made. Also, there may be some space found for a little cupboard where to store some foods, plates and dishes. A nice meal can be cooked using a mini grill that can be placed in some storage section.
Such a mobile home may be a great way of travelling, an alternative to planes and trains. Some nights may be spent in the mobile home of the used car but at times travellers may also stay at a hotel. Travelling with a van is a convenient way to stay closer to nature as mobile homes made of used cars can be parked wherever it is necessary.
Used cars can be turned into cosy and warm mobile homes. Many DIY tutorials for turning used cars and vans into mobile homes can be found on Youtube, and different design approaches can be used. There are many inspirational masters!
To someone, it is enough to simply build a separate sleeping area with a double bed and add some drawers for blankets. This type of mobile home can be used simply instead of a tent to go out into nature to spend the weekend by the lake or seaside.
To someone else, the demands may be higher, and the used car mobile home may even have electricity, water and a toilet! On the roof, solar panels can be installed. All the furniture of used cars can be designed to be very functional, the bed may have many additional drawers, it may be turned into a sofa and serve as a desk at the same time. In case the used car does not have windows, the panes can be made. The van may even have its air conditioning system.
Even though it is possible to turn a used car or a used van into a tiny mobile home with one’s own hands and imagination, there are also professional manufacturers that work in this specific market. Ready-made campers and trailers can be brought from many manufacturers.
Used cars of trains as new homes
Not only cars have been turned into homes but also used train cars and cable cars, vintage trains, old buses, trolleybuses and trams. They all can serve as a carcass of the new home. When looking at some of the pictures of those houses from the inside, it seems impossible to tell that it actually is a train or a bus! Some even have fireplaces, and some seem opulent and have luxury upholstery.
Used cars offer architectural solutions that are quite out of the ordinary. And many turn this architectural surprise into their business. That is something that attracts tourists and guests and offers travellers a unique experience. Many tourists appreciate accommodations that are innovative and unusual.
Used cars have a future!
These trends in architecture to use cars and trains as homes is quite promising when pondering on the idea of what will happen to all the petrol and diesel powered cars after 2050. That is when 90% of the European cars on the road are expected to be fully electric. The European Green Deal aims at creating a greener future, and feels like used cars will have a new role to play in our future society.
Besides, not only low-budget used cars can be used in architecture. For example, architecturaldigest.com informs that a house owner in Miami knocked down a wall to replace it with a 1.5 million dollar race car Pagani Zonda R! That shows that there are no limits to the imagination of renowned and bold architects.
I believe that used cars still have a lot of undiscovered potential to play in the modern architecture, and we will definitely see more surprises!