Summertime brings with it the appeal of the wide outdoors and fresh open spaces. It’s the one time of the year we gear up to battle with nature. In fact, camping for me was defined by 50% of all possible bug sprays and the rest included different camping snacks. That is until Instagram introduced me to glamping! Call me materialistic, but there is comfort in knowing I don’t have to give up on my comfort in case my camping experience goes awry. To get you over to the other, the more modern, and comfortable side of camping, here is a list of our most modern tent designs that let you lavish in nature’s luxury!
The advent of recreational vehicles has brought a new dimension to the old-school camping setup. Such camper trailers literally bring the comfort, convenience, and luxury of your cozy home to the wheels – and every new design amazes me. The Bailey Discovery D4-2 Camper Trailer is one such creation, tailored for adventure enthusiasts who can’t help but satiate their wanderlust – exploring the untrodden trails. The USP of this camper trailer is its inflatable awning which creates almost double the private space you need for your escapades under the star-studded nights. On the inside, D4-2 is equipped with all the amenities and a fully furnished interior. Enough to suffice the needs of a couple on their long road trip – with the odd guest coming along the way for a couple of days. The big windows on all sides and the skylight fills the interiors with enough sunlight for a calming feel.
You can find these unique tents in the Borgloon forest in Belgium if you are looking for a safer alternative to the usual touristy destinations post the pandemic. In fact, it has gained attention only now when people are looking to camp outdoors because it is safer, won’t require you to fly, budget-friendly and avoids crowds. Designed by the Dutch artist Dre Wapenaar, these ‘Tranendreef’ tree tents blend architecture and sculpture into one functional structure. The tent is suspended above the ground and basically hangs on the tree like fruit. The guests use a ladder to get inside/outside. It can host two adults and two small children. Originally installed as part of a public art project called ‘Pit’ (hence the avocado shape we assume) organized by Z33, it brought art into the public space of Borgloon. The designer also created ‘field furniture’ – seating, washing, toilet, and BBQ units to complete the camping site with the tents.
HEIMPLANET is a German camping and adventure gear specialist company that has worked with Alpha Motor Corporation to build a unique version of the Cloudbreak geodesic tent. The expansive tent becomes a part of the vehicle, extending the usable footprint of the electric truck to give the adventurous riders almost double the space to set camp safely. The structure is highly weather-proof and stable, with dual access points to the vehicle – resulting in a safe and functional camping setup. To be precise, it is made out of high tenacity polyester that is resistant to tear. According to HEIMPLANET Co-Founder Stefan Clauss, “We have been searching for the perfect structure that guarantees stability and offers comfortable access. Many structures offer either one or another, but with this geodesic structure, we found the perfect balance.”
The Cocoon Spherical Tree Bed is literally something out of a fairytale setting! The tent remains suspended above ground because, let’s face it, how will a spherical tent remain upright on the floor? The tent comes with a huge 3-meter diameter and holds a double bed, living up to the glamping quotient of the evening. The design is made of an aluminum frame and comes with a waterproof layer to ensure the rain won’t come in and dampen your plans!
A dash of nostalgia always amps up the fun factor in our travel plans. This is the feeling emphasized at Vlotkamp – a summer camp-style design that floats on the water. Each of these floating platforms is accessible only via a canoe and holds a custom-made canvas tent standing on a wooden dock. Move away from infinity pools; this site gives us a view of the water right outside our door!
If you always wanted to hook a hardcore off-roading trailer to match your Jeep’s capability to conquer tough terrain, then the Switchback trailer by Off Grid Trailers is a god-sent blessing. Perfectly tailored for people who are a bit skeptical about going for an off-roading trip to the Rocky Mountains with a trailer towing at the rear, this hardcore trailer won’t let you have any semblance of even the slightest doubt. If your Jeep can conquer that stretch of a rocky patch (not meant for your average vehicle), then this trailer will have you covered. The lightweight, compact-sized construction of the Switchback makes it one of the best options for blokes who only get the adrenaline rush when their 4×4’s independent suspension is stretched to the limit.
Camping and caravanning have always been about getting down to the bare necessities of life, living life on the road and at the mercy of the elements. However, New Zealand-based design and architecture firm W2 has decided to help amp up the experience! Their revolutionary trailer design, ‘Romotow,’ the name an amalgamation of ‘room to move,’ contains all the usual RV features but with an innovative 90-degree twist. The press of a simple electric button swivels open, rotating at 90 degrees, to reveal an open synthetic teak deck. With this, it increases the living space by 70 percent, and the area can also be used as a party deck! Measuring 30 feet by 8.5 feet and offering 290 square feet of living space (the same as a lot of tiny apartments these days), the caravan comes along with a living area, bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom, all with stylish fixtures and spacious interiors.
Nissan NV350 Caravan Office Pod Concept is your ticket to freedom when it comes to working productively after witnessing the most mesmerizing sunset from your favorite picturesque location on the outskirts of the city or maybe even on an adventure trip. The mobile office pod housed inside the back of the van is something you’ll be so desperate to jump right into. In ways, it can rival the most jaw-dropping work-from-home setups without a semblance of doubt. The smartphone-controlled office pulls out from the back of the van out in the open and is for sure a dope for people who love working amidst natural settings.
Meet Aeri, an inflatable canopy that you can carry anywhere inside a backpack, and inflate in 3 minutes with the press of just one single button. Aeri helps you effortlessly set up a canopy or an outdoor shelter in an instant. Designed to be used for recreational outdoor use, Aeri can easily be carried to the beach, campsites, the park, or even your backyard. It uses a four-pillar arch design that provides the perfect shelter against sun, wind, and rain, and its entirely inflatable design runs on a rechargeable air pump that can be operated independently by a single person with zero assistance. The patent-pending inflatable shelter fits into a moderately sized backpack, and when unfolded, can comfortably provide a 10ft x 10ft shelter to an entire family or a group of 5-6 people.
Stedse Architects are known for architectural projects that revolve around “sustainable construction, including climate adaptation, energy-efficient buildings, energy calculations and environmental consulting” – making them worthy of admiration on the design front as well as being a community-conscious company. The Hanging Shelter is crafted by a team of skilled boat builders and engineers who worked with the architects. Both the teams – Stedse and the local builders – have a love for nature and using wood as an element. This made their collaboration successful in highlighting nature, design, and the intricate art of woodworking with a single overnight accommodation that had minimal site impact.
