Nomadic Office is a mobile office that finds an old Peugeot Boxer van transformed into a living space.
Work culture is changing in unprecedented ways. The coffee shop has become the new collaborative workspace and everyone is remote working these days. Since all we need is WiFi and our laptops to get through our 9-to-5’s, many are choosing to hit the road for mobile working. Some are escaping to their tiny offices in the woods to get away from the city noise and others are renovating their vans to bring their work on the road. Architecture and design studio Atelier JMCA did just that with their latest project, Nomadic Office.
Designer: Atelier JMCA
The designers at Atelier JMCA had their work cut out for them when they decided to transform an old Peugeot Boxer van into a mobile workspace. Before gutting the van’s interior, the architects at Atelier JMCA used a 3D laser to scan the vehicle’s interior space and create a precise CAD drawing of the van’s bodywork.
To start, the van collects solar energy from two 330 watts solar panels that are positioned on the van’s roof. Then, two 80L water tanks provide fresh water and treat wastewater for the kitchen and lavatory, which are located behind the driver’s seat. Additionally, insulation and a diesel heating system ensure comfortable temperatures throughout the van. With these features, Nomadic Office has off-grid capabilities that allow users to work off-grid for up to a week.
A retractable wooden system defines the internal layout of Nomadic Office. Outfitted with a dining area, sleeping accommodations, workspace, and storage compartment, fold-out furniture systems save space through hinge mechanisms that allow users to fold up the bed and dining table when not in use. Comprised of thick, 15cm wooden panels, the architects made sure to make full use of the 3m x 2m main living space.
When users would like to have a meal or work at the dining table, they can open the 5cm thick wooden board 90-degrees without the need for a support base. Then, when its time for bed, users can use the same fold-down mechanism for the built-in, two-person bed. To activate Nomadic Office’s ‘night mode,’ users can unlock a lock system to reveal the van’s mattress, which is propped up by two wooden blocks. Storage compartments and hanging racks provide spaces for users to hang their clothes out of the way.
