Custom Motorhome Design 3

                                                             © MCM Design 2013, All Rights Reserved

                                                              © MCM Design 2013, All Rights Reserved

This is a design for a Class "B" motorhome using the Sprinter Extended Body van (perspectives show Long Body van).  The concept here is to make a comfortable (though narrow) living environment that efficiently utilizes all the space available.  The sofa/bed and revolving sprinter passenger seats form the seating area which looks out the large van door.  A sliding screen is available for this door allowing the inside to open to the outside in a way not possible in most conventional RV's.  A long kitchen counter provides flat space to place things and easily make meals, something almost totally lacking in Class "B's".  The wet bath, with teak floor mat, uses a little more than half of the van width in the back, the rest will be a storage garage for chairs, mechanical items, toys.  The batteries will also be placed here under a platform.  The outside wall of the bath will be used for hanging items such as hoses or portable solar panels, all accessible from the rear van doors.  The exterior would be kept clear of attachments as in my other RV designs.  Ideally this unit would be mostly electric with large battery capacity, solar recharging, and utilizing diesel systems for water and air heating rather than propane.  The advantage to an RV of this size is the possibility of visiting urban areas and at least have a chance of being able to park downtown without giving up the comfort of a similar length Class "C".

My Class "C" motorhome designs can be seen here and here.

A design using the Dodge Promaster Van can be seen here.

My design for a Mobile Cabin can be seen here.

Jumby Bay Estate House

This is a design proposal presented to Jumby Bay for new dining facilities at the Estate House.  The Estate House dates back to early colonial days of the Island as a sugar plantation, and had been modified by the time we got involved in the design of the Island and resort in 1983.  It was two buildings made out of three foot thick ruble walls with a courtyard between paved in colonial era English bricks used as ballast on sailing ships carrying the rum and molasses back to Europe.  Unfortunately those bricks were lost one year when a hotel manager had them taken up because their uneven surface made the tables wobble.  The stone rubble walls, fortunately, proved to be more resistant to impromptu renovations and remain to this day.

In 1983 we added a small wooden dining pavilion between the courtyard and a beautiful Saman tree.  Over the years extensions were added eventually creating the unique outdoor dining experience Jumby Bay became known for. However, it was very difficult space for hotel staff to provide service, especially in blowing rain.  This design concept replaces that dining area with a new wing that is in the spirit of the original Estate House and embraces the Saman Tree (which by now has survived major hurricanes and grown into a commanding tree with an incredibly broad canopy).

This new dining room has thick Caribbean stone walls, 20 foot high ceilings and 12' high doors that can be closed when air conditioning is needed or allow evening meal service to continue in torrential rains.  The new wing is surrounded by a wrap around terrace allowing outside dining that is, for the most part, protected on the leeward side from blowing rain.  No guest is seated more than one table from the view or lush tropical gardens under the canopy of the Saman tree.  An elegant yet intimate dining experience that is central to the Jumby Bay style of casual elegance.

Minimum Island House Plan

 

 

 

This design looks at what is the minimum needed for an Island vacation home.  Two bedroom suites, a kitchen and utility room make up the enclosed portion of this 680 sf house.  The rest of the living area is outside or under roof cover.  An entry courtyard on the windward side of the house buffers the wind force as well as provide an outdoor room with sun bed and sitting area. The main living area is an open verandah facing the view on the leeward side of the house.  A work alcove and a media alcove have sliding doors to be locked off when not in residence.  Each bedroom suite has a private walled garden with a rain shower.  The kitchen also opens to the outdoor living area with lockable sliding doors and has a washer and dryer.  A utility room is provided for storage and mechanical components.

The simplicity of this plan creates a very spacious and casual environment while providing all the functional needs for an Island hideaway.

For another in the series of Minimum Plans look here.

iPad Sketches made with Paper

 

 Champoeg Area, Willamette River, Oregon

Champoeg Area, Willamette River, Oregon

 Deschutes River, at Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

 

 Deschutes River, at Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

 Deschutes River, at Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

 Maryhill, on Columbia River, Washington

Maryhill, on Columbia River, Washington

 Champoeg Area, Willamette River, Oregon

Deschutes River, at Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

For years I have made or modified my architectural renderings using a digitizing pad and stylus on Photoshop.  This took  about a year for me to learn to detach my hand from my eye as I moved the stylus on the digitizing pad in my lap while I looked up at the screen.  I recently did the above sketches in the field with a stylus directly onto the screen of my iPad using Paper by "53".  Compared to Photoshop, Paper is pretty primitive with limited pen points and with my iPad version, the stylus is not pressure sensitive.  Paper is suppose to have a very intuitive interface, but I think it's intuitive for the younger generation since there is no apparent way to save a file.  You are suppose to "share" it.  Turns out to save a file you "share" it with yourself.  Anyway, for me it was an interesting experience, like learning to draw again by reattaching my hand and my eye.

Modern House Plan 3

A 1900 sf plan with 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, loft and workspace, designed for indoor/outdoor living.  The interior rooms are small, however have extensive windows opening to large outdoor rooms.  Entry features a bookcase staircase opening to loft above and looking out into a sun courtyard.  A compact kitchen has a dining banquet with a large dining area right outside on the covered terrace.  The living area is small but opens on both sides to large outdoor rooms.

Two bedroom suites flanking and opening out to the covered terrace.  Bedroom 1 has a large bath with a private outdoor courtyard that has a tub and outdoor shower.  Bedroom 2 can be used as a guest suite or available for a roommate.  Loft has a full bath and a built-in day bed that can also be used for an overnight guest.  Large workspace with wrap around windows can be a home office or studio.

The large umbrella roof create rooms with tall ceilings that feel very spacious despite their small footprint.  The openness of most rooms to each other and to the outdoor rooms reinforces the expansive feel to what is actually a very modest size home.  An example of building only the square footage necessary for an efficient home to build and maintain.

Move interior and exterior views of this house can be seen here.

Modern House Plan 3 Renderings

Modern House Plan 3 can be seen here.