I often long to be in nature — to be immersed in an environment that is untouched, undisturbed, and entirely devoid of distractions.
Tom van de Beek, a Dutch entrepreneur, has endeavored to upcycle and transform a vintage caravan. He spruced it up significantly with one goal in mind: to create a space that could allow him to do his work, and also to be "unified with nature" once more.
The finished product was inspired by the self-sustaining forest tree house community spearheaded by SustainsVille, a project that he and his colleagues started five years ago to provide connectivity and technology in nature.
Demand of the mobile work caravan is rapidly growing. Tom is already planning on making them available in other parts of Europe, including Sweden, Greece, and Spain — and even in the U.S.
Read on to see the story of this game-changing mobile creation. What did you think of this DIY transformation? Let us know in the comments, and please SHARE!
For the longest time, Tom van de Beek has wanted to reconnect with nature. Throughout the ages, industrial and technological advancements have "separated" us from nature, our original home. Then, the perfect idea came about — he would make his own first off-the-grid, "back-to-nature" mobile office.
Construction of the KantoorKaravaan (Dutch for "office caravan") began in March. He partnered with companies that promote sustainability, including Sungevity and Interface. The idea was to create a mobile version of off-the-grid work and meeting spaces, whose locations the user can determine.
Currently, there is one such mobile caravan. Tom is already planning on customizing future designs: users can request them to transform vintage mobile homes into anything from micro-offices to tents and food trucks.
There are many advantages to working in nature. Studies have shown that simply being in nature can improve one's state of mind, quality of work, capacity for creativity, and level of productivity. That's why Tom was so keen on making something that differed drastically from the confined, high-rise workplace.
The caravan is powered entirely by solar energy, and provides enough electricity to help charge the batteries of any work appliance.
Inside, you'll find LED lights, a couch, and even an espresso machine.
Tom will be traveling with the mobile caravan this summer. Initially, it moved through forests in the eastern part of Holland, then traveled west to the outskirts of Amsterdam. Eventually, he's go to Utrecht, a major city in the middle of the country, as well as to a few islands in the north.
Ultimately, KantoorKaravaan will go on an international tour that will likely start in southern Europe.
There is no waiting list to use the mobile office. There is no fixed fee, either. Users pay what they can afford, and can even put up an extra tent.
So far, all kinds of professionals have been wanting to use KantoorKaravaan: social entrepreneurs, writers, artists, and even men in business suits. In the end, what it provides is a unique space to brainstorm ideas and maximize work efficiency.
Tom plans to branch out the concept to other regions and countries. He's planning to build multiple mobile workspaces that can independently operate in more than one continent. The "franchise" will eventually be supported by a crowdfunded campaign.
Please SHARE if you thought this was a brilliant, unique way to use a vintage caravan!
