If there’s one thing we love, it’s good design. We’ve said it before and we will say it again; design at its best is design that withstands the test of time, and this is how we’d like to introduce you to our next blog series: Airstream.

We’ve seen many examples of Airstream transformations scattered across the internet of people turning classic Airstreams into contemporary works of design. Our own architect Justin Larson is joining in and renovating a recently acquired 1968 Overlander, and we’d like to post the project here. The photo below is the Airstream as purchased- the renovations have not begun yet.

First, let us explain the reasons why we love Airstream:

1. Airstream is American. They’re manufactured in Ohio, but the company began in California. It’s an iconic image of leisure travel throughout American history; Airstream survived the Great Depression and aluminum shortages during WWII, and is still here today.

2. They get better with time. The classic Airstream trailers have a more appealing aesthetic design. We love the curved windows aligning with the seams of the aluminum cladding, the mahogany interiors, and the wanderlust that just the sight of an Airstream can give.

3. The honesty in materials. The materials have all been chosen for a reason, and that reason is celebrated by allowing the material to be true to itself. The aluminum Airstream uses is higher quality than that used by Boeing at the time, and the shine proves it.

4. Airstreams were designed to be maintained. The design incorporates access to everything that might need repair, something that architects can learn from.

5. The sum is more than that of its parts. Airstream has not only manufactured trailers but a lifestyle, one that encourages simple living and adventure.

So before we introduce you to our own Airstream renovation, we’d like to share the work of other architects on vintage Airstreams. The work of Matthew Hoffman is outstanding and his California-based firm has renovated many Airstreams. His portfolio is outstanding, and can be viewed at www.hofarc.com/airstreams/. We also enjoy the work of Paul Welschmeyer Architects out of California and their renovation of an Airstream into both a mobile office and family vacation trailer: www.pwaec.com

And finally, Baldridge Architects from Austin undertook the complete renovation of an Airstream in just 3 weeks. It can be found on their website under the name “Stubbs Greenroom”: html.baldridge-architects.com.

So with this we leave you until our next post in the Airstream series where we’ll introduce you to our own 1968 Overlander and the transformation it’s about to undergo!