If in the vastness of our country it is almost impossible to meet an ambulance converted into residential apartments, a fire engine or a decommissioned bus, then in America this is quite a common occurrence. In the United States, for many decades, people have been "sick" of alterations of vehicles, turning any dilapidated carriage into fantastic mobile homes. The example of a couple in love who spent a lot of money and time on the transformation of a decommissioned school bus was no exception, and what came of this can be found out right now.
Life in any era makes its own adjustments, and if earlier every family tried to acquire a home-fortress in order to protect themselves and their goods from uninvited encroachments, then modern young people strive to get maximum freedom even while living in an old car.
Given the growing enthusiasm for the construction of mobile homes, inventive people manage to remake into more or less worthy residential apartments even wreckage in the form of decommissioned trucks, vans, special vehicles and buses. Although, by and large, the payment for complete freedom of movement will be very modest living conditions. Unafraid of the difficulties of transformation and limited comfort, a young couple in love, Priscilla and Robbie from Orlando (Florida, USA), decided on a similar experiment, because they had long dreamed of "traveling and exploring new places."
Young people with a restless desire to travel decided to buy a decommissioned old Thomas school bus from 1988, which has completely outlived its resource. The choice fell on the bus for the reason that it is more spacious and stable both when driving and while parked in comparison with any other type of vans. It's no secret that the lightweight structures of campers / vans, with the slightest movement inside the cabin, begin to sway, and this is not very convenient, especially when at night someone needs to roll over on their side or get up to drink water.
Of course, there is much more work on re-equipment in this type of transport and the processes are more complicated, it is especially problematic to get rid of a large number of seats that need to be carefully cut off. As Robbie notes, it was this business that took a lot of time and effort, because I had to work in a very uncomfortable position with a rather dangerous power tool - a grinder. After the seats were removed, Priscilla knocked down the attachment points and metal runners with a hammer.
Also, the guys had to change the leaking windows, because from time to time all the sealing gums became unusable. Even after the main bodywork had been carried out, it was necessary to replace the engine and some parts of the chassis, so as not to waste precious time on constant repairs while traveling.
In order to equip the interior space, they had to tinker with high-quality insulation, installing the latest thermal insulation materials, because they dream of going on a trip to Alaska, and this is not the region where you can save on vital things.
To ensure a healthy microclimate inside the cabin, only natural, environmentally friendly lumber was used as decoration. To decorate the ceiling, a pine board came up, a pressed fiberboard laminate was laid on the floor, the upper part of the walls was finished with plywood, which was painted white to avoid the oppressive feeling of limited space.
After the finishing work was fully completed, the young people set about creating a living space, where it was time to create a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Most of all, Priscilla was fascinated by the planning of the kitchen.
Looking at the photos, you are convinced that this area is really thought out to the smallest detail: the guys managed to install everything you need, up to a full-fledged gas stove with an oven, spacious cabinets and a built-in cabinet with open and closed shelves, a mini pantry on roll-out shelves, a full-size sink, hood and refrigerator. Nearby, a folding dining table was made, the tabletop of which can be lowered at any time and there will be more room for maneuvers.
For Robbie's living room, a small multifunctional sofa was made with his own hand, with roomy drawers, because no matter how adherents of minimalism young people are, you need to store several sets of removable linen and warm clothes somewhere.
It was very interesting that the guys arranged the bedroom area, which they decided to raise to the podium, and under the bed to arrange a utility block with a washing machine and a mini-dressing room. In order not to clutter up the space with stairs, an inventive young man screwed large handles on the drawers, which act as mini-steps. And in order to create a more intimate atmosphere in this area, only a small window was left, the rest of the area was thoroughly insulated and soundproofed, so nothing will disturb them during sleep.
Since no modern home is complete without a bathroom and a toilet, the lovers also did not save on this. They managed to create a rather original design of a place so necessary for a comfortable life. Stylish ceramic tiles, a huge shower head and a glass door are the perfect solution for creating a complete shower enclosure.
A toilet and a narrow washstand were arranged nearby, and in order to apply water procedures or use the toilet when needed, two tanks were installed - one for drinking water, and the other for collecting waste water.
Young people love comfort even in the field, so in order not to be left without electricity and all the benefits associated with it, 6 solar panels were installed on the roof of the bus. An additional skylight / observation hatch was also made there, so that on a starry night you can admire the sky without leaving your mobile home.
To maintain the optimum temperature, an air conditioner and a cast-iron wood-burning stove were installed inside the bus, so that a comfortable stay will be provided in any climatic zone.
An interesting fact from the editors of Novate. Ru: The couple spent 563 days and a huge amount of money, which they are modestly silent about, to transform the decommissioned school bus. But these investments did not upset travel lovers in any way, because at the moment they move around South America in comfortable conditions and provide a photo report with breathtaking pictures on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Mobile home fashion is gaining momentum, especially in North America, so minimalism lovers have no regrets changing comfortable mansions for tiny houses. Despite the miniature size of their new housing, some extreme people were able to arrange their lives in such a way that one can even envy.