NOT A HOTEL explores mobile living inside these revamped airstream trailers by DDAA

not a hotel anywhere, a new mobile living concept by ddaa

NOT A HOTEL delves into mobile living with ANYWHERE, a new concept led by DDAA architect Daisuke Motogi. The project sees the bold revamp of vintage Airstream and Spartan camping trailers, converting them into five charming rentable vehicles, each set with a different function. Unlike typical mobile housing projects, Motogi sought to offer guests a more enriching and flexible adventure by scattering the different programs across the aluminum trailers. ‘When you try to cram a lot of things into a small space, it becomes unreasonable. For example, the bed is foldable, the toilet and bath are small, and the smell of the kitchen fills the room. […] In addition, I thought it would be nice to be able to choose the trailer according to my needs. There are as many correct answers as there are combinations’ shares the architect. The project, as its name suggests, lacks a specific fixed location, promoting instead an appreciation of different sceneries and landscapes.

all images © Kenta Hasegawa, NewColor inc . (unless stated otherwise)

converting five vintage trailers into lush mobile living units

NOT A HOTEL ANYWHERE features two large vehicles from Spartan and three camping trailers from Airstream, each boldly refurbished into discreetly luxurious hideouts. The team at DDAA selected certain functions to populate each mobile unit: a bath, kitchen, ‘snack bar’, two private bedrooms, and a study. Complementing these programs is a spacious outdoor living area, created by placing tarps between the vehicles, adaptable to different environments. Additionally, Motogi prioritized a 360-degree view from the windows, using materials that highlighted the vintage trailer aesthetic and minimized external modifications.

revamping three vintage Airstream trailers

According to DDAA, challenges included catering to different occupant numbers. with this in mind, the team set up a design that comfortably accommodates three families with eight members each. Moreover, while considering going off-grid, the complexity of relying on new autonomous infrastructure pushed Motogi to adopt a system that could temporarily connect to existing ones. Currently stationed at a base camp in Aoshima, Miyazaki Prefecture, the units maintain off-grid compatibility. Future plans include renting one or more units in various combinations. However, due to the length of the Spartan trailers, road limitations necessitate well-maintained routes for travel.

image courtesy NOT A HOTEL

All essential functions were concentrated in the lower section, avoiding interference with the windows and keeping functional volumes below waist level. Furniture protruding into the upper section was designed with mesh or transparent materials to minimize visual impact. To maintain the vintage trailer’s texture, Motogi made minimal exterior modifications, focusing on waterproofing. One notable addition, at the client’s insistence, was a sunakku, a type of hostess bar with a rich history in Japan’s night culture. The sunakku design included velvet upholstered high stools, a karaoke monitor, and high-end materials to create an authentic atmosphere.

the five trailers are currently stationed at a base camp in Aoshima, Miyazaki Prefecture

The trailer structures are supported by chassis made from steel square pipes assembled in the form of parallel crosses. Airstream trailers have a straightforward exterior shell assembly of thin aluminum plates riveted to a lightweight steel frame, similar to the LGS substrate in buildings. Spartan trailers, for example, consist of thin aluminum plates riveted to a wood base. Despite the exterior shell’s curved surfaces, variations in window positions and specifications required detailed measurements for each vehicle. Concerns about leaks from new openings led DDAA to reseal all rivets after a sprinkler test, retaining the vintage exterior while significantly revamping the interior.

stepping stones leading to the mobile units redesigned by DDAA

Practical considerations included placing necessary functions in each room and meeting requirements for road legality, such as installing license plates. Camouflaging box-like wheelhouses, which serve as splash guards and protrude into the interior, was crucial. For thermal insulation, we utilized glass wool and a flexible PE foam material, ensuring it adheres to curved surfaces without cracking. The lightweight PE foam met weight limits for each vehicle, and DDAA plans to enhance insulation and features as it continues developing the concept behind NOT A HOTEL ANYWHERE.