Way Out There: Travel the World in this Tiny Nomadic Home

In the past, the term “mobile home” might have brought to mind visions of RV parks full of glossy fiberglass trailers and the shimmering shells of classic Airstream campers. The designers of the VISTA Tiny Home have other ideas. They have unveiled a mobile cabin clad with warm cedar and Corten steel, creating a compact exemplar of nomadic architecture that possesses the materiality of an age-old mountain residence.

Measuring only eight and a half feet wide, the home has been arranged to maximize space efficiency. Integrated furniture, kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures and plentiful storage has been detailed so that there are no redundant spaces or superfluous surfaces. The material palette for the interior was selected for its hardwearing quality together with the rich textures of timber. Aspen wall panels, oak flooring and maple cabinetry completes the warm Nordic aesthetic.

While the raw materials of the exterior lend the mobile cabin an aged appearance, the home is equipped with all the modern amenities of a contemporary residence, including a flatscreen television that pops up at the click of a button. The design also includes a plethora of sustainable features: optional photovoltaic panels provide off-grid power for lighting and appliances, while closed-cell insulation made from recycled materials ensures warmth is maintained even in the most extreme mountain climates.

The design evokes the architectural language of Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects, whose stunning Rolling Huts offer guests a minimalist retreat on the edge of the North Cascades National Park in Washington. The VISTA, though, actually is a product available for purchase. For $40,000, you can take your own rural retreat with you wherever you please. For more moving architecture, check out Elizabeth Fazzare’s report on the renaissance of mobile homes and James Bartolacci’s roundup of remixes on this ever-evolving typology.