In places like Australia and New Zealand, RV caravanning has become a popular activity. According to the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association, in 2012 alone, caravan rallies accounted for a 4.2 million dollar contribution towards the nation’s economy.
The popularity of caravan camping, in combination with rising housing costs, has led many creative-minded people to begin transforming their trucks and caravans into full-time residences.
Inspired by these unique mobile homes, 32-year-old Bryce Langston has created a hit YouTube series called Living Big In A Tiny House. Each episode features a unique display of small-space design, as well as a tour of the residence.
Although many of Langston’s featured spaces can be considered incredible, one couple’s “transforming castle truck” goes above and beyond even his wildest expectations.
The fantasy castle truck was designed out of necessity for couple Justin and Jola, with Justin telling Living Big In A Tiny House:
“I thought about coming back to New Zealand. And we were living in this bus, and I was thinking, ‘Oh, that’s actually not a bad idea. It’ll be a good start for when we get back until we decide on something else.’ So, I made some plans, build my own of course, and we got here and that’s what we started.”
From the outside, the truck looks like a regular, albeit odd-looking vehicle, with slightly mismatched panels and areas of brick-pattern design. Justin assures Langston that while folded up, it is completely road legal and (surprisingly) able to meet minimum clearance requirements.
When Justin and Jola begin extending bars and pulling levers and hinges, we suddenly see the truck transform into the couple’s very own fantasy castle.
Justin tells Langston, “I like engineering. I like art. When you can put them both together, it’s really good. This is like one big art project.”
Although it still may not look like much from the outside, the features the couple has managed to integrate into their design are completely mind-blowing.
Every inch has been hand decorated with unique hand-made touches.
The necessities of the home, like clothes and supplies, are hidden out of sight within rotating storage areas in the castle’s cozy corners.
The couple’s demi-round kitchen is cozy and rustic, featuring an almost-bay window and full-sized stove for all the family’s cooking needs.
Justin explains, “Everyone needs a kitchen space. That’s where you spend most of all of your time so that should be a priority when designing.”
The top floor of the couple’s castle opens into a beautiful, cozy sleeping area.
In the main bedroom, the wall paper has been collaged from torn bits of music and lyrics. As the camera pans, you can read adorable snatches of songs, such as “whisper your secret sweet” and “what is it that charms me”.
The castle’s turrets reveal a surprisingly gorgeous bathroom setup. One turret hides a compost toilet, while the other houses a full-sized shower.
As Langston explores their castle, he tells Justin and Jola:
“That is a transformation! I mean, the space is not even recognizable to what it was beforehand. This is beautiful […] To be honest, when I was talking with you beforehand about some of the features you built into this house, I didn’t even think that was going to be possible to accomplish in such a small space. And to see this all fold out and actually transform like this, I’m actually gobsmacked.”
Although Langston is already in awe of the couple’s transforming creation, when they take him up to the roof, he is completely blown away.
To see what surprises the truck has hiding, check out Langston’s full tour below!
