{"id":279663,"date":"2018-02-23T18:50:40","date_gmt":"2018-02-23T23:50:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/?p=279663"},"modified":"2021-12-15T07:34:30","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T12:34:30","slug":"nomadic-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/nomadic-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Today\u2019s Global Nomads Live in Fab Movable Houses"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Manta Underwater Room, conceived by Swedish artist and entrepreneur Mikael Genberg, offers spectacular underwater views off the coast of Pemba Island, Tanzania. Photo \u00a9 The Manta Resort<\/p><\/div>\n

As globalism continues to shrink the miles between us \u2014 making it easier than ever to work remotely and expand our wanderlust with the promise of enlightening new experiences \u2014 more people are turning away from a fixed lifestyle in favor of a freedom-seeking transient one.<\/p>\n

Philip Jodidio, author of the recently released Nomadic Homes: Architecture on the Move<\/em><\/a> (Taschen), describes these contemporary nomads as \u201cthose who are less attached to modern society with all that it implies. Those who want to strike out into the unknown and to be able to move whenever and \u2014 almost \u2014 wherever they wish.\u201d And many of them want to bring their houses along for the ride.<\/p>\n

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Tentsile tree tent. Photo \u00a9 Andrew Walmsley<\/p><\/div>\n

Still, discerning nomads will not settle for the factory-made trailers or the gas-guzzling recreational vehicles of the 20th century, so architects and designers have stepped up to create portable residences that are efficient, ecological and stunningly beautiful.<\/p>\n

Below, we take a closer look at four fascinating designs from Jodidio’s book that make nomadic living seem not only doable \u2014 but utterly appealing.<\/p>\n

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Animated Forest by Francis and Arnett<\/h2>\n
\"Animated

Photo \u00a9 Epic Retreats\/Owen Howells<\/p><\/div>\n

On a fundamental level, Jodido explains, \u201cthe nomadic homes in this book can, by definition, be moved. They generally do not require foundations and are quite small.\u201d As for why many people choose to go this route? He says that \u201cbeing able to change places of residence and living in harmony with nature are two of the main reasons for selecting this kind of life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Francis and Arnett<\/a>‘s \u201cglamping\u201d cabin on wheels is no exception. Built for long holidays meant for reconnecting with nature, the Animated Forest is outfitted with corten-steel roof lights and a sleeping area with built-in leather padding. The large, round door adds visual interest, and the simple plywood interior<\/a> allows the surrounding landscape (shown here in South Snowdonia, Wales) to take center stage.<\/p>\n

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Floating House by Carl Turner<\/h2>\n
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Photo \u00a9 Carl Turner Architects<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThe nomadic lifestyle of course depends on who is living in these homes, but a concern for nature and a desire to escape from the density and pollution of urban living are frequent motivations,\u201d Jodidio says. London architect Carl Turner<\/a> addresses the very real concern of climate change\u2013induced flooding with this prefabricated floating home with an edible garden.<\/p>\n

With plans available on the open-source architecture website Paperhouses<\/a> for anyone to construct themselves, the Floating House is carbon neutral, self-sufficient and designed with lightweight materials that can be built on a floating concrete structure or traditional piles at the water\u2019s edge.<\/p>\n

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Ecocapsule<\/h2>\n
\"Ecocapsule

Photo \u00a9 Ecocapsule Holding<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cA small size, a low carbon footprint and flexible use are some of the characteristics of many of the nomadic homes published in Nomadic Homes<\/em>,\u201d the author says. The Ecocapsule<\/a> is an 88-square-foot pod that\u2019s big enough for two people to live comfortably in and small enough to be dropped on location by helicopter.<\/p>\n

With its insulated fiberglass and aluminum shell, wind and solar energy power, waterless toilet and composting capabilities, the Ecocapsule truly embodies the spirit of nomadic living. Its inhabitants can live entirely off the grid, moving easily and expending few resources. Indeed, Jodidio adds that \u201ca small, nomadic home should be inexpensive to own and use.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Wikkelhouse by Fiction Factory<\/h2>\n
\"Wikkelhouse,

Photo \u00a9 Yvonne Witte<\/p><\/div>\n

The Wikkelhouse by Amsterdam firm Fiction Factory<\/a> is a modern, airy and thoughtfully designed home that allows its inhabitants both the ease of nomadic living with the convenience of a permanent residence with its spacious floor plan, built-in shelving, modern seating and large dining table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese designs almost invariably seek to provide some of the essentials of day-to-day life in terms of space and services like heating or cooking,\u201d Jodidio concludes. \u201cClearly, a small, nomadic home can\u2019t provide all the comforts of a larger, more established residence. Nomadic living surely imposes a certain number of constraints \u2014 one of these is to be less dependent on materialistic items that are not truly useful. It’s about getting back to basics.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Browse Stylish Nomadic Pieces<\/h2>\n

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