Finally going a lil more public with Project FireBeetle!

[GreenViking]

Hi all, been lurking for years and hoping someone would build me my dream nomadic micro home... got out of my industrial design program, moved to CA, then AZ and now in CA again and STILL after all these years, not quite. If I stuck all the references that I want, the closest I would come is a Frankenstein version that would be impossible to put together!

Until i can figure out where and how to post my images of my prebuild, you can view them here: [url]https://www.behance.net/wip/121801/1663699[/url]

I would love to find others that have taken the hard route of pulling off the dam near impossible and made it look like a pro did it! Things like super light weight custom chassis, expanding leak proof roofs and slide outs, low to 0 VOC interiors and luminescent composite skins controlled by custom controller boards. Urban secure AND camp friendly, able to sit up and have a near 5ft desk work surface... even standing room when you need to change indoors!

My ambitions are very high and this project has taken wayyyy longer then expected as I learn skills and better ways of doing things. But really, at this point I think if I don't get out of the design phase and even a stripped down prototype built in the next 2 months I may have to can this project for abit.

So I would love the hard one advice/suggestions and insights you have to share and I will do my best to give you some nice eye candy as well as what I find as I move foreword.

Do understand I place really high expectations on myself with this project AND I am willing to get feedback. My intentions are to be able to produce several mated sets of Firebeetles (see the link above) and that will require a build with molds/tooling and jigs for it to work... but for now, I need to focus on a testable Alpha prototype.

Best,
Green Viking

Art, Design, Ecology and Tribe!

[Roly Nelson]

Hi, I think the Fire Beetle build will be the most complicated of any I've seen. Looking forward to seeing more info. Good luck.
Roly ~~

[razorback]

Welcome
I didn't understand what the heck you were talking about but I am looking forward to seeing your vision come to life.
Have fun and post pics.
Larry

[S. Heisley]

So, is the picture below what you are planning to build?

[Vedette]

It does not matter what you build. or how complex you make it??
In the end it is all about the camping!
Just sitting on a lawn chair enjoying the company of your wife or other teardrop campers, while sipping on your favorite beverage is what it is really all about!!!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[felixx]

I am unsure what you are talking about photo lumo what?
But it sounds awesome!
Maybe you can build something a bit bigger than you plan to finish with and use it for a while then scale version 2.0 down or up as you need it.

[GreenViking]

:thinking: So, is the picture below what you are planning to build?

Hi Sharon, no, that is just a part of my development book and a "digital" sketch trying out some new software. I am still working on the form, and am approaching it from what I will want to be doing in it first, then I will develop the form around the functions. I see so many people starting with a predefined size then trying to cram themselves in there... At 6'2" I have no desire to sleep or sit in a space that feels cramped so I am looking at ergonomics and human factors as guidelines as well as using the scale virtual dummies as proxy's.

Some of the questions that routinely go around as I look at this project are things like "If this was an animal that evolved over a billion years in a symbiotic relationship with humans, how might it look, how might it have adapted and what traits managed to sustain through out time?" I know this might sound crazy to allot of people, but all it is really about doing is challenging my own assumptions and biases about what this should be based on something that somebody else developed. I want to create something that that if it were capable of being GROWN instead of BUILT... what might that look like?

If you look at the link I have a series of images that look like a biological shape, imagine that being a top down view and imagine it being made of a material that is compostible at the end of it's useful life... if you hold that image as basic precept to this project, then my ways might make more sense. I am not interested so mush in copying the manufactured past but rather growing a shape that is evolved to the conditions that support the occupants needs as well as being sourced from as much local materials as possible... again, a better way of looking at this would be to ask "how does a plant grow? From where does that matter come that actually makes op the majority of a trees mass? (HINT, Watch this... you will be surprised!: http://www.dump.com/treescome/

I probably have made a ton of grammar errors, it is late... I will keep posting higher quality image to: https://www.behance.net/wip/121801

[GreenViking]

I am using these virtual dummies I made based on a 6'6" tall man to get some ideas on about how much space feels right in fold out "camping" mode.
The guy sitting on the hitch represents one of the options I was thinking for Burning man. The idea would be able to have several bikes yoked up to the trailer to tow it instead of a car.

[GreenViking]

This is the rough concept of being able to combine 3 of the smaller trailers together to create a shared commons or 9 to create 3 commons plus a larger public tent... lots to consider with ground elevation differences etc. Would welcome ideas on this concept.

[dales133]

It sounds like an interesting and social responsible concept but biodegradable and shelter built to last don't realy work in my opinion with the realities of a towed vehicle.
I'd make something possibly in foam if you want that design

[rowerwet]

I think most of us are here for easy to build, easy to tow, cheap (a relative term) camping. If you build it we will watch and cheer, but most would rather be camping than building, you are setting up for a big time and money investment.
Remember, all the planning in the world isn't worth actual experience, start small and easy first, IMO.

[GreenViking]

My 6'6" Virtual Scale Ergo human factors dummies I posed for this project.

Working on base measurements and rudimentary space usage.

Some side views to chk head height while sitting in work mode (yes, this IS designed as a mobile office for the self employed and traveling work etc.)

The Idea of having a mini roof deck for sunning or placing a small stretched canopy over or as a place to carry cargo. Also exploring the option of yoking bicycles and being able to be human power towed on flat playa for Burning Man.

Some more angles and studies

Comparing my scale dummy to scale existing small trailers...

Brainstorming ideations on possible ways to create moduler connections for larger gatherings/conventions/camps and mobile project groups.

Very Basic laser cut rough just to play with something to 1/12th scale.

My 1/12th Scale action figuare

Potential Materials to use and methods of production.

Early Photoshop morph concepts for urban trailer

Top down view of sculptural formed pods that have resin embedded LED's for light-shows

Some lantern laser cuts I did as well as future light "skins"

Mobile Light Show concept to apply to "village of teardrops with lighted skins"

[felixx]

I love your work but want some of the pills you must take for inspiration

[dales133]

They definatly arnt aspirin!
I like your design concepts and hope you have the patience, skills and determination to see it through because I for one will be a very keen observer

[capnTelescope]

"Ambitious" barely begins to describe this project. You're breaking new ground here, and we all will benefit from each other's ideas.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes. Persevere!