Cardboard is a multi-purpose  material that allows us to create unexpected products with the most original and ecological finishes. Like this project produced in Cartonlab from an idea of the designer Diego Ávila (@artesaniadiegoavila), a student of the Escuela Superior de Diseño de Murcia who has done his internship with us. He decided to camperize his own van as a personal project to put into practise everything he has learnt,. And he also recorded it. 

This camper conversion unit includes the following items: 

Furniture and accessories. Set of fully folding table and chairs. In 3 minutes you will have everything ready to have a snack, watch the sunset from a viewpoint or read a while in the open air.

Afterwards you can store them in the van without taking up space. 

Cardboard bed. The bed is a fundamental element of the van conversion pod. Diego created for his project a large folding grid of extendable cardboard ribs. Its function is to act as a base to place the mattress and rest comfortably. 

Storage spaces. Another good example we can take from this remodeling project is the creation of storage spaces. In a simple way, using once again the fitting and folding of cardboard pieces, your vehicle can be converted into a practical storage space. 

Advantages of campervan conversion  with cardboard

The convenience of easily adapting to the space. Its customizability and quick assembly are undoubted advantages.

Another common advantage is its lightweight. This is essential for loading and unloading. Any adventurous person knows that you have to travel light. It also helps to save on fuel consumption. And speaking of savings, campervan conversion with cardboard units  is significantly more economical. 

Apart from the economy, talking about care and respect for the environment, using cardboard products is more sustainable. You can give them a second life by reusing or recycling. And don’t forget about the resistance!

What you’re probably wondering about this campervan conversion  

Is it necessary to homologate this cardboard campervan layout ?

Usually not. It consists of removable furniture and accessories. And because they weigh so little, the permissible tare weight is not usually exceeded. However, each vehicle has different needs, so we recommend that each user is up to date with current legislation. 

How much weight can the cardboard withstand? 

A product designed in cardboard with a correct structure can support quite a lot of weight. In the case of this project, the folding base formed by it’s interlocking parts can support about 350 kg. Therefore, as many people as can fit in the van can sleep perfectly well. 

Is it easy to assemble?

Yes, it’s very intuitive, in a few minutes you have everything ready. You don’t need any tools or glue. It consists of cardboard pieces that fold and fit together.

How durable is this cardboard material?

It’s not a material meant to last forever. However, there are different treatments that are used to make it resistant to water, or even fire. It’s a temporary solution that can be used for several well-furnished trips. If you care for it well, of course. 

How much does it cost?

Compared to other modular solutions, it’s a cheaper option, but also more delicate. At the moment this is our first prototype. We will gradually try to achieve better finishes and perhaps be able to offer kits for the most popular van models on the market.

We encourage you to contact us by email or leave your comments sharing your experiences on the subject.