Vega

Description of Beds: Vega sleeps up to two people and a dog in a pull-out small double bed (120cm wide and 176cm long) on a super comfy bespoke mattress that zips together to create one piece. Description of Seating: Vega has two belted seats in the front (including the driver) with headrests. Inside there is one sofa and one bench, that converts into the bed. There is seating for four adults around a floor-mounted dining table. Description of Electrical Setup: Vega is fully off-grid, perfect for long getaways in nature. Complete with a 200Ah lithium battery (with battery monitor), 3000W inverter for AC-powered appliances (e.g. laptops) and a 415W solar panel means that you’ll always have power when the sun is shining. If it isn’t sunny (hello UK weather) then the DC-DC charger will charge the leisure battery automatically when driving. There is a double plug socket in the kitchen and main living area, two USB sockets in the main living area/bedroom and one in the front cab. Ceiling spotlights in the living area, and a separate LED strip light in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. About the area: Vega lives in Bristol. A short drive from Bristol Temple Meads (approx 15 minutes) and super close to the M32 for easy access to the M4 / M5 for a quick getaway. Bristol is the perfect place to start if you’re planning to explore the South West - Dartmoor, Cornwall, Devon and of course beautiful Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Wales. Parking: If you drive to collect Vega, parking is free on the street and you are welcome to leave your car. Cooking Equipment: Vega has everything you need to cook up a storm including a worktop, a big sink, a large double burner hob, an electric oven, electric toaster plates, bowls, mugs, side plates, cooking utensils & cutlery, glasses, mugs, kettle (electric and hob), chopping board, cafetière, colander, bottle opener, herbs & spices, a large water tank and a large LPG tank. There is also a fridge with a small freezer compartment to keep your drinks and fresh food cool and keep the reusable ice cubes frozen for your drinkies! In addition, you’ve also got the option of a BBQ/fire pit. Water and Sanitation: Vega has three 25L removable water tanks that supplies water to the kitchen. There is also a 10L removable water tank in the bathroom area. Both are powered by a foot pump. There is a 25L grey water tank in the kitchen and 10L grey water tank in the bathroom, both need to be emptied manually. You’ll also find a compost toilet in the garage that slides out from under the shelf for when you are camping in the wild. Audio Equipment: Vega has a touchscreen USB plug-in and Bluetooth stereo in the front cab so you can play your own music when driving. Also comes with a Reverse Camera System - very handy when driving a long campervan. Type of Heating: Vega is the perfect van for all year round adventures. The 4KW Salamander Hobbit wood-burning stove will keep you warm and cosy, even in the coldest months. Adhering to ECO Design 2022 regulations means that it is Defra approved and also comes with an insulated flue for extra efficiency and safety. There is also a small electric heater to take the chill out of the air whilst the fire gets going. Extra Information: Vega has been designed and built with so much love and attention. With floor to ceiling cupboard space, Vega has more storage than most other van conversions. The wardrobes (yes wardrobes!) mean that you can easily access your clothes and they won’t get creased. The walls, floor and ceiling have all been insulated to the max, meaning natural cooling in the summer and excellent heat retention in the winter with the help of a beefy 4KW burner. This makes Vega perfect for the coldest winter adventures as well. There are two bi-directional ceiling fans to ensure excellent airflow and sufficient air exchange without having to open a window, meaning a peaceful and quiet night's rest. There is even a double-glazed hatch window with a built in blind and bug net for those of you who really venture out into the wild. This hatch window has been placed next to a tinted pane to allow the perfect panoramic view out of the van, whilst maintaining privacy inside. Every window has a blackout blind meaning that you can get an excellent night's sleep no matter where your adventure takes you. Conversion Story: Designed and built by Kareem, a freelance Architectural Designer and Carpenter and his partner, Lucy. It’s worth noting that we built this on the streets of Bristol outside our house! Sorry neighbours. We decided to go for the King (or Queen if you ask Lucy) of vans - a LWB Sprinter - whose former life served as a FedEx courier vehicle. Having studied architecture and environmental engineering at university, the idea was to use building physics principles to create a clean and healthy internal space, which would be pivotal to the design. All the carefully selected materials and finishes were specifically chosen for their low VOC content, meaning no off-gassing or poor internal air quality issues from anything installed. The design intent for Vega was to be able to spend long periods of time in her without compromising on comfort. The original layout of this van comprises a floor to ceiling walled unit, bringing function and beauty in the form of a micro-apartment on wheels. The specially designed unit provides for almost every need, from the kitchen, with a solar-powered electric oven, through to the two full-length wardrobes and bathroom sink. Every timber element in this vehicle was designed, handcrafted and bespoke to fit this van and to ensure that the fit-out did not tip the scales. All the units are single-walled, unlike traditional units that would be double-walled and the doors are complete with a stylish rattan panel, all of which reduce the weight considerably. There are a myriad of design elements and details available to explore within Vega. The open and airy feeling is achieved by having two sofas that convert into a bed. The change from sofa to bed is a quick and easy process that can be done in minutes. We have put thousands of hours of build time, research and head-scratching into building Vega and we have had so many wonderful trips so we are really happy to share it with you and hope you enjoy it.