Mobile library turned off grid home and studio

We designed Hector as a self-contained, off-grid tiny home and artist studio-come-exhibition space. He’s provided us with a happy and comfortable full-time home for the past six years – we’ve heated mince pies on the woodburner, watched birds through the skylights and worked from home in the studio. The interior space is bright even on the greyest days and the woodburner keeps the whole space toasty.

We designed and fitted every last bit ourselves (we’re particularly pleased with the way the studio floor lifts up to reveal the hidden full size bed) so are happy to answer any questions.

Now it’s time for him to find new owners we’ve given him a thorough refurb, but there are just a few things you’ll want to fix yourself before moving in. They’re detailed below and are reflected in the price. Offers will be considered.

Conversion
Converted in 2017 as a full-time, off grid tiny home and artist studio. As featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces (ep 7 series 7) – please note there have been numerous upgrades since this was filmed (including to the layout of the living space), but you can see the hidden bed mechanism clearly.
Fully insulated walls, floor and ceiling using celotex sheet and acoustic rockwool inside combined aluminium and timber stud walls. Minimum 50mm, rising to 130mm in places. Internally skinned in plywood.
Vapour barrier added throughout walls, floor and ceiling.
4 Dometic Seitz hinged windows added. 2 existing back windows have additional glazing layer added.
Low-profile LED ceiling lights throughout
Copper and black trim light switches and plug sockets throughout
Huge externally mounted electric awning operated by internal wall switch. 4m W x 3mD. Manual winding option.
Cab remains largely untouched

Hallway
Large, well lit hallway space for storing coats and boots
Alongside is a large full height storage space with wardrobe hanging rail and slide out mirror

Kitchen
4 burner gas hob
Bespoke hammered copper sink with matte black fittings
43L 240V fridge
Lots of fitted storage – overhead cupboards including integrated dish rack, lower cupboards fitted as full-depth drawers for ease of access
Solid oak wrap-over worktop
Under-cabinet LED lighting

Living/dining
2-3 seat built-in sofa easily converts to 2 seater dining table
Hobbit salamander woodburning stove with chimney cowl fitted in bespoke fire-proofed copper-lined corner
Sofa base provides additional storage
Overhead storage cupboard and fitted bookshelf

Bathroom
Thetford C200CS electric flush toilet with lockable exterior cassette door (fitted new 2023)
Black matte fittings
Fully tanked and lined in thick hard-wearing white flooring vinyl
Pre-formed white shower tray fitted (fitted new 2023)
Antique copper fish kettle sink
Built in copper-trimmed LED mirror lighting
Hand-held shower
Mirrored bathroom wall cabinet
Slim-fit tambour door
Ceiling light with integrated extractor fan
Copper pipe towel rails
Small opening skylight

Bedroom
Full size fixed double bed on sprung wooden slatted bed base (1350 x 1900mm Eve hybrid mattress)
Bed at floor level with small storage step. Bed inset lined in cork
Inset copper-lined and LED lit bedside niches

Studio
Heavy duty hinged fold-down floor closes over bed, providing good size, well-lit studio space
Large fold-out birch ply desk with 2 folding desk chairs stored beneath. Generous desk for 2 people.
Full back wall of inbuilt shelving
240V plug socket for laptops etc

Plumbing and water
250L fresh water tank, filled through lockable external Thetford door
160L grey water tank¬
Malaga 2000 13L water heater
Mixer taps in kitchen and bathroom

Power
2 x 455W freestanding solar panels (“Canadian Solar mono half cell panel – super high power mono perc hiku” from Bimble Solar, bought 2022)
2 x Victron energy AGM deep cycle batteries (12V 60Ah) installed, with another 2 spare which you can add in for more energy storage (bought 2022)
1040W MPPT controller
Victron energy power inverter pure sine
24V system with 240V outlets
Easy access centralised master fuse and labelled switch controls
Gas connection via pigtail to calor propane (bottle kept outside the truck body). Not certified but fitted by heating engineer

Work needed
Water heater disconnected due to perished connector. Needs fixing or replacing.
Shower tray needs plug hole made and connecting to grey water.
3 original powered skylights have stripped gear inside opening mechanism so will need fixing in order to open – currently sealed shut.
Integrated roller blind no longer opens in 1 of fitted Dometic Seitz windows.
Grey water tank needs stopper/drainage tap fitting, as we had it setup to drain into a soakaway
Professionally fitted Eberspacher diesel heater will need servicing before use (we’ve not used it as the woodburner keeps things warm enough).