VAN JARNO
A film studio on wheels
A Mercedes Sprinter with a high roof and extra length. By day a place to edit, at night a home.
Why an L3H2
In a Sprinter with a high roof I can stand up. But a lift bed leaves no standing height underneath, only sitting height. That's why the bed hangs above the lounge: you sit there anyway.
The L3H2 is over a metre longer than the L2H2: 4.30 metres of cargo space versus 3.27. That metre makes the difference between a van with a bed and a van with a workspace. It's no more expensive to buy.
The downside: it can carry less, about 1,150 kilos. That's why I build light, with poplar plywood and aluminium, and the van goes on the weighbridge after the build.
The layout
From front to back: on the driver's side the kitchen and the camera cabinet, on the other side a sliding shower with wardrobe, and at the back the lounge with the lift bed above it.
| Kitchen with hob | about 165 cm, along the driver's side |
|---|---|
| Camera cabinet | about 60 cm, for tripods, cases and batteries |
| Sliding shower and wardrobe | about 107 cm, behind the sliding door |
| Lift bed | 205 × 154 cm, above the lounge |
| Lounge | two benches facing each other with a table, the edit desk by day |
| Cargo space | about 4.30 × 1.78 m |
What it looks like (in the design)
One day, here
Everything at a glance
From the cab
The loungeAI renders of my design. I'm buying the real van at the end of March 2027.
Still to do
A design isn't a van yet. This is what I'm watching out for in the build:
- Once finished, the bed must still be at least 195 cm long, including insulation and wall panelling.
- The lift bed and the shower are locked in place while driving.
- A window by the lounge, for daylight at the workspace.
- A toilet in the shower cubicle.
- Keep it light: after the build the van goes on the weighbridge.
From plan to departure
In March 2027 I buy the van, inspected first. From April to June I convert it on the driveway, together with my dad. He works in the water sports industry and is fitting out our big boat himself. In July 2027 I set off on six months through Europe.
I buy the van
Gave notice on my flat, moved back in with my parents, every euro put aside.
A Sprinter L3H2, inspected first.
Ninety days of building on the driveway.
Six months through Europe, working from the van.
Build the van with me, or share an idea?
Want to help build the van with your company, or have a tip for the build? Let me know.