In line with the tiny house movement, which transforms exceptionally small spaces to economically service all basic living necessities at an optimal space efficiency, FIVE AM’s #dojowheels is likewise revolutionizing the traditional office space, offering a compact and commercial mobile option.
Requiring a more flexible working schedule while traveling, Belgium-Based design studio, FIVE AM decided to retrofit their small caravan in order to mobilize their productivity, creating a “dojo on wheels” or #dojowheels, to work on the go. Following in the footsteps of vagabonds like Danish designer Verner Panton, inventor of the iconic Panton Chair, who in his earlier years retrofit a Volkswagen Minibus with a place to sleep and drawing board, while traveling across Europe on an expedition in search of design work, the designers at Five-AM seem to have had the same idea.
“As a design office we were having the idea of a mobile office for a long time. So, we bought an old caravan. But as we didn’t have the time to design it, the caravan staid in my back yard for 2 years. After a while we were thinking to do something during Milan Design Week. We had a lot of work at that time, so the ideal solution was to move our office to Milan. So we started designing the caravan.” – Oliver Caluwier, Creative Partner at FIVE AM.
Teaming up with Delta Light, who provided lighting fixtures, Groep Kordekor, who helped construct the light-emitting stretched ceiling, and Quinze & Milan, who provided the cushions for their multipurpose futon, Five AM was able to successfully redesign the interior of the #dojowheels caravan into a productive space with quality amenities. Dojo, referring to a place where one may practice any subject until enlightenment, #dojowheels was aptly named to perform as their personalized dojo, a mobile training facility, where the designers may not only practice, but also rest. #Dojowheels easily fits a couch, bed, meeting table for up to 6 adults, minifridge (that can hold +/- 150 beers), storage boxes fixed to perforated walls, secret under-floor storage, and various lighting options, including reading lights, above table fixtures, and outdoor lighting. To ensure easy mobility, light aviation-type plywood is used for the multifunctioning floor, bed and table space. Essentially a “blanc canvas” #dojowheels is designed to be a, “place where we can do whatever we want, wherever we want.”
FIVE AM specializes in product and interior design, as well as temporary installations. With an aesthetic focus on simplicity in form that generates well functioning design, FIVE AM has received international awards and recognition including recognition from the prestigious Design Vlaanderen.
