YSIN and enthoven associates: 'opera' mobile home

‘opera’ on display at the saint-étienne biennale 2010 image © designboom

axel enthoven and benoit mintiens of enthoven associates have collaborated with YSIN to create ‘opera’. the contemporary take on the traditional mobile home aims to provide alternative ways of exploring the outdoors.

the handmade, canvas mobile holiday home earns its name due to its resemblance of the sydney opera house. it features refined planning and materials including hardwoods, stainless steel and leather. amenities include heat, hot and cold water and energy saving led lights, all intended to bring modern conveniences together in the wild, contributing to the opera’s methodology of being a contemporary ‘living tent’.

a view into the ‘opera’ image © designboom

project specifications exterior: full polyester external shell and stainless steel fittings, choice of three colours roofrail 75 mm marine compass on nose tent cap: polyester weave with fabric look, interior tent: ten cate cotton choice of three colour schemes stainless steel fittings with quick-locks interior: coated teak floor and veranda with finishing in oak, Corian® and stainless steel or; linoleum floor and verandas with finishing in high grade plastics, lacquered doors and stainless steel lighting: LED

dimensions folded: total length: 4877 mm total width: 1825 mm total height: 1105 mm

dimensions errect: total length: 6700 mm total width: 3350 mm total height: 3400 mm

the kitchen area includes a gas range, stainless steel sink, espresso maker, wine fridge and top loading refrigerator image © designboom

‘opera’ is on display at the saint-etienne biennale 2010 in the ‘process design’ exhibition. through the show the curators, collectif designers + want viewers to understand what characterizes a design approach within companies, stressing the ‘process’ and product time lines of some fifty different material cases, from concept to realization.

kitchen and sleeping area image © designboom

3/4 view image © designboom

‘opera’ in its element image courtesy of YSIN

its wide, low to the ground design provides stability and unobstructed views while driving image courtesy of YSIN

side view of the trailer in transition image courtesy of YSIN

image courtesy of YSIN

the appearance of the collapsible canvas tent is a result of engineering and precise calculations image courtesy of YSIN

‘opera’ was first conceived in 2006 by YSIN when exploration into the basic concept first begun. enthoven was later brought in to expand the details and monitor the cohesiveness of the overall project. two years later prototyping and drawings were developed and work on the tent began. the original form has been left relatively unchanged.

an early stage model to test its feasibility image courtesy of YSIN