This High-Tech 'Glamavan' Unfolds Into A Luxury Solar-Powered Home

Love travelling but don’t like doing without your home comforts? There’s no need to rough it now, thanks to the clever sCarabane, which combines the benefits of an easily transportable caravan with the comfort of a two-bedroom apartment.

While the trend for transforming trailers into luxury dwellings is on the increase, the sCarabane takes the concept to the next level. On the road, it’s the size of a regular caravan, but it can be transformed within 30 minutes into a spacious 39 square-metre mobile apartment that’s equipped with two good-sized bedrooms, a six-seater dining table, bathroom (with washing machine) and the best bit – your very own outdoor terrace that’s ideal for eating al fresco in the summer evenings.

The sCarabane isn’t just convenient, the design by French company Green Cat Technologies is entirely self sufficient. Built on a circular, rotating base, the dwelling turns 360 degrees in order to maximise the solar energy collected, which powers the renewable tech on board. A telescopic wind turbine provides an impressive 500 watts of clean power, while solar cells and a solar concentrator offer back-up power and hot water.

There’s a sense of being connected to the outdoors at all times, too – those cooking in the kitchen can enjoy the view while socialising, thanks to a hatch that can be opened up onto the full-length deck area outside. In addition, both of the bedrooms can be opened up via a full-sized door, plus a rotating ‘bubble’ window features an innovative reflective shade that can control the light and heat, depending on your surroundings.

Clever space-saving features include the dining area that can be transformed into sleeping quarters for extra guests, a fold-down desk in the master bedroom, a mini dishwasher and washing machine, plus some pretty smart built-in storage solutions.

Given the fact that this futuristic camper is jam-packed with high-tech eco features and innovative design, the sCarabane isn’t going to be a cheap and cheerful travel solution, but is bound to transform the mobile home industry going forward – we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for a launch date.

About the author

Charlotte Luxford

Architecture & Design Editor

As Culture Trip's architecture and design expert, Charlotte has more than 12 years' industry experience, working for an array of national publications. Prior to joining Culture Trip, Charlotte was the editor of Grand Designs Magazine, steering the magazine in a new direction and overseeing a new look for the title. She has also worked for mass media organisation TI Media, providing content for Livingetc, Ideal Home, Country Homes & Interiors and Homes & Gardens. Charlotte has always had a passion for design and is also a qualified interior designer, having completed a diploma in her spare time. At Culture Trip, Charlotte has worked closely with institutions including the Design Museum and London Design Festival, as well as interviewing design heroes such as Thomas Heatherwick and Sir Terence Conran.