Van Life: A Creative Exploration of Contemporary Nomadism

This creative thesis, “Van Life: A Creative Exploration of Contemporary Nomadism” is a both written and experiential examination of the so-called “van life” phenomena in America. The project consists of two parts, a buildout of a van into a fully livable space, and an experiential component, where the lived experience of van life is analyzed and reflected on, including design goals and personal achievements. An exploration of the history of van life by generation since World War II is given to provide context, as well as the aesthetic and design history of the most popular van, the Volkswagen Microbus.