Frustrated with routine projects at school, Hank Butitta, a University of Minnesota architecture student, decided to do something different with his thesis for the final semester.
His architectural project, a first if its kind, is a fully-fledged, multi-purpose traveling home that has been cleverly devised inside a school bus.
This project promotes environmental consciousness, financial sustainability and simplicity in life among people.
Butitta converted his thoughts into reality by first purchasing an old bus from Craigslist and then renovating the vehicle to include all the logistics required in a house.
This unique mobile house, measuring 225 square foot, features flexible living space, transformable furniture, hardwood floors, dimmable LED mood lighting, a kitchen and a bathroom. Plus, it also contains a sink, few beach coolers and a dining area, which comes to life from one of the beds.
The hardwood floor was created from salvaged gym flooring.
"Some materials just came from every day, the floor is made from a reclaimed gym floor we found at a lumberyard in Minneapolis. It was cheaper than a new floor and easy to install," Butitta said.
With the help of his brother Vince and photographer Justin Evidon, Butitta constructed this innovative house over four months. The total cost incurred on the project is estimated to be nearly $10,000, including the cost of the bus and materials, which is lesser than the fee for a semester of college.
"This project was a way to show how building a small structure with simple detailing can be more valuable than drawing a complex project that is theoretical and poorly understood," Butitta said. "The idea is that building code only allows you to build so small a space, but some people want them smaller. So, in order to make smaller homes happen, they make them mobile."
In May, Butitta received his master's degree from the university.
In order to test the efficiency and functionality of the portable house, Butitta set off on a month-long, 5,000-mile road trip along with his friends and family members (currently in progress).
