De Markies – a small but ingenious and timeless traveler’s mobile home

Those who like to travel a lot and to explore new places, to admire the landscape and to enjoy new adventures will most likely prefer to sleep in a tent or some sort of mobile home rather than to go at a hotel. For them we found a wonderful solution. This is De Markies. Its name translates as “The Awning” and it’s a mobile home with a classical and timeless design. It’s also full of surprises.

De Markies Mobile Home 4

Created by Dutch designer Eduard Bohtlingk, this structure was an entry in the “Temporary Living” competition 1985. It was conceived as a mobile home to be used on the road. It measures 2.00 m by 4.50 m. It might not look very spacious when it’s compact but wait till it reveals its true face.

De Markies Mobile Home 4

The floor space dramatically increases as the walls become floors on either side. This way you get three times more space. De Markies was awarded thePublic Prize at the Rotterdam Design Prize 1996 and, even though it’s not a modern creation, it’s still very impressive. It has a timeless beauty that makes it very charming.

De Markies Mobile Home 4
De Markies Mobile Home 4

What’s most impressive about this structure is the effective use of materials and space. Nothing is wasted here. When it folds up it looks like any other camper structure but when the walls fold down then it reveals a whole new look. Just add some furniture to these auxiliary spaces and enjoy it. I guess it’s true that good things come in small boxes.