Studies architecture, decides to restore Airstreams instead

When a 26-year-old Matthew Hofman launched his own architecture firm, he bought a 1978 Airstream trailer and redesigned it to live in. He received so much attention for his own tiny home on wheels (160 square feet) that he began renovating Airstreams for clients.
Less than 5 years later he’s recrafted more than 60 Airstreams, but he finds each one a design challenge given their aircraft-style shell.
“Airstreams are like an egg. They’re what’s called semi-monocoque construction which is like, it’s an airplane so that creates the integrity as a whole so everything moves together. So there are no walls, there are no roofs, there are no diaphragms that create load, but it’s all one unit. It needs to be whole. And then once you start to do things like cutting out panels, then it really starts to become a design challenge.”
The first riveted aluminum trailer, the “Road Chief”, was designed in 1934 by aircraft designer Hawley Bowlus who had worked on the Spirit of St. Louis. Two years later, Wally Byam, who had helped sell the “Road Chief”, launched his own company called Airstream. The original “Clippers” cost $1200, expensive for the time, but Byam couldn’t fill orders fast enough.
Like the “Road Chief”, Airstreams were designed more like aircraft than traditional travel trailers. It’s a style that has earned them a loyal following.
When we visited HofArc's 20,000-square-foot yard in Santa Barbara, CA, the team was working on “Wanda” for an Australian family of 5 to tour the Outback and a Spartan (Airstream competitor) mobile home for clients to use as a vacation pod in Hawaii. Hofman sees the tiny homes that pass through as providing his clients with freedom.
“We’re all after a sense of freedom, it’s really the driver on the great American road trip.”
Original story: faircompanies.com/videos/view/...

[@Empresslockness]

This man is like a passionate Airstream Surgeon.

[@CELTICFOXSTUDIO77777]

i've lived in trailers , boats , school buses , very small cabins , converted chicken coops , barns and they are all very cool , it;s not the space or the container or shell that matters , it;s the person in it and what that space does for them and what they do with that space that defines HOME. you folks do wonderful work , bless your hearts .

[@MerridethHawk]

Loved this episode, so far my favorite. I enjoyed listening to him speak and how he really enjoyed the beauty of different materials.

[@BunzSudz]

Oh my goodness, I would work for this guy for free, just to gain knowledge and experience in this sort of reconstruction. Brilliant. I love airstreams. As a child, I always dreamed that my family would get one. We never did, but I still want one! LOL. I'm 54. Airstreams, to me, are a big part of the original American Experience.

[@onewithyall]

Alacia Fowler I have a 21' sovereign for sale that is pretty much original condition (the front seating was replaced with a dinette). Everything works the air conditioner just needs recharged. $25,000

[@islphrs1350]

+Alacia Fowler Don't lie, you just think he's hot.

[@julietteraines8256]

i agree on all levels, i'd work for him for free, i always wanted an air stream, but now with his 'living vehicle' wow! dying to see one in person.

[@artrra]

I just said the same thing to myself! Brilliant and bold concept🤔

[@ellenbulger3807]

Kirsten, I loved this. Mind you, I have loved Airstream trailer my entire life. And I'm a photog, and all that stuff, the glorious reflections, just throw that AAAAHHH switch in my brain. The part where he's talking about the integrity of the material and the reflections are all over the ground, those glorious compressed waves of light! And then you flip back and forth between the reflections, oh god that was good. And at the end, the landscape reflected on the trailer? Wow. And then the shot where we are looking at the row of trailers and then there is some distortion, what animators call bounce and stretch and you pull back and we realize RIVETS!!! OMG girl, you are hitting the sweet spot. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Thank you!

[@benisturning30]

I love this episode. So glad you did it, Kirsten. Aside from seeing all these beautiful land yachts, Matthew is really nice to look at also.

[@danjoe91]

I have had the pleasure of a visit to this yard. Matthew and his father ( They work together there ) are amazing guys. As a contractor myself that loves the idea of not only sustainable materials, but the re- use of them, I appreciate their values on these things. I also bought and completely remodeled my own Airstream, and have appreciated how they are built. In my travels with it, I have met a number of people that do live full time in their trailers. Some pull their Airstream from place to place to see the country, and others have parked them and stayed put. Every one we met said they would not live in any other type of trailer, because of the lifespan an Airstream can have. I absolutely love mine!

[@markjacob1775]

me being single, thats my intention of wanting an air stream..you can make them eligant modern small qaulity homes and move around to new locations when your needing a change..i just do not have the carpenter skills to do it..

[@ltea8570]

Can he have a regular KZbin channel where he just walks around and points things out and doles our wisdom? Please? I feel so much more informed after listening to him

[@gremice31]

would liked to have seen more of the finished product, but still a good video

[@Bonobo3D]

Very satisfying look at the airstream and Matthew Hofman's dedication to his craft.

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks Kirsten. So great to see the beautiful old trailers being given a second chance.

[@ondugabs2873]

Listening to this guy, I know right away that he is a great guy. A good businessman. He speaks with clarity and honesty, not mentioning very knowledgeable.

[@denisesanabia8422]

Love your work so true I'm gonna be in my tiny home soon , I will never have a mortgage just me and my tiny home

[@peacefulpossum2438]

Terrific video. Hofman is so articulate and supplies so much information on renovating as well as the technical and aesthetic elements of Airstreams.

[@bfree247365]

I always look forward to seeing your videos. Very "life centering" to me and helps me keep my life in perspective. Thank you!

[@ItsAllGodAnyway]

This guy is amazing... super passionate and knowledgeable about airstreams . Love the reflective ceiling... did make it feel more spacious.

[@nameofthepen]

Fascinating! And that last trailer at the end was _gorgeous!_

[@natostraniero]

i really enjoyed watching this video especially the last part when you spoke about the freedom . well said brother . peace

[@almannone]

Living in an Airstream has been a dream of mine for years! Love it.

[@TVFILMBUFF]

Loved that opening shot Kirsten. Trippy

[@tomaustin4526]

Excellent video ❤️😎👍🚌 love that the older Airstreams are being saved n restored 😊🌎🎥🎬 beautiful and classic 🏡thanks for sharing and safe travels

[@brendalewis6382]

Great job on preserving and up dating these beautiful Air-Streems . "FREEDOM isn't that what it is about"

[@avienated]

Kirsten, I really appreciate your channel. Thanks for making it.

[@kellymurphy2917]

Such a cool idea, and guy! Great questions for him too, K! Thanks for another great video!

[@bethbartlett5692]

Intelligent man, Mature Mind, Expert in his Profession - Love Airstreams - Would live in one in an instant.

[@MacFyben]

amazing as usual. keep up the good work kirsten

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

Very cool. This guy knows his stuff and seems to love it.

[@CyrusOfNaias]

This guy is really passionate about what he does. It's impressive.

[@SteinErikDahle]

Amazing video! And what a beautiful trailer the Airstream is!

[@Draxillior]

My grandparents were on the Capetown to Cairo trip.... when they got home they traded up to a '60 Ambassador which I still have.... Hasn't moved in 40 years but I still have it....

[@nottheone582]

I really resonated with Matt's sentiment about rejecting the status quo - what I consider peak materialism - the huge house, big mortgage, picket fence, etc. I love living small and having true freedom to decide where I live, and change it up! i truly believe this is the healthiest way to live for both humans and planet.

[@alexbrewer5799]

Great designs. Love the recycling aspect. Way cool !

[@palmerdex]

Airstream, one of my favorites of all time. We must thank William Hawley Bowlus (1896 -1967), the original designer, who probably was influenced by those who helped construct the early biplanes like the "Spirit of St Louis" considering aerodynamics. Certainly, the idea of venturing out with something like this has appealed to many. An alternative lifestyle. Having lived in most of the US cities and even owning to pay mortgage, the tension in many cities is a reality. It's good to get out and about if one has the opportunity. Thank you for sharing.

[@philiq18]

Pretty impressive seeing what he and his team's managed to achieve in overhauling the interior of the Airstream.

[@Pietervdv]

Great video. This guy seems to know his shit and has a good eye for design. What I dislike about most trailers is the interior design and what he did with the reclaimed wood is really refreshing.

[@mrbr549]

Thanks so much Kirsten for another interesting video!

[@ShanecaRene]

Love the tiny house movement :)

[@drumsleuth]

Great idea for making a living fixing up old airstreams thanks.

[@rudyinthesky4967]

Amazing design and construction but do you really think that a person who could afford this would actually be the same kind of person who would really "live" in one full time? This just seems like another way for the wealthier folks to "play" being nomadic or living lightly in luxury.

[@ROBOTYPHOON]

I was thinking the same.

[@tuskedbeast]

ROBO TYPHOON Me too.

[@genjii931]

I've seen used 60s & 70s era Airstreams for under $4,000. I've seen some that are in pretty good condition for well under $10k. That's a pretty low entry price for a basic structure, as long as the steel frame is okay. The prices aren't as bad as one thinks if you get a fixer-upper. My only real problem with them is the lack of headroom inside.

[@rudyinthesky4967]

Sorry, I was referring to the price of one of his renovated versions.

[@ebfabulous]

Rudy Werner I am looking for something from the late 1960s to early 1990s . After a moderate reno and updates for modern living, it is looking like it will be about $25K no matter what era a choose. I will live in it about half the year. I am a travel RN and it will be my housing on job assignments. So I guess I will be one of those people who you say "play nomadic in luxury". Its fun to travel around the country and work in a new hospital every few months;but it is also extremely stressful. And renting a place and living in hotels and sleeping in a bed that is not mine is depressing. Your comment was very condescending. I have every right to spend my HARD earned money on anything I want...as does anyone who earns an honest living. Your comments sounds like that of someone who is jealous of others who are more successful and have the guts to lead a more adventurous life.

[@1533ramsay]

Very great video. loved it. my grandparents were Airstream full trimmers. great memories.

[@Supermankev2001]

Love what you do looks fantastic

[@woundeddove]

Oh how I wish I could afford one with a wheel chair lift. Will pray 👏🏻 for one in Near Tuskegee, Alabama..

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

Great way to recycle and bring back affordable living. In reality buying a used, refurbished or even a fixer upper Airstream will be a lot cheaper than most self designed and built tiny homes on wheels. 15k-35k I see one person thought this was just a way for "wealthy" people to enjoy or feel a part of "play" the nomadic life....(classism and jealousy is disgusting). When in reality many of these great iconic well built and designed trailers can be purchased very reasonably used if you look around, 2k-12k even with their great popularity and demand.

[@greggbarber]

No more disgusting as when the wealthy buy art so as to feel more important .

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

Tor Except they generally buy art to support some struggling progressive liberal artist who the believe in. Nice try though.

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

Tor Most art is created by "struggling artists" and these artists are supported mostly by middle class and wealthy buyers who like the artist and their work along with many times their leftist political leanings and interpretations. Most artists, struggling and successful, are very thankful for having customers whom buy and collect their work and support them. Artists have to be business people so they tend not to speak bad about their customers especially to others. Can you imagine if Apple said their customers just bought their product to show off?? That would be stupid and really damage your brand and reputation and hurt sales. Now if you are talking about the multi million dollar art bought by the top 1% whom are also mostly progressive liberal democrat's they buy jet's and yacht's not rebuilt old RV's. They tend to buy art for investment purposes and because they are collectors and not to impress anyone. However some people are impressed, jealous, angry, mad and threatened by the amount they pay or can pay for art. So they attack them or talk badly about them this is classism which is similar to racism. Let's be honest do you buy things or collect things to just "impress" others? If you do you are in a very small and shallow minority.

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

***** Steve, Jewish people tend to be progressive liberal's especially in the U.S. especially among the wealthy and ultra wealthy. The top 1% by far are progressive liberal's just look at the Forbes 400 list of Billionaires. Sorry that you have bought in to the fallacy that the ultra wealthy are right wing Conservatives they are far from it. Sure there are a some and many are called Conservatives when in reality they are Libertarians like the Koch brothers. But Republicans and Libertarians have nowhere near the numbers of progressive liberal democrats on the list of richest Americans. The Democrat Party has always been the party of the rich and that is why Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Georges Soros , Paul Allen, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Jeff Bezos, Christy Walton, and so many others are active supporters of progressive liberal Democrat politics. As a matter of fact Warren Buffet just recently announced his support of Hilary Clinton for President and as we know he also was a big supporter of Obama and Obama used him as an advisor of sorts to try and pass taxes on the middle class.

[@greggbarber]

goldsilverandiamonds George Soros (17+Bil ) is a piker when, compared to conservatives like the Koch bros , combined (44+Bil ) and contrary to what Fox News would report most of his financial support goes to eastern europe. For someone who draws parallels, between class-ism and racism, you seem to want to misanthropically target those on the progressive,left-side of the political spectrum.

[@brianjoyce9742]

No matter the manufacturer. Aluminum mobile homes just look cool

[@amblt1]

I see lots of airstreams but no aircraft shells. What's up? And, yes I know the Airstream uses aircraft type materials and techniques, but they are not aircraft. I honestly thought someone was onto a good idea and wanted to learn more.

[@dobermanpac1064]

I love this...great ideas...fantastic work.

[@surferpam1]

THIS man "gets it."

[@animistchannel2983]

Part mechanical engineer, part interior designer, part revolutionary freethinker. I like that combination of ethics for the truly modern age, a life beyond being just anchored down. It's like Buckaroo Bonzai said: "Wherever you go, there you are..." I think if enough people realize that they are still them, without 5000 tons of junk weighing them down, they are even more free to be themselves. Obviously, there are careers and lifestyles (like farming & fabrication) that require a lot of real estate and hardware, but with current miniaturized luxuries & technology, a lot people could live just as well like this.

[@TheRedneckprepper]

Awesome bro ! thank you !

[@eliasperez6271]

The airstream trailer is very classy and I would love to own one. I also want to talk to the guy in this video. He seems to have some deep thoughts about life. ☺👍

[@davidbradley3982]

love it , im doing up a van slowly , this will be on my mind too :). peace.

[@LadyPenelope]

Excellent, thank you.

[@ltea8570]

This guy has airstream-Jeff-Goldblum energy, I was intrigued the whole 19 minutes!

[@tmm83093]

I live 15 minutes away from where these are made. There a great product.

[@injapan33]

You sir, are awesome.

[@thespeedingturtle9640]

Hi, what a great vid Kirsten, thank you. A lot of good information there. My rig is vintage too and I'm glad of that :-) and I'm in the process of scaling things back inside to better match a shabby chic décor versus the glaring glitz factor. It just suits my needs as a fulltime RV'er much better. Cheers ! Janis

[@jamesnikki5]

Love this one!

[@Camp_Runamuck]

Great Video ...I'd love to have a old airstream

[@salemofax2080]

I am in love with all of your videos

[@superresistant0]

That's pretty cool

[@frankfromupstateny3796]

Matthew,...I like that you're building from a physics and educated background too...that's huge...you're training in architecture taught you much.... What is your website name please.....I'm gonna look you up.

[@steviejacko]

I am just amazed :)

[@bjmartinphotography]

The government will always try to figure a way to make money or they will stop it. They have to feed their business.

[@localancers]

The videos are getting better and better. Congrats. Love the 17:07 picture!

[@biasadinata]

I always love your documentary kirsten

[@W4ABN]

Airstreams are the only travel trailers that I really like. I'd rather refurbish myself or build a more "common" tiny house on wheels. They're nice looking pieces of history.

[@Visigoth_]

I enjoy seeing what some of these guys are doing, but man I could do without the "Up Sale" I wish they would just converse normally... like the whole thing about not taking material off when you polish, Um yeah... you are taking material off @_@

[@orange-]

your videos look so much better in 60fps holy heck

[@mjSnap]

This title is misleading. Airstream trailers are NOT aircraft shells! Look it up. They were designed by someone in the aircraft industry, yes, but these were designed to be travel trailers from the outset. They are definitely designed with some of the same design advantages of aircraft, but that is not the same as BEING an aircraft. They're travel trailers.

[@CarpeDiem-lg1rn]

ooh...I'm in Love, I want one ;0) !!

[@RobThePlumber]

Airstream trailers are beautiful. Just make sure you have a BIG truck to tow it. They are extremely heavy compared to a trailer of equal size and length. Another fantastic video Kirsten. Thanks for the upload!

[@ebfabulous]

erroneous . aluminum is lightweight. they average about 6000 pounds depending on year and length. some SUVs can handle them, back in the day people could tow them with the family car...which was heavier than todays lightweight cars

[@Trucker101]

Rob The Plumber, I have to disagree. I have a 1972 32 foot land yacht, one of the heaviest made. I pulled it from Duncan BC on Vancouver Island to Cold Lake Alberta in the dead of winter a fer years ago. Over the rocky mountains, with a 1982 Gmc 3/4 ton van with a 350 cid auto. I never even knew it was behind me. BUT make sure you are using an equalizer hitch , I'm a semi truck driver so I knew what to expect also when being passed by trucks on the freeway and I was very happy with the way it NEVER swayed. Going over the mountain passes up to Jasper Alberta I hardly ever had to slow down because of the weight. Heaver than others,you bet BUT made to pull easier than others also..

[@ebfabulous]

since my original comment, I bought a 1976 Airstream Argosy 28 feet and just over 4000 pounds.

[@Erin-Thor]

All I tend to remember from many trailer and mobile home vacations are the incredible maintenance and breakdowns we encountered. How many vacations were essentially ruined by broken pipes, water pump or heater failures and oh so many mechanical failures. My .02¢ worth, screw the weight, Airstreams are better quality than any other trailer on the market. Pay more up front so you don’t have to pay and fix it later.

[@jemacinnis]

I pulled a 1968 22ft from NY to FL with a Ford F150 no problem at all.

[@stankrieger3598]

I like you artical. I my self have just started my adventure of a rebuild of an 1969 Land yacht. 23 foot inside floor. Not sure how I measure the airstream, By interior or from tongue to rear bumper. But is is a great pleasure to work on a part of history. Hope to be ready to make maiden voyage this spring. long ways to go and a short time to get there Cheers from Eastern NC

[@DriveShaftDrew]

good stuff loved the vid

[@sirkriskringle]

Some day I hope to own 1 :) SKK.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome travel trailers! My favourites have always been Airstream trailers. Just their shape alone I like. If I had the money and the perfect tow vehicle, I'd buy one, have it fixed up a little bit, and travel the USA, Canada, and some of Mexico.

[@aquaporines]

+Jason Carpp No, not Mexico plz, stay safe. :)

[@jasoncarpp7742]

+Opiorphin I agree. As long as the trailer is produced here in the USA. :)

[@wudangmtn]

Groovy!

[@nikkiinthed7234]

This video is awesome!!!!!

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

We see tons of RV's living near Lake Ontario really cool stuff here. - Ruthie

[@n.j.dougherty4872]

Very interesting👍

[@smalltowntexas7614]

Great video and great channel

[@markjacob1775]

i love air streams, so much charoctor and qaulity..

[@UnitedPebbles]

How do you park these things without damaging them? I seen bumps on a few of those. Looked like new.

[@rfnfreitas6211]

Exelent Video

[@naivedreamer9088]

Woow! Its Amazing, Its Great! Cool!

[@artrra]

Love it!!!!!!

[@Single4ever4lovesake]

How do I find this guy? I love this concept. I'd like to do this.

[@FishHeadBiologist]

I get the impression things move a snail's pace to get things done here..

[@dlsimes]

You mentioned the polishing area where you polich the Airstream trailers, once polished out do you respray the exterior panels with clear coat like when the trailer left the factory?

[@philly6G]

"what is freedom?" - "what is love?"

[@tybrady64]

He's an Airstream artist.

[@carlapinna6775]

Bel Video Kirsten grazie adoro la forma si quel tipo di veicolo

[@dlsimes]

Will there be an awning over the bar area of the food trailer or will the vender just be out in the sun and weather all the time?

[@Armbar4you]

Awesome! this is how Jay Shaffer started, in an airstream. How do these bad boys hold up in cold weather? I'm sure they can be insulated, but is that practical i guess is my real question.

[@allengutierrez9245]

We actually use a closed cell spray insulation . Works great 👌

[@TheCassafrassTree]

Allen Gutierrez So would it be possible to insulate one for Canadian living? I've been looking into tiny housing and an Airstream trailer could be a possibility.

[@oscarportillotenorio3772]

That's good for him, great work, but that's why there are no more Airstreams for terrestrials, he bought them all😔

[@stevehomenet9815]

Thanks. I was just thinking that I would like to do the same thing. I am very creative with small spaces.

[@atchmon902]

I've always wanted an airstream. And I'm making plans to purchase a gutted shell. But one thing I don't understand. Is there any reason why the toilet seat can't be your seat for the shower? Mainly for adults without kids. Why not design the whole space for the shower, this way you have room for both activities. Just put a drain in the floor, keep the black tank separate like it is. Just have a drain in the floor and more space to poop.

[@Love2TravelAway]

Happy New Year 2015 Kirsten and Family.....

[@sisterlavender1188]

That teak is also insulating.

[@zwarst]

how much??

[@rayunseitig6367]

i like that.