2016 Archive : Camp Tank

Project Details

Fabric 1

OTHER
Producer: Wax Converters Australia
Supplier: Contender NZ Ltd.

Fabric 2

OTHER
Producer: OTHER
Supplier: OTHER

Design Name
Owain Jones

Design Company
Hawkes Bay trim and Canvas

Fabrication Name
Owain Jones

Fabrication Company
Hawkes Bay trim and Canvas

Project Manager Name
Owain Jones

Project Manager Company
Hawkes Bay trim and Canvas

Installation Name
Owain Jones

Installation Company
Hawkes Bay trim and Canvas

Please describe the project specifications

This project was to supply and make a canvas skin for a frame that our customer had made himself so he could go away surfing with his son in the remote beaches of New Zealand.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

Our customer approached us with a bit of a vision of himself and his son being able to drive to remote coastal locations and surf for days without the need to leave at the end of the day in order to find accommodation. New Zealand is a beautiful country and fortunately there are many places that enable us to do this, if we have a tent or vehicle to sleep in. The purpose of this project was to create a fold out portable tent for a frame and case attached to the back of a ute. The concept is somewhat inspired by outback campers in Australia but made so it can be removed easily from the ute so that it can still be used as an everyday work vehicle.

What is unique or complex about the project?

This project had its challenges along the way, the most difficult one being that we had no idea what was going to turn up when the customer dropped it off. We had had several conversations regarding sizes and shapes to make the frame in order to make it firstly easy to operate but also allow us to manufacture it easily. What turned up was fantastic and a real credit to the customer on his attention to detail and willingness to take our advice/direction when it came to making the frame. Everything that we had discussed was there and it made the actual construction relatively simple. Once the colour scheme was chosen and we finalized how many windows (lots) there were to be, we were underway. The windows are able to be opened from the inside to allow airflow but insect mesh keeps the bugs out. The outer layer can be rolled up to allow maximum airflow and light or held out by tent poles as an awning over the windows.

What were the results of the project?

Needless to say the customer and obviously myself were wrapped with the end result. The customer has named this the ‘Camptank” and has already considered making a v2.0. and frankly I can’t wait to see it. He has also talked about making these as a commercial enterprise and would love for us to be the manufacturer of the canvas tops for his creations.

Content is submitted by the participant. IFAI is not responsible for the content descriptions of the IAA award winners.