Romotow: A Contemporary Mobile Home for Outdoor Adventures

Revolutionizing Mobile Living with Innovative Design

The Romotow is a groundbreaking mobile home designed by Stuart Winterbourn & Matt Wilkie, offering a unique and contemporary living experience. Inspired by the limitations of traditional mobile living designs, the Romotow addresses the need for a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, providing a spacious and comfortable escape for outdoor adventures.

The Romotow stands out from the crowd with its patented design that incorporates a relative translation of an inner and outer shell, increasing the floor area by up to 70%. This innovative feature sets it apart from other mobile homes in the market. Additionally, the Romotow offers a generous outdoor space in the form of a deck, providing an unparalleled outdoor living experience.

Constructed using advanced composite materials and adhesives, the Romotow is fabricated through a manufacturing process called infusion. This closed molding process involves injecting resin into the dry fibers and core under vacuum, ensuring a strong and durable structure. The panels are made individually and then bonded together using polymer adhesives in a build jig.

With dimensions of 2500mm x 3140mm x 7800mm, the Romotow is designed to be both compact and spacious, offering a comfortable living space while remaining easily towable.

The Romotow can be operated either manually or automatically. When opened, it reveals a transitional space to the outside, providing a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding environment. The option to enclose the space offers flexibility and adaptability to different weather conditions.

The Romotow was designed in Christchurch, New Zealand, with the prototype currently being fabricated in Auckland. The projected finish date for the prototype is 2014, showcasing the dedication and commitment of the design team, Stuart Winterbourn, Matt Wilkie, and W2 Limited.

During the design process, the Romotow faced several challenges that required creative problem-solving. One of the main challenges was designing the accommodation cabin and the surrounding "hoop" to support each other when stationary and while being towed long distances. This was achieved through the use of a lightweight slew ring attached to a hydraulic ram in the main chassis, along with a molded keyway in the cabin roof and the support "hoop." Another challenge was the rotation of the cabin, which required sliding forward a certain distance before rotating 90 degrees. The weight distribution and stability of the Romotow during the rotation process were carefully considered, resulting in the design of support arms that fold out after rotation to ensure stability.

The Romotow is not only a functional and innovative mobile home but also a visually striking design. Its contemporary aesthetics and attention to detail make it a head-turning innovation in the mobile living industry. The Romotow received the Bronze A' Design Award in the Vehicle, Mobility, and Transportation Design category in 2014. This prestigious award recognizes designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity, technical skills, and contributions to improving the quality of life.

The Romotow is a testament to the possibilities of modern design and technology, offering a new and exciting way to experience outdoor adventures. With its unique features and attention to detail, it provides a comfortable and stylish escape for those seeking a mobile lifestyle.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: W2 Limited
Image Credits: W2 Limited
Project Team Members: Stuart Winterbourn Matt Wilkie W2 Limited
Project Name: Romotow
Project Client: W2 Limited


Romotow IMG #2
Romotow IMG #3
Romotow IMG #4
Romotow IMG #5
Romotow IMG #5

Read More on Design Radiant