The Adhoc Adventure – How We Built Our First Home on Wheels

Meet Róisín & Roki

Today, we’re chatting with Róisín Purkis about how she and Roki turned an old van into their dream home on wheels and traveled across Europe. Her photos and story are absolutely inspiring—I can’t wait for you to dive in! 😊

Our Story: From Van to Home

By Róisín Purkis

Hi! We’re Róisín and Roki. In just 20 days, we transformed a run-down van into our cozy tiny home and drove from Ireland to Switzerland, making spontaneous stops along the way. Here’s how it all began.

Why Van Life?

Both of us love slow travel—meeting new people, soaking in different cultures, and embracing adventure at our own pace. We’re not big on luxury but thrive on outdoor experiences. I was sure van life would be perfect for us… but Roki needed a little convincing.

Finding “The One” (The Van, That Is)

After months of dropping hints, I finally persuaded Roki last year. We checked out a white Ford Transit—and it was rough. A bin lid covered a hole in the roof, wires dangled everywhere, palm tree stickers hid rust patches, and the smell? A mix of damp, beer, and cigarettes. But somehow, we saw potential in that dingy minibus.

Plans (and Pandemics) Happen

We bought the van and planned to start renovations in May—after Roki’s ski season in Austria and my architecture internship in Belfast. The goal? Fix it up, then road-trip across Europe before settling in Switzerland for my Master’s degree. But then, the pandemic hit. Roki got stuck in Spain, and I spent lunch breaks daydreaming in the van, waiting to start the project together.

The 20-Day Sprint

By July, we reunited and seized a break in lockdowns to begin. With a ferry booked in 20 days, we had one mission: renovate the van, pack our lives into it, and drive to Switzerland. No pressure!

Renovation: Chaos & Triumph

• Step 1: Gut the van—out went the old seats, kitchen, and curtains.
• Step 2: Insulate and board up half the windows for privacy and extra wall space.
• Step 3: Design storage galore (thanks to my architecture skills) to maximize every inch.

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Everything in a moving home needs to be secured—unless you want a plant pot smashing on the floor mid-turn (oops). Cabinet doors need heavy-duty latches, decor must be anchored, and even water barrels can tip over. Van life = constant problem-solving!

Our Cozy, Sustainable Design

We went for a “wood cabin meets beach breeze” vibe with pine paneling and timber surfaces. Sustainability was key: we reused the van’s original solar panels, sink, and even turned old pallets into cupboard doors. The natural pine scent? Perfection.

Blood, Sweat & TEK-7

Confidence turned to humility fast—we were clueless! With 20 days and endless YouTube tutorials, we argued, laughed, and worked dawn to dusk. Splinters, paint spills, and pizza fueled us. But finally, we had a home with space for cooking, sleeping, and storing our climbing gear. A dream realized!

Looking Back

Now in Lucerne, I’m amazed we pulled it off. Traveling during a pandemic? That’s another story…😊