Anyone entering the Hamburg-based luxury manufacturer VANME immediately senses that this is no ordinary camper van. Since 2017, founders Max Löber and Arne Klotz have been designing mobile living spaces that go far beyond classic van life. VANME builds vehicles that look like tailor-made architectural objects – made by a team of master carpenters, designers and technicians who treat each camper like a work of art. “We don’t build vehicles, we build living spaces,” says Löber. “And each one tells its own story.”
The manufactory’s journey began in Hamburg-Bergedorf before moving to Veddel in 2019. Today’s workshop is deliberately kept small: seven experts who prefer to realize four to five large projects per year rather than twenty average ones. Quality over quantity – a principle that characterizes VANME. “We want to work for people, not for processes,” explains Klotz. “Our customers come to us with a vision. We create this vision – without compromise.”
The VANME curves are particularly striking: curved furniture contours that have characterized the design since 2018. VANME was the first German company to implement this design language in camper van conversions. Today, it can be found in many workshops – but the precision of the original remains unmatched. The curves are created in CAD, milled on an in-house CNC using the nesting process and then perfected by hand. Alcantara, cork, real wood veneers and high-quality upholstery fabrics define an ambience that is more reminiscent of a boutique apartment than a panel van.
This combination of craftsmanship and modern technology runs through all projects – but hardly any other extension embodies the manufactory’s philosophy as strongly as La Onda, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter L3H2 with permanent all-wheel drive. The vehicle, a tribute to the sport of sailing, was designed for a customer who wanted to experience the elegance of the water on the move. Stylized waves adorn the exterior of the vehicle; inside, the motif can be found in the ceiling panelling, cockpit elements and fine details. The genuine cork flooring, familiar from high-quality yacht interiors, lends the room a warm, maritime touch.
But the real highlight of La Onda is its spatial concept. Inspired by an American couple that the customer had discovered online, VANME opted for an unusual layout: an electrically operated drop-down bed in the front of the vehicle. “This bed changes everything,” explains Klotz. “When it goes under the ceiling, it creates an openness in the vehicle that you wouldn’t expect in a seven-meter Sprinter.” The ceiling height, the lighting concept and the flowing lines create a sense of space that you would expect to find in a tiny house rather than an off-road camper.
In technical terms, La Onda is one of the most sophisticated projects of recent years. A 480 Ah lithium battery, a 300 watt solar system, smart home control for lighting and monitoring, a water filter system, 160 liters of fresh water, a screen and projector – all this enables self-sufficient living away from the infrastructure. The equipment is complemented by rock sliders, Raptor paintwork, bumper bars, spare wheel carrier and an LED light bar, which make the Sprinter suitable for off-road use. “We wanted to combine the elegance of a yacht with the robustness of an expedition vehicle,” summarizes Löber.
The genesis of the project is just as unusual as the vehicle itself. Initially, the customer only ordered minor modifications to her VW bus. Then she disappeared for months – until she finally called and planned a complete Sprinter conversion. The project began in July 2024 and quickly developed into a masterpiece. Polsterloft, PS Sattlerei and Nato Olive were also involved – partners who, like VANME, set the highest standards for materials and workmanship. “You never know where a project will go,” says Klotz. “La Onda is the best example of how something great can be created when you think boldly.”
Another aspect that makes La Onda special is the atmosphere created in the interior. VANME deliberately opted for warm, natural materials that are reminiscent of high-quality yacht interiors. The genuine cork flooring not only lends the room a maritime touch, but also ensures pleasant acoustics and a soft walking sensation. The real wood surfaces of the furniture have been treated so that their grain subtly echoes the wavy lines of the design. “We wanted the room to feel lively and calm at the same time,” says Löber.
The lighting concept was also specially developed for this project. Indirect light strips run along the curves, while smart home controls allow different scenes – from warm evening mode to functional task lighting. The customer can control all lighting scenes at the touch of a button or via an app. “Light is crucial in the camper. It can make a room feel larger, quieter or more elegant. With La Onda, we wanted to make all of this possible at the same time,” says Klotz.
It is particularly impressive how the maritime theme runs through all the elements without appearing kitschy. In the bathroom, wave wallpaper with white spray was used to reinforce the character of the room. The lines of the furniture subtly pick up on the theme. The entire room composition looks like an elegant apartment with a seaside theme – not like a classic box car.
For the customer, La Onda became a place of freedom. A mobile tiny house that is suitable for both off-road adventures and quiet weekends on remote campsites. A space that always radiates peace and space.
