Studio Hideout: Crafting Campervans for Real Adventures

There’s something about the freedom of the open road, waking up to a mountain view, or cooking dinner with the sound of a river nearby that just can’t be matched. For Studio Hideout, it’s this sense of adventure – grounded in quality design and craftsmanship – that sits at the heart of everything they do.

Real Materials, Real Adventures

Forget the artificial, plastic wood effects you’ll find in many conversions. Studio Hideout designs and builds campervans using high-quality, natural materials to create bright, airy spaces that reflect the landscapes they’re made to explore. From cork flooring underfoot to Harris Tweed textiles adding warmth and texture, every detail is carefully chosen. The result? Fresh, contemporary vans that feel like a home you can take anywhere.

“Our spaces are 100% real, for real adventures.”

From Student Project to Studio Hideout

The story of Studio Hideout begins with a simple van, three friends, and a summer trip to the Alps. At just 18, founder Alasdair and his friends stripped things back to the basics: a bed, a small kitchen setup, a space to sit, and storage for bikes and muddy gear. Days were spent mountain biking, swimming in lakes, and cooking outside – and that little van became the foundation for everything Studio Hideout would become.

“Looking back, we had nailed the basics – it offered this lovely blend of travelling in a campervan but without losing the spirit of camping.”

While studying Graphic Design at Edinburgh College of Art, van conversions became a summer side project – a way to fund trips while exploring the balance between design and functionality. By the end of his degree in 2021, it was clear the path forward wasn’t behind a desk, but in a workshop. Studio Hideout was born, with the very first conversion selling within a week. Two more orders quickly followed, cementing the vision that bespoke, design-led campervans had a place in the market.

The EOW Connection

One of the turning points in the Studio Hideout journey came through discovering Edinburgh Open Workshop (EOW). Searching online for CNC router services, Alasdair came across the option for hourly, self-operated CNC hire – a game-changer for a young business.

“Being able to use the Yeti Smartbench CNC without a huge upfront investment allowed me to elevate the interior builds to a whole new level of accuracy and detail,” he says.

“The support from JJ and the team gave me the confidence and skills to develop a whole new approach to designing a Hideout campervan.”

 

EOW has continued to support Alasdair as his ambitions have grown – offering flexible membership, access to machinery, and a community of makers always willing to share knowledge. Over the past four years, the CNC service has also continued to develop, and these days, much of Studio Hideout’s CNC work is handled remotely by JJ, allowing Alasdair to focus on other aspects of the build and design process.

“For me the workshop offers great flexibility in the ways you book spaces and equipment. Be it a small job or a long term project there are different structures for renting equipment and space to suit the project. The annual membership costs are not prohibitive and I think it offers excellent value for money to both individuals and sole traders and small businesses.”

Building Dreams, One Van at a Time

 

Right now, the Studio Hideout workshop is buzzing with projects – bringing dream campervans to life. The team is currently building a Frida model campervan for a well-known film production company. This bespoke build will feature an off-grid electrical system with induction hob for gas-free cooking, plus a roof rack and even a roof tent – a brand-new addition that quite literally takes adventures to another level.

Looking ahead, Studio Hideout has plans to expand into a larger workshop, enabling more builds to run in tandem and opening the door for new creative collaborators to join the team. With bookings already stretching two years into the future, the focus is on growing sustainably while keeping the ethos of quality, creativity, and adventure at the centre.

The Road Ahead

In just four years, Studio Hideout has gone from a one-off student project to a thriving design-led business, with a reputation for crafting campervans that are as beautiful as they are functional. Each build is a labour of love, designed not just for travel, but for living.

“At Studio Hideout we see every van as a unique base for you to adventure and explore the great outdoors your way. Our approach of craft and detail underpins everything we do, and the quality of our finished product makes all the hours of sanding, refining and problem solving worth it. If you’re ready to start your next adventure, let us take you there in style.”

 

 

If you’d like to start your new adventure, or simply admire the team’s work, check out the Studio Hideout Website and Instagram accounts.

Photography by Andrew Stevenson.

Shopping Basket