This Retro Airstream Model Is A Charming Choice For RV Camping In Mid-Century Luxury

RV life is quickly becoming a popular lifestyle trend. People of all ages are deciding to forgo the traditional approach of a 9-to-5 job and a mortgage in exchange for the travel, flexibility, and adventure that comes with living in an RV or travel trailer. With new opportunities to work remotely while traveling, it's no wonder that so many people are considering options that don't require them to be tied down to a specific place.

Living in an RV provides the ultimate sense of freedom, but it may be challenging for people who love interior design to sacrifice having a stylish living space. Airstream aims to provide a solution to that problem with the release of its new Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer. Designed in partnership with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Airstream has combined its iconic chrome exterior with an interior that is true to the design principles of one of the most well-known architects of the 20th century for this drop.

If you've been considering investing in a new home on wheels or a glamorous home away from home for your camping adventures and you adore historic architecture and the mid-century modern aesthetic, this Airstream may be worth considering.

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most renowned architects and designers who has ever lived, and he has created some of the most beautiful homes in America. In 1889, when he was just 22 years old, he designed and built his first dwelling. He began experimenting with geometric shapes early on, which would become a core component of his future designs. The Usonian architectural style that Frank Lloyd Wright is famous for was born out of the challenges people faced during the Great Depression. Wright aimed to create affordable housing that normal people could actually afford. With today's ever-increasing home prices, a home on wheels for van lifers feels like a modern version of Wright's affordable dwellings.

Wright's unique style of organic architecture was inspired by shapes, materials, and colors that are often found in nature. He was an early pioneer of sustainable design, although it wasn't called that during his lifetime. According to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, sustainable design "captures the idea that he was trying to express through his career — a sustainable ecosystem comprising nature, the built environment, and human life, in which each component supports the other components and all thrive as a result."

The new Airstream is a nod to Wright's organic style. "With a Rear Hatch that opens to nature, convertible living spaces, and handcrafted details like the Gordon Leaf Pattern, it blends Wright's organic architecture with Airstream's iconic form," the Airstream website states. According to Airstream, there are a lot of similarities between Wright and the founder of Airstream, Wally Byam. "From a shared belief in purposeful design to a lifelong pursuit of freedom and beauty, their stories intersect in powerful and unexpected ways."

Compared to purchasing a historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, the new Airstream Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian trailer is a bargain. Wright designed over a thousand homes in his lifetime. Of those, 532 structures were actually built. Many design lovers dream of living in one of his iconic houses, and people travel from all over the world to visit properties that are open to the public.

Purchasing a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home is pretty much off the table for anyone who isn't exceptionally wealthy. They don't go on the market very often, and unsurprisingly, they cost a fortune. At the time of this writing there were just six Frank Lloyd Wright homes on the market worldwide. The least expensive option was the 2,617 square foot Weisblat House, which was listed at $1,444,000. The most expensive was the iconic Lykes House, listed at $8,800,000.

Although the new Airstream wasn't designed by the architect himself, it could be a good option for design enthusiasts who aren't able to fork out millions. The $184,900 price tag may seem steep for a travel trailer, but similar Airstreams start at around $120,000. According to Airstream's website, only 200 of the limited-edition trailers will be produced over the next two years, so interested parties should make their purchase sooner rather than later. Airstreams are known for their durable construction and many of them can last decades. They're also known to hold their value, and there is a strong resale market. The Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer may just be a worthy investment for RV travelers, van lifers, and design enthusiasts alike.