What It Takes To Turn A School Bus Into A Gorgeous Mobile Home
Selima Taibi ad Felix Starck aren't your average couple. These two, who are originally from Berlin, Germany, wanted to leave their 9t o 5 jobs and ordinary lives behind in favor of trying something new and adventurous.
Felix is a filmmaker and Selima is a musician who creates music under the name Mogli. Together they decided to live a life on the road, and to do that, they needed an epic mobile home. Felix and Selima worked together to transform an old school bus into a place that could take them anywhere they needed to go in style.
Getting Ready For An Adventure
Young couple Felix and Selima knew that they wanted to live in a totally custom mobile home. The best way they knew to get one for a reasonable price was to make one themselves. They figured the best place to start would be with an old school bus.
While other people might see this type of lifestyle choice as too alternative, the adventurous couple was inspired by the idea. They were still living in Berlin when they started searching for a school bus in America via the internet.
They Found A Bus
Eventually, after much Googling, Felix and Selina were able to find a working school bus that suited their needs. Fortunately, the bus was very inexpensive. Unfortunately, a bus that cheap would definitely need a lot of work. The couple had to tackle some major repairs before they could even think about decorating and furnishing their new home.
They were documenting their whole journey on Facebook, and when they first started working on the bus, they shared this message: "We got all of the flooring out yesterday, but we found one huge hole in the floor. The bus has a lot of rust, but that's the problem or the risk when you buy a bus located in Florida while in Germany."
Doing It Themselves
Felix and Selima were determined to create this mobile home all on their own. They had the technical know-how, and they didn't want to pay any professsionals. This was their dream and they were going to realize it themselves.
Selima worked on getting the stickers off of the exterior of the bus while Feliz worked on installing new floors. This school bus wasn't designed to be a home. It needed a lot of structural adjustments before it could be livable.
Bringing In Some Backup
Even though Felix and Selima were determined to finish this project themselves, they had never dealt with rust removal before. They decided to take some advice from another adventurous couple living in northern California.
The couple had converted a school bus themselves and were able to share what they had learned from the experience with Felix and Selima. Equipped with this helpful advice, Felix and Selima got to work. Felix humbly bragged, "Mogli just built us a bed... no big deal I guess!'
Building The Kitchen
After Felix finished with the floors and the frame of the bus was secure, the couple got to work on constructing their new kitchen. The bus is very long and narrow, so the kitchen had to be designed strategically to maximize the space available.
In tiny spaces like their bus, it's of the utmost importance that everything is designed for functionality. Once the cabinets were installed, everything started to come together. The kitchen was starting to look like a real, usable kitchen.
No More Rust
The school bus alone cost Felix and Selima $9,500 USD. That may be a lot for a hunk of junk, but considering this bus was a working vehicle that would soon double as a home, that's basically a steal. The couple bought the bus before they got to America, and when they first laid eyes on their purchase, they were surprised by how rusty the bus was.
Felix posted, "We found more rust yesterday. We're gonna fix the holes by screwing in some metal sheets but before we have to get rid of the rust."
A New Member Of The Family
Felix and Selima decided that it was time to expand their family. Now that they were about to have a new home, they were excited to share that home with Rudi, their adorable Bernese Mountain Dog. Rudi didn't know it yet, but he was about to become the most adventurous dog in the country.
Felix and Selima are both dog lovers, and sharing their lives and their bus with their furry friend is their idea of a life well-lived.
A Bigger Bathroom
After the kitchen was done, the couple got to work on the bathroom. Felix these photos of Selima crouched down in a tiny space in the school bus with the caption, "painting our teensy tiny toilet."
The white color Selima used on the walls of the bathroom made the whole space feel more open and larger than it actually is. For these two, the little details mattered. They wanted this bus to feel like home.
Lots Of Storage
With so many lights and appliances on board, you might be wondering how the couple powers their home on wheels. Felix gave their followers a peek at the back of the bus, where they have their powering station. From here, they have the option of plugging the bus into the grid to get energy.
Whenever they can though, they pull electricity from the solar panels installed on the roof of the bus. This helps keep their costs down while traveling since that bus has got to be a gas guzzler!
Painting The Exterior
After the kitchen and the washroom had been sorted out, Felix and Selima got to work painting the outside of the school bus. They went for a sleek white color, but when they painted onto the bus, it looked more grey than white.
"Gray! It turned out gray!" Felix shared with their followers. They weren't too worried about it though. Sometimes happy accidents turn out better than the original plan. "Black parts will be cream," Felix decided.
Kitchen To The Right, Office To The Left
The inside of the bus was really coming together. This place was starting to feel like a home. When designing the floorplan for their bus, Felix and Selima chose to stretch a counter along each wall.
On one side of the bus, they would have their kitchen, and on the other side, they would have their office space. That way they could each have a desk, and when they weren't working, they could use that space as a place to eat or to play games.
A Bedroom Fit For A King
Another area that was important when designing the floor plan was of course, the bedroom. The couple wisely decided to stick this room in the back of the bus, where it could be quiet, private, and removed from the rest.
And take a look at the bed Selima built! You wouldn't even believe that the couple had no previous experience building furniture, as the entire space has clean lines and beautiful design.
A Space For Rudi
Felix and Selima have their bed comfortably set up in the back of the bus, but what about Rudi the Bernese dog? Of course, he got his own space, too. In fact, the bus allowed enough room for a big doggie bed up in the front of the bus.
This way he can be right where the action is as they hit the road. He also has a custom elevated table for his doggie bowls. Living the doggie dream.
Storage Everywhere
When converting the school bus into a livable space, the couple paid close attention to detail in how they would store all of their belongings. It was important that they had enough space for their clothing, as well as all of their gear.
They designed the couches deep enough to afford a good amount of storage space underneath and stashed their equipment in the rear of the bus, like Selima's music equipment. This also helped keep the bus clutter-free.
Bringing In Some Personal Touches
Once the bus was built out with everything they needed (can you believe how nice it looks?!) they were able to outfit it with more elements that would make it feel like home. With both halves of the couple being artistic, they let their creativity flow.
They decided to hang a graphic on the wall stating, "live simply." However, it's hard to agree that anything about this couple's journey is simple. They put a lot of hard work into creating the lifestyle they wanted.
Ready To Embark
After they accomplished the huge feat of purchasing and converting a school bus into a home on wheels, the young couple was ready to hit the road and see the Americas!
They shared, "After 12 weeks of daily failure we are quite done with the conversion and now we are ready to take our beauty all the way down to South America." While they were inspired to see everything on their checklist, from Alaska to Argentina, they also kept things in check. They continued, "If we make it that far- I have no idea, probably not! Are we going to have a great time? For sure!"
Expedition: Happiness
Elated to finally hit the road, they named their journey "Expedition Happiness." They had already amassed a following on social media during their school bus build, and would garner even more followers while they set-out on a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
They decided that their maiden voyage would be to Canada. Felix and Selima had their sights set on seeing some big mountains. Little did their dog Rudi know what was in store when they reached their destination!
Traveling To Banff National Park, Canada
The couple and their beloved dog hit the road and safely made it to their first destination: Banff National Park. The park is known as one of the greatest monuments of nature in North America, and they knew they absolutely had to experience it firsthand.
Once they arrived, Felix posted, "Banff National Park we love you!!! Mowgli is enjoying the sun and me and Rudi go for a hike." The couple was settling into their life on the road just fine.
Rudi Is Living His Best Life
Just look at that face! Upon arriving, Rudi saw snow for the first time and his reaction is priceless. Without any development in sight, in the thick of nature, Rudi was able to run free and live a dog's dream life.
How lucky is he to have his favorite humans by his side as they travel to the greatest destinations in North America? The Bernese mountain dog was truly in his element in Canada.
Next Stop: Denali National Park, Alaska
After experiencing Banff National Park in Canada, Felix and Selima decided to journey even further north, to Alaska. By this time, their epic road trip was in full swing, and everything seemed to be going great. The bus was working out as planned and they were able to have some of nature's greatest wonders outside their doorstep.
They arrived in Denali National Park where they could view the tallest mountain in North America after making homemade chocolate croissants in their bus. The good life, indeed!
Where To Next?
These young explorers weren't set out just for the snow. After Alaska they journeyed south, through the forests of the pacific north west and along the beaches of California. Then, they cut inland, to Death Valley. While the couple was amazed with the drastic difference from snowy peaks, their pup wasn't acclimating well to the heat.
Luckily, it sounds like his condition began to improve over time. They described their experience: "Death Valley was one of the most impressive places on this trip (so far.) Rudi feels way better by now and kinda gets used to the heat."
Off To Mexico
Once they reached Death Valley, the couple continued south on their journey, headed to the warm air and ocean in Mexico. Throughout the entirety of their trip, Selima, aka Mogli, wrote music. She then used the tracks she wrote to accompany Felix's video, turning their work into a documentary.
Felix shared, "It's no secret that Mogli wrote some amazing songs while we were traveling." This moment captured in time is enough to make anyone envious of the bus life they led on Expedition: Happiness.
Rudi Wasn't Feeling Well
While Felix and Selima were at the height of their happiness on their road trip, having experienced Banff, Denali, the California coast and Death Valley, there was one member of the group who wasn't feeling great: Rudi.
Their Bernese buddy was in poor health in the heat, and his legs even required him to have surgery along the way. Felix posted, "WE'RE GONNA MISS THIS. It looks like we have to stop our trip. Rudi has a serious illness (he is hospitalized at the moment) and his health and happiness are our number one priority."
Selling The Bus
While it was a shock to their followers, Felix and Selima trusted their gut instinct and knew that it was best for their dog if they ended Expedition: Happiness in Mexico. Although they wanted to travel to South America, they knew it would be at the expense of their companion, and they couldn't do it. They put their dream bus up for sale.
But it wasn't for a lost cause. They experienced North America just like they had hoped, and even better- the new owners of their bus were planning on taking it to Mexico! They shared, "Our bus is going to reach our destination after all- even if it's without us."
A Fantastic Adventure
The beautiful couple gained a lot of insight and wisdom on their journey. They were able to embrace the experience and let go of the things they weren't able to see. Not only were they able to accomplish converting a bus and traveling across three countries, they were able to share it with others.
While Felix put together the video they captured along the journey, Selima recorded and laid her soundtrack over it. Now Expedition: Happiness will live on forever.
Learning Valuable Lessons
One thing the couple from Berlin learned while they were on the road, is that they can live with much less than society might make people believe they need. Not only did they live happily in close quarters, but they built their home with their own hands, which turned out beautifully!
Their journey has been shared on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and even their own documentary. That's a lot to accomplish setting out on their own unique path.
A Lovely Design
Looking back on their creation, it's pretty amazing. While they had no prior experience in converting a bus or building furniture themselves, Felix and Selima were able to create a living space that people around the world admired.
They were smart in every design choice, making it both functional and a beautiful place to stay in. Not only that, but everything was designed to travel thousands of miles around the continent. Did they ever see it going this well?
What's Next For Selima And Felix?
Felix and Selima successfully converted their bus and traveled to three different countries on a different continent from Berlin. They put together their documentary, Expedition: Happiness, and sold their bus. Now what?
Another adventure, of course! After they wrapped up the first project, the empowered couple found something new to get excited about. Felix set off on a cycling journey, biking around the globe. Of course, Selima created the soundtrack, and the film ended up being popular in Germany for several years.
A Gorgeous Creation
Looking back on the school bus, they wouldn't have changed a thing. Felix and Selima had a vision to travel North America without having to find housing everywhere they go. They came up with a plan, and they successfully pulled it off.
They'll never forget the nights that they spent sleeping in the bus in the middle of Banff and Denali National forests. They'll never forget the simple life they created for themselves. And they'll never forget the love they shared throughout the entire experience.
They Accomplished Their Goal
If there's anything to take away from the filmmaker and musician's experience, is that nothing is out of reach, and no dream is too big. While other people might have thought their vision was too outlandish and difficult, they persisted and were able to create a home on wheels from a school bus.
Now that it's over, they have the memories. The couple shared, "375 days ago we bought a school bus and converted it to a... call it what you want. It was the trip of our lives, that's for sure."
Why This Man Buried 42 School Buses Underground
In a rural part of Canada, something completely unexpected lies beneath the snow-covered earth. Hardly anyone knows about it and even fewer have seen it, but local authorities are nevertheless trying to stop its creator from continuing his bizarre obsession.
You see, an 83-year old man named Bruce Beach, motivated by sheer fear, has been burying school buses in order to construct an elaborate underground system of mazes. He just recently decided to share his epic creation and the compelling reason behind it.
He Had A Good Reason
How did a man from the fields of Kansas end up in the middle of Canada, burying school buses in the snow? Now an old man, Bruce is the product of his times. He lived through the bloody scenes of the Vietnam War and the invisible tension of the Cold War.
Bruce became a victim of the fear that those eras created in many minds. Along with his wife and their children, Bruce made the trek to snowy Canada to make a safer life for themselves.
A Safe Place
In the 1970s the Beach clan made the move to Bruce's wife’s hometown, which is a village called Horning’s Mills. The town is near Ontario and is about a 90 minute drive to Toronto.
Bruce had major plans for their new life in Canada. He was going to make sure that he and his family were as safe as possible, and was sure that Horning’s Mills was the best place in the world for his grand ambitions.
Enacting His Master Plan
In the early and mid-1980s, Bruce began working on his ambitious plan, one step at a time. First, he began amassing old school buses, ending up with 42 total.
The average price of these out-of-use school buses was around $300 – this was no cheap or frivolous endeavor. The vehicles were shipped to Bruce at home. No one could have guessed just what he would do with the large collection, or where it would go. But Bruce knew exactly what to do.
Why All The School Busses?
Bruce could have chosen from many different types of vehicles for his vision. But he selected school buses for a very specific reason. For the safety of their child passengers, school buses have roofs that are reinforced with steel.
These reinforcements also ensure that the buses can handle the weight of being buried underground, with heavy dirt above. Additionally, school buses are large and have open floorplans with plenty of room for people and supplies.
A Lot Of Land
The next step of Bruce's master plan was no small feat, and one that would require a large chunk of his 12.5 acres of land. With a small army of volunteers, Bruce began digging a hole that would eventually encase his collection of 42 buses.
Once the buses were moved into the hole, Bruce connected them all together with a sophisticated system of tunnels that formed a series of rooms and storage spaces. But he didn’t stop there.
Burying The Busses
His bus bunker was finally assembled deep in the Canadian land and was ready for the next step toward making it impervious to outside threats. Using the bus labyrinth as a mold, Bruce then poured two feet of concrete over the entire system.
Not content to stop there, Bruce covered the entire construction with an additional 14 feet of dirt on top of the concrete. The bunker was invisible to the outside world. People would be astonished to learn how large Bruce's dream structure would end up.
Welcome To Ark Two
Although construction on Bruce's life project will never be fully complete, the initial phase of construction was finally over. In all, he ended up with an astonishing 10,000 square feet of atomic blast-proof space in this amazing underground fortress.
It’s actually one of the largest underground structures in North America. In this much space, 500 people could comfortably fit and stay alive in the event of a nuclear blast or any other disaster. Bruce named the structure "Ark Two."
A Big Job For One Man
One man couldn't have done this all alone. It might be difficult to believe, given that the entire compound consists of a bunch of school buses thrown together in a hole, but Ark Two is completely structurally sound. That’s because Bruce worked with an engineer on the project.
In fact, Bruce says that the structural engineer who constructed Toronto’s subway system is the same one who oversaw Ark Two’s completion. And as Toronto is the country’s largest city, with tons of commuters safely taking the subway each day, the engineer must really know his stuff.
He Had Some Help
Bruce then recruited more help with constructing Ark Two. At least 50 volunteers from the nearby town of Horning's Mills spent their weekends assisting with planning and with the back-breaking labor involved. And many more continue to donate their efforts to maintaining and improving the bus labyrinth.
Why would any sane person willingly give up their free time to work on the project of someone who has been called things like "nutty," “a kook,” and worse? Read on to find out.
Volunteers Made It Possible
Bruce has said that those who donated their help to construct the Ark are guaranteed admission, should disaster ever strike. And those who live nearby can still work to earn themselves a safe spot in Bruce Beach's safety masterpiece.
Volunteers can spend a few weekends each year doing work around the shelter, which includes making renovations and performing routine maintenance tasks. That is a small price to pay for the promise of safety when disaster strikes. And as we’ll learn, Bruce is certain that it will strike.
Walking Inside
How does one get inside the enormous complex called Ark Two? Visitors who are granted access to the compound first enter a small rusted portal, the only part of the construction visible from above ground. The portal contains a bunker and a power generator.
Visitors then descend through the 14 feet of dirt before reaching the concrete structure and learning about all the wonders that lie beneath. We'll soon learn about all the unexpected features housed within the amazing labyrinth of buses.
A Sterile Environment
You can bet that in the case of a disaster like the ones that the shelter was built for, there will be plenty of people knocking at the door to be let into Ark Two. But Bruce must be very careful when he decides who can come in.
If someone who was sick with an infectious illness or disease were to get in, it could prove fatal for the remaining evacuees. And some people appear physically healthy despite being quite ill. Ever the planner, Bruce came up with a solution to this problem.
An Impressive Feat
"Preppers" are people who think that catastrophic disasters or emergencies are not just possible, but likely. Preppers spend great deals of time and money preparing for what they consider the inevitable. One volunteer with the Ontario Prepper Survival Network had this to say about Bruce's bunker:
“When you go inside the bunker for the first time, it is a different planet, it’s like you’re on Mars. When you hear about this concept of 42 school buses underground, to fathom it is nothing compared to going in and actually seeing it… It’s crazy in there.”
How They Have Food
Although the offerings in Ark Two are pretty basic, you can be sure that Bruce has you covered with ample provisions. The bunker contains two industrial kitchens, and Bruce even lined up a cook friend to stay on site in the event of a disaster.
One of the kitchens is for cooking and one is primarily used for washing dishes. There are also two adjacent storage rooms for food and other supplies. It turns out that keeping food in stock is one of Bruce's biggest hurdles.
