Design + Conversion
During the summer and winter months of 2018 and 2019, Tom Huang (University of Kansas Design Faculty), worked to design Birdy’s new interior and exterior. Special attention and effort was made to preserve the legacy and history of her experience as a working school bus. But many new additions were to come.
She is outfitted with a 50 gallon fresh water tank, kitchen sink, microwave oven, propane range, and refrigerator. Substantial storage, a Tiny Wood Stove, air conditioning, toilet, interior/exterior shower, and slide out couches are part of her capacities. Her 450 amp. hour battery bank and 3000 watt inverter is powered by roof mounted solar panels. A custom fabricated roof rack and new back deck complete her exterior.
The vision for her future mission was to be able to immerse for up to two continuous weeks on site at a remote location without the need for power or water to conduct her educational and community development missions.
Birdy’s interior sheet metal was carefully stripped, except for her front panel which bears an original sticker that states, “Your children’s safety is our business” and an original information plate that rates her capacity to carry 36 passenger. She is now insulated and her ceiling is clad in bamboo slats. Her floor is decked in walnut.
Her original dashboard and gauges have been restored to original working condition. Her original auxiliary instrument panel kept and refitted with switching to control new dimmable LED cove and ceiling lighting. Water pump switching, inverter switching, shore power diverter, battery bank capacity level sensors and water level capacity sensors are all accounted for in her new control center. She now has a back-up camera.
At night, her light cove storage area doubles as accent lighting in the kitchen.
Her original driver seat was kept, re-upholstered, and mounted on a new swivel base. New shifter boots match her driver’s seat.
A new First Aid cabinet is installed in what was previously unoccupied space behind her original sheet metal upon entry. An original embossed sheet metal panel that separated the entry step-well from the passenger area is repurposed as the passenger seat back.
Her colorful coat of paint give “Birdy” her vibrant and outgoing persona. Many thanks to Kenny Shoemaker of Jarblo Junction Sales and Service for his guidance on automotive finishing.
