Nomad Cook

This university project was developed in collaboration with VDL Hapro, a manufacturer known for mobility and transport solutions. The assignment was to design a hitch-mounted outdoor kitchen that integrates with their existing tow-bar carrier platform, expanding their product portfolio into the growing outdoor and overlanding market.

The project focused on creating a compact, modular and user-friendly cooking solution for couples and families who travel off-grid with rooftop tents. Throughout the process, we conducted market research, user analysis, and a detailed norms study to ensure the concept met safety regulations, weight restrictions and real-world usability requirements.

From early sketch exploration to concept development and technical optimisation, the final design balances functionality, manufacturability and brand alignment. Special attention was given to weight reduction, structural integrity, and production feasibility within Hapro’s in-house capabilities. The result is a realistic, production-oriented concept that translates outdoor cooking into a compact, organised and premium tow-bar solution.