What is Cozy?

I was recently looking for the modern replacement of the the Volkswagon camper van.  I considered the Mercedes Sprinter, the Nissan NV, truck campers and truck shells.  Somehow,  nothing seemed to give the same feeling as the VW bus and I couldn't understand why.  The only conclusion that I can come up with is that the VW bus is cozy while the other solutions are either too big or too small.

Classic Volkswagon Camper Bus

http://www.outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=1204

Above is a classic Volkswagon camper bus.  Notice that the average person cannot stand up straight when they stand inside without the pop-top.  When you stand near the doorway, you can see the entire inside of the bus.  There is very little room to move around inside and yet the doors seem to invite you in to sit down at the table to eat.

Dodge / Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van

http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2010/02/sprinter_van.php

Now look at the Dodge / Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van. It is easy to stand up inside and walk around.  Large windows let you easily see the world.  Sure, the van is much more comfortable but is it inviting?

Classic Truck Camper

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/41259-Camper-and-Truck-Photos/page18

Another classic is the truck camper that allows you to stand up, sleeps four and includes many of the comforts of home such as sink, fridge and stove.  However the scale is much larger compared to a person.  You need to climb up the stairs to get in. When you stand next to the camper, you can not reach the top or see inside the windows.

Fully outfitted truck shell camper

http://www.tiny-house-living.com/small-truck-camper.html

Truck shell campers like the one above offer far less space but easily fit onto most trucks.

Each of the above solutions have their purpose.  Truck shells and campers can be removed in the off-season while motor homes always include a kitchen sink but are they cozy?

I talked to a friend of mine who used to travel by overnight train with his family in India.  He said that the sleeping compartments where quite tight and that you shared the compartment with several other families.  Despite the close quarters, he met several lifetime friends on those trips and looks fondly back at those days.

One explanation for the benefits of the cozy effect is the concept of physical proximity and the Mere Exposure Effect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mere-exposure_effect).  This states that people form stronger relationships when they have more frequent interaction with something or someone.  If you have ever spent time in a VW camper bus with other people, you know that it is impossible to move without bumping into someone else.  Of course the truck camper shell takes this idea to the extreme but there must be some limitation on how close you want to be next to someone on a continual basis.

If we are to assume that people value human interaction and that close proximity encourages human interaction, then we should also assume that people would value an environment that encourages interaction, hence our attraction to cozy.

The next step is to identify some key elements that contribute to cozy.  I propose the following:

Elements that create a cozy environment:

1. Ability to see entire space.
2. Roof height that is close to head level.
3. Forced proximity to other people.
4. Shared experience.
5. Little empty space.
6. Entrance way that starts wide and then narrows.

By incorporating these elements in automobiles or communal spaces, companies can create a feeling of coziness that customers value and are attracted to.  Once the space has been created, people will fill the space and create interactions far beyond what the company could have offered through product features.