Interested in your choice and decision basis of having a bulkhead staying in place rather than opening up the cab as part of the living space. The extra space that offers can be quite significant - and especially so on the shorter vans.
Exactly! I've asked on other self build forums, and the lack of understanding was surprising. But you got it in one! (EDIT: Or did I misread - do you think using the cab actually gives space? If so, logically it does, but it actually doesn't. The original response below explains the reasons for the design. *If* I used the cab area, I'd be restricted to a "small" sofa against the OS wall, and a seat next to the kitchen. But then need lose 25% of under sofa storage, waste 50% more floor in that area, have to carry silver screens for cab insulation (take up space), have a colder van (due to cab loss, esp for wintersports), and not ideal layout when trying to wildcamp/stealth camp and leaving the cab looking normal. And no comfortable lounge to sit cuddled up next to the wife. Plus that way is more complex to make a bed up and the space lost for the mechanics of that. This is the layout we had in the old L1 van and had its flaws. And for us (everyone is different) we think the plan gives us an improvement. Need to do life-size mock up to test before deciding of course! But that's why it takes many months of planning)
On the L2H2, I've floorplans of Murvi, Timberland, Vantage etc - and my layout has pretty much same size bed, kitchen and bathroom, more kitchen floor area, and still has space for bikes. Not using bulkhead wall wastes loads of floor space and storage space. The sofa storage us fully usable (has 70L tank, pumps, water heater easily). Also whilst a permanent L can be made a simple U lounge. The bulkhead will be insulated and so little cab heat loss. Tambour door into cab (insulated) etc. And from the sofa, the "sight lines" don't hit anything solid - that's why the wardrobe is narrow - it will give the impression of bigger space (the branded vans have wider uprights and actually look smaller).
It is counter intuitive not using the cab seats, but ultimately having 5-6 seating positions for 2 people isn't efficient. In our experience, the cab is cold over winter; and you can't see out with the silver screens on, and the seats block view from the back. So nicer L lounge with side windows, and a big open tambour door giving a view out should be OK..
We've 1500+ nights away in L1 van with similar size bed n bathroom, so we know the L2 is feasible with onboard bikes.
Having "permanent" L sofa also makes it able to be more comfortable rather than afterthought so to speak.
In addition, the fridge and hob/sink sizes are compromised - but functional (based what we have now) so the fridge is 40x40 footprint which saves room over standard 3-way which is much bigger. Its a compressor fridge so can be recessed into the garage wall - no insulation needed behind it (so saves 40-50mm lol) and also means the fridge can vent into the garage to keep cool.
Many "tricks" in the design so far, but is it doable? Dunno till we sit in the back of an empty van for a few hours and work it out. Just designing mood shadow lighting for the ceiling lol.
CAD is on "tinkercad" online, and happy to share if anyone wants a play. First 3d cad I've done, so its a bit naff really lol - but you can "hide" walls and see whats underneath (batteries/heaters etc)