CA Boom and Dwell Show
Dax Wagner from Southern California went to two home shows that featured small homes over the last weekend. Dax explains what he saw below:
We ended up also attending the Dwell On Design Show which was held on the same day at the L.A. Convention Center. The first two pictures are of the Modern Shed. The rest are of the IC Green shipping containers. Two different sheds were represented, one at each show:
Modern Shed Interior
120 Square Foot Cabana
First (at Dwell On Design) was a 120 sq.ft. container with no plumbing. It was used as a “cabana” with a portion of the container used as a small porch so that there would not be any permitting requirements. They offered it at $9,500.
120 Square Foot Cabana End View
The 2nd (at the CA Boom Show) was a 320 sq. ft. unit with full IKEA kitchen and bath. VERY nice, livable unit with lots of windows. Offered at $25000.
IC Green Inc. Sign
320 Square Foot Home
The representative said that different basic configurations are offered at about $100 per sq. foot. Not bad at all, but to get full insulation, radiant heat flooring and an A/C unit installed, it would be more like $145 per sq. foot. This, of course, does not include the land and prep work for the foundation. Go to the IC Green site here to learn more. Overall is was a grat day at two shows!
-Dax Wagner
Kitchen Living Area
Bathroom
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed
Fire Lookout Towers
For those who really want a taste of solitary living, have you ever dreamed of getting away from it all in a fire lookout tower? In nearly every state of the U.S., fire lookout towers have been built in wilderness areas to watch for forest and wildland fires.
The first fire lookout was built by the Southern Pacific Railroad on Red Mountain near Donner Summit in California to watch for train fires. Initially, fire lookouts were crude camps temporarily set up at “patrol points” where an observer might ride his horse to make observations. Others were “crows nests” – platforms built on top of the highest trees. Fire watchers often doubled as fire fighters. Spotting smoke, he would hop on his horse or hike cross-country to quench the fire.
By 1914, construction standards were in place and soon thereafter, both wooden “live-in” cabs and steel “observation only” towers were being built. Two years later 81 permanent lookout structures stood on key mountain tops.
Each of these lookouts were similiar in that they were small, usually between 9×9 feet to 18×18 feet, supplies had to be hiked or ridden to the tower and they each had a 360 degree view of the surrounding area.
Bear Basin Lookout in Six Rivers National Forest, CA
Yellow Peak Lookout Tower in Northwestern Nevada - Photo courtesy of Christina Quigley
Many fire lookouts have now been abandoned, vandalized and even destroyed, but there is a growing trend towards lookout revival. Groups of enthusiasts are organizing to share information and enhance public knowledge and awareness of fire lookouts. Lookouts are now considered functional for non-traditional uses and are being restored to serve as museums, interpretive centers, wildlife observation posts and vacation rentals.
Swede Mountain Lookout Tower in Libby, MT
In the recent issue of Via Magazine by AAA, an article gives tips on how you can rent a fire lookout tower. The U.S. Forest Service offers them for about $40 a night. To rent a tower:
1. Go to the recreation.gov website.
2. Choose cabins or lookouts from the ‘Looking for’ pull-down menu on the left under the “Find Sites” sidebar.
3. Choose your state in the State field pull-down menu.
4. Leave the Park of Facility name field blank unless you know the name of the lookout that you want to rent.
5. Choose specific camping dates to search.
6. View the results and reserve your tower!
Lookout towers are not luxurious destinations so be prepared for primitive accommodations. Most lookout towers do not have showers, flush toilets or running water. You will need to carry water for all your cooking, cleaning, and personal grooming needs.
Many towers do contain simple furnishings including a mattress, propane camp stove, desk, chairs, and, if you are lucky, a propane refrigerator.
If you do fall in love with living in a lookout tower, you can build your own. This couple built a tower retreat in Western Montana with many of the same aspects of an original fire lookout tower.
Montana Fire Tower Retreat
Montana Retreat Family/Sleeping Area
Montana Retreat Patio
National Forest Service Fire Lookout Program
Forest Fire Lookout Association
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed
The Tiny Life – New kid on the Block
I want to take a moment and extend a welcome to Ryan Mitchell who will be presenting his thoughts and experiences as he joins the Tiny House movement with his new blog The Tiny Life. Here is what Ryan says about his plans for his blog:
The Tiny Life is a resource for those seeking information on Tiny Living, Tiny Houses, etcetera. Our Localize component of our website is to allow those who are interested in these topics to connect with people locally, reguardless of where they may live.
We seek to provide more than just information on Tiny Houses, we aim to have discussions on Living life…..Tiny! So we refer to our site as a Tiny Lifestyle blog.
Ryan lives in Charlotte, NC, he has been following the Tiny House movement for almost a year now and had decided to become a part of it by launching this website! He hopes to build his Tiny House within a year, where he wants to take it with him to pursure his Doctorate in Industrial Organizational Psychology. If you have any comments, concerns etcetera, please don’t hesitate to contact him.
So bookmark Ryan’s blog and visit often. Welcome aboard Ryan!
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed
Tiny House in a Landscape
Greg submitted these pictures to me for the Tiny House in a Landscape feature, here is what he has to say about them.
I’ve been reading the Tiny House Blog for a few months now. It’s always surprising to see how little one actually needs to live a contented life! I know I feel better when I have less clutter around to distract me.
I saw these small weekend getaway cabins on the edge of a river in Cisco Grove, California and stopped to take a look. I took a few photos and thought I might share some of them with you for your blog. The stone cabin looks like it was once a roadside retail establishment before the construction of I-80. Someone definitely cares for this little building (15′ deep by 25′ long by my paces). They’ve built a new roof and repaired the stonework but left it pretty much in it’s original shell condition. There’s some nice stonework on the fireplace and you can see some stone ledges built into the walls near the back door if you look carefully. It looks like it was quite a cozy little home at one time although I don’t see any evidence that it ever had indoor plumbing…
Gregory Smith, Architect
www.gregorysmitharchitect.com
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed
Tiny House Workshop Bridgewater, Vermont
Tiny House Workshop Bridgewater, Vermont
Photo Credit: Seth Butler http://www.sethbutler.com
Tiny House Workshop with Peter King, as seen on “Stuck in Vermont,” ”YouTube” and Vermont Tiny Houses.
Learn basic carpentry skills and Tiny House design. No experience needed, just a willingness to learn.
As a team we will build a 12′ X 16′ house with a loft, and a 12/12 roof. 90% of the material will be pre-cut, allowing us to build from foundation to roof ridge cap in two 8-hour days!
The two-day workshop will take place in the Bridgewater area, Vermont.
- July 11 and 12, 2009
- 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday
Bring a sketch pad and a lawn chair.
The cost is $250, including cooked meals and refreshments.
Camp area available.
Please reply via [email protected] or call 802-933-6103.
Thanks so much! We look forward to meeting with you all.
Temporary Home While Building Tiny House
Matt sent me an email recently suggesting a solution for temporary housing while constructing your tiny house.
Matt said he had his land but needed a place to stay while constructing his tiny house and these truck tent campers are very low priced. For between $200 to $300 you can have a place off the ground and dry plus have a place to call home for a short time. It does of course require you to own a pickup truck.
The tent in the picture above is he Adventure I Truck Tent which allows truck owners to set-up camp on any ground surface, sleep comfortably and adapt their truck box into an enjoyable camping experience, and because of their unique design no floor is needed. No floor means, easy to clean and maximum use of your truck bed.
The Adventure I Truck Tent is designed to encompass the tailgate and due to its patented conestoga tent style design, the tent is extremely spacious with 145 – 195 cubic feet of tent and truck box space. You can walk in and out of the tent, no crawling in to stand up. That means that there is 5ft 6 inches throughout the tent, not just in the middle. The truck tent is lightweight, weighing only 11 lbs, and is stored in a small stuff bag, measuring 22″ x 11″.
Of course the other alternative is a standard tent and these can be picked up for even less money at Walmart or elsewhere but you will be on the ground and in the elements that go along with that.
Here are a couple of links to the temporary home alternatives featured in this post:
- Adventure Truck Tent
- Sportz
- FlipPac (not in the $200-300 price range) but cool idea!
Adventure Truck I
SportZ
FlipPac
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed
Sonoma Shanty to Go
*** No Longer Available ***
Most of you have been following the development of the Sonoma Shanty plans, workshop and kit. Stephen Marshall of the Little House on the Trailer has taken the Sonoma Shanty one more step and added wheels and a little more space.
The Sonoma Shanty on wheels, is a completed shell on wheels that is designed for the do-it-yourselfer to furnish and complete. Stephen has attempted to make this the most affordable base unit on wheels.
*** No Longer Available *** At $9,000 you get an eight foot by twenty foot home with 160 square feet, it is a nice size area to develop as a home.
Easily design a bathroom and shower in the rear, with a kitchen galley on one side and storage on the other. The main living area would be in the front of the shanty. A loft could be put above the bathroom and kitchen area for additional storage or sleeping.
By using Sing Panels (SIPs) this home is already insulated and ready to complete. All you need to do is add wiring and plumbing and do the finish work and add the appliance and fixtures you want.
You as the designer could complete the interior to your own taste and design as you get an open canvas to work with. A basic home at a very affordable price, one more option for a tiny house.
*** No Longer Available ***
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed
