Kent Griswold

The PeePoo Sanitation Alternative for Tiny Houses?

by

In the world today, 2.6 billion people have no access to basic sanitation. Human faeces contains infectious and lethal pathogens, causing diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. The situation could be described as an ongoing emergency.

Designer and concept inventor Anders Wilhelson and codesigners Peter Thuvander and Camilla Wirsen together with peepoopeople have codesigned the peepoobag as a sanitation solution that aims at solving this global problem.

The peepoobag is a personal, single-use toilet that sanitises human excreta shortly after defecation. All this is done within a high performance degradable bioplastic bag coated with urea. It requires no water, and after use as the bag breaks down and disintegrates, the treated faeces become fertiliser with a high market value. its design is adapted in every way so that it might be manufactured at as low a price as possible and sold to the groups with weakest purchasing power in the world.

Read more

Tiny House in a Landscape

by

Lovely photo of a yurt in Mongolia… Photo by Dimitri Mundorff, winner of Lonely Planet’s photo contest. Zarla says: I stayed in Mongolia in a yurt. Lovely, such a different culture and way of life, but the yurts and people were amazing. I love the fact that all of the … Read more

Roth Mobile Montana Cabin

by

This is the third in a series that I have done showcasing some of  Montana Mobile Cabins, the company that first inspired me to start writing about tiny homes and cabins. This cabin is called the Roth cabin and it is located somewhere in Montana. I was not given the details as to where.

The Roth cabin is an 18′ x 24′ cabin with a full loft, kitchen, bath, and great room. Made with full logs and rustic interior rough cut boards for cabinets, etc. It appears the owners went for modern stainless steel appliances which adds a modern touch to the cabin.

Read more

Gingerbread Style Cottage

by

Vicky from British Columbia, Canada spotted this on a local KiJiJi Free Classified Ads in her area and thought you would enjoy seeing it.

Gingerbread Style Cottage

Cute and rustic 8ft x 24ft portable gingerbread style cottage for sale. It’s plumbed, wired and insulated. Open kitchen living area with loft that fits a queen size mattress. Bathroom has toilet, shower and pedestal sink. Built on a trailer frame on wheels for easy transport. Located in Comox-Strathcona, BC. Listed for $18,000 CDN.

Here is the KiJiJi listing.

Read more

The FernHouse

by

Bob Swinburne an Architect from Brattleboro, Vermont wrote to share with me his unique structure called the The FernHouse.

The FernHouse is named for the sea of ferns it floats on for a few months during the Vermont summer.  It started out as a tent platform but inspiration hit and the project developed into something more.

There were no plans or model  – even though I’m an architect.

The structure is only big enough for a full size futon on a hanging frame, the roof is clear corrugated polycarbonate with wide overhangs and the walls are 2 x 4 studs wrapped with insect screen. bracing is minimal.  The entire project took about forty hours and $700 or $800 bucks a few years ago.

Read more

Mini Log Cabin on Indiana Craigslist

by

Kevin from Indiana spotted this mini log cabin while searching for trailers and campers on Craigslist. If you are in the area and are looking for that cabin retreat it might be worth looking into. Here is the listing: 12×20 mini log cabin – $3000 (Bloomington, IN) 12×20 mini logcabin … Read more

Dan’s Microhouse in VT

by

Dan Kirk recently emailed me about his Microhouse project in Vermont. He has put up a blog called Microhouse VT so that you can follow along with his progress. Dan plans to build his Microhouse from mainly reclaimed materials and I applaud him in that and like that idea more and more myself. Anyway I’m going to turn it over to Dan to tell you a little of his thoughts behind his design.

The final design will be barn-influenced on the outside. This is Vermont, after all. The floor plan will mimic that of the Fencl house from Tumbleweed with a loft for sleeping and a storage loft above the door. The bathroom/showerroom will be as small as possible, a la the bathroom in Jay Shafer’s house. Having enough space to prepare good food is really one of the goals here, and will be a challenge for sure. I think grilling food will be a large part of the tiny house lifestyle, even in the winter. Though, if the right size oven/stove combination comes down the pike, cooking indoors could remain enjoyable even in such a small space. Also, a couch is mandatory.

Read more

Tumbleweed Vacation Rental

by

Tumbleweed is looking for a place to host their Fencl as a vacation rental. This might be for the summer only, or could turn into a long term opportunity. You must have a place in the continental US that would be a desirable vacation spot. In addition, electricity must be … Read more

Tumbleweed Whidbey Plans Sale

by

Sale Over! Steve at Tumbleweed just notified me of another plan they are listing at a special sale price. The Whidbey, which has been in there book but never on their website has been redone like the Bodega which was offered for Sale in March. (Sale ends Wednesday March 31) … Read more

Introducing “The Hermit” Plans

by

Joe Chipman who brought us the Little Bunk House in the Woods has just added a new plan based on the bunkhouse. It is called “The Hermit.” The Hermit is a full function tiny house in 64 sq ft with a combination sawdust toilet and dry shower, twin bed, a … Read more

Tiny House in a Landscape

by

This weeks Tiny House in a Landscape is another cabin built by Montana Mobile Cabins. This cabin is a 12′ x 18′ cabin located in Yaak, Montana. Not far from the Canadian border and near the Idaho panhandle. A great little retreat out in the wilds of beautiful Montana. Distinctively … Read more

Kozy Shack in Vermont

by

Leslie Pelch contacted me about her “Kozy Shack in Vermont.” Vermont seems to be a real hot spot for tiny houses as I keep getting more and more stories from that great little state. I’ll let Leslie tell you about her Kozy Shack.

I bought the original one room camp (12×14 – one story) in 1997 and lived in it for 7 months, during which time I put on a 14×16 addition (with the help of many friends and a book called “Building an Addition.”)

There was no electricity, no running water (except the stream down the hill), and heat provided by an old propane heater. I managed to get the addition up and insulated (no sheetrock or siding, though) and the heater re-installed by Thanksgiving of 1998. I also installed a wood/gas cookstove but couldn’t find anyone willing to set up the chimney because they were afraid of liability related to setting up such an old appliance.

Read more