Michael Janzen who is building the Tiny Free House also is quite the designer himself. He recently started a blog called Tiny House Design and has started adding a few of his own small or tiny house designs to it. A few weeks ago Michael spotted a cool little Austrian hotel room online built from a large concrete storm drain pipe. He decided to take this idea and design a 320 square foot house using 12 foot diameter pipe. I’ll let him explain it in more detail below.

I chose to imagine using four big 12 foot diameter by 8 foot long sections as the basic building blocks for this concept home. This seems to be the largest standard size concrete pipe you can buy. After adding flat floors the total square footage of four of these big pipes would be about 320 square feet. Not exactly a tiny house but definitely small and plenty of space for a small home or vacation rental.

I think this design works the best. It would be the simplest to build and would require the least amount of on-site concrete work. The four sections could also be lined up in a row but the entry would be lost. The southern orientation adds a passive solar benefit and would help warm the home in the summer. The added insulation provided by the earth berms would provide the thermal mass needed to naturally regulate temperature year round. Only the main living space faces south but I think this would be sufficient to keep the space comfortable. Placing the bedroom in the back would also give the home owner a place to escape on particularly hot days.

Go to the Tiny House Design site to learn more. Michael made a total of four designs using this concept so be sure and check them all out.

Design by Michael Janzen (click on picture to view larger image)

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Nonya Grenader is principal of her own small firm. She has taught at Rice University, School of Architecture for the past thirteen years. Nonya and Danny Samuels created a Rice Building Project called the Extra Small (XS) House. Although not “tiny” this is a well designed small house.

The Rice University students designed and built a dwelling of 500-square feet with a projected budget of $25,000. The goal was to use innovative design and construction techniques. To be built in a neighborhood of affordable housing. The idea was to build a modern interpretation of the shotgun-style structures from the Houston area.

Using an adjustable footing/foundation system that lifts the building off the ground and is also able to adjust to Houston’s expansive soils.

Hardiplank walls and metal windows were used instead of wood to reduce maintenance.

The core of the house is wrapped in polygal, this distributes light from the center of the house and its placement divides the building envelope into “large” and “small” rooms that may be furnished in a variety of ways.

The storage and services are collected in the thickened west wall and porches offer places for gathering, extending the interior living areas.

To view more of Nonya Grenader’s projects visit her website.

Photo Credit RBW

Interior

Construction

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by Christina Nellemann

Would you like to enjoy camping without having to set up a tent or paying for the gas on a large RV or trailer? Many state parks and campgrounds offer small cabins where you can still enjoy the outdoors in comfort.

Last weekend, I visited McArthur-Burney Falls in northern California and the campground is home to 24 Cavco Cabins. They are insulated, have a locking front door, screened windows, beds, a roomy covered porch, and room outside for a tent, picnic table and a campfire. The cabins have propane heat but no electricity or plumbing. Several of the cabins are accessible for disabled campers.

Currently, the 12 smaller one-room cabins are $65 per night and include two single bunk beds and two extra mattresses.  The 12 larger two-room cabins are $85 per night and include four single bunk beds. There is plenty of space inside for chairs or additional sleeping bags on the floor.

Cavco Cabins are one model of Cavco Industries, Inc. based in Phoenix, AZ. Cavco is one of the largest producers of manufactured housing, park model and cabin vacation homes in the US, and has been in business since 1965. They have over 50 Rustic Cabin plans, 175 Park Model plans and over 25 Loft plans to choose from.

The Cabins come in several sizes: 16-22 feet, 23-29 feet and over 29 feet. There are also Bare Bones Cabins which will be found in most campgrounds. Cavco has built cabins for hundreds of campgrounds across the country. You can search for a Cavco Cabin in your area on their website.

Recently, Cavco has announced that they are going green. Cavco is one of the first RV manufacturers to make a recreational park trailer or park model that has solar panels. They are also offering these, plus other materials, on their standard building list:

• Recycled tires and axles.
• I-beams manufactured from scrap, recycled steel.
• J M A’s formaldehyde free fiberglass insulation
• Blow roof insulation
• Low VOC paints.
• PEX water systems (recyclable with no solvent connections)
• Energy Star appliances (most standard models and all up grades)
• Water saver toilets, tub and shower diverters

These green options will make it even easier to enjoy the great outdoors.

I want to extend a welcome to Christina Nellemann of Feline Design Inc. Christina has a passion for tiny houses and will become a weekly guest writer for the Tiny House Blog. I look forward to her insight into the tiny house and simple living world. To learn more visit Christina’s bio at Feline Design Inc.

Kent Griswold - Tiny House Blog

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You’re living in your tiny dream home and than you find out you have company coming. Now where to put them? You could pitch a tent or rent a motel room, or you could make or buy a Teardrop trailer that will hold your guest just fine for a couple of days plus provide you a getaway tiny RV if you get the urge to go to the mountains or the coast.

Teardrop trailers based upon the designs of the 40’s and 50’s, BIG WOODY CAMPERS are built to provide years of enjoyment and a “look” that will turn heads whether it’s towed behind a classic car or modern vehicle. These sturdy, durable teardrop trailers are lightweight and can be pulled behind any size car. There is no need for electric brakes or extended mirrors. The “cabin” is 4′ x 6′ or longer, and sleeps two people comfortably. A futon mattress fits comfortably, or try a mattress and cover from Knox Foam. The rear “galley” is your “kitchen on wheels” and can be as simple or as elegant as you choose.

There are many Teardrop choices, listed below are a few options:

• Big Woody Campers (retro)
• Little Guy Teardrop Trailers (modern)
• So Cal Teardrops (retro)
• Desert Teardrops (plans)
• Retro Traveler (retro)
• Rollin Oak (retro woody)
• T & B (large modern)

You might also consider Jay Shafer’s Vardo as an option. Although the Vardo does not have a kitchen, it has storage under the bed that would hold your stove and cooler.

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How would you like to experience tiny house living without having to build one for yourself? This one has been popping up all over the web recently, and I wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to see it. I would like to thank Alex of Shedworking for pointing this one out to me.

Located on Bowen Island in British Columbia, in a cool out of the way spot and called the Eco-Shed, this little place is available for rent on a nightly basis. It’s design is green construction, has a passive-solar design, reclaimed and FSC-certified wood, super efficient fixtures and windows, and nontoxic materials and finishes.

It is situated in a peaceful setting, with a fantastic view. To find out all the details on rates, location and reservations visit the Eco-Shed website.

Photo credits Eco-Shed.

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William Kastrinos of Tortoise Shell Homes has come up with the perfect answer for the do-it-yourself tiny house builder. He has constructed a 128 sq ft, 8′ x 16′ home built from Codding Steel with a built in full size shower already plumbed and ready to use. You get all this at a low price of just $7,500. Bill calls this home the “Naked Galapagos.”

You as the do-it-yourselfer get to choose your siding, roofing, interior walls and appliances. The cool thing is that you can build this and pay as you go. Complete it in a week or a year, you decide.

I’ve had the privilege of seeing these in person and they are well constructed and have been test driven all over the Sonoma Coast. These are built to last and with proper completing should give you years of enjoyment. If you are looking for that tiny house to live in full time or that vacation get-a-way, or an extra room to add to your existing house, be sure and check out the “Naked Galapagos” from Tortoise Shell Homes.

Pictures below give more detail to the Codding Steel construction of the home. The Galapagos is also available as a finished and completed home for $19,500.

For more information contact Bill at 707-206-7581 or email him at info@tortoiseshellhome.com and let Bill know that you heard about the “Naked Galapagos” from the Tiny House Blog.

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New Englanders:
come build a tiny structure on wheels this summer!

This summer, Elizabeth Turnbull is designing & building her own tiny house to live in as a Yale graduate student.  Come join her!  She  is opening the building process to the community in a series of ‘burgers & barnraising-style’  building parties with family, friends, small house enthusiasts and other interested folks.  The structure is being built on the campus of The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, MA.  Elizabeth will supply all your meals and can even offer places to stay.  Her last two building weekends are July 26/27 and Aug 2/3.  Please RSVP to turnbulltinyhouse@gmail.com if you are interested - you’re welcome to come for a few hours or the whole weekend.

Framed on an 8 x 18 flatbed trailer, Elizabeth’s house has solar power, a composting toilet, a kitchen, a sleeping loft, and a generous workspace.  It has been built with the most environmentally considerate materials she has been able to find.  Her goals for the project are elaborated upon below.

Her local newspaper is following the story, too.  You can check out the first four articles here:

Newburyport Daily News Article 1
Newburyport Daily News Article 2
Newburyport Daily News Article 3
Newburyport Daily News Article 4

Elizabeth says that many organizations and members of the community have offered generous donations and materials.  A roof & hardwood floors have been donated, as well as lights, cedar paneling and interior faux-painting services.  Check it out!  Visit the Turnbull Tiny House.

Big Goals for a Small House

• Make it beautiful and lovely to inhabit
• Source reclaimed and recycled materials where possible
• Build without VOCs, formaldehyde or toxic materials
• Incorporate energy-efficient LED & halogen lights and minimal appliances
• Celebrate a small budget!  Sustainability and Economy are sisters and should be treated as such

Minimize  fossil fuel use:

• Live near enough to Yale to easily walk, bike or use public transit
• Insulate well with natural materials

Educate and inspire with a running blog exploring the design/build process, detailing my budget, and providing resources for low-budget, low-impact structures

Open the tiny house to the communities at Yale and New Haven as a learning and demonstration opportunity.

turnbull.e@gmail.com
(978) 758.1051

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Tortoise Shell Home

Model 1 - Sale

Originally $14,900 - Now $9,800

• Built tortoise shell tough
• Size 8×14
• Fully insulated, vinyl double-pane windows
• French front door
• 1/4″ fir wood-paneled walls
• Vinyl flooring
• Kitchen area has two base and two wall cabinets, plus sink, hotplate and refrigerator.
• Bathroom has 4′ shower, toilet and wet sink.
• Energy-efficient demand hot water heater.

Contact Bill at Tortoise Shell Homes by email:

info@tortoiseshellhome.com

or call  707-206-7581

Tell Bill the Tiny House Blog told you about it.

Interior

Kitchen

Loft

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This last weekend I had the privilege of attending Jay Shafer’s Building and Design workshops in Sebastopol, California. We met at his home, in an apple orchard on the outskirts of town, gathering on the deck of his landlord’s home.

The day began with a tour of Jay’s home to give participants a look at the finished product. Most in attendance seemed to have some building experience and know the general terminology of building.
After the tour, Jay took us through the building process to the point of the framing, exterior walls, and weather wrap were on the house. We also discussed trailers and the process of mounting the home onto the trailer.

Workshop on the Deck

In the afternoon Building Workshop session Jay presented the details of how to complete and finish the tiny house. He discussed the need for precise work and the fact that the finishing of the interior often takes longer than the framing and roofing and siding of the outside of the structure.

The workshop progressed through each stage of the building process, and kept the flow of the workshop in this manner. Although not a hands-on workshop, Jay provides a illustrated color workbook that is detailed with photos, floor plans, and a complete list of tools required to build your tiny house.

The workshop is very organic and improves with suggestions and feedback from participants.

Jay later showed us the Vardo where Greg, President and co-founder of the Small House Society has been staying on this break in the West Coast tour and answered questions about its design and construction.

Exploring the Vardo

At the end of the day Jay gave a second tour of his home. Having gone through the workshop the participants had a few new questions after having more knowledge about the building process.

The second Tumbleweed Tiny House workshop is a design workshop. We had a very small group for this one, only three of us. The day started out very cool and we ended up moving from the deck into Jay’s Epu. It was very comfortable and was neat to experience a couple of hours in the space of the tiny house. We sat five fairly comfortably when Greg joined us for a short time.

Jay began the day with an introduction to the “art” of architecture. He discussed the influence of sacred geometry in design. We than went into more aspects of design and than broke for lunch.

Design Workshop in Jay’s Epu

After lunch we came back and began our own designs. With graph paper and pencil we spent the next couple of hours designing our own tiny house. The last hour was spent with Jay critiquing our work and giving suggestions

This was a very worthwhile weekend and I would recommend that anyone who is serious about living and/or building a tiny home take this workshop.

To view more pictures of this workshop visit Greg’s special blog.

Photo Credits: Gregory Paul Johnson

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I’ve had blog problems the last few days and have been unable to post. I have it working again so want to share Jeff’s story about his shanty in North Carolina.

About 4 years ago we bought a piece of property on the banks of the New River in the mountains of North Carolina.

After months of tent camping in what we later found out to be one of the few temperate rain forest in North America, we thought a better structure would be in our best interest.

We were doing real well tucked backed in the woods minding our own business when we noticed a nice little official looking note taped to the door. Well unfortunately, it wasn’t “Welcome Wagon” or a nice neighbor, but the county calling attention to the fact that we had built a structure in their flood plain without their knowledge and without a permit.

Well after some conversation we thought it would be in our best interest to move the building out of the floodplain.  I had a neighbor bring a forklift after I laid block and pick it up and set it down in its new home. I had a sneaking suspicion that eventually the county would find it so I intentionally built it less than 70 sq ft as that is what the code defines a habitable room, I thought it might work in my favor.  I do think it helped! It is 64 sq ft by the outside dimensions of 8 by 8,

It is solar and insulated and with a flat screen TV, a toilet, and a queen size bed, it has been our home practically every weekend for the past 3 1/2 years while we build a larger house by ourselves.  It stays warm with body heat (two adults and a 70lb dog) in winters that can see 40+ inches of snow.  It has been absolutely great! It forces you to get out and stay active.

View more photographs of Jeff’s shanty below.

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