architecture

Self-Contained Ecological Living Module Installed in Two Days

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Many designers and architects have been creating small structures to meet futuristic ecological challenges. However, some designers are going above and beyond a miniature escape pod. The new Ecological Living Module (ELM) has been designed to demonstrate strategies for residential construction that meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) … Read more

The New Ephemeral Architecture of Burning Man

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For the past few years, I’ve been documenting the tiny houses of Black Rock City (BRC for short). BRC is the city where the participants of the annual Burning Man event live for a week or more. “Burners” design, build, pitch or tow their unique structures and homes out to the Nevada desert … Read more

Do-it-yourself Airstream Renovators

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Sharon and Sam and the airstream

DIYer fulfills a longtime dream Not everyone who dreams of renovating an Airstream should try it. Tackling such a project requires a broad skill set, ample free-time, problem-solving patience and courage. As the Airstream ownership craze grows, an increasing number do-it-yourselfers are stepping up to the challenge, and a family-run … Read more

Wishbone Tiny Homes

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The Asheville, NC based Wishbone Tiny Homes has not only been making waves with their exquisite craftsmanship and interesting architectural details, but the Wishbone team have a three step process set up to walk new owners through and into their ideal home. It all starts with a dream and defining … Read more

Alternative Homes Today

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On a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, I ran into Ross Lukeman of the blog, Alternative Homes Today and we chatted not only about tiny homes, but about his architecture career and interest in alternative ways of design and construction. His initial interest in tiny homes derived from attending a … Read more

Clothesline Tiny Homes

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When a custom home builder and an architectural designer decide to build a tiny house together, there is a guarantee that something special will be born. Shane and Carrie Caverly of Clothesline Tiny Homes are currently living in their new 144 square foot baby and are also available to design, … Read more

The Tiny Cottages of Faubourg Marigny

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marigny orange

The French Quarter of New Orleans usually gets most of the attention for its architecture, stylish balconies and lively street life, but a small neighborhood just east of the Quarter has a selection of some of the best Creole and Classic Revival cottages in New Orleans. In addition, many of them are tiny.

marigny orange

 

My husband and I recently went to New Orleans to visit with family and we rented a small apartment in the Fauborg Marigny area of the city. It’s only a few blocks from the French Quarter, but it feels like a different city altogether. The vibe is more historical and bohemian and less touristy and Bourbon Street-y. The main road is Frenchman, which is called the “local’s Bourbon Street”, and is known for its great restaurants, coffee shops and jazz clubs. Because the neighborhood is on higher ground, it escaped the worst of the Katrina flooding.

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Tumbleweed Box Bungalow Open House

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*I’ve added a few pictures from the 2nd Open House. The bungalow was not competed so I will do a post later when Jay has finished it.

Last month I had the privilege to visit Jay Shafer and company at Tumbleweed’s monthly open house. Jay allowed me to take a few pictures of the forthcoming Box Bungalow a new design that he has been working on.

How would you like to be the first to see one in person? In fact you are seeing pictures here on the Tiny House Blog before they are announced on the Tumbleweed Tiny House website.

The Box Bungalow will be coming in five different styles and range from 99 to120 square feet, and can be built in most places without a permit. The exterior of each design is inspired by the American Craftsman style architecture and stems from an era of quality hand-craftsmanship, that is both simple and elegant. Can you imagine a spare bedroom, office, or a yoga studio in your back yard?

This month, on Saturday June 11th from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Tumbleweed Tiny House Company is having another open house and for the first time will be showing off the Box Bungalow. They are in the process of completing the interior. The interior may not be complete 100%, but it will probably look great anyway. Please sign up here.

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Rintala Eggertsson Architects

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This architectural and design firm in Oslo, Norway has designed everything from bridges to nature observation towers, from swinging platforms to art pieces that release wooden birds or are set on fire. However, Rintala Eggertsson Architects have also designed a few tiny houses…or potential tiny houses.

Sami Rintala and Dagur Eggertsson’s work has been featured all over the world and they pride themselves on designing with a balance between man and nature. Many of their designs incorporate nature as a major element, but also have a modern, industrial feel to them. Their tiny homes in Norway, Italy and Thailand use nature as part of the design.

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Ross Chapin and Tiny House Communities

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A few years ago I was given the chance to visit the Third Street Cottages on Whidbey Island and the opening of the Greenwood Avenue Cottages in Seattle. These communities, by renowned architect Ross Chapin and developer Jim Soules, have become famous for being small, sustainable and community oriented. Chapin … Read more