dwelle dwelle.ings
These tiny prefab homes, originally created as “sheds for living” by architect, Richard Frankland, have morphed into the company dwelle. Their tiny houses are called dwelle.ings. Right now they are only for sale in the UK, but with the world’s response to the current economic climate, that may change.
This range of carefully designed micro buildings are highly sustainable, quick to erect and adaptable to many landscapes. The intent for each building is to be completely off-grid with additional costs added to incorporate renewable energy systems. Continue Reading »
Blu Homes Origin
There has been some recent news for fans of Michelle Kaufmann and her beautiful prefab homes. Michelle’s company, MKDesigns, has been acquired by Blu Homes, a privately owned business that builds homes with quality design, sustainable materials and leading technology. Michelle will be serving as a design consultant to Blu and they will continue to work with her designs including the Glidehouse, the Lotus and the Breezehouse.
The new MK designs will use the Blu folding technology in their building construction, and will be available nationally. Blu is unique in that they ship and set their own homes with teams directly from their factory. Continue Reading »
The P-POD
With a nod to Eastern style and philosophy, and an eye on ecologically sound and environmentally sensitive design, Tim Cornell of Polehouses.com has created a tiny house kit that is appropriate for any climate and location. The 576 square foot P-Pod is climatically appropriate, durable and recyclable.
Tim explained that the P-POD housing is a “building system” more than simply a specific house design. His system is a uniquely engineered “kit of parts” and space frame grids, that can be adapted quickly for any and all housing regimes, programs, and designs desired. P-POD units can be stacked 2 or 3 tall, or spread out in any configuration such as townhouses, duplexes, apartment buildings, etc. Continue Reading »
Tiny Green Cabins
Inspired by David Thoreau and energized by the opportunity to live a more sustainable and simple life, Jim Wilkins of St. Paul, Minnesota, has designed and built several tiny green cabins available for sale.
Each of these cabins have been developed to be multi-purpose, eco-friendly, transportable and stylish.
Tiny Green Cabins are earth friendly cabins ranging in size from 48 square feet to 252 square feet.
The Wildflower cabin is 120 square feet and built with green certified materials and reclaimed products as well as recycled materials. The walls and the floor are insulated with Soft Touch Cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans.
The 8×18 foot Wildflower cabin base price is $19,900. Several options are included such as pine or cedar paneling, a propane fireplace and solar tripod. An upgraded model is for sale for $23,500 which includes Trex decking and wavy edge cedar wainscotting (which I just love!).
Two other green cabins profiled on Jim’s website are the 6×8 foot Mini-Sota which starts at $8,358 or the 8×10 foot Sunflower Starting at $10,499.
Neither price includes cabinetry, appliances or shipping. A $2,000 deposit will reserve a production date for a Tiny Green Cabin. A 50 percent deposit is required two weeks prior to production, with the balance due upon completion and delivery of the home.
Standard Items in the Tiny Green Cabins:
- FSC Cert. Mixed * SW-COC-000669 Lumber
- Ultra Touch Cotton Ins 6X16 – Recycled Denim (cotton) Insulation – (Blue Jeans)
- Finger jointed 2 X 3’s and 2 X 4’s
- Recycled & Reclaimed Lumber
- Anderson Silverline Windows
- Pro-Rib Steel 29 gauge panel – Emerald Green
- Trex Decking (recycled plastic and wood fibers)
- Low VOC paints
- Acrylic caulks
- Energy Star Electrical Boxes
- CDX roof and exterior sheathing
- Tyvek Exterior building wrap
- Vertical OSB substrate “Smart Panel” exterior siding
- Rebond (recycled) carpet padding
- Insulated windows (low e on some models both in recyclable aluminum and vinyl)
- Type 6 nylon carpet from Shaw
Optional Items in the Tiny Green Cabins:
- Recycled tires and axles.
- I-beam manufactured from scrap, recycled steel
- OSB Floor, Wall, and Roof Decking
- “James Hardie” Cemplank exterior siding
- Title 24 interior lighting
- Insulated fiberglass (50 year warranty) exterior entry doors.
- “Rinnai” tankless gas water heater
- PEX water systems (recyclable with no solvent connections)
- DR 24 PVC and ABS drain lines, less materials with recycled contents
- Gypsum panels (recycled paper)
- Energy Star appliances (most standard models and all up grades)
- Programmable thermostat
- 2×6 S4S Cedar Porch Decking
- Spray foam exterior wall insulation
- Electric Fireplace
- Cordwood Simulated Siding/Wainscoat
- Wavy Edge Rough Sawn Cedar Siding
- Water saver toilets, tub and shower diverters
- Quick recovery water heaters
- Aluminum (recyclable) mini-blinds
Jim also offers custom services for those that desire new designs along with products that can be incorporated into the tiny cabins, such as denim/cotton insulation, recycled and reclaimed materials, FSC Certified lumber products, solar panels for power off the grid, homemade soaps, organic products and other earth friendly sustainable products.
By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)
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