This past winter, my brother and I decided to try our hands at a tiny house build. With my skills as a builder and my brother’s as an artist and designer, we set out with a rough design and many things to learn. We began with a modified plan that was inspired by two of Michael Janzen’s solar house plans from tinyhousedesign.com. The final product is the beaming rustic modern tiny house you see above.

Our spacious tiny house began as a 20 ft trailer with dual #3500 axles that transported a lowly camper in days bygone. Painted and leveled, construction was ready to begin.

The now completed rustic modern home is 21ft long, cantilevered a foot off the back, and semi-divided into three seven-foot sections. The square footage is approximately 130 sq ft, not including the additional sleeping loft. It has a maxed out 8ft 6 in width and towering 13ft 3in height, with a folding deck and removable awning for travel. While the weight is yet to be determined, it is estimated at 5500 – 6000 pounds.

The front and rear sections of the house are constructed with 2 x 4 floor framing. The center section raises above the wheels with 2 x 10′s. Sheathed underneath with ½ in. painted plywood and topped with ¾ in. subfloor the floor is covered with ¾ in. stained pine flooring. The majority of the exterior is 1 x 4 cedar rain-screen siding, with a ply-and-batten backside and painted pine left frontside. Nine Crestline double-paned windows fill the walls and a Crestline low-e swinging patio door transitions the space from inside to out. On top of it all is an exposed fastener steel roof.

Inside, the ceiling is 12 in. maple plywood with a narrow reveal. Walls throughout the house are painted hardboard. Corrugated galvanized steel surrounds the shower, toilet, and closet in the bathroom. Five-inch-wide pine tongue-and-grove covers the floor, stained and sealed with Danish oil. The cabinets and countertops are custom-made from ¾ in. maple plywood. The cabinets and ceiling are sealed with linseed oil and the counter has a clear gloss epoxy coating. The loft, covered in the same pine flooring, is large enough to fit a low-profile queen mattress or pad. A small open storage area is accessible from the kitchen, with additional closet space in the bathroom.

The house is plumbed and wired, similar to the common camper. A water hook-up is underneath, supplying water to the sink, shower, and 6-gallon Bosch electric water heater. Power comes through a 30 amp camper hookup. Inside, there is a 4-circuit sub panel with two 15-amp and two 20-amp circuits. Originally designed to be heated by a small electric space heater, it was later decided that heating is a personal preference. Knowing that some would prefer propane or wood heat, these can be easily incorporated. While it does not currently contain a heater, one can be installed or you may supply your own.

The bathroom houses a sawdust compost toilet, but is able to be converted to an RV toilet if you have a full-time sewer hook-up. The living room has a ceiling fan for circulation and the windows provide excellent cross-ventilation as well as ample solar heat on a cold sunny day. A window air conditioner could also be easily added in the summer months.

The house comes furnished with an IKEA sleeper loveseat and IKEA banana leaf rocking chair. The refrigerator is an Igloo two-door fridge and freezer. The kitchen’s propane stove is upcycled from the original camper. The entryway prides itself in its custom-built pine storage cubby and two IKEA chairs, able to be pulled up to the multi-purpose counter. All furniture is included in the price and decorative items may be purchased at an additional charge.

With my brother and I both being a towering 6′ 7″, Tall Man’s Tiny House was born. Everything was built with those who are vertically blessed in mind. The low points on the main floor are the standard door and entryway ceiling at 6′ 8″. Both of us are able to crawl into the spacious three-and-a-half tall loft. This house was built as if it were being built it for ourselves, no detail left undone.

The asking price is $27,000 with buyer arranging transportation. If you are interested contact Adam via his contact page: http://www.tallmanstinyhouse.com/About-the-House.html

You can also view all Adams photos at his gallery: http://www.tallmanstinyhouse.com/Photo-Gallery.html

Hi my name is Laird Herbert and I thought you might be interested in the tiny house I just completed.

This is my second tiny home that I have built. I lived in one full-time for a year over the winter and sold it last spring. I’m 28 years old and have lived in the Yukon for the past five. I am pretty happy puttering away building things. I’d much rather do this then sit in a cubicle! My passion is actually the design, that’s what I enjoy the most. So I’m diving into it full-time (hopefully) and will be building two more this summer (one for myself and another to sell), under Leaf House, which is my new company named after the famed Leaf House on Hornby Island which is where I spent my summers as a kid.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this northern rendition of a tiny house! It is much more challenging build tiny houses in an extreme winter climate. I’ve learned quite a bit about what you need to do when it’s -40 outside and your space is 160 ft2. I’ve also learned that it is a lot more expensive to build things in the North!

This house features:

• FSC cedar and metal siding
• Heavy gauge steel stud construction with spray foam insulation
• 1″-2″ Energy Shield wrap
• Triple pane Northerm Windows
• FSC hardwood oak flooring, 12? granite tiles in the entrance way and
• ceramic tiles in the bathroom
• Ultralight drywall, clear grain cedar, and birch plywood interior finishing
• 24 inch GE propane range
• Propane instant tank-less hot water heater
• Half size stainless steel fridge
• Full size bathroom with compact bathtub/shower, Kohler bathroom sink
• and Sun Mar Compact Composting toilet
• Recessed cedar slat bathroom door
• LED and dimmable CFL and halogen lighting
• Low and zero VOC wood finishes and paint
• Living area with a pullout sofa, storage, and recessed book shelving
• Loft with queen size memory foam mattress
• Broan high efficiency bathroom fan and kitchen exhaust hood
• 35 Gallon Water tank with outside water hookup or blue water tank
• drain and a RV shurflo water pump

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Kelly is unofficially calling the two building designs ModPods. She and Pam were inspired by some similar structures they came across while traveling by motorcycle on Orcas Island, Wash.

“I nearly went off the road on my bike when I saw these tiny houses,” Kelly said.

The two offices are 10×12 (120 square feet), are 15 feet high on the back end and 12 feet high on the front end. The roofs were designed to accommodate solar panels (to be installed soon) and are situated for solar gain through the sliding glass doors in the winter. When the farm staff began to move into the first office, they didn’t have heat, so they covered the existing walls with cob for insulation. On the day I was there it was unseasonably warm outside, but at least 20 degrees cooler in the finished office – even up in the loft. The loft (accessed by a ladder) is large enough to stand up in and will be used for a working and lounging space. Downstairs in the finished office is a small bathroom, a sink, a desk and some storage space. Kelly would like to install a small kitchenette by Avanti in the second office.

The structures were built by the local Boy Scouts and volunteers over a couple of months, but Kelly said the structures are designed to be built in about four days and for around $15,000. HabeRae will build each unit for approximately $27,000. Each of the buildings are on a slab foundation.

In addition to the two offices, the Urban Roots staff also built an experimental greenhouse/storage shed out of old wood pallets covered with cob and a tin roof. A bunny named Dandelion lives in a cage in front of the cob structure. Dandelion will be joined soon by a goat, some bees, a few chickens and a pond full of frogs. Urban Roots receives most of their supplies from donations, Habitat for Humanity, Craigslist and they depend on volunteers affectionately named Worker Bees.

The farm sits behind a former hotel on 4th Street that HabeRae Homes converted into one-bedroom apartments called 14 on 4th.

The pallet/cob interior of the storage shed

Photos by Christina Nellemann

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Kanga chose the kangaroo to symbolize their company and product because of its strength, agility and the ability for a kangaroo mother’s pouch to be a natural portable home. Because of this, Kanga is also committed to using sustainable materials and energy efficient products whenever possible while still keeping their structures affordable.

Kanga currently offers several options: the Kanga Studio is available in the The Modern and The Country Cottage styles and the Kanga Cabin is a larger structure that can be constructed to accommodate a bathroom, kitchenette, a separate bedroom and a loft.

The Modern design offers clean lines, a progressive style and can be constructed to sizes large enough to accommodate a bathroom and a kitchenette. The Modern comes in eight sizes: the 8′x10′ for around $7,150, the 10′x12′ for around $7,900, the 12′x14′ for around $9,200, the 12′x16′ and the 14′x14′ for around $9,860, the 14′x16′ for around $10,670, the 14′x20′ for around $11,999 and the 14′x24′ for around $13,400.

The Country Cottage has an open, airy feel in a classic design. The base model includes a skid foundation, floor system, 8″ lap siding, one door and two 24×48 front windows. The base models start at $9,950 for the 10′x12′ and go to $15,550 for the 14′x24′ model.

All kits include the following:

• 4″x 6″ treated skids cut to length for foundation system
• 4′x 8′ wall panels sheathed with 7/16″ OSB w/ radiant barrier
• 2×6 floor system sheathed with plywood decking
• Roof system panels with R19 insulation and 8″ pine tongue & groove applied
• Roof decking with 7/16 OSB w/ radiant barrier
• EPDM roof membrane
• 6″ galvanized facia flashing
• 12″ Hardie fiber cement open joint siding with EPDM moisture barrier
• Cedar accent siding
• 36″ Metal door with full lite glass
• Door knob with lock and key set
• One 18″x36″ window (fixed glass with wood frame)
• Transom windows with structural steel window frame
• Laminated roof support beam cut to length

Upgrades and extras include updated doors and windows, pine beadboard paneling, pine, oak, bamboo or cork flooring, paint, upgraded lighting, a front or side deck, wiring packages, a metal roof, and installed bathrooms and kitchenettes on models 12′x14′ or larger.

The kits come delivered with instructions and can be assembled with basic tools such as a shovel, level, hammer, circular saw and power drill. A pneumatic finishing nailer and framing gun make for a quicker and easier install. Shipping costs will depend on the location of the building site.

Photos courtesy of Kanga Room Systems

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

The one-bedroom, one-bath home comes with all of the closets, cabinets, countertops and flooring installed. Both the kitchen and the bathroom contain IKEA appliances which includes an induction cooktop and convection oven, a counter depth refrigerator and dishwasher, a two sink vanity and a front load washer and dryer. Buyers can select their own wall and floor colors and, of course, they can fill it with IKEA furniture.

The aktiv is just over 53 feet long and about 14 feet wide with sliding glass doors. It’s priced at $86,500 which does not include delivery or utility hookups.

Photos courtesy of IKEA and ideabox

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

The “Wedge” design features an angled roof, which starts low above the bedroom and builds to 17 feet in the living room. Trapezoidal windows grow similarly from back to front, offering natural light while maintaining privacy. The front of the cabin is almost entirely glass. A large sliding glass door opens to a private deck.

Each cabin has one bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen/living room and a private deck. The ceilings and exterior are covered with reclaimed Wyoming snow fencing.

The bedrooms are sized to fit a king size bed with two side tables and linen sconces. A set of four drawers and an under-counter hanging closet support a butcher-block counter top, which also serves as a desk. A 42-inch Internet accessible HD flat screen television is mounted above the desk. Track lighting is available for properly lighting art work.

The kitchen/living room was designed to offer both comfort and functionality. The mini-kitchen features a two-burner cook top, an under counter refrigerator, a microwave, a dishwasher, a sink, concrete countertops and modern rustic cabinetry. A large bomber leather sofa, two cowhide ottomans, two barn wood side tables, custom made wrought iron lamps and railroad cart coffee tables make up living room furnishings. A mini-high efficiency gas burning fireplace warms the room. Above the fireplace is another 42 inch HD flat-screen television.

The bathrooms are small, but functional. Heavy duty glass showers, Kohler toilets and custom vanities with concrete countertops/sinks and quartzite floors combine to produce very well appointed facilities.

So if you are looking for a modern, ready made small home, this may be one to add to your list. Learn more by visiting the WheelHaus website http://www.wheelhaus.com/. Jamie just gave me the pricing for the Wedge, it is $75,000.

Moving the Wedge

Following are more details from Joel:

This is a project two years in the making. Since I (Joel) opened my design studio in January of 2010, I’ve wanted to design, build, and market affordable, modern, modular homes. This project is called the Beta Home 984 – it features two bedrooms and one bathroom spread over two levels – with a total of 984 square feet to enjoy.

The floor system is insulated to R40, with the walls sitting at R22, and the roof at R50.

The home also features bamboo flooring throughout both levels with a front load washer dryer in the bathroom.

Our goal is to provide a high quality product, at an affordable price range unlike many other architectural firms selling modern modular home packages.

If you’d like more information on the Beta Home 984 or Joel’s company, SMPLy MOD, visit Joel’s website here. http://www.smplarchitecture.com/

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This series of homes meets all of the fundamental criteria in a house. The space is sized to be functional while also allowing flexibility. The uses for these homes include high density small lot urban and suburban infill, relief housing, student housing, auxiliary dwelling units, and specifically, affordable housing.

The Shelter Series homes range in size from 340 square feet to around 1,400 square feet and are also designed to meet a variety of green certification programs with the real emphasis being on energy and water savings along with a superior exterior shell.

Available now is the Shelter 640. This small home features 2 bedrooms, a full bath, generous kitchen, and ample storage/closet space. The interior is filled with light from the standard and clerestory windows. The lot for this design may be as small as 30 feet by 60 feet, and the 640 can be built on a concrete foundation or a raised floor system. The Shelter 640 is priced at $47,300.

Also included in the Shelter 640:

• Prefabricated, insulated wall sections
• Insulated windows
• Metal SIP panel roof
• R-17 wall insulation and R-22 roof insulation
• Bamboo flooring
• IKEA brand cabinets and sinks
• Maple countertops
• Water conserving toilet
• On-demand, tank-less hot water heater

The Cabin Fever building packages contain everything that’s needed to build a modern cabin: pre-assembled wall panels, doors and windows, the roof system, siding, trim and the interior parts. Everything is precision cut and precisely labeled. Their prefab cabins and cottages can be assembled by an owner with building experience or by a professional contractor.

Photos courtesy of Cabin Fever

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Trick

Trick is the name of this multifunctional furniture that can be used as a bookshelf, a chair, and a dining set. The minimalist multifunction furniture is made from Milan based industrial designer Sakura Adachi.

Arrigoni Teak Table

This teak drop leaf and teak seat ottomans are the latest addition to the hi-low table line of Arrigoni Design. Most of their designs are for boats, but they can be used in tiny houses as well. The ottomans provide seating in tight spaces and have hinged up cushions for extra storage inside. Storage is easy under each side of the standard 32 X 36 fold over hi-low table.

KEWB

The KEWB is an entire house of furniture in one small package. The Sit n’ Sleep KEWB is a table, a chair, a recliner, a side table, a bed and a dining set all in one. The entire unit collapses down to the size of a side table.

Tagei Coffee Table

A graduate of industrial design, Akemi Tanaka has designed some innovative furniture. One piece is the Tagei which looks like a coffee table but it can also be extended into a bench for additional company.

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

The Hummingbird has a living and kitchen area with a fire-ribbon fireplace (which requires no venting) and a large, covered deck which LEAP calls a “chill” space. A small bedroom and bathroom suite are also included. Plans for the hummingbird are priced at $995, the building kit is around $55,000 and an on-site built Hummingbird is about $80,000 which does not include the general contractor fee, building or permit fees.

Other green options included in the Hummingbird are:

• Cement board or teak siding
• Trex recycled content-engineered deck planking
• Low-mass Structural Insulated Panels
• Multi-unit sliding glass doors with dual-pane Low-E glass
• Simpson “Strong-Wall” seismic resisting brace-frames
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures
• EnergyStar rated Heat-pump HVAC system, lighting and on-demand water heater

LEAP Adaptive is a home design group in San Diego, California. Design director Brian Darnell has spent the last 22 years designing multi-million-dollar residential estates, but realized that “the lust for size and granduer has given way to the realization that the economics and ecology of our flattening world can no longer support such extravagance.” LEAP seeks to create environmental designs that are easier on the owner’s wallet as well as on the earth.

Image Courtesy of LEAP Adaptive

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]