Burlington Microhome
Moonlight in Vermont? Sunlight might be better for this tiny solar powered home built by Alex Carver and Christopher North of Northern Timbers in Vermont. The Burlington Microhome is a 100 square-foot modular house that is off-grid and ready for additional modules to be added to it if needed.
Northern Timbers built the microhome with design help from landscape architect and metal artist H. Keith Wagner.
Much of Northern Timbers’ work reinterprets the traditional Vermont vernacular by introducing new applications of diverse materials into the residential setting, resulting in homes with a practical yet creative aesthetic. Continue Reading »
Tiny Prefab eBook by Michael Janzen
Michael Janzen of Tiny House Design just introduced a 65 page house plan ebook. It’s called Tiny Prefab, A Do-It-Yourself Prefab Building System and contains the plans and instructions for creating tiny prefab structures that are easy to build from common building materials. The book is a bit of a hybrid between a set of plans and instructions for building and assembling a panelized prefab tiny house. A wide variety of sizes of buildings can be built but the roof plans in the ebook are designed for an 8-foot deep tiny house. The smallest size building is 8’ by 8’. If more space is desired it’s length can be increased by increments of 4 feet so if you want a structure that is 8′ by 20′ this DIY prefab system will work fine. Below are small screen shots of all the pages in the ebook so you can get a good idea of what is included before you buy.
I’ve had the opportunity to look this book over and I highly recommend it, as it is very detailed and just about anyone should be able to follow these plans and build this structure. The price is $27, so he has priced it to be affordable for everyone. Visit Michael’s blog to purchase your copy.
by Kent Griswold (Tiny House Blog)
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CA Boom and Dwell Show
Dax Wagner from Southern California went to two home shows that featured small homes over the last weekend. Dax explains what he saw below:
We ended up also attending the Dwell On Design Show which was held on the same day at the L.A. Convention Center. The first two pictures are of the Modern Shed. The rest are of the IC Green shipping containers. Two different sheds were represented, one at each show:
Modern Shed Interior
120 Square Foot Cabana
First (at Dwell On Design) was a 120 sq.ft. container with no plumbing. It was used as a “cabana” with a portion of the container used as a small porch so that there would not be any permitting requirements. They offered it at $9,500.
120 Square Foot Cabana End View
The 2nd (at the CA Boom Show) was a 320 sq. ft. unit with full IKEA kitchen and bath. VERY nice, livable unit with lots of windows. Offered at $25000.
IC Green Inc. Sign
320 Square Foot Home
The representative said that different basic configurations are offered at about $100 per sq. foot. Not bad at all, but to get full insulation, radiant heat flooring and an A/C unit installed, it would be more like $145 per sq. foot. This, of course, does not include the land and prep work for the foundation. Go to the IC Green site here to learn more. Overall is was a grat day at two shows!
-Dax Wagner
Kitchen Living Area
Bathroom
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Laurel Creek Park Models
Park models seem to be attracting a lot of attention lately and one that caught my eye recently was the Cedar Creek model by Laurel Creek Homes, and is sold near my home in Washoe Valley, NV by Clayton Homes. I stopped by one weekend to get a few photos since I really admired this park model’s use of space, spacious kitchen and front porch and the cozy feeling inside.
Laurel Creek offers 13 different floorplans for this cabin style park model, and each of their models comes with a 10 year warranty. Laurel Creek also offers several “green packages” to make your park model more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Prices of the models vary according to the size and amenities, but the park model that I toured was being sold for $59,900.
Laurel Creek’s website gives more details on their park models and their benefits including:
- Affordability. A park model typically costs less than a 5th wheel or motor home.
- Financing options are available.
- RV Zoning required (Private property accepted in some states and counties).
- Move-in ready in less than 30 days.
Recreational park trailers or “park models” are 400-square foot cottages with peaked roofs that sit on a chassis and are typically placed on rented, leased or purchased sites in campgrounds or RV resorts and used as weekend retreats or vacation cottages. Park models can also be placed on private property and used as a part-time residence, subject to local zoning ordinances.
Typically upscale in appearance, Laurel Creek park models are available in many styles, from cedar cabins more suburban style homes with vinyl siding. The Laurel Creek park models feature solid frame construction, residential cabinets and full size appliances as well as optional bay windows and lofts. Interiors feature either a wood or tape and texture finish.
Laurel Creek was the first of 46 companies in the park model business to offer overhead heating and cooling systems. They have also introduced 9-foot flat coffered ceilings, tiled kitchen and bathroom flooring and marble lavies in our highline models.
All Laurel Creek park models are built to the ANSI 119.5 building code, which is administered and enforced by the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA). The code requires that park models meet or exceed more than 500 building and safety standards. Respected park model manufacturers build to this code yet it is not a requirement.
Photos by Harry Thomas
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Modern-Shed
The Studio Shed by Modern-Shed was recently featured in Dwell magazine and I was impressed that these stylish dwellings with their clean lines and Japanese design do not look like your typical backyard shed.
Modern-Shed is simply about storage, fun, space, architecture in your backyard. It gives you the chance to have an office away from home, a small art studio, guest or rental quarters, or to free up room in the garage.
The Modern Shed buildings are available in five styles: Basic, Studio, Designer, Dwelling and Play. The goal for all Modern-Shed sheds is to be able to be assembled quickly and with few tools. All models are packed flat with all the panels pre-built and finished. The Studio Shed comes with pre-insulated walls and roof panels.
For tiny house lovers who want a little more space, the Dwelling Shed may be what you are looking for. The Dwelling Shed comes in multiple configurations, is shipped with pre-painted parts, insulation in the roof, walls and floor, tongue and groove wood ceiling, and a metal roof. However, the kitchen and bathroom fixtures are not included and the plumbing and electrical will need to be installed on site.
Modern-Shed builds their sheds under one roof, which cuts down on waste and travel time and fuel. The company purchases their supplies from local manufacturers in the Seattle area. They also offer a variety of exterior and interior materials and colors and some eco-friendly options such as:
- Denim wall insulation
- Cork floor tiles
- Linoleum Floor Tiles
- Tex Decking
- Structurally Insulated panels (SIPS)
- Sustainable wood
- Green roofs
The Dwelling Shed starts at $39,900 for the 475 square foot model and $69,900 for the 750 square foot model. Each model comes with exterior french doors and wall-mounted sliding interior doors.
Re-visit their site for upcoming photos and information on the very cool looking Designer Shed.
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