House in a Box Revisited

by Nick Nydegger

Unknown to us at the time, we were pleasantly surprised by an article posted on the Tiny House Blog back in January and the positive response from its followers. So many questions were asked by the 20,000 visitors to our website that we thought maybe a condensed introduction as to what we offer and why would be a helpful follow up.

Sorry if this sounds overly commercial but it’s the most direct way to get the word out to those that are interested or to those that have been hurt in the collapse of the housing market. Provided by HIAB (House in a Box) or others, we just want folks to know that there are great alternatives available to accomplish the dream of home ownership.

If you are intrigued by the thought of more efficient spaces designed for non- subdivision living, Houseinabox.com has created and assembled a versatile line of cottages suited to a variety of uses. We have incorporated efficient and functional floor plans with lots of glass and volume to gain a living experience that is unique while compact. Dialing down the use of unnecessary spaces, HIAB has pared back the use of hallways and formal living and dining areas while adding soaring two story ceilings and exterior features that include integral porches.

The goal was to rearrange conventional spatial floor plan relationships to achieve a new living dynamic designed into a smaller envelope. This reduces cost while maintaining livability. The cottage selections and designs lend themselves to personalization by material modifications, interior customizing or through incremental building (linking additional units together over time.) While creativity is encouraged by material or floor plan changes, our clients are also utilizing space saving furniture to maximize and enhance livability. Participating architects include industry leaders, Allison-Ramsey Architects from Beaufort, SC, Sugarhouse Architects from Salt Lake City and C. Allen Brown from Cashiers, NC.

With a one bedroom cottage measuring 317 square feet, the designers at House in a Box believe that graceful living spaces can be created in small packages without sacrificing quality or comfort. Other units include a one bedroom cottage with loft at 555 sq. ft. and larger units up to 1,790 sq. ft. All homes can be personalized with a variety of available elevations and finishes. By using the online Quote Builder calculator, a purchaser can actually make selections on the interactive website for specific units and receive a Price Quote estimate immediately for the Sugarhouse designs. For Allison – Ramsey Architects and C. Allen Brown designs, a Materials List take off is optional when purchasing a set of plans. These take off’s allow for greater ability to customize materials when assembling house package pricing.

“We require from buildings two kinds of goodness: First …. doing their practical duty well : then that they be graceful and pleasing in doing it.” John Ruskin, English poet (1819 – 1900)

Purchase a set of construction drawings and the House in a Box Building

Consultant will assist you every step of the way to project completion. Once plans have been purchased a PDF will be sent immediately and may be reproduced. Plan purchases do not obligate our clients to a material purchase. However, in collaboration with 84 Lumber Stores, our materials packages are distributed from over 250 of their national locations. Perfect for construction professionals, do-it-yourselfers, or those who prefer complete turnkey installation. Visit the website at www.houseinabox.com and browse the available plans and learn more about our “Process.” House in a Box believes that small spaces should live large.