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The Deans of Green

A New 'Cottage' Industry

Ed Pirnik, producer

9 users recommend

Photo: Jack Journey - © Tumbleweed Tiny House Company 2008

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Let's face it, we live in a society where a lot of folks generally live by the "bigger is better" rule of thumb - big sodas, bigger cars and even bigger houses. There are however, a few brave revolutionaries out there willing to break with current trends and say no to conventionality. Behold the "tiny house" movement.

If you're willing to do some serious downsizing - tiny houses measure in at well below 1,000 square feet - this movement might be for you. It isn't all about simplifying one's life either. Building small saves money and allows homeowners with an eye for detail to concentrate on quality building materials. Using less space also means a tiny home's heating and energy requirements will come in at a heck of a lot less than the average 2,000 square foot home. That means a smaller carbon footprint and less impact on the environment.  

Although a tiny house might not fit your space needs as a primary residence, they seem to be tailor-made for use as vacation homes and studios. Have a look at the resources below and see if you don't agree.

Tiny Texas Houses

Based out of Luling, Texas, Tiny Texas Houses specializes in structures ranging in size from 10' x 16' to 12' x 28' and prices from $38K to $90K. Built from upwards of 95-percent salvaged materials and reclaimed wood, these homes seem to be both environmentally friendly as well as cost efficient. Owner Brad Kittel incorporates a variety of wood species in his tiny homes - including Southern Yellow Pine, Walnut, Cypress, Mesquite, and old growth Fir. Amenities often include antique cast iron sinks and tubs. Be sure to have a look at his gallery.

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

The California-based Tumbleweed Tiny House Company specializes in homes raging in size from 65 to 837 square feet. Owner Jay Shafer writes that his decision to inhabit a home of only 89 square feet arose as a result of environmental concerns. Today, his company offers homeowners a wide variety of tiny house plans and even offers workshops on tiny house construction and "small space design." The website is chock-full of information.

If you've got a small house that's big on details, post your photos in our gallery. And for more information on the Tiny House movement, hop on over to the New York Times.

UPDATE: Be sure to have a look at architect and author Sarah Susanka's take on the "not so big" house at Fine Homebuilding.

Green from the Ground Up
by David Johnston and Scott Gibson Sustainable, healthy, and energy-efficient home construction $24.95 more info...

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Comments (1)

ianruitenberg writes: I spent some time in Cousco Peru last year with a instrument maker. He had a shop that was aproximatly 8ft by 8ft. There were up to 4 of us working in his shop at the same time. My girlfreind and I made a guitar each in this shop while Edi juggled repairs and teaching us some skills. He supported a younger brother and sister with this shop and lived behind it in a space I suspect was about the same size. The only power tools he had were a drill and a spray machine both used extremly sparingly because of his concern for the cost of power. We made some posters up to translate Spanish to English and we were away.This was by far our most interesting experience of our trip in that I learned how much can be done in a small space. If you get a chance to go to Cusco I highly recomend hooking up with Edi. Just ask a cab(cost about a dollar or two) to take you to the area where instruments/guitars are made or ask at the tourist bureau. We left the info there on the door. We were not particularily afraid in this area but it is not a bad idea to use cabs and not hang around after dark. I also hooked up with awood carver up the hill in back of the big church in the center of the city.same sort of thing. We paid these people about double what they would normally make and it was still peanuts when compared to the experience.
Posted: 7:48 am on January 27th

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