Tiny houses are popping up all over the country. Students at Green Mountain College built one with reclaimed materials last semester. They spent $1,927 on materials, acquiring insulation at half price and lumber and windows from the local salvage store. The 8-foot by 12-foot house still needs a solar-powered electrical system, which will be installed early next year.
Italian architect Flavio Galvagni of Lab Zero sent us some information on this calming, woodsy cabin that he designed and built with the help of Raffaelli Contract. The tiny eco hut -- roughly 12.5' wide x 14.5' long x 10.75' tall -- can be used as a mini-lodge, mountain shelter, meditation space, or temporary dwelling. It's easily transportable and both off-grid and off-pipe.
The shedworking movement is growing with folks nixing the daily commute by carving out a little extra space at home. One way to do this is with a YardPod, which is fabricated in a solar-powered factory in Rohnert Park, California. YardPods are framed in light-gauge, recycled-content steel, insulated with recycled-content, natural cotton fiber, and covered with a cool roof. Flooring can be either bamboo or cork. A 10'x12' DIY model starts at $2,100, while a complete kit starts at $11,000, not including tax or delivery.
Of all the beautiful homes in the most recent issue of Dwell, I must say this one made the greatest impression on me. In “Worth the Wait,” Amber Bravo writes about The Porter Cottage in Ragged Island, Maine. The self-sufficient home – roughly 480 square feet including a screen porch – is both off-pipe and off-grid and made with durable and green materials.
Recent Daniel Sokol sent me an email to share what he’s doing with steel shipping containers for a New Hampshire-based company called LEED Cabins. He can convert a 20-foot unit into a small, comfortable home in as little as 25 days from $15,000. Or he can build a bigger home with adjoining containers from about $40,000.
Speaking of tiny prefabs, Modern Cabana -- the same company behind last year's Sunset Modern Cottage Idea House -- has a 10'x12' demo cabana for sale. The UC 10x12 model retails from $16,375, but this demonstration version is selling with a 25% discount. The Modern Cabana includes a french door, clear cedar siding, denim wall insulation, rigid roof insulation, maple interior paneling, and bamboo flooring.
KitHAUS just installed two prefab modules, a K3 and K4, in Arroyo Grande, California. And if you've ever wanted to test out a tiny prefab, the company is running a contest over the next year called "ourHAUS yourHAUS kitHAUS" for the opportunity to stay a weekend in the fully equipped kitHAUS retreat.
This curvy work pod was designed by Thomas Biggs and features interior furniture elements -- lift-open cabinets and a Murphy bench -- from Tony Carr. Biggs and Carr offer these eco-friendly pods for sale through Sustainsia, Inc., with the hope of providing an at-home work environment that's nothing like the typical cubicle. Green elements include rooftop solar, R30 insulation, and eco-friendly materials, while pricing could be anywhere from $10,000, according to East Bay Express.
This lakeside retreat was put together with used shipping containers and timber from weapon boxes in the Maduru Oya area of Sri Lanka, according to Dezeen. Located on an army training camp, this simple container solution was designed by Damith Premathilake and built by soldiers with materials found in the area. It's now become "the ideal destination for the traveler seeking a relaxing and rustic vacation." What do you think about it?
One of the entries this year in Project Playhouse, an annual fundraiser by HomeAid, is a net-zero playhouse called the Ocean Adventure Lab. The structure, designed by LPA Inc. and built by Turner Construction, will be auctioned off in early September. In the mean time, it's on display at the Irvine Spectrum Center illustrating a number of sustainable elements.
