Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

[Polychrome]

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/
http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/

This is pretty much one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
The basic idea behind the company was that this man named Jay Shafer decided he had too much excess crap and wanted to downsize and live more simply. He figured that big houses are a burden because they're just more space to take care of, so most people spend all their free time cleaning, or doing other maintenance instead of doing the things they want to do, and big homes put people in debt, and they're not very "green," etc. His small houses use space more efficiently, and still look roomy...of course that could just be the photography.

He builds these tiny homes (the smallest is 69 square feet) for fairly cheap and sells plans to people who want to build them themselves. The houses can be built on trailers, so you can pull them across the country and move them easily. Take a look at the different models on the website! They actually look really high quality...(getting ideas...)
http://tinyhouseblog.com/wp-content...eblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/epu2.jpg

 

[Kuu]

No different than some apartments in Europe or Japan.

But this is certainly less architecturally inspired.

 

[Claverhouse]

We all downsize to a very very tiny house indeed eventually.


I see no rush to prepare for this by practice.





Claverhouse

 

[Oblivious]

ITTY BITTY HOUSE FOR ITTY BITTY MEN OF ITTY BITTY TEAM.

 

[Cognisant]

When you find a man who lives in a tiny house, drives a tiny car, and isn't afraid to wear pink, you know he's got nothing to compensate for.

Personally I'd like to see some underground designs, because I want to live in a tech-nest, a concrete & steel, hole in the ground with screens everywhere, a hammock to sleep in, cables everywhere and everything within reach.

 

[echoplex]

I think I'd really like to live in one of these, if for no other reason the smaller cost and portability. Problem is, I'm a bit tall, so it might become uncomfortable. Still, I see no reason to live in a house that's way bigger than you need, just so you can collect more material goods and overpay. Of course, I'd only do it if I knew I'd be spending considerable time outside the home. It's obviously not practical for someone who's a shut-in. Oh, and they're cute as hell.

 

[Polychrome]

When you find a man who lives in a tiny house, drives a tiny car, and isn't afraid to wear pink, you know he's got nothing to compensate for.

Personally I'd like to see some underground designs, because I want to live in a tech-nest, a concrete & steel, hole in the ground with screens everywhere, a hammock to sleep in, cables everywhere and everything within reach.

I remember reading that the guy creates new plans for people that want them, but they cost a lot more. If you look around on the blog there are articles about other tiny homes as well. I was thinking about the underground thing too...except more of a hobbit hole type of thing... and having everything right within reach would be great. No more going from room to room and back because I forgot what I was looking for...

 

[Polychrome]

I think I'd really like to live in one of these, if for no other reason the smaller cost and portability. Problem is, I'm a bit tall, so it might become uncomfortable. Still, I see no reason to live in a house that's way bigger than you need, just so you can collect more material goods and overpay. Of course, I'd only do it if I knew I'd be spending considerable time outside the home. It's obviously not practical for someone who's a shut-in. Oh, and they're cute as hell.

You could just use it to vacation with as well, like an RV, but less ugly.

 

[Polychrome]

No different than some apartments in Europe or Japan.

But this is certainly less architecturally inspired.

The whole point is that it's simple enough that you could build it yourself using his plans, and it has lots of storage space. There's only so much you can do with 69-100 square feet.

 

[Kuu]

Personally I'd like to see some underground designs, because I want to live in a tech-nest, a concrete & steel, hole in the ground with screens everywhere, a hammock to sleep in, cables everywhere and everything within reach.

Call me. I really want to take a stab at the evil overlord lair design niche.

Oh, and they're cute as hell.

You mean hellish, right?

The whole point is that it's simple enough that you could build it yourself using his plans, and it has lots of storage space. There's only so much you can do with 69-100 square feet.

I didn't say it was a bad idea, I simply stated that its execution seemed uninspired, as I have seen better takes on it. (By that I mean, ones that don't look like a miniature version of a stereotypical American suburban house with wheels. Those gable roofs and absurd porticos make me want to stab someone). Better designed is not necessarily more complicated or expensive...

Edit: It's amusing to think that a wooden house would actually survive all sorts of weather conditions (which should be a requirement for a house that pretends to be the ultimate in mobility). A low-tech approach is nearly impossible to satisfy the myriad challenges of weather variety...

Also, no need to make multiple posts, use the multiquote function...

 

[Polychrome]

Yes...I'll do that in the future. Still relatively new to the site, you see.

by the way...did you bother to look at any of the houses besides the one on the front page? Did you see the pictures of the interiors? Just wondering.

 

[Kuu]

Yes I did. The interiors I have no particular qualms with, but barring a few exceptions, the overwhelming majority were of the kind I described. And even the exceptions I would call "uninspired", being rather common examples of the neo-modern language.


Don't get me wrong, they're 'mostly fine' overall, it's just that I'm an insatiable critic.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

I certainly downsized a few months ago. I can't say I'm all in favor of it. Although I now have a much higher ceiling which is a major plus, I can't meander around while lost in thought like I used to. I could go outside and let others see me looking like I'm talking to myself but that will only invite mindless interruptions. Yeah, the maintenece is a problem but only if you care about cleanliness and whatnot. I don't do any less here than I did there. Still gotta do dishes and laundry (I rarely vacuum because it scares the cats).

 

[echoplex]

You mean hellish, right?

I happen to think some of them are cute. Not architecturally inspired, but cute. I guess it's a matter of personal taste. Though I too would like to see more that weren't so typical, that design has its advantages. You make a good point about wood. I'd like to see more that weren't wood-based, though such would likely be more expensive.

Anyway, I found some pics of other tiny houses not from that site:

Warning: lotsa images

Spoiler

 

[Claverhouse]

When you find a man who lives in a tiny house, drives a tiny car, and isn't afraid to wear pink, you know he's got nothing to compensate for.

Personally I'd like to see some underground designs, because I want to live in a tech-nest, a concrete & steel, hole in the ground with screens everywhere, a hammock to sleep in, cables everywhere and everything within reach.

Although sold, here is one of the MOD underground nuclear bunkers that come on sale in Great Britain. Not mentioned is how people withdraw one through the entrance shaft in the event of cardiac arrest; but then I guess that wasn't dealt with regarding the putative 'watchers' in the event of the Cold War going hot... It's likely that most first & second world countries are selling off similar items. Deliveries of furniture and weekly groceries would be a bugger as well.



Personally I want a tall sea-girt castle, 40 rooms minimum, somewhere with plenty of rain, storms and lighting; the only neighbours being gulls, seamews and seals.





Claverhouse