Living in small or even tiny apartments is the reality for many urban dwellers these days, and while such living arrangements can be ideal for singles and couples, having kids does pose a problem. But the Polish design firm Mode:lina Studio came up with a very clever solution to this conundrum in the case of artist and designer Maciej Kawecki. (more…)
The latest creation by Tiny Diamond Homes of Colorado stretches the definition of what can be considered a tiny home, but the cozy interior more than makes up for it. The aptly named Purple Monster is 38 ft (11 m) long and weighs 17,000 lb (7,711 kg). It is quite possibly the largest tiny home we’ve seen so far.
The Purple Monster rests atop a custom-made triple-axle gooseneck trailer and has 340 sq ft (31 sq m) of floorspace just on the ground floor. It is 10 ft (3.08 m)-wide, which is over the standard towing limit in the US. (more…)
Seeing the solutions designers and DIY-ers come up with to get the most space out of a tiny house is truly amazing. But so far none have come up with quite as many ingenious space-saving features as the ones in the tiny home recently completed by Ana White and her husband Jacob in Alaska.
The home was built atop a 24-foot-long (7.3 m) trailer and due to clever multipurpose furniture and design elements, it even has 100 sq ft (9 sq m) of open space without sacrificing any of the comforts one wants from a home. The home also features large windows, which makes it appear even more spacious.
The most unique part of the design has to be the bed, which can be stored under the ceiling above the sitting area when not in use. The raising and lowering of the bed can be done by the press of a button, and it even has a middle position, to allow guests to sleep over on the sofa if needed. The raising mechanism is made up of parts that can be found at any hardware store, and cost just $500 to build. The TV is mounted on the wall in this area and can be watched either from bed or from the sofa. (more…)
The newest trend in mobile homes seems to be converting a nondescript cargo van into a tiny home. While space is limited, a van home can be parked practically anywhere that a car can go. But converting a van into a home is not an easy task, nor is living out of one suitable for everyone. But now there’s a solution. A Colorado start-up, Native Campervans is renting out van homes to anyone wishing to test out this type of living or travel solution. (more…)
How much space does a person need to live comfortably? Not that much, according to tiny home enthusiasts. And tiny homes are certainly one way to combat the increased demand for affordable homes in urban areas. The students of Laney College in Oakland, California, have designed and built a solar-powered net-zero tiny home to help combat the housing shortage in the area. The home was entered into last year’s Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) competition and won the “Best Architecture” and “Best Design” accolades.
The tiny house is called the Wedge and measures just 202 sq ft (18.8 sq m). It rests atop a 20 ft (6 m) long trailer and is primarily aimed at those who have been priced out of their homes by gentrification and the rising rents it brought. The home was designed in a way that ensures low maintenance and running costs.
The home produces as much energy as it consumes, and it gets its power from a solar panel array mounted on the roof, while excess power is stored in a battery bank. An inverter converts the power from the 24 volt DC bank of batteries to the standard 120 volts AC for the appliances and devices that require it. However, most of the lighting, devices and appliances, including the water heater, are powered directly from the battery.
The Wedge has an interesting shape, which is how it got its name. A part of it juts out and the main purpose of this design choice was to create additional interior space, but keep the same footprint. The home features a sitting area, two sleeping lofts, a kitchen and a bathroom. The sitting area is fitted with an L-shaped sofa, which hides a storage area. As for sleeping, the home can accommodate a family of three. One of the lofts fits a queen-sized bed, while the other is big enough for a single bed. The larger is accessible via a storage stair, and the smaller one via a ladder. Although, since the lofts are just large enough to fit the beds, I would like to see some protective railing installed to prevent falls.
The kitchen features a long counter that has all the necessities incorporated into it, namely a sink, a small fridge, a pantry and a two-burner induction stovetop. There is still ample amounts of counter space left over. Opposite the kitchen is the working/dining area, which is fitted with custom-built furniture and has seating that can be stored underneath the desk when not in use. The bathroom is fitted with a composting toilet, shower and sink.
The home is also fitted with a natural gravel and wetland plant based greywater filtration system. This water can then be reused for irrigation, since the plan for these homes is to be used as part of urban farming initiatives.
The Wedge is currently on sale for $55,000 via Tiny House Listings.
Ecobubo, a Portuguese startup, has recently completed a tiny dwelling of the same name that’s made of cork. The primary function of this tiny house is to serve as a nature escape for two, since the home is located in the woods and lacks the space and amenities, which would make it suitable as a full-time home. (more…)
