The Tiny Project is my attempt to live a simpler, more conscious, debt-free life, and in doing so helping to set and example and educate the community about alternative, affordable, more sustainable ways of living.
The house is approximately 160 sq.ft. (240 if you count the loft) and sits on an 8x20' flatbed trailer. I designed every inch of this unique home and did most of the construction myself. Six months ago I towed it from Iowa, where it was built, to its current location in Sebastopol, CA, where these photos were taken. I live in the house full-time, along with my girlfriend and our small dog.
The house features a modern, passive solar design with 10 windows and a full-glass door for tons of light; high-end stainless appliances including a 2-burner marine-style propane range, propane on-demand hot water heater, compact combo washer/dryer unit, and refrigerator with freezer; sustainable blue-stain beetle-kill ponderosa pine wood used throughout; clear grade cedar siding and sustainable bamboo flooring; 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam insulation throughout; full custom hand-planed trim and built-in storage/shelving, etc.
Due to it's tiny size and materials used it is incredibly efficient. All it needs to operate is an extension cord and water hose from the main house on the property where it's parked. Once parked in a more permanent location, I plan to add solar panels, water collection, etc to make it as self-sustaining as possible.
I think tiny houses are one way in which the next generation will be able to overcome our country's current economic disparity and ever-rising housing and land costs. Not only that but tiny houses like this help to show people examples of truly human-sized habitation and the concept allows aspiring home owners to take the entire design/building process into their own hands. I hope this little house can inspire others to choose a similar way of living.
