1Sep 16, 2015
There are a range of compelling options for heating water in a small space- whether it be a small urban apartment closet or a tiny home on wheels. Electric mini-tank – these units are 2.5-10 gallons, essentially miniature versions of the standard 40-60 gallon water heaters in a typical home. They are easy to install […]
2Mar 15, 2015
The most energy efficient way to cool these days is a mini-split a/c unit. In traditional ducted systems, a large amount of energy (up to 30%) is frequently lost through leaky ducts that run through inadequately insulated attic spaces and walls. With a mini-split there are zero leaky (or dusty or moldy) ducts, just an […]
3Feb 11, 2015
Originally a rather cool modern quonset project was planned to house tools and materials for the DC students tiny house build that will start in February. Alas, DCRA (DC zoning) was not inclined to allow a second, 336 ft2 small shed on a huge 5500ft2 alley lot, despite some earlier signs that this would be entirely possible. No matter, we’ll […]
4Mar 29, 2014
In January I started working with the great folks at Studio Shed to design and deliver a structure for Boneyard Studios. As described in a previous post, it will be a common space- part workshop space, part bike storage, part trailer park bingo hall. Delivery of the shed came on Tuesday, and after a too-windy […]
5Feb 15, 2014
Previously I explored improvements to standard micro house water systems for water systems where there is no permanent pressurized water hookup or sewage line. In many cases there may be no source of water but from the heavens. So in this post I’d like to share a year of experience designing (and redesigning) rainwater collection […]
6Jan 22, 2014
It occurred to me as I’ve toured a number of 1 bedroom apartments around DC just how little additional functionality one gets for 4x the space (and 10x the price) of a decent micro house in this town. Just for fun, I developed a matrix comparing the $55K, 210 ft2 Minim House to a fairly hum drum $525K, […]
7Nov 19, 2012
Ten months ago I started a project to try to reimagine the tiny house on wheels– to add livability, streamline construction, modernize aesthetics, increase off-grid versatility, all while keeping costs affordable. After 10 months of research, design work with Foundry Architects, structural review, panel manufacturing, and materials delivery, David Bamford (Element Design+Build) and I recently […]
8Oct 1, 2012
*Updated Feb 2014* Currently the majority of tiny homes are built to accept pressurized water hookup from a hose. Simple, but also quite limiting if the house is ever moved for a few days (or longer) to somewhere where there is no pressurized water hookup- a music festival, or, say, a vacant alley lot. The […]
9Aug 18, 2012
Lots of exciting progress. The biggest news is that Jay’s tiny house is in full swing, with flooring and insulation in place. Check out the very cool time lapse video he’s making. Lee and Tony are working away on her house, extending the floor one foot in front and back. Brian’s trailer is still sitting idly […]
10Apr 11, 2012
After several months of deliberation and design the excellent plans from Foundry Architects are basically complete. Minim House design stands on the shoulders of others: House 227 from the great folks at Yestermorrow, the hidden platform bed from Front Studios, the not-so-tiny homes from Stephen Marshall at Little House on a Trailer, the Solo designs from MiniHome, plans from Wheelhaus, and Idea Box’s MiniBox. Yet the design integrates […]
11Feb 29, 2012
A revised site plan for the showcase, with 4 tiny studios on wheels, shipping container storage, south-facing garden area, limited parking, and fruit trees.