Tiny Houses
Yurts September 20th, 2006The Tumbleweed Tiny House Company is trying to make the yurt obsolete. They’re also trying to get people into smaller houses than are presently the norm.
Started out when Jay Shafer wanted to have a 100 sq ft house. It would include all the amenities that one needed to live comfortably. However, the building codes where Jay lived wouldn’t allow a house so small. So he researched the regulations for what could be put on a trailer, built his house, and put it on wheels.
Check the houses on the products page and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
I think it’s admirable that in a culture of ever-expanding houses, there is a movement toward functionality over materialism.
However, at thirty to eighty thousand dollars a pop, less really isn’t more in my book. For the craftsman-minded, he does sell the plans on his site (for the same price as plans for houses much larger), and I think one could put one of these houses together for a fraction of the cost.
If I had more time on my hands, I’d design a few of my own and give this guy a run for his money.
But that would detract me from my focus—writing the book.
September 20th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
If you do get a house that size, you better keep a window open. Otherwise, you’ll use up all the oxygen in about an hour.
I don’t know if a tiny house like one of those one the web site is at all practical. You’d have to keep your computer in the bathtub, which means you’d have to clean yourself in the washing machine. I get dizzy just thinking about it.
September 21st, 2006 at 11:19 am
Yes, there are definitely issues with practicality. It’s definitely not the life for someone who likes books and owns a lot of them. I couldn’t live in a space that small with all the books that I have.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:45 pm
The solution is obvious. You keep your books in the house while you live in the yurt you have set up right next to it.
September 25th, 2006 at 10:58 am
That’s a great idea, Tab. The tiny house can be the library, and safer for the books than the yurt, too. Brilliant!