So I totally forgot that I had this still going, but I'm glad I found it.
Just got through an arduous process of moving and working...so naturally most down time has been spent drinking brews and chainsmoking. Also, and most importantly, I haven't had Internet. I also don't have real good access to it now, but hopefully I get a router - obviously I'm big on procrastinating, and I'm poor.
On to tiny houses. I have no updates. But once I get better established in my new digs I'll get the ball rolling...again.
In the meantime I'll keep listening to records and NPR.
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
It's a Workshop!
I was recently introduced to Tumbleweed Homes Building Workshops. I always knew they had these ordeals, but for some reason I assumed they all took place out in California and the Pacific Northwest since the houses are mostly constructed and shipped out of Sebastopol, CA, which I guess is directly west of Sacramento. Anyway, from the tip of one of my best friends, Molly, she informed me that they're having one of these weekend building workshops in Chicago. But I guess that makes sense, Chicago is a large city, to state the obvious. It takes place on August 6 & 7th, apparently you can opt for either one day or two day.
The first day is the building workshop and the second day is the design day. I figure if I'm going to drive up to Chicago from Omaha then I might as well go to both days, because theoretically I'd learn more...right? I'm still a bit skeptical on if and how I can go - I'm still weary on where I'd be able to build once I gained sufficient knowledge, and if and how I'd be able to start building on my own or with a few others. Can one weekend really give me everything I need to know about building a tiny house...even if I have no house-building skills? Maybe?
I think it'd be really insightful, but here's the kicker: one-day ticket price is $229, and the two-day ticket price is $399. So...if I truly set my heart on it, I'd have to conjure up $399 + expenses getting to Chicago in order to get to the workshop. And, with that, I'm not entirely sure it'd be worth it, although it very well might be. If it's not, then I'm out $400...but I guess that's the risk. I've got a couple months to mull this over I suppose, assuming they don't run out of tickets in the near future. But I am in the process of moving to a new place right now - and that's going to set me back some ducats for a bit. Depending on my finance situation in the coming month or two I'll try to scrounge around money. Who knows, maybe I'll be a natural at house building. If I really want to fulfill my tiny house dream, I'll have to pull out all the stops.
The first day is the building workshop and the second day is the design day. I figure if I'm going to drive up to Chicago from Omaha then I might as well go to both days, because theoretically I'd learn more...right? I'm still a bit skeptical on if and how I can go - I'm still weary on where I'd be able to build once I gained sufficient knowledge, and if and how I'd be able to start building on my own or with a few others. Can one weekend really give me everything I need to know about building a tiny house...even if I have no house-building skills? Maybe?
I think it'd be really insightful, but here's the kicker: one-day ticket price is $229, and the two-day ticket price is $399. So...if I truly set my heart on it, I'd have to conjure up $399 + expenses getting to Chicago in order to get to the workshop. And, with that, I'm not entirely sure it'd be worth it, although it very well might be. If it's not, then I'm out $400...but I guess that's the risk. I've got a couple months to mull this over I suppose, assuming they don't run out of tickets in the near future. But I am in the process of moving to a new place right now - and that's going to set me back some ducats for a bit. Depending on my finance situation in the coming month or two I'll try to scrounge around money. Who knows, maybe I'll be a natural at house building. If I really want to fulfill my tiny house dream, I'll have to pull out all the stops.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Right People for the Job
So it seems the plans are contractor grade plans, which, for me, means two things. One, the plans are still credible in purchasing when given to the right contractor/construction crew. But two, they won't provide me with a how-to method of putting together a house. For some reason I thought it'd be like constructing a LEGO building using a step by step instruction manual - turns out I'm in for a rude awakening.
I may go ahead and just buy the plans once I conjure up the $99 + whatever for them. But I do need to find a solid contractor who could put this together for me. Or, or I could see if I could get the entire thing sponsored by a university, like an environmental studies department or an architecture department. However I'm sure they wouldn't just up and foot the bill and construct the entire project.
I'd be willing to sit down with one of the heads of those departments at some not-yet-decided school and see if we could turn it into a sort of hands-on learning experience in both learning how to build a house as well as learning how to live off-the-grid. Honestly, I never really though of the whole rain-water catchment systems or the solar panels for the house, I really just wanted to live in a small house and had no problems plugging myself in somewhere or using plumbing... But the more I think about it, it makes more sense to have the house generate its own utilities because what's the point of having a mobile home if the only place its utilities function is near cities and outdoor plug-ins.
Anyway, making the house super environmentally friendly seems to make the most sense, both to me and the prospect of pitching such an idea to a university. Apparently some students conceived a similar idea Northwestern about a year ago. They built a 140 square foot home (apparently the house has to be under that limit in order to have the "tiny" distinction) on top of a trailer bed - similar to what I want to do. It's also got solar panels stuck on its roof as well as a rain water catchment system protruding from out under the roof.
However, after reading more on the website, the project has still to get underway. Or it claims to be starting the build in "a couple weeks," says a January 16th post. Hopefully it gets on its feet, it looks like a fantastic idea and right up my alley. In the mean time I'll see if I can't get any Omaha university programs to undertake an endeavor like Northwestern's.
I may go ahead and just buy the plans once I conjure up the $99 + whatever for them. But I do need to find a solid contractor who could put this together for me. Or, or I could see if I could get the entire thing sponsored by a university, like an environmental studies department or an architecture department. However I'm sure they wouldn't just up and foot the bill and construct the entire project.
I'd be willing to sit down with one of the heads of those departments at some not-yet-decided school and see if we could turn it into a sort of hands-on learning experience in both learning how to build a house as well as learning how to live off-the-grid. Honestly, I never really though of the whole rain-water catchment systems or the solar panels for the house, I really just wanted to live in a small house and had no problems plugging myself in somewhere or using plumbing... But the more I think about it, it makes more sense to have the house generate its own utilities because what's the point of having a mobile home if the only place its utilities function is near cities and outdoor plug-ins.
Anyway, making the house super environmentally friendly seems to make the most sense, both to me and the prospect of pitching such an idea to a university. Apparently some students conceived a similar idea Northwestern about a year ago. They built a 140 square foot home (apparently the house has to be under that limit in order to have the "tiny" distinction) on top of a trailer bed - similar to what I want to do. It's also got solar panels stuck on its roof as well as a rain water catchment system protruding from out under the roof.
However, after reading more on the website, the project has still to get underway. Or it claims to be starting the build in "a couple weeks," says a January 16th post. Hopefully it gets on its feet, it looks like a fantastic idea and right up my alley. In the mean time I'll see if I can't get any Omaha university programs to undertake an endeavor like Northwestern's.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Finding House Plans
So I've realized I know next to nothing about the construction of a house (building, plumbing, heating, wiring, etc.). The people who would help me would have to know a lot on that sort of topic. But, in order for them to help me, they need to know a lot about what they're building.
I may have to take a page from Jay Shafer's Tumbleweed Homes and buy the plans for such a house. Although I am still looking around for blueprints for a tiny home, this seems to be a credible source to start from. I would most likely start with Jay's XS House.
Although it is the smallest, it seems to be the most affordable. It looks like a relatively basic concept, perfect for beginners (hopefully). And yes, the trailer is a must-have, I've always wanted a house I can pick up and move around - it's like living out of your car...only in style. It's kind of like an RV I suppose, but still has the aura of a cottage home without taking up so much space and contributing to suburban sprawl. So, the sample plans are as shown on Jay's webpage.
That second picture might be a bit hard to read, but no matter. The basic gist is there's the main room on the bottom left, kitchen and bathroom on top left, then the right picture is the loft which fits a queen size bed. The right side numbers are just the building measurements and specs and what-have-yous.
I went ahead and sent Tumbleweed Homes an email to see how detailed the blueprints for the XS House would be. Hopefully in includes room for wiring and plumbing and not just the basic construction. That could be a real hassle if the house gets built and its innards aren't accounted for until the very end. The plans cost around $99, which I then intend to purchase if I learn the blueprints are insanely detailed. Then I think my next step will be...assembling tools? No, probably finding a vacant lot to get this going. The end goal of this is to finish it before wintertime...in theory it should only take a few months to build, but all the gears have yet to be in motion.
Although it is the smallest, it seems to be the most affordable. It looks like a relatively basic concept, perfect for beginners (hopefully). And yes, the trailer is a must-have, I've always wanted a house I can pick up and move around - it's like living out of your car...only in style. It's kind of like an RV I suppose, but still has the aura of a cottage home without taking up so much space and contributing to suburban sprawl. So, the sample plans are as shown on Jay's webpage.
That second picture might be a bit hard to read, but no matter. The basic gist is there's the main room on the bottom left, kitchen and bathroom on top left, then the right picture is the loft which fits a queen size bed. The right side numbers are just the building measurements and specs and what-have-yous.
I went ahead and sent Tumbleweed Homes an email to see how detailed the blueprints for the XS House would be. Hopefully in includes room for wiring and plumbing and not just the basic construction. That could be a real hassle if the house gets built and its innards aren't accounted for until the very end. The plans cost around $99, which I then intend to purchase if I learn the blueprints are insanely detailed. Then I think my next step will be...assembling tools? No, probably finding a vacant lot to get this going. The end goal of this is to finish it before wintertime...in theory it should only take a few months to build, but all the gears have yet to be in motion.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Prelude
The goal of this blog is to not only complete my primary objective of constructing and living in my very own tiny house, but it is also to serve as a semi-structured tentative guide to all those aspiring to condense their lifestyles.
As of now, I am a recent college grad, I live in the mostly urban Omaha, NE, I live on paycheck to paycheck, and the space I have to work with in terms of building a house is, well, limited. I have no desire to leave Omaha, although doing so would probably allow me to seek out building space in the farmland. However, I believe this project isn't too too large to conduct in the space provided for me, I just might have to get creative.
After doing extensive ongoing online research, I've found that the benefits of a tiny house are tremendous and I am determined to make it my reality. Not only will I not have to worry about rent and utility payments, I will have somewhere to call my true home as well as learn how to produce and conserve my own water/energy/heat. In addition, the environmental impact of a tiny house is next to nothing compared to modern-day homes and apartment complexes. The only real sacrifice, if I must call it one, is being able to confine yourself to a space no larger than 130 square feet, which I'm more than capable of. With all the money I'd save that'd normally go to paying bills - I'd be able to do travel around the U.S. and see the everything at my own pace.
Last, and most importantly, I believe that a tiny house can help alleviate the stresses of society such as money woes and the need to buy/build bigger and to live lavishly. The tiny house isn't just smaller living, it's simpler living, too.
As of now, I am a recent college grad, I live in the mostly urban Omaha, NE, I live on paycheck to paycheck, and the space I have to work with in terms of building a house is, well, limited. I have no desire to leave Omaha, although doing so would probably allow me to seek out building space in the farmland. However, I believe this project isn't too too large to conduct in the space provided for me, I just might have to get creative.
After doing extensive ongoing online research, I've found that the benefits of a tiny house are tremendous and I am determined to make it my reality. Not only will I not have to worry about rent and utility payments, I will have somewhere to call my true home as well as learn how to produce and conserve my own water/energy/heat. In addition, the environmental impact of a tiny house is next to nothing compared to modern-day homes and apartment complexes. The only real sacrifice, if I must call it one, is being able to confine yourself to a space no larger than 130 square feet, which I'm more than capable of. With all the money I'd save that'd normally go to paying bills - I'd be able to do travel around the U.S. and see the everything at my own pace.
Last, and most importantly, I believe that a tiny house can help alleviate the stresses of society such as money woes and the need to buy/build bigger and to live lavishly. The tiny house isn't just smaller living, it's simpler living, too.
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