Via: SprayFoamKit.com

The exterior is clad in corrugated steel, with rolling storm shutters to cover the windows for when the blustery squalls so common to this region strike.

Thanks to the extremely remote location of the site, 90% of the materials and all of the work crew had to be shipped in, at significant expense, from the mainland 20 miles away.

The 480 square foot building (with an additional balcony bedroom) has water supplied by a rainwater catchment system which incorporates a mechanical roof washer feature: the first five gallons of rainwater during a downpour are discarded before any is allowed into the water storage tank. Then the water is drawn from the center of the tank to avoid any sediment that may have settled to the bottom or is floating on top.

Electricity is provided by four roof-mounted solar panels, that top up enough battery power to last a week. These batteries in turn supply most of the power to the cabin, including the DC operated Sunfrost fridge. Two appliances run off propane (the on demand water heater and the stove), which obviously have to rely on regular refilling trips to the two mile distant Matinicus Island.

Bathroom facilities include the aforementioned shower and a composting toilet.

Bruce said: “There was a general feeling that this house wasn’t going to work, but everything works great, just like a normal house!”

Alex estimates the cost of the five month project at around $175,000. Plans are available directly from her company at alexscottporterdesign.com. A significant portion of the cost was of course the transportation; she estimates a saving of $25,000 to $50,000 could be applied to more accessible locations.

Images by Eirick Johnson
Via Dwell and Inhabitat

Obviously space is at a premium on metro lots, so small house sensibilities are often applied in tandem with the obvious economic advantages of building with a small environmental and physical footprint. In Vancouver, the average laneway house measures only 550 square feet and consists of 1.5 stories.

This home from Smallworks Studios, known as the Arts & Crafts 750, has two bedrooms and two sizeable bathrooms, and its own yard. The living space is surprisingly with a living room, kitchen, closets and ample storage.

It seems laneway houses have become a little less popular elsewhere in Canada when cities began to examine their effects on safety and services, such as access for emergency services, trash removal etc. One specific report in Toronto in 2006 recommended the curtailing of such construction, citing privacy, overlook and shadowing issues for adjacent neighbors, in addition to the aforementioned.

The Toronto report also cites difficulty with installing the necessary public and private infrastructure for a dwelling that fronts onto a laneway. Such construction could, according to the report, hinder emergency services. Homeowner parking could also present a problem with such access. Yet another reason to live off the grid and buy a bicycle, if you ask me. But if you must live in town, laneway houses are pretty interesting. Read more about it at BlogTo.

You can check out more of Smallworks Studios’ small house designs here:

The Smallworks Builder
Arts & Crafts – 500 sqft
Edwardian – 500 sqft
Loft – 750 sqft
West Coast Loft – 500 sqft

Check out some other firms designing laneway homes:
Lanefab
West Lane Homes

All images courtesy of www.Smallworks.ca.

This 360 degree glass design incorporates a shed roof that opens up one side of the structure, allowing in a cascade of light, quite the reverse of the more conventional small cabin windows set in thickly-logged walls. With two bedrooms and two sleeping lofts, it provides the perfect wilderness retreat for a mid-sized family.

Addressing the concerns of the remote locations were paramount in the logistics of construction, so Form & Forest, after pouring a concrete footing, formed the foundation from insulated concrete forms, which slot together like Legos. The forms are easily installed by two people. Here you see them ready for the application of concrete.

The walls come in prefabricated panels that erect quickly, which is always handy when you’re working in extreme temperatures.

Form & Forest worked with renowned designer D’Arcy Jones to create the elegant lines of the cabin, with such attention to detail as the lines in the wrap-around soffits matching their grooves to the vertical grooves in the siding.

The advantage the huge windows bring is coupling those inside with the environment. The reason the original pioneer cabins were so small was because most of the inhabitants’ life was spent outside, hunting, repairing, farming, gathering firewood, etc. They were also easier to heat in the winter, therefore requiring less fuel.

This modern, updated Form & Forest version allows that same sense of intimacy with the surroundings, while the owners remain comfortably inside. So while the term “pioneer” may be a tad misleading in the name of the design and lifestyle it engenders, it’s the feeling of closeness with nature that justifies its use.

All images courtesy of Form&Forest.

Via Inhabitat and Materialicious.

Although many people prefer window units to portable air conditioners, people that live in small homes, apartments, etc. or in neighborhoods that restrict window units from being used (mostly for aesthetic reasons) turn to portable air conditioners to cool their homes. Others prefer portable air conditioners because they are easy to install and don’t require heavy lifting (other than getting it out of the box!) And some prefer a portable units because they are still able to enjoy sun light coming through their windows (vs. having it blocked by a window unit) and have the flexibility of opening the window on occasion.

NewAir AC-10000H features a 4-in-1 design: air conditioner, space heater, dehumidifier and fan so it is usable year round. It offers 10,000 BTUs of cooling and easily covers areas up to 325 square feet, making it ideal for small spaces. Patented self-evaporative technology results in hours of continuous operation without excessive condensate buildup. The AC-10000H features electronic controls, digital display and a full-function remote.

In general, portable air conditioners tend to be on the noisier side because they use a compressor and a fan. In our experience, the noise generated by the NewAir AC-10000H is comparable, but a little louder than a window unit. If you are concerned with noise, use the low fan setting. This unit, like other portables requires a long vent hose. Honestly, we weren’t in the know about this and found it somewhat cumbersome and not so portable. On the plus side, it leaves the view practically unobstructed, and causes no harm to the window itself, as there is no appreciable weight on the frame by the exhaust hose and window kit (our window frames sustained considerable damage from our old window unit.) The beauty of the window panel in addition to unmarred window frames, no hole in the wall, etc. is that if you decide to open the window at night, it’s a snap to remove. The AC-10000H also has to be drained occasionally which was also cumbersome. On the positive side, it cools significantly more space than advertised and during a heat wave to boot. We assume heating will perform similarly well. The fact that it doubles as a dehumidifier is dandy as well. It would be great if the lights could be dimmed or turn off entirely for those who might be sleeping in the same room. It is very bright. Maybe you need a night light too!

If you are concerned with aesthetics, a portable unit like NewAir AC-10000H might be for you. We read a review by a couple who restored a 1965 Airstream (check out Matthew Hofmann’s Airstream project) and wanted to preserve the outside look (i.e. not have an air conditioner sticking out the side or on top.) They rigged it to vent through a door. The power consumption is also relatively low so if you were running on a generator or just trying to conserve this unit might be exactly what you are looking for. We are pretty happy with the NewAir AC-10000H. Check it out at Air-n-Water.com for free shipping.

Advertised as a holiday home, backyard studio or laneway house, the Karo Cabin will be factory-built and shipped to a site of the client’s choosing anywhere in North America accessible by road.

What’s a “laneway house”, I hear you cry? In Canada, specifically the west coast in and around the packed metro area of Vancouver, The EcoDensity movement is attempting to increase the residential population per square mile, thereby more effectively reducing the city’s ecological footprint. Encouraging homebuilders to create smaller housing structures on open land in existing lots is one of the key components of the Ecodensity mission statement.

Typically, these efficient homes will front the service lanes running parallel to the actual street, hence “laneway”. The idea caught on in other high density Canadian cities such as Toronto, and in the five years since its inception has spread well south of the border into the US. It’s becoming increasingly common to see secondary structures in place of extensive backyards.

Backyards are becoming opportunistically redundant, it seems, as people become more aware, in urban environments, that a little personal patch of greenery isn’t as ecologically sound as one might initially think. Housing another family on the same square footage of land certainly makes more big-picture ecological sense than raising a few plants.

Impressively advertised as “future-ready”, the base unit (known as Module A, 45′ x 14′) goes for $129,000, which includes a $5,000 appliance package. Other modules, which can standalone or link together, are the Module B (30′ x 14′), Module C (20′ x 14′) and Module X (10′ x 14′).

Movable interior walls lends the design a custom edge not many other modular homes can match. Module A also includes low-flow fixtures, a gas fireplace, a high-efficiency furnace, on-demand hot water and a cantilevered deck.

images courtesy of Karoleena Homes
via Jetson Green

The Harbinger features a bump-out on the front that can be used as a sitting area or a sleeping area. It is large enough to fit a Queen size bed. There are 2 versions of this home: one measuring 310 square feet, and a 2nd version with 1 bedroom totaling 407 square feet. The house is 16′ 7″ tall.

Harbinger Building Plans (310 sq ft) Studio: $695 on sale $299

Harbinger Building Plans with additional room (404 sq ft): $695 on sale $299

The kitchen maximizes spaces and includes a dishwasher, full size range with oven, and built in microwave. The tankless on demand water heater ensures that you never run out of hot water, and tucks away completely out of view. A small fireplace is tucked nicely in the corner of the great room. A washer/dryer combo in the kitchen makes this home complete.

Estimated Material Costs: $26,000 (310 sq ft) or $33,000 (407 sq ft).

The sale price is over 50% off – normally $695.
Now $299. Sale ends May 30.

Click here to view more details about the 310 square foot Harbinger

Click here to view more details about the 407 square foot Harbinger

I’m an architect. I know, it’s ironic, but I don’t prefer designing a brand new home.

Like you (I hope!) it’s our job to take care of the earth by our own behavior.

The most unsustainable thing one can do to the earth is to design and build a new home where there wasn’t one before. Worse still, is tearing down an old home and building a new one in its place.

A new home takes an enormous amount of energy and natural resources build.

Using the empty shell – the floor, walls and roof – in an existing building requires significantly less energy than new construction. By eliminating the need for building a foundation, erecting walls, installing windows, and placing on a new roof thousands of dollars of resources that would have been required to build these elements can be transferred, or saved all together.

The end result is a win-win. Sustainable and more cost effective.

Take a look around downtown. Many urban city centers have reused old manufacturing plants or storage facilities, that were made of brick or concrete, and have remodeled them into successful residential dwellings. Today, there isn’t a city in America without “urban loft-style” projects.

My 1978 Airstream project was, at its heart, an exercise in reusing an existing space. 
 
Remember the 3 R’s when choosing products and materials (reuse, reclaim, recycle)

Once an existing space is chosen, there are often times many existing elements of the previous use that may perhaps be saved and reused for the new project.  This category of sustainability can vary greatly.
 
Reuse – to take an existing product and use it for the same function or purpose, this is the most basic and simple method.  For example, much of the cabinetry that was existing was saved in the Airstream project.  The goucho (bed) was beyond saving, but the storage drawers beneath them made a beautiful base for the new bed.  Even the faux wood paneling was reused. The new convertible couch looks like a rich piece of furniture amid the abundance of white walls. The overhead cabinetry was removed, modified, and re-installed to form a more pleasing alignment.  All of the overhead cabinetry hardware was saved and reused, including the tambour rollup doors, plastic tracks, and metal pulls.  The front dinette set is original, just refinished and painted.

Reclaim – to use an existing product or material, on-site that may no longer be used for its original intended purpose, removing it and reconditioning as necessary, then transferring it to a new use in the same project.   A trailer, by its nature, is a very small confined space. A primary design goal was to open up the space by removing unnecessary visual obstacles.  In the Airstream, there were several walls that needed to be removed.  The old oak table was beyond repair and was also removed.  These elements were stored onsite and reclaimed as shelving in the cabinetry.

Recycle – In all projects, there are elements that can not be reused or reclaimed.  Instead of sending materials to the landfill, recycle!  Recycling comes in all shapes and sizes.  Many material scraps from the Airstream were stockpiled and sent to a recycling yard, such as hardware, braces, tracks, rods, plastic paneling, etc.  All of the old appliances (refrigerator, oven, sink, toilet) were sold on craigslist or donated to a new user.  Giving away or selling old parts that you don’t have a use for has three benefits:

1.     It keeps the old part from heading to the landfill;
2.     Enables the unwanted item to continue its lifespan in a different use.; and
3.     Keeps one less new product from entering the market by providing someone with a working unit.  New products = energy + resources. 

Here is a Picasa slideshow with some more images:

This is a guest post by Matthew Hofmann. Hofmann Architecture LLC is a multi-faceted architectural design build firm with offices in Santa Barbara and San Diego, California. Visit www.HofArc.com to see more photos or to follow their weekly blog.

Contact information:
Matthew Hofmann – Architect, LEED Accredited Professional
Hofmann Architecture
matthew@hofarc.com
www.hofarc.com
805.281.2461

All images courtesy of Matthew Hofmann

For Matthew Hofmann, living with less in a smaller space is his choice. He prefers it, and it’s not hard to see why. “Ever since I was a kid building 7-story tree houses I’ve liked reusing old stuff and making it usable again,” says its owner Matthew Hofmann, owner and founder of Hofmann Architecture, who spent the past eight months restoring the 25-foot Airstream. “It’s not only beautiful, it’s also useful.” “I’m at a point in my life where I’m trying to live with less” says Hofmann, who parked the Airstream on a Montecito home site that burned down in the Tea Fire.

“I enjoy working with clients who are willing to step boldly into the future with gutsy audacity,” he says. “Life-changing events, such as a fire, remind us that we can not only live with much less, but we can truly be content, too.

Why would anyone want to live in just 158 square feet of space? To bring that dimension home, that’s like living in less than half a typical 15’ x 20’ bedroom with a 4’ x 5’ bathroom.

To be sure, small space living isn’t for everyone. Some people would never like it or adjust to it. Still, the reality of living in a small space does offer many unique advantages.

Here are a dozen real life reasons why this Santa Barbaran architect thinks life is grand in a small space — 158 sq. ft., to be exact.

1. Lower utility costs — How does an normal gas and electric bill of $18 a month sound? That adds up to an average annual savings of nearly $1000. Now that’s some serious cash.
2. Quicker to clean — Got a call that the girlfriend’s parents want to stop by? No worries. Even if it is a disaster area, the place can be buffed out in 30 minutes — tops.
3. Less maintenance — Say “goodbye” to repainting, cleaning the raingutters, and repairing that broken sprinkler. And, who needs a gardener when you don’t have a yard? Fear not, you still get to enjoy the great outdoors better than ever.
4. Zero clutter — We told you this wasn’t for everyone. If you’re the type that needs piles of mail and unread magazines then this isn’t for you. But if you’re like Hofmann, where “eveything has its place,” then it could work. “I’ve gone 90% paperless.
5. Improved relationships — Say what? That’s right, studies show that couples who live in a small space have healthier relationships. “My girlfriend and I don’t hide in our caves when something comes up,” says
6. Fresh-is-best lifestyle — Hofmann, who studied architecture in Italy for a year, liked the way the locals bought fresh produce, meats and cheeses at the open-air market each morning. “Excessive refrigerators, freezers and pantry spaces just get stuffed with outdated food,” he says. “And frozen or canned food is plain nasty.”
7. Anti-procrastination — Hey, we told you this wasn’t for everyone. If you’re a do-tomorrow-what-can-be-put-off-today kind of person then living in a tight space is going to be harder to ignore your need-to-dos because they’ll be staring you right at you.
8. LMIAs (Less missing in action) — One phrase you may never hear again is: “Honey, where’s my _____________?” Because stuff simply has fewer places to hide.
9. No impulse buys — “I don’t buy things I don’t need anymore,” figures Hofmann, “because I don’t have a place to put it.” Paper towels may be convenient, but they’re not very earth-friendly. “Isn’t that what a sponge and towel are for?” he says with a smile. “And where am I going to store a 20-pack roll, anyway?”
10. Fewer guests — At the risk of sounding anti-social, it’s an absolute certainty that you never again will have to ackwardly-respond to the expectation that the inlaws want to stay with you. “Isn’t that why they invented hotels?”
11. Height- friendly — Hofmann, who is 6’4″ doesn’t have to duck his head, “but it’s close.” But his girlfriend, who’s 5’5″, can reach everything, easily.
12. I ended my dysfunctional relationship with Costco — I realize now that I don’t really need a 5lb bag of peanuts or the treadmill that discourages me from ever leaving the confines of home. Though, I still enjoy accompanying a friend to the mega box store to try the free samples.

The creative process, Hofmann believes, isn’t accomplished by adding more, but by taking away what is distracting. “The design questions were, “How much does one remove? How much does one keep?”

The must-do list included the use of regional materials and reusable products, such as bamboo for flooring, countertops, the table, along with recycled content throughout. Weight was also a huge issue. Less was more. Lighter was better. And like luggage packed on an airplane, the load needed to be properly balanced.

“For me the solution was creating open space using honest materials. I wanted to bring a sense of outdoors in, so it needed to be bright and airy by nature, yet warm and multi-functional.”

As a licensed architect he also needs a quiet, comfortable place to work — a space that is mobile and easily converts from residence to workspace.

Hofmann is clearly comfortable blending his home and office. “For me, a space that serves only one purpose is a waste of space. But for someone else it may not work.”

Last January, Hofmann hitched up and took his first road trip to the El Capitan Mesa RV Park that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. “It took just 10 minutes to hook-up and the Airstream rolled along great,” he says. “The next morning I took a long walk on the beach, went for a swim, and later worked on a new project.”

Here is a Picasa slideshow with some more images:

Hofmann Architecture LLC is a multi-faceted architectural design build firm with offices in Santa Barbara and San Diego, California. Visit www.HofArc.com to see more photos or to follow their weekly blog.

Contact information:
Matthew Hofmann – Architect, LEED Accredited Professional
Hofmann Architecture
matthew@hofarc.com
www.hofarc.com
805.281.2461

All images courtesy of Matthew Hofmann

This is guest post by Joel Lee.

We stumbled on this area almost by accident as our search for property near our home in Seattle led us on weekend excursions driving through the countryside. With our very limited budget we knew we were going to have to think creatively and work hard for whatever we found so we started our search with very open minds. We were imaging a secluded parcel of land somewhere that we could park our vintage travel trailer, or maybe an old barn or industrial building we could convert into some sort of a loft.

It was with this creative spirit that my wife stumbled upon a small 1923 stilt house in Fragaria that had gone into foreclosure. It had been neglected over the years and needed many urgent repairs, the previous occupant had stripped it of anything of value including everything from the light fixtures to outlet covers. The last major overhaul the house had gone through was in 1950 and even those mid-century updates were showing their age.

On the positive side it was less than an hour from our home including a short ferry ride from Seattle. The 1950’s remodel had opened it up and made the 672 square feet feel much larger than it actually is. Although it needed some immediate structural work it had great bones including walls, ceilings and floors all made from thick clear Douglas-fir planks. But best of all is its location right on the water, at high tide it feels more like a houseboat as Puget Sound rolls right under our feet. Almost daily we see seals and sea otters playing off our porch not to mention the possibility of fishing and crabbing without leaving our front deck and all of this being so close to Seattle that we never lose sight of the Space Needle.

We are attempting a historically respectful and environmentally friendly restoration on a very tight budget so we have been learning to be patient and creative. Most of the appliances and fixtures are from estate sales, salvage yards and Craigslist. Some of the kitchen cabinets were repaired or replaced using recycled crates and even the window and door trim is made from reclaimed wood. We have done most of the work ourselves along with help from friends and family and a house working co-op we developed with friends affectionately known as ‘Barn Raising Group’ in which we exchange labor on each others houses.

On the interior we are embracing the mid-century modern aesthetics of the 1950 remodel by installing vintage fixtures and keeping the simple open design that was developed at that time. A Craigslist find of bright orange modern freestanding fireplace has become a focal point of the main room as well as heating the house in winter. Creatively recycled materials along with simple modern aesthetics are being combined to make a cozy, functional and cost effective beach home on Puget Sound.

Joel Lee is a creative tinkerer living in Seattle WA.

If are in the Pacific Northwest take a trip to see the small stilt houses on Fragaria.