Rural Micro-Housing - Could you live in 572 SF?

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Nindo House - Finland
Micro-housing can be defined by size at under 1,000 square feet of living space.  A very talented and resourceful couple in Iowa have managed to build a 572 square foot home, which they put on wheels in case they want to move.  While its small size certainly qualifies for micro, other attributes add to the livability of the design.

What makes micro-housing attractive?  Compact and efficient space management immediately come to mind along with the inherent need for a clutter-free, minimalist built environment.  Portability can also be a useful feature for rural settings.  While this home features an eclectic bohemian aesthetic, it’s easy to see how the space-saving attributes could translate into a modern style.  Special features that charm in Tim and Deb’s “Movable House” are the pushed out dining area, which can be detached and loaded inside for transport and the creative catwalk running across the ceiling.  On the green side of things, we cheer the economic and comfort value added by R40 insulation and a small footprint.  Imagine how much less energy, water, and materials are used to build and maintain this home compared to the median U.S. home size of 2,453 square feet (updated for 2014).
Freeberg-Renwick House - Iowa
The concept of micro-housing in a rural setting can allow more people to enjoy time immersed in nature—without stressing our natural environment.  It can inspire us to be more mindful of every choice and how we use the resources we have.  It seems to promise more freedom to engage in experiencing the outdoors, and less worry about property maintenance.

Explore more...



  • Urban micro-housing
  • Prefab cabins
  • Industrial designer Matali Crasset’s “Bird Nest” forest cabins.
  • Modern micro cabins, including the Finnish designer Robin Falk’s “Nindo.”
  • Tim and Deb’s version of micro-housing in a rural setting.

    • Comments

    1. Anne JohnsonAugust 14, 2014 at 10:38 AM

      Tumbleweed Tiny House Company builds or helps you build trailer-based tiny houses or cottages.
      http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

      ReplyDelete

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