This cordwood cabin retreat demonstrates how natural building techniques create beautiful, functional tiny spaces. The unique structure features cordwood construction with decorative bottles, large windows, and a matching outhouse companion building.
Design Details
Construction: Cordwood with decorative bottles
Materials: Recycled and reclaimed
Purpose: Writing, reading, and day retreat
Features: Large windows, custom screen door, built-in refrigerator
Companion Structure: Matching outhouse (The Wee Wee House)
Car camping offers one of the most economical ways to travel long distances. This station wagon conversion demonstrates how a standard vehicle can be transformed into a mobile sleeping space for road trips.
Abod, a subsidiary of BSB Design, developed an innovative approach to affordable housing through prefabricated arch-frame structures. These tiny shelters use corrugated steel panels and fiberglass slat coverings on a simple arch frame, creating durable dwellings designed for rapid deployment.
Design Details
Manufacturer: BSB Design (Abod)
Construction: Arch frame with corrugated steel panels
Foundation: Concrete slab
Assembly: Four people, one day, using screwdriver and awl
Stephen Marshall of Little House on a Trailer built this 120 square foot home on a trailer frame. At 12 feet wide, it feels significantly larger than typical tiny houses on wheels while still remaining towable.
Design Details
Builder: Stephen Marshall (Little House on a Trailer)
Size: 120 square feet
Width: 12 feet
Foundation: Trailer
Style: 19th century Northern California rural farmhouse
Features: Kitchen, bathroom with shower, fireplace
Toilet: Incinerating toilet (no septic or sewage hookup required)
This Earthship project in Myakka City, Florida demonstrates sustainable building techniques on a 10-acre agricultural property. The project incorporates natural building methods, permaculture principles, zero-energy construction, and sustainable technology.
Design Details
Location: Myakka City, Florida
Property Size: 10 acres (agricultural zoning)
Construction: Earthship (rammed earth tires)
Materials: Locally collected tires, on-site dirt
Water Feature: Pond created from excavated fill dirt
Greywater System: Indoor wetlands for water recycling and food production
Future Plans: Shipping container houses, solar-powered domes
Jalopy Cabins built this tiny log cabin called The Ski Hut using primarily reclaimed and salvaged materials. The cabin measures 10 feet by 16 feet plus a 6-foot porch. The hand-peeled logs came from ski slope cleanup at the local Wolf Creek Ski area.
This shipping container project in Australia converts two containers into a weekend cottage and workshop. The conversion includes a covered front porch, rainwater collection system, fireplace, custom doors with windows, and a garden.
Design Details
Location: Australia
Containers: Two shipping containers
Uses: Weekend cottage and workshop
Features: Covered front porch, fireplace, custom doors with windows
Water: Rainwater collection system with plastic barrel
The Pipercraft trailerable houseboat combines a pop-up camper concept with a pontoon boat, creating a mobile home that works on both road and water. Hydraulic systems raise and lower the structure for easy towing, while the pontoon design provides stable living space on lakes and rivers.
Design Details
Manufacturer: Pipercraft
Length: 28′ (boat), 31′ (with trailer)
Width: 8′ 6″
Height (towing): 9′ 7″ (collapses hydraulically)
Weight: Approximately 8,000 lbs with trailer
Engine: 75 HP
Sleeping Capacity: 4-5 people
Fresh Water: 65 gallons
Black Water: 33 gallons
Grey Water: 44 gallons
Fuel: 47 gallons
Features: Toilet, shower, refrigerator, stove, generator, air conditioning, outdoor grill
Ripplewood Resort offers small cabin accommodations in Big Sur, California. Located 25 miles south of Carmel near Andrew Molera and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Parks, the resort provides access to whale watching, coastal scenery, hiking, and water activities.
Resort Details
Location: Big Sur, California
Distance: 25 miles south of Carmel
Nearby Parks: Andrew Molera State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Cabins: 17 cabin options
Amenities: Cafe serving breakfast and lunch, complimentary WiFi
Activities: Whale watching, hiking, coastal sightseeing, water activities
