Twelve Cubed makes a 12′ by 12′ cube house. At such a small size you’d be surprised as to what fits inside. Small houses like this one create opportunities for people while helping the environment.
Small spaces can help you get out of debt or start a new career because they help you save money. Since the average one bedroom apartment is still somewhere around 800 square feet, we have to get creative to truly enjoy the benefits of living simply. That’s what James Stuart is doing with his Twelve3 prefab tiny house company. The company is based in Vancouver Island, British Columbia. These little dwellings have a variety of uses, just like other tiny houses.
SunRay Kelley is one of the most distinctive natural builders in the world. His homestead, often called “Natural Village,” features a collection of handcrafted organic structures that blur the line between architecture and sculpture.
What makes Kelley’s work special is his philosophy: each building emerges from the natural materials at hand and the landscape itself, creating structures that feel grown rather than built.
Structures at the SunRay Kelley Homestead
The property features several unique buildings, each with its own character:
Gypsy Wagon – A mobile dwelling with organic curves
Llama Tree House – An elevated structure integrated with living trees
Harbin Temple – A meditation space with flowing natural forms
Buddha House – A contemplative structure reflecting Eastern influences
Each building demonstrates Kelley’s signature style: curved lines, natural materials, and an almost living quality to the architecture.
The Natural Building Philosophy
SunRay Kelley’s approach to building differs fundamentally from conventional construction:
Site-specific design: Each structure responds to its specific location and surroundings
Natural materials: Heavy use of wood, stone, cob, and other organic materials
Intuitive process: Designs often evolve during construction rather than following rigid plans
Sculptural forms: Buildings feature curves and organic shapes rarely seen in traditional architecture
Integration with nature: Structures work with trees and landscape rather than against them
A Family Legacy
The homestead isn’t just a showcase of building techniques—it’s a lived-in family compound. Kelley’s daughter Kumara grew up among these structures, offering a unique perspective on what it’s like to be raised in such an unconventional environment.
The property gained wider attention when it was featured on MTV’s Extreme Cribs series, introducing Kelley’s organic architecture to a mainstream audience.
Why SunRay Kelley’s Work Matters
For anyone interested in natural building, tiny houses, or alternative architecture, Kelley’s work demonstrates several important possibilities:
Beauty without standardization: Handcrafted structures can achieve an aesthetic impossible with conventional methods
Small footprint living: Many of his structures are compact yet feel spacious due to thoughtful design
Owner-builder potential: His methods, while requiring skill, don’t depend on industrial materials or equipment
Connection to place: Buildings that respond to their environment create a different relationship with home
SunRay Kelley’s Natural Village stands as proof that homes can be both functional and artistic, simple and profound. What aspects of natural building appeal to you most? Share your thoughts in the comments!
It’s in Plattsburgh, NY and if you have been wanting to stay in a tiny house for a few nights–you can take your next vacation in this one!
If your spouse or significant other is hesitant this can be a way for you to give it a real shot.
The owner, Les, built the home himself back in 2009 and he uses it as a rental on his property on Lake Champlain.
There’s a private beach where visitors can kayak, canoe, rowboat or paddle boat.
He built this in a unique way compared to most other tiny houses on trailers out there because he left the sides on the utility trailer intact.
Les designed it this way because he believes it’s stronger this way structurally. I think that’s a good point and I like the way he did it–notice below.
It’s unique because of it’s multifunctional interior design. But also because it was originally an unwanted and abandoned garage.
There are sliding doors that can optionally cover the entire house, giving the resident maximum privacy.
Even when it’s all closed up it’s designed so that natural light still comes in because of the porch and glass sliding doors. You’ll have to see it to get it.
It’s 430-485 square feet depending on if you include the patio area and the upstairs bedroom.
Inside there’s a large custom made piece of wooden furniture, designed by the architect, that provides nearly all of the functionality for the home.
The large box inside serves as a…
Closet
Storage space
Sofa bed
Bedroom
Bathroom
Desk
Without that unique piece, it would be nearly impossible to fit all of these features in the home while maintaining the openness that it has right now.
Meet Steve and Wendy, who are designing and building their own tiny house to live in permanently.
About a year ago they began to adjust their lives so that they could achieve some of the things that they have always wanted to do in life.
This Tiny House Means this Family’s Dreams
After years of raising a family and the accumulation of all of the materials associated with American life, they realized that they wanted to take another path.
Their stuff was getting in the way of things that mattered more to them in life, like God, family, friends and extra money.
They will have significantly smaller utility bills and a lot less stuff weighing them down. So let’s take a look at their progress so far! It’s important for me to note that they’re not finished yet.
Trailer Harvested from an RV for their NEW Tiny House
Here is what they started out with… and old trailer that’s going to serve as the trailer for their tiny house on wheels.
In one of the earliest moments tiny houses appeared on mainstream television, HGTV’s Design Star dedicated an entire episode to the tiny house concept—and the results were fascinating.
In Season 6, Episode 9 of Design Star, the three final contestants faced an unexpected challenge: design an entire house. The twist? Each house would be just 99 square feet.
In July 2011 Derek Diedricksen gave me a copy of one of his homemade books so that I can give it away to you guys.
When you’re done reading this post you’ll know exactly what to do to win this copy.
Handmade Copy of Humble Homes, Simple Shacks
Deek’s book has one of the longest titles I’ve ever seen. The full title reads: Humble Homes Simple Shacks Cozy Cottages Ramshackle Retreats Funky Forts and Whatever the Heck Else we Could Squeeze in Here!
This homemade edition of the book covers things like…
Basic bridge building
Redneck window construction
Rain barrels
Solar showers
And there’s so much more. All ideas and concepts are accompanied by illustrations from Deek.
How You Can Win this Signed Copy of Humble Homes
All you have to do to enter is the following. The more you do, the better your chances of winning the book.
