Derek “Deek” Diedricksen of RelaxShacks.com has spent his life building tiny structures—from childhood backyard forts to dozens of micro cabins, sleeping huts, and unconventional shelters. Self-described as a “bizzar-chitect,” Deek approaches tiny architecture with creativity, resourcefulness, and a healthy skepticism of conventional housing norms.
Origins of a Micro Builder
Deek’s passion for small structures started early. At 14, he discovered Lester Walker’s book Tiny Houses, which showed him that others shared his fascination with compact dwellings. That realization launched a lifelong pursuit of designing and building micro architecture.
His backyard has become a showcase of micro cabins, shelters, and shacks—each completely unique, most built from salvaged materials.
Video: Deek on Tiny Houses and Freedom
In this interview by Kirsten Dirksen of Faircompanies, Deek walks through his collection of micro structures and explains his building philosophy:
Notable Micro Structures
Deek has built dozens of small dwellings, each with its own character:
- The Gottagiddaway: A $100 micro shelter built to demonstrate that basic housing doesn’t require significant investment
- 32 Square Foot Office: Built for $80 using recycled barn materials
- The Hickshaw: A cabin small enough to be moved by one person, featuring wheels, windows, and a clear roof
- Wolfe’s Den: A 10′ x 10′ treehouse cabin built for a client, designed for abundant natural light
- The Wedgie: A scrap-built treehouse for kids
- The Gypsy Junker: A semi-portable structure made from 90% recycled construction materials
- Little Blue Bump & Krunk Bunk: Micro cabins built during hands-on workshops
Building with Recycled Materials
One hallmark of Deek’s approach is creative reuse of materials others discard. His windows alone demonstrate the possibilities:
- Plastic bottles
- Wine bottles
- Washer and dryer door windows
- Pickle jars
- 5-gallon water jugs
This salvage-first philosophy keeps costs minimal while giving each structure distinctive character.
On Housing Codes and Freedom
Deek articulates a perspective shared by many in the tiny house community. As he explains in the video:
“There’s almost this whole outlaw aspect of it. I’ve kind of been a little anti-authoritarian most of my life playing in punk bands and what-not and a lot of the housing codes and rules to me, while some of them make good sense, a lot of them are just ridiculous and very antiquated.”
Working Within (or Around) Building Codes
For those interested in tiny structures, two common approaches help navigate minimum size requirements:
- Backyard structures: Build on a foundation within your area’s shed size requirements
- Trailer-based builds: Construct on a flatbed trailer, classifying the structure as a recreational vehicle
Both approaches typically require a primary residence on the property, unless building in areas with minimal zoning enforcement.
The Philosophy Behind Micro Building
Deek’s work represents a broader philosophy: that housing doesn’t need to consume most of your income and time. Smaller spaces built affordably can provide freedom—freedom from debt, from excessive maintenance, and from working overtime just to afford a conventional home.
His structures prove that creativity and resourcefulness can substitute for large budgets, and that tiny architecture can be both functional and full of personality.
Derek Diedricksen continues to build, teach workshops, and inspire others to explore micro architecture through his website RelaxShacks.com and his books on tiny house construction.
Video courtesy of Faircompanies
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Alex
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excellent. You keep me inspired.
You’re the best, thanks 🙂
THE TODAY SHOW HOST Ann reveals what she’s thankful for this holiday season, 2011, SO, I AM REVEALING to Alex and his readers WHAT I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS HOLIDAY—I AM THANKFUL FOR THE SMALL/TINY HOUSE MOVEMENT movers and shakers, and, to know that Dance Legend Mary Anthony: Still Kicking at 93! Yes to dance and Yes to small/tiny house lifestyles. I still dance in my ‘weebee’ casa here in rural Arkansas
This is another example from real life in living in big houses, can pose many risks –Dr. Risinger recovering from beating – 2007
Dr. Charles Risinger apparently interrupted a burglary in his home Wednesday afternoon and was beaten by the burglars. When he entered through the garage.Dr. Risinger was taken to the hospital. His condition was not immediately available, but he was not transported by helicopter. Dr. Charles Risinger, beaten by burglars at his home Wednesday, is doing “OK” his brother, Casey, said and is expected to fully recover. Dr. Risinger, 47, surprised burglars in his garage about noon on Wednesday when he went home for lunch. They tied him and beat him with a baseball bat. “They hit him multiple times in the head with a baseball bat,” his brother, a veterinarian said. Dr. Risinger was able to reach the panic button on his home alarm system and call for help. He was stabilized in the Terrell hospital before being taken to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. And, Man, 41, dies after
falling from roof of home in rural Lake Crystal
Updated: August 3, 2011 – 1:10 AMLAKE CRYSTAL, Minn. – A 41-year-old man is dead after falling off the roof of a one- story home in southern Minnesota. Sheriff’s deputies and an ambulance were called Monday morning after John Simek of W arsaw, Minn., fell in rural Lake Crystal. The Blue Earth County sheriff’s office says Simek stopped breathing and had no heartbeat. Attempts were made to revive
him, but he died at the scene.
I do not get on roofs!
Happy and safe holidays
From my solo ‘weebee’ casa in a meadow with my locally handmade pine box, barefootin’ in rural Arkansas, drinking spring water, Re-wilding myself is ongoing process – December, 2011
..you could walk into the Taj Mahal or any other grand mansion and you’d be no doubt overwhelmed…but there’s one thing they couldn’t do..and that’s put a big smile on your face, because that’s the first expression that comes to everyone when they first set eyes on one of these tiny homes, as can be seen in all the photos of people visiting this site. That’s their first effect. They’re more than just houses, there’s something else going on..
Wow. Well said. Thanks David.