A Vietnam based architecture firm, Vo Trong Nghia Architects, has began developing prefabricated housing for low income families in Vietnam. This concept of tiny housing would provide the people with not only a safe place to live but a durable long-term shelter too.
Since 2012 the firm has been working to create these houses for those who earn less than $100/month. Normally these people would be forced to live in temporary shacks. So the architects are creating what they call the S House 2 which can provide affordable, durable, low cost and low maintenance homes for those in need.
The current cost to develop one of these homes in Vietnam is $4,000. Below you will see that this 322 sq. ft. home is very basic. The only thing I’m concerned about is the bathroom which I wasn’t able to find but assume is located as a separate structure nearby (see below).
The S House 2 is a long structure with a sleeping area at one end, dining table in the middle, and a space for personal items at the other end. Please enjoy below.
$4k Affordable Tiny Housing in Vietnam
Images © Hiroyuki Oki/Vo Trong Nghia Architects
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Right now I’m excited to share this incredible 400 sq. ft. small apartment with you designed and built by a man named Joseph Chiarucci.
When you walk in, you immediately know that this is a one-of-a-kind custom designed and built apartment. The kitchen is near the entrance. Look up and there is shelving throughout.
When you turn to the left you can see your living area and corner office. Continue walking this way and you can head to the upstairs level where you’ll find the bathroom and bedroom along with a couple of nooks you can hang out in and/or store some of your belongings in.
Creative 400 Sq. Ft. Small Apartment by Joseph Chiarucci
Images © Brendan McInerney
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When Brian Levy set himself out to design a tiny house he wanted to create something that was comfortable long-term, sustainable for the environment yet still stylish, and he didn’t want to compromise anywhere. He believed the Minim Home should feel amazing throughout. He’s also the founder of Micro Showcase, a place dedicated to showcasing micro buildings.
When you take the tour of his 210 sq. ft. modern tiny house below I think you’ll agree that he accomplished all of those goals with this 11′ wide by 22′ long footprint home. Sure it’s a wide load, but Brian’s logic is sound. Most little houses spend most of their time being lived in, not moved. So it makes sense to go wider.
And yes, the home is still built right onto a trailer so your home can be towed and moved when and if you ever wanted or needed to move it. When you go inside you’ll find all of the comforts of home. A kitchen, multi-functioning table, stools, sofa with room for five people, giant projector screen for entertainment, roll out bed (instead of a loft), 5’x7′ office area, 5′ closet, bathroom, and bookcase that holds 150+ books.
Brian Levy’s Modern & Genius 210 Sq. Ft. Minim Tiny Home
Images © Paul Burk/Minim Micro Homes
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Right now I wanted to re-explore the topic of affordable tiny housing with you as a solution as well as a tool to help alleviate homelessness as led by the article and conversation over at this article at Moyers & Company.
As you know one of the main benefits you experience when living in a smaller home is affordability. Your rent or mortgage is cheap and so is your utility bill. In addition, it’s also better for the environment because of efficiency.
Lately tiny homes are being tested as a way to help house the formerly homeless with fantastic results. It’s being done in Seattle, Oregon, Wisconsin, Portland, California, New York, and more. The question is, is it working?
In most areas it’s too early to tell but in my eyes, I see that it most certainly is. Slowly but surely it’s working. You can see for yourself in the videos below. And if put into practice across the nation, it will only continue to help more and more people. It already is in certain areas.
Right now there’s a growing community of tiny cottages near Ithaca, New York called Second Wind Cottages that are having success with the model, proof that the model can and does work to alleviate homelessness with help of the surrounding community.
Affordable Tiny Housing Alleviating Homelessness?
Images © John Light/BillMoyers.com
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Right now I want to show you how this camper van rental company has turned this Dodge Grand Caravan minivan camper. They’re a company called Lost Campers who specialize in camper van rentals throughout California, Utah, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City.
This way you can show up, and instead of getting a motel, you can rent one of these and truly explore the state the way it was meant to be explored. Pretty cool, right? Well, I’ve been wanting to tell you about them for quite some time. So first let me have you take a look at their Dodge Grand Caravan to micro camper RV conversion below. Please enjoy!
Don’t miss other awesome conversions like this, join our FREE Tiny House Newsletter for more stuff like this!
Dodge Grand Caravan Micro Minivan Camper RV Conversion
Images © LostCamperUSA.com
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Susan Moray enlisted the help of Jack Barnes Architects to help her convert her garage into a 550 sq. ft. ADU cottage that she now uses as a vacation rental in Portland, Oregon’s Ladd neighborhood. ADU, by the way, stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit in case you’re not familiar.
Together with Design Build Portland contractors they were able to get the job done for a total cost of $90,000, according to Accessory Dwellings. Now you can stay in the cottage if you’re ever in Portland.
Jack Barnes (architect) designed an amazing little cottage based on the already existing garage structure that’s so energy efficient it received a Platinum Award from Earth Advantage. And they had absolutely no trouble getting the plans approved by the city thanks to his expertise.
Related: Woman Downsizes to 557 Sq. Ft. Tumbleweed Cottage
Woman Converts Garage into Small Yellow ADU Cottage
Images © Sky Rocket Photography/Portland Vacation Cottage
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Right now I want to share this micro cabin with you that’s suitable for all types of weather. Architect, Mats Theselius designed this Henry David Thoreau inspired micro cabin for Arvesund. They call it The Hermit’s Cabin.
As Thoreau once said, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life.”
With only 81 square feet to live in I believe you could truly embrace what Thoreau is saying here. Live deliberately with only the essentials of life.
This humble space is big enough for a peaceful getaway in the woods or used as a shed, writing cabin, backyard office or sauna.
Architect Designs Micro Cabin for Peaceful Getaway in Woods
Images © Arvesund
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Right now I’m glad to be showing you Michael Ostaski’s latest build which is a 1999 Sterling House Truck hand built by the artist himself.
It’s 32′ long, 8′ wide, and 12’6″ tall. Weighs about 24,000 lbs and has a 5.9 Turbo Cummins Diesel to power it. And yes, this one has power steering (unlike The Rose).
Inside there’s about 256 sq. ft. of interior space for you to enjoy. You’ll find a full kitchen, bathroom, living area, and more inside. Plus there’s A/C, a gas furnace, electric fireplace, and an Onan Generator on board. Plus much more. Complete details are available for you below along with a complete photo tour. Please enjoy and re-share if you’d like to.
’99 Sterling Diesel Roadrunner House Truck For Sale
Images © Michael Ostaski
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Henry David Thoreau’s tiny cabin is something that everybody should learn about at some point, especially if you’re into tiny houses because as you probably know, Henry David Thoreau has always been an inspiring role model for those of us seeking to simplify our lives.
Here you’ll see what his tiny cabin was like in case you ever wondered. In addition, I’d also like to share some of my favorite quotes from Thoreau. Plus, how you can build a Thoreau-like tiny house for around $1,000 thanks to LaMar Alexander. The tiny house was 10′ by 15′ with 8′ high ceilings. Below you’ll get to see how simply Thoreau lived during his time at Walden Pond.
To explore more amazing tiny homes like this, join our Tiny House Newsletter. It’s free.:)
Henry David Thoreau’s Tiny Cabin in the Woods
Image © mgstanton/flickr
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