Lake Michigan College built a 102 square foot Tumbleweed Weebee tiny house as part of their Green Building Academy program. The educational project teaches sustainable construction techniques while creating a functional demonstration home. Features include a solar tube for natural kitchen lighting and plans for solar panels and a self-contained solar water heater.

Project Details

• Model: Tumbleweed Weebee
• Size: 102 square feet
• Builder: Lake Michigan College Green Building Academy
• Instructor: Aaron Closson
• Funding: Michigan Community College Association energy grant
• Features: Solar tube for kitchen lighting
• Planned Additions: Solar panels, solar water heater

LMC Tiny House Exterior

Photo via Lake Michigan College

[continue reading…]

Tumbleweed Tiny House workshops teach participants how to build their own tiny houses from start to finish. These hands-on classes cover trailer foundations, framing, insulation, roofing, and systems installation. Attendees learn practical skills alongside other aspiring tiny house builders, gaining the knowledge needed to construct their own homes.

Workshop Curriculum

• Foundation: Building on a trailer vs. permanent foundation
• Tools: The essential tools needed for construction
• Framing: Wall and roof framing techniques
• Sheathing: Exterior sheathing installation
• Insulation: Proper insulation and moisture management
• Venting: Condensation prevention strategies
• Roofing: Roof installation methods
• Siding: Exterior siding techniques
• Systems: Water heaters, appliances, toilets, air conditioning
• Codes: Building codes, restrictions, and zoning information

Workshop Locations

Tumbleweed workshops have been held in cities across the United States including:

• Orlando, FL
• Santa Fe, NM
• Nashville, TN
• Honolulu, HI
• Boston, MA
• Olympia, WA
• Washington DC
• Chicago, IL
• Los Angeles, CA
• Portland, OR
• New York, NY
• Santa Rosa, CA

[continue reading…]

Austin Hay began building a Tumbleweed Fencl tiny house as a high school sophomore, demonstrating that age is no barrier to tiny house construction. His motivations included downsizing, environmental responsibility, and financial independence. The project proves that with determination and proper planning, anyone can take on a tiny house build.

Project Details

• Builder: Austin Hay
• Model: Tumbleweed Fencl
• Type: DIY tiny house on wheels
• Motivation: Downsizing, environmental impact, financial freedom
• Status: Self-built project
• Message: Demonstrating one person can make a difference

Fencl Build in Progress

Photo via Austin Hay

[continue reading…]

This 250 square foot tiny house demonstrates how permanent foundation homes can exist within established neighborhoods. The homeowner has lived in this grandfathered structure since 1999, developing custom storage solutions including vertical rolling storage units perfect for multifunctional rooms. The property has evolved over time with additions including a garage, fencing, and new landscaping.

Design Details

• Size: 250 square feet
• Type: Permanent foundation tiny house
• Setting: Established neighborhood (grandfathered)
• Owner/Designer: Dirk Dieter
• Occupied Since: 1999
• Features: Custom vertical storage, compact kitchen, garage addition
• Future Plans: Second story addition (approximately 500 SF total)

Exterior Street View

Photos via Dirk Dieter, verb2.com

[continue reading…]

Small cars paired with teardrop trailers create efficient travel combinations. The Ford Transit Connect offers pickup truck cargo capacity in a compact van format, making it suitable for towing small trailers. This collection showcases compact vehicle and teardrop combinations, including a micro teardrop behind one of the world’s smallest cars with a tiny house visible in the background.

Compact Towing Options

• Ford Transit Connect: Pickup truck cargo capacity in compact van
• Smart Car: Ultra-compact with micro trailer potential
• Class B RVs: Compact motorhomes that can tow Smart Cars
• Teardrop Trailers: Lightweight towables for small vehicles

Micro Teardrop with Tiny House Background

[continue reading…]

The Utter Inn floats on Lake Malaren in Sweden, resembling a small red garden shed with solar panels. The above-water level contains a kitchen, dining area, and outdoor deck, while a submerged bedroom sits 10 feet below the surface with panoramic windows for viewing underwater life. Guests arrive by boat and have private access to a rowboat and telephone during their stay.

Design Details

• Name: Utter Inn
• Location: Lake Malaren, Sweden (near Vasteras)
• Type: Floating micro house with submerged bedroom
• Above Water: Kitchen, dining area, outdoor deck
• Below Water: Bedroom with twin beds, panoramic windows (10 feet down)
• Power: Solar panels
• Amenities: Propane stove, latrine, rowboat, telephone
• Creator: Artist (also created Woodpecker tree house inn)

Utter Inn Floating on Lake

Images via Spot Cool Stuff

[continue reading…]

Architect Jeffery Broadhurst built this 140 square foot off-grid cottage in West Virginia as a DIY project. The standout feature is a full-height glass garage door that opens the interior directly to the outdoors. The remote location requires off-road vehicle access, making the self-sufficient design essential.

Design Details

• Designer: Jeffery Broadhurst (Architect)
• Location: West Virginia
• Size: 140 square feet
• Construction: DIY
• Utilities: Off-grid
• Access: Off-road vehicle only
• Key Feature: Full-height glass garage door

Cottage Exterior with Garage Door Open

Images via Remodelista

[continue reading…]

The Maxwell cottage from Cabin Fever demonstrates the potential of prefab building kits for creating small structures. This 320 square foot design features a distinctive curved beam roof with interior height reaching 10 feet at the peak.

Maxwell Cottage Exterior

Photo Credit: Cabin Fever

[continue reading…]