• Brian Ansorge
  November 13, 2020, 9:57 pm

  Plans? Details? Specs/Dimensions?

  I LOVE this house. “Resonates” with me because of simplicity and functionality. No frills. But everything that *I* would need. And then some! Perfect. A refreshing change from the slew of Victorian-ish, over-stuffed, over-built, over-priced virtual mansions in the name of “Tiny Houses.”

  Each to their own, I guess.

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  • James D.
    November 14, 2020, 1:35 am

    Well, there are arguable good reasons to overbuilt for something that will have to function as a home. Since it can mean better durability, better longevity, lower maintenance requirements, can handle wider range of climates and temperature extremes, can have lower total costs over time, be more energy efficient, cater to special needs that otherwise may be neglected, etc. There’s just also always trade offs, like costs and how different people can have different needs…

    But there’s also a risk with simplicity as it can result in under building that can result in problems, for example, note a possible long term issue with the loft… The plywood floor, which is more vulnerable to moisture damage than real wood, is unprotected and it’s right smack in the middle of all sources of moisture… Including the kitchen, the bathroom, and whoever will be sleeping in the loft, who will sweat and give off moisture as they breath… and there’s no vent in either the kitchen or bathroom. Even the shower stall, the underside of the loft is left fully exposed. So entirely dependent on the windows to vent but European climate can be pretty humid… The yearly average humidity for Germany is 69%… and 73% for the UK…

    Mind, Germany, and other European countries, impose more strict restrictions on the building and designing of THOWs. Like a more strict max weight limit, smaller maximum dimensions, etc.

    Simplicity can be great when done right but you have to watch out when it’s done because of the necessity of dealing with restrictions or they simply cheap out and don’t do it right… and appearances can be deceiving, especially, at first glance… Though, the wood stove helps compensate for the potential moisture issues, at least at the times of the year you can use it…

    Anyway, their site indicates they usually focus on using natural materials in their construction. Including 80mm sheep’s wool for insulation, but can also use hemp, flax or wood wool. Typically, the R-values of wool insulation is around 3.6 per-inch to 4.3 per-inch and 80mm equals to just a little over 3 inches. Being in Germany, it can not be heavier than 3500 kg, and must not exceed the maximum height of 4 meters and a max width of 2.55 meters . The trailers are detachable because they can’t be legally permanently attached, which allows the THOW to be categorized as a payload and fit existing laws for transporting of products, and because of the weight limit they typically only offer trailers with lengths of 5, 6.50 and 7.2 meters… But they do custom build for their clients…

    Another home of theirs that is posted in another article, for example, has an in wall floating flush toilet instead of a composting toilet, for example.

    While, nothing here is patented or trademarked, so you can have any custom builder build you the same designed THOW but meeting your personal specifications and what’s allowed in your area of the world, if you just like how it looks…

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• Marsha Cowan
  November 14, 2020, 10:15 am

  This is a really nice house. Love the bathroom storage–very clever! I like a compact kitchen, and the main loft looks very roomy. Overall it’s a well thought out tiny home. If I could change anything, it would be the woodstove. I would place it facing forward and as close to the wall as possible (insulating board?), or turn it all the way facing the living room, build a half insulated wall behind it, and build storage on the other side of the wall facing the one in the kitchen. The storage could be used for wood storage for the heater. Just a thought. Really nice house!

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• Sheila
  November 15, 2020, 1:44 pm

  I do like this home. Fresh, airy and light. Love the window, kitchen and the wood burning stove. Shelves are nice and the bedroom is not dark. I like the bathroom.

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  • Natalie C. McKee
    November 16, 2020, 10:04 am

    So glad you enjoyed it!

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