I’ve been exchanging emails with a gentleman named Andy in the North West about his tiny house with a balcony.
You can also consider it a “cabin”… It’s really compact but has everything I would need to be more than satisfied.
He sent me photos and I wanted to share them with you guys since he gave me permission to do so but I don’t have too many details on this particular project.
Andy is planning on building several more of these two story units with small balconies since that adds value to the structures.
What are your thoughts of this small cabin design? Could you see yourself comfortably living here?
I encourage you to check out the rest of the construction photos Andy shared with us below:
The photo above was shot while standing outside in the balcony. I really like the big window up here.
The one below was taken from the inside of the second story looking out towards the balcony. Nice view!
Beware of cat! 🙂
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Alex
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Okay, here is where I get the “looks” from people. I think this sort of cabin would be a great BOL (or “Bug Out Location”). It could sit remotely, blend end with the environment, and possibly have a removable sort of access. It is also quite a lovely cabin and I could totally see us living there provided the dimensions and layout were correct.
Hehe, yeah, I hope that he’ll send me updated photos once it’s finished. I’m curious as to how it’ll turn out when done. It’s a design I’d certainly enjoy mostly due to the balcony. I’ve always loved places to hang out outside, semi private, and higher up. I’ve been known to go on the roof of many of my previous employments, lol.
It is really cute! It would make a terrific vacation or bug out cabin, I agree. I like the looks of it, but would feel safer on the balcony if there were support beams under it. Really like this!
Support beams are a great idea not just for more support (although I really think it’s fine) but also for looks. Maybe he’ll add that, who knows. Thanks Kat!
this may be of interest
http://capefalconkayak.com/japanesehouse.html
Aquiles- thanks so much for sharing that link. I absolutely love it.
I encourage everyone else to go take a look as well: http://capefalconkayak.com/japanesehouse.html
This design looks great and would definitely be cost effective to build. My concern like Andrew’s would be mainly in the overall layout of the house. Stair design, how much space do they take up and the simple fact that a two story is definitely more challenging than a one story to build for most people. However, I am totally inspired by this and will be adding a small balcony to my new Cube design after seeing these pictures. BTW… The balcony is quite safe being built like that, but I would definitely not allow more than twenty people at a time out there.
Thanks, Kevin. Glad you liked it. I find the balcony inspiring too. And agree that it’s size it is safe. Can’t wait to see your new design.
Simple, easy to build, thoughtfully laid out, affordable enough, and good looking as well- all that a cabin should be.
-deek
Thanks, Deek, I totally agree.
The photo on the beam in the last pic is my favorite feature. =P
I liked the, “Beware of Cat” sign, myself.
I loved the house, btw. I always want to be up among the trees….
I got an email from Andy, the builder, with a little more info. He’s built quite a few of these so it’s not going to be “exact” but here it is..
The basic size is 8×12 foot base.
2×6 construction is the best, but I have used 2×4’s as well.
I intall 1 safety based window in the bottom (8×12) area (4′ wide X 3′ high) these you can escape thru incase of fire.
For the baloncy I try to buy a 4’x8′ window with sliding screened ends (2′ wide X 4′ tall).
The building that is all green is an (8×12′) base and a (12x 14′) top with the balcony of (3′ long and 12′ wide)
The plywood (Unfinished) building is an (8×12′) base and a (12×12′) top with an escape fire door and a (4×3′) window.
I will be building (2) larger units with balconys.
(8×12′) bottom + a (12’x16′) top, this will all be constructed using #2 and better 2×6 [S.P.F.] S4S means surfaced four sides. [spf means: spruce, pine, fir.
WILL THERE BE ANY FREE DOWNLOAD PLANS AVALABLE ????
Hey Mel- nope, at least not at this time. Thanks for asking.
I want to see some blueprints for this lovely small miccro cabin. Thanks.
Thanks, Dale, don’t have them but I’ll keep it in mind. I think it’d be great to have blueprints like this available too.
Did I mess the plans? Therefore no reaction to the “layout”. The concept of cantilevering the 2nd floor is a good one often used during the “split entry ranch” days to reduce joist size without compromising floor “bounce” but to extend the floor joists out to create an unprotected deck is asking for serious water/structural damage in the future.
And I hope they returns that window in the last picture. The seal of the lower sash is obviously damaged.
Thanks, Rich. No plans are available for this particular one. The owner built it from his own knowledge.
Some people have said they like the design. What design? It’s a box on top of a box with siding. People live on the inside of homes, even tiny ones. What counts is what is on the inside and how it is laid out and whether it uses space and materials efficiently.
Then there are all the site specific questions. Is this the right design for this location? for this climate? for the orientation. Design is not a floor plan and you shouldn’t consider a building a good design until you know how it would work for you!
Thanks, Steve.
When it comes to small or tiny homes, design is essentially simple. Complexity is pointless. I love the sign “beware of cat”! I would love to see a round, hexagon, or octagon house. I always wanted to convert a gazebo into a cabin. Also, I’de love to see an oval on wheels!
Complexity is pointless.. Love it.
I think that the two floor house has a balcony. I agree it adds to the value and fun factor of the house.
It would be nice to see how they get from the first floor to the second.
I have seen photos of houses in Holland (IIRC) where the second floor is bigger than the first since they tax according to how much ground are is used. 🙂
Yeah- I also wonder how they’ll get to the upstairs. Probably ladder style since it wouldn’t take up much space. But you could also do stairs which double as storage, like this couple did:
https://www.tinyhousetalk.com/devon-and-melissas-168-square-foot-tiny-house-video-tour-in-alaska/
Interesting on the larger second floors for tax purposes lol.
Sweet. Sweet – Andy in the North West about his tiny house with a balcony. I loved this story and photos. Keep them coming, Alex. This winter, I used my loft as storage!
Barefootin’ in rural south central sunny Arkansas
Evicted 101-year-old Detroit woman can’t go home
January 22, 2012 The federal government now says a 101-year-old Detroit woman it promised could move back into her foreclosed home four months ago can’t return because the building’s unsanitary and unsafe. Texana Hollis was evicted Sept. 12 and her belongings placed outside after her 65-year-old son failed to pay property taxes linked to a reverse mortgage and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development foreclosed on the home. Two days later, the department said she could return. But now, HUD said it won’t let Hollis move back in because of the house’s condition. She had lived there about 60 years. “Here I am, 100 years old, and don’t have a home,’’ Hollis said, rounding off her age. “Oh Lord, help me.’’ Department spokesman Brian Sullivan told The Detroit News ( http://bit.ly/yoTW9X) that an inspection determined the house “was completely unsuitable for a person to live in.’’“We can’t allow someone to live in that (atmosphere) now that we are essentially the owners of the property,’’ Sullivan said. “The home isn’t safe; it’s not sanitary. It’s certainly not suitable for anyone to live in, especially not a 101-year-old mother.’’HUD doesn’t want to pay to fix up the house, but Sullivan said the department’s seeking other agencies that might help with the work and get Hollis back into her home. “We’re not giving up,’’ Sullivan said. “We’re talking with anybody and everybody about solutions to this situation, but the condition of the property is a challenge.’’After hearing about her longtime friend’s eviction, Pollian Cheeks, 68, offered Hollis a room at her home within a mile of Hollis’ house. Hollis, who once taught Cheeks in Sunday school at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, agreed to the invitation and has been staying at Cheeks’ house in the meantime. “Polly’s just as nice to me as anybody could be. She goes out of her way to help me,’’ Hollis said, holding back tears. “It’s just like living at home, but it’s not my home.’’ Hollis’s son took out the reverse mortgage for the $32,000 assessed value of the property, an option that HUD permits for the elderly. HUD took control of the mortgage after the amount paid to the family exceeded the value of the house in 2006.
This is a real life example of why I continue to live small as I age here in America. All senior citizens need life alert, NO, I say all senior citizens need to live in a tiny dwell, especially here in America.
Barefootin’ in rural south central sunny Arkansas
Do you have floor plans?
Regarding the woman who wasn’t allowed back into her house: people who read that think that HUD is a Big Meanie but I’ve seen homes like that and you swear a sneeze will knock them down! When I lived in Chicago, I’d drive past homes that were canted so badly, it was ONLY the brick building next door that kept them upright. Homes where the front porch, steps and porch roof made it physically impossible to enter the home; I guess you went inside via the back door? In average to poorer neighborhoods, this was the norm and don’t even get me started in truly rural areas! We now live in rural Michigan and there are homes you’d swear were abandoned, yet there’s a satellite dish on the roof and a car in the driveway.
But, one thing to remember, whether you live in a large, moderate or tiny house, once you get to a certain age and disability, it doesn’t matter HOW small your dwelling is…your age will catch up with you. So, enjoy whatever square footage makes you happy while you are mobile: be that 10,000 square feet or 10 square feet. 🙂 This past month I lost two dear friends in their 70’s to Alzheimer’s and they are now institutionalized. One lived in a 3,000 square foot home and the other lived in a 400 square foot studio. Square footage or the lack thereof does NOT matter, in the end, only your happiness while you’re living in your home.
Great color too! Why do you think the lower back end of the house has less square footage? I would think the lower level need more to accomodate stairs, kitchenette, restroom possibly. I would be interested to see the floor plann.
Has any additional info become available for this particular build ?