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Home Sweet Home?
by Caoimhin1 | July 17, 2008 at 07:21 am | 511 views | 18 comments | 42 recommendations
During this time of high mortgage payments, dwindling property values, and rising heating and energy costs some people are beginning to think seriously about tailoring their housing needs. Some downsizing alternatives have been with us for years, motorhomes, mobile homes, houseboats and camper vans; but, these are neither stationary nor controversial. There is another option being explored today that both delights some and infuriates others.
Jay Shafer is a former art teacher who has been invited to speaking engagements in the United States and Canada to promote his ideas on "tiny houses". For ten years he has been residing comfortably in a succession of homes that were all less than 100 square feet in size. This man is not "living large" though he is getting large receptions wherever he speaks to enthusiastic audiences who are concerned with the environment, reducing overhead expenses, and looking for something suitable to their changing needs.
Not all is rosy however in this Lilliputian land of little houses. Many local residents are outspoken and concerned that these miniatures, built in their neighbourhoods, will cause housing prices to drop even further.
* Here is a YouTube link for a tour of his house.
July 17, 2008 at 07:21 am by Caoimhin1, 511 views, 18 comments
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (18)
at 09:10 on July 17th, 2008
It's adorable though, I'd imagine, not recommended for the claustrophobic!
at 09:26 on July 17th, 2008
It would cut down on the housework though wouldn't it? I hate housework!
Thank you for the GS flag Karen! :)
at 09:09 on July 17th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 09:33 on July 17th, 2008
Those houses aren't much bigger than a wolf's den, eh Moonwolf? ;)
Thank you for the flag!
at 11:00 on July 17th, 2008
Very cool. Where did you see this?
at 11:06 on July 17th, 2008
Hi Jay.el, I found it on YouTube when looking for something else, which usually happens with me :)
The embedded links are from recent newspaper stories, thanks for dropping in!
at 11:39 on July 17th, 2008
Thanks for the comments and the flag Zichi! Good to see you around! :)
at 12:16 on July 17th, 2008
It's an interesting idea... I wonder how much easier on the environment it really is. A house like that would seriously reduce clutter, and the wasted food that comes with a massive fridge.
In terms of property value, it may not be too bad, since the cost of demolition would be nil... just get some friends and have them lug it away in exchange for pizza and beer before building the new abode.
at 12:38 on July 17th, 2008
Thanks for adding the video Jordan. I think it may be the one I linked to at the end of the article. In the "related" list for the video that my link directs you to is a mini-house in Toronto discussed on a news program. I couldn't figure out how to upload the videos from my end or I would have put that one up too!
Thanks again!
at 13:06 on July 17th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
You have to wonder why he's single though don't you... ? :)
at 13:21 on July 17th, 2008
He seemed to have a visitor there during the filming Amy! ;) Maybe he'll find someone that hates cleaning as much as he does!
Thanks for the GS flag!
at 14:30 on July 17th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Sort of a related fact...
There are about 25 Empty houses for every homless person in the US.
at 14:43 on July 17th, 2008
Isn't it a shame there is no joined up thinking between departments that could solve this situation? Thank you for that info and the flag Ifindtrends!
at 01:06 on July 18th, 2008
Yes. But atleast there are people thinking it. And coming up with creative solutions like the one you brought up.
at 21:53 on July 17th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Japan's average apartment size is 20 Sc Meters in all major City's like Tokyo and Soka Shi!
Yet one can live comfortably in those since they are well organised and smartly furnished!
The compact City is the only way we may be able to master future Population grows, Energy demand and supply as well as commuting and leaving more space for public gardens and City agriculture!
One really good Idea and environment friendly solutions are the Container Homes or Container City's that started out in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany! It does make use of the 3 R's and is space effective as well as Eco friendly!
at 00:57 on July 18th, 2008
Thanks for reading and flagging Paschen! Sounds like you should write a story about thses Container Homes, I'd be interested in reading about them! :)
at 03:34 on July 18th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff. I agree with Karen, you would have to be careful if something like this was built in Vancouver, where people in shopping carts would cart away your home when you're at work.
at 03:42 on July 18th, 2008
Thanks Barry! I guess that's why they build them next to trees...so they can chain and lock them up! This guy would be very comfortable wearing an eye-patch on a three-masted schooner...arrgh, arrgh!