Interesting small houses found on the Web

Started by John Raabe, April 13, 2010, 12:14:30 PM

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John Raabe

This is a thread to provide links and photos of interesting smaller houses you find.

I'll start by copying over a post by senior member speedfunk:

Hobbit House Farmstead (for sale!) :http://www.rrylander.com/




A small house in the round:

Here's one a lot like the way my parents built our house.  they started with a 6 sided center, then expanded as needed.  This is also very good site about a simple, sustainable way of living.

Quoted from the site www.earthstar.newlibertyvillage.com

"The building can easily be constructed with standard building materials, providing 309 square feet of living area, enough room for a kitchen sink and counter, queen‑size day bed and storage area, shelves for books and entertainment system or TV. There is also enough room to grow indoor greens and sprouts in the windows. It is ideal for a couple choosing to live a simple and modest lifestyle.

For larger families, two or more structures can be linked together to form cellular-type configurations, providing all the room necessary without waste of heat or space. Our modified B.E.L.L. is surprisingly easy to construct and as of 1999, the cost of the materials to complete the building was less than $5000. Although we had no building experience whatsoever, we have successfully built our own simple dwelling. It has been an incredible, empowering experience."






more info on the house:
http://www.earthstar.newlibertyvillage.com/BELL.htm

General List of Lumber & Building Materials

The following is a general list of standard building materials. This should serve to help one estimate the cost of construction. Whenever possible take advantage of utility grade (#3) lumber. This allowed us to save up to 7% on materials for framing. Utility grade is generally a poorer quality lumber, containing more knots or slightly less straight boards. But since the B.E.L.L. uses smaller lengths, one can minimize wasted lumber and money without much hassle using lesser grade boards. Also, if a sawmill is accessible, consider using rough sawn (1 x) pine or fir boards for siding, roof decking, trim, etc.  Generally, these can be purchased for around .50 cents per board foot.

Framing List

 (12) Foundation block piers (concrete)
(126) 2x6x 8'‑0" deck framing and plank floor
 (40) 1 x2x 8'‑0" for securing insulation beneath raised floor
 (96) 2x4x 8'‑0" for wall framing (studs and header footer boards)
 (16) 2x6x 8'‑0" for wall framing
 (16) 2x6x 12'‑0" roof rafters
  (1) 10"‑ 12" diameter post, approx. 16'‑0" long (anchored in concrete)
(145) 1 x8x 8'‑0" for siding and roof decking (rough sawn)
   (1) door
 (22) 2x3 insulated aluminum widows with screens
 (24) 4x8 sheets of 7/16" exterior grade plywood for outside walls and roof
(144) 1 x4x 8'‑0" for inside walls and trim
None of us are as smart as all of us.

John Raabe

Here is a related thread with information and photos of CountryPlans forum members homes that are 500sf or under:

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=8751
None of us are as smart as all of us.