I found this site just as the 200 sq/ft design contest was ending. I read the thread with a lot of interest and found different ideas enlightening and extremely interesting. I've been kicking this idea around for a while. So here it is....
For fun I thought I'd post this little 'challenge' idea. Nothing gets ideas flowing like a challenge. Lets show what we can do with a house foot print no bigger than 400 sq/ft. Anything else is fair game. Multiple story, single story, cantelever rooms, anything goes.
Here's mine to get things started.
First floor:
(http://tinypic.com/k4ijbs.jpg)
Second floor:
(http://tinypic.com/k4ijoz.jpg)
tjm,
That looks pretty square and boxy. Although you've got the bases covered, I'm wondering if it has any curb appeal. It's pretty tall too!
I wonder what we could do to give it curb appeal.
Mike...
Heres my contribution. Long and skinny with 400 sq.ft per floor but it has 2 full baths and room to sleep 6. And it looks mighty grand too, if I do say so myself.
(https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/butlerboi/HEARTHHOUSE.jpg)
(https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/butlerboi/HEARTHHOUSEFACADE.jpg)
Quotetjm,
That looks pretty square and boxy. Although you've got the bases covered, I'm wondering if it has any curb appeal. It's pretty tall too!
I like it, tjm! [smiley=thumbsup.gif] And square and boxy is an efficient (in terms of both time and money) way to build. As I said in another thread-you can do lots of things to add curb appeal if you just have a little imagination.
judy
I choose the simpe square because of it's efficient use of space. It wouldn't be too tall as the second floor has only 5' foor high walls, before the ceiling begins.
The bathroom is kicked out to provide the nessicary head room in the custom shower room.
It wasn't designed as a 'curb appeal' to be sold house plan. Just as an idea to help get thigns started in the thread.
For those of us close to an IKEA, they often have "sample" vignette furnished floorplans on display at their stores. It's a good place to get ideas. My husband and I are thinking of modifiying one of their display apartments into a rental unit. It's one level\.18x24, with a slight bump out and will be a 1 bedroom in less than 500 sq feet. The bedroom is designed to accomodate a king size bed. We're trying to work in a pull down bed for 'guests' somewhere in the liv/din areas.
Quote
The bathroom is kicked out to provide the nessicary head room in the custom shower room.
tjm,
I posted a question about a shower room a while back. http://www.countryplans.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1133712198/0#0
I'm looking for any and all ideas.
judy
Come on guys, no one else gonna take up the challenge of a 400 sqft house?
QuoteCome on guys, no one else gonna take up the challenge of a 400 sqft house?
I'm working on one for you right now... but it may take another day or two... other things get in the way!
Mike...
Mike, I look forward to your ideas. :D
Mark, Thanks for the callout on the challenge. AND.......I tweeked your design a little bit. I really liked your idea, but thought it was missing a living area. Living in an area where the cold comes and stays for 6 or 7 months indoor living areas are pretty importent.
I made the downstairs bathroom a 1/2 bath and opened up the downstairs bunk room into a living area. In the master bedroom I got a little selfish and made it all one room for the bread winners of the family to enjoy.
Oppps....forgot the pic.....
Here it is..
(http://tinypic.com/kczg9t.jpg)
How are we counting porches? I've got a design in the works, but it really wants a porch.
tjm:
Thats a nice variation and actually I have a variant of the plan in my file that has a larger living room where that bedroom is but it made the plan more than 400sq.ft. Making a smaller bathroom was a good solution. And the bigger master bedroom is nice too.
TJM: Heres another plan all on one floor of 400sq.ft. Actually 3 plans that all fit behind the same facade. Comments.
(https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/butlerboi/THREEPLANSONEFACE.jpg)
(https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/butlerboi/THREEPLANSONEFACADE.jpg)
Here is my contribution:
Floor Plan and View from Living to Kitchen
Cabin with eaves and gables is 14' X 32'. Cabin could be easy moved without special permits to another location. Bar with stools could easily be replaced with more cabinets, fireplace, etc . . .
Kitchen / Living Room:
- Vaulted Ceiling
- Sofa Bed
- Convertible Table in front of Sofa for Extra Dining
- Wall Mounted LCD TV
- Coat / Clothes Cabinet next to Front Door
- Dining Bar with Stools
- Under Counter Refrig.
- Microwave above Cooktop
- 4' Double Casement Windows at Sink and Dining / Bar
- Dishwasher
- Double Stainless Sink
- Abundance of Cabinets
Bath:
- 48" Walk-In Shower
- Porcelain Sink in Custom Oak Cabinet
- Full Size Toilet
- Cabinets across from Toilet for 20 Gal. Water Heater and Storage
- Electric Heat and A / C Centrally Located in Ceiling above Bath
BedRoom:
- Vaulted Ceiling
- Queen Bed
- Cabinets above and alongside Bed
- Hanging Storage at Foot of Bed - Space in Center for TV
QuoteHow are we counting porches? I've got a design in the works, but it really wants a porch.
I would say that porches don't count toward the 400 sq/ft provided they aren't totally enclosed.
And here is my contribution...
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft1.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft2.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft3.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft4.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft5.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft6.jpg)
Mike...
Is there a second floor?
There is, but there isn't. I haven't gotten that far yet. Maybe tonight or tomorrow morning. ;)
Mike...
Did you say you were using Floorplan to draw his or something else, Mike. It looks good -nice renderings.
Glenn,
Yes, I am using floor plan from Imsi. I have the registered version of 7.0; but I had to try 10 because they talked about the improved rendering. I have to agree.
It sure would be nice if they could fix the material specifications when a person exports to wrl...
Compare my renderings of the love shack to the renderings of the 400sq ft entry, and there's a world of difference. I might just go ahead and register for the upgrade.
(http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_wink.gif)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/loveshack1.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft1.jpg)
Mike...
*sigh* My entry is going great except that I sort of forgot to leave a place for a staircase. Granted, it's an earth-bermed house, but I don't think having to go outdoors to get from the first to the second floor is going to be a very popular design option. :-/
Okay, I've had some time to work on the second floor... (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_applause.gif)
Here's what I came up with...
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft9.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft10.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft7.jpg)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft8.jpg)
What do you think?
I'm still learning floorplan. It's not really tough, but you have to know what commands are available. Does anyone else here use floorplan 10?
Mike...
Does floorplan handle exteriors - odd roof lines OK? I don't think anything will handle my twisted ribbon roof. rectangle 16 feet x 21 feet with opposite corners diagonally 2 at 8' and 2 at 15' rotating on a 12' axis in the 21 foot direction. Log beams 8" diameter on 2' centers
Glenn,
Assuming that you're not kidding, I would have to say, "I don't know"! I really am a beginner at floorplan, in spite of how long I've owned it.
But you could definitely throw that at a decent cad program and it would handle it.
Mike...
QuoteDoes floorplan handle exteriors - odd roof lines OK? I don't think anything will handle my twisted ribbon roof. rectangle 16 feet x 21 feet with opposite corners diagonally 2 at 8' and 2 at 15' rotating on a 12' axis in the 21 foot direction. Log beams 8" diameter on 2' centers
I like that upstairs.
If you remove the wall behind the TV I think it'd open the room up visually. But I like everything else.
EDIT: This would make a real nice little cabin or even a starter home. Especially with a screened porch off the front.
Not kidding and if that one doesn't mess it up my corkscrew roof over the bedroom and bridge should really give it fits. 20' feet down to 8' viewed clockwise from the top meeting the twisted ribbon at the bottom.
The CAD program may handle it - if only I had the ability to draw it. Don't have the time to learn now, although I used to spend hours on that sort of thing.
Okay tjm,
You are right... I removed the wall behind the TV and it looks much better. (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_kewl.gif) Here's what it looks like now... But what do we do with all that valuable space behind the TV. It used to be part of the closet... (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_confused.gif)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft11.jpg)
Next I'll have to work on a front porch...
Mike...
Well Howdy! ;D
I haven't had time to stop in on this thread for awhile. Seems like we have an interesting project going on here.
Some good layouts evolving and I like to see the examples of the output from different drawing programs.
Maybe we can turn one of two of these into a working drawings set. I'll do the structural layout and you get to name the house, get credit as designer and get a free set of working drawings?? -- hmmm -- just thinking out loud. I like the renderings Mikeschn is producing very much. I wonder how easy the program is to use and can it produce acceptable floorplans. Structural details?
Me thinks me needs to go to the website. ;)
PS - on the stair. You might try doing a simple railing wall with drywall on both sides. This is simpler to build than the one shown, it gives you much of your wall back for built-in storage (pull-outs?), a bank of bookcases or whatever? Also, by the time you get this project done, the big screen TV you're modeling will be like 1 1/2" thick and you'll hang it like a picture.
*whew* Done for now. I swear this project ate my brain. I hope I didn't shrink it so much it's illegible.
(http://66.92.79.145/~ailsaek/ailsa/images/400-sf-house.jpg)
Sorry about how messy the second level is. The black grid overlaying the lower right area is meant to represent the slanting large window. The house is sunk into a slope, with the berm beginning just past the door on the right and abut the same level or a bit more forward on the left. The downstairs bathroom wall facing the atrium is glass blocks, as is the master bedroom wall facing the stairwell. There are steps from the hillside down to the patio by the upstairs bathroom and uphill patios by the second floor north and east windows. In case the letters are too blurred, the brown circle on the lower level is meant to be a 4' diameter wood-fired hot tub. The smaller bedroom is meant to have IKEA wardrobe units on the east wall for storage and sound baffling between rooms.
QuoteOkay tjm,
You are right... I removed the wall behind the TV and it looks much better. (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_kewl.gif) Here's what it looks like now... But what do we do with all that valuable space behind the TV. It used to be part of the closet... (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_confused.gif)
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/400sqft11.jpg)
Next I'll have to work on a front porch...
Mike...
Turn it into book shelves. Got to have someplace to have all the books.
Larry
QuoteOkay tjm,
You are right... I removed the wall behind the TV and it looks much better. (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_kewl.gif) Here's what it looks like now... But what do we do with all that valuable space behind the TV. It used to be part of the closet...
Next I'll have to work on a front porch...
Mike...
I'd close up the area under the stairs and have that be part of the closet. That way you don't lose any of the closet space that you had before. Where was the door to the closet? I didn't see it in any of the other pics.
Another idea....the roof/second floor.....why not just make it like a salt box type roof? Take total use of the loft space.
And one more idea for the kitchen (probably can't be drawn intothe pics, but).....what about one of those fold down tables. Up it's out of the way. Down it seats 4.
Looking forward to the porch. :D
Quote*whew* Done for now. I swear this project ate my brain. I hope I didn't shrink it so much it's illegible.
(http://66.92.79.145/~ailsaek/ailsa/images/400-sf-house.jpg)
Sorry about how messy the second level is. The black grid overlaying the lower right area is meant to represent the slanting large window. The house is sunk into a slope, with the berm beginning just past the door on the right and abut the same level or a bit more forward on the left. The downstairs bathroom wall facing the atrium is glass blocks, as is the master bedroom wall facing the stairwell. There are steps from the hillside down to the patio by the upstairs bathroom and uphill patios by the second floor north and east windows. In case the letters are too blurred, the brown circle on the lower level is meant to be a 4' diameter wood-fired hot tub. The smaller bedroom is meant to have IKEA wardrobe units on the east wall for storage and sound baffling between rooms.
OK...took a bit to put your concept together in my head until I realized that you were staggering the levels. Once I alinged the stairwell over the spriral stair case it suddenly made sense. I like it. Really pushes the boundry's of a 400 sq/ft foot print too. I say it meets the rule...but on a technicallity... ;D lol
Is that a dirt/grass floor inside or etched concrete for a passive solar heating benefit?
Mike: I'm really jealous of the drawings you are getting from Imsi floor plan. I tried to download it here but my system wouldnt let me without permission from the systems operator so I have to go sweet talk him into letting me have it. I cant wait to try it. Meanwhile does anyone know of any other simple minded floor plan programs that produce 3 d drawings like Mikes. I need one that runs on Windows NT.
Also if you guys want to try out something really wonderful. Go to www.sketchup.com and take their 8 hour trial. This is a really fascinating program that lets you design in 3 d with a relatively simple push and pull system. You draw a simple floor plan and then touch the wall thickness and move the cursor and the walls appear. its a bit like sculpture and you can add on and manipulate the volumes and turn the whole structure in space. It doesnt take long to learn the basics. But there is a downside....the free trial is just 8 hours, long enough to get you hoooked bad, BUT the program costs $495. I was already to buy until I saw the price. But go check it out, its the fastest model building program Ive ever seen. Its a great way to see how your spaces will actually work together. I'd be curious to know what others think of this program. ;)
Mike, nice job so far. Just one question... Will your little house have a "little house" out back??
QuoteOK...took a bit to put your concept together in my head until I realized that you were staggering the levels. Once I alinged the stairwell over the spriral stair case it suddenly made sense. I like it. Really pushes the boundry's of a 400 sq/ft foot print too. I say it meets the rule...but on a technicallity... ;D lol
Is that a dirt/grass floor inside or etched concrete for a passive solar heating benefit?
Oops. I should have been clearer about where the levels lined up. The grassy part is a 4' deep 4' high raised bed for thermal mass, etc. (Nasturtiums, spinach, lettuces, etc.) The ground floor is a concrete slab, also for thermal mass, and I was thinking of etching it or dyeing it in some way to make it interesting but not too expensive.
I wasn't sure if it would count when I was done with it, but I had fun putting it together. I think I'm goign to have a go at drawing an elevation or two this weekend, something I've never tried before.
I just got IMSI Floor Plan 3D Version 8 from http://www.planetcdrom.com/discount-software/FloorPlan-3D/
It works with XP.
So far I like it a lot. My PC is a little slow, and I need to buy a new mouse (I smashed the old one - long story) and I''m still learning how to do things with the program but it does nice, IMO, 3d images. The PC isn't hooked to the internet yet or I'd post up the little 20x30 I'm working/learning on.
I've been waiting for someone to ask where the bathroom was. Good job spotting that bartholomew!!! (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_applause.gif)
At this time it's an outhouse, out back. But one of these days I'll look and see if it can be integrated. But I don't really want to give up the first floor bedroom. (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_crying.gif)
Mike...
QuoteMike, nice job so far. Just one question... Will your little house have a "little house" out back??
Allright tjm!!! I want to see some pictures... copy your pictures to a floppy, and then get on the pc that you read this forum with, and share some pictures... (http://www.mikenchell.com/images/econ_goldtooth.gif)
Mike...
QuoteI just got IMSI Floor Plan 3D Version 8 from http://www.planetcdrom.com/discount-software/FloorPlan-3D/
It works with XP.
So far I like it a lot. My PC is a little slow, and I need to buy a new mouse (I smashed the old one - long story) and I''m still learning how to do things with the program but it does nice, IMO, 3d images. The PC isn't hooked to the internet yet or I'd post up the little 20x30 I'm working/learning on.
Hey Mike, what's a "floppy"? :-/
Just kidding I know - haven't used one in several years. Anymore I don't think I have many files small enough to fit on one. I use SD's now. Funny how fast stuff becomes outdated.
I know, I know... I use a 512 meg jump drive (Sandisk cruzer micro)... only because I don't want to slow down the computer by sharing another drive across the network.
But I think the key here is to get some pictures posted... via floppy, zip disk, cd, jump drive, sd, pcmcia, compact flash, xd... take your pick..
We have a guy on our forum that loves pics so much, that his signature line might as well be, "we luv dem pics". And I have to agree; in a fourm like this, pics are worth more than a thousand words!
Mike...
QuoteHey Mike, what's a "floppy"? :-/
Just kidding I know - haven't used one in several years. Anymore I don't think I have many files small enough to fit on one. I use SD's now. Funny how fast stuff becomes outdated.
FWIW, this is where I get floor plan from... No I am not connected with them in any way... I just use it... and I'm still learning.... http://www.turbocad.com/prodinfo.asp?mcid=316
Mike...
QuoteLets show what we can do with a house foot print no bigger than 400 sq/ft. Anything else is fair game. Multiple story, single story, cantelever rooms, anything goes.
Here is my effort
(http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/3600/jan2006400sf2ly.jpg)
396 sf.
Correction... 392 sf. Oops :-[
Good one Whit,
And Welcome..
That should work well. It is almost the same layout of my apartment! What's your cad program?
Quote
Compare my renderings of the love shack to the renderings of the 400sq ft entry, and there's a world of difference. I might just go ahead and register for the upgrade.
(http://www.mikenchell.com/tinyhouse/loveshack1.jpg)
Mike...
Mike,
That is an interesting little "love shack". I found the other pics on your site too. We must have shared a common thought on this one, we call ours the Luv Shack.
(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RgDtAo8V0AnwB0SeNyHXDhUWvAoB6YmmCU*7OYIkeEsHuLowZGdMqaUhw8GrGaAEGoL!UTYyn93rIJ1F3u9K04EU*J0RWwiHmGV9xUAV7j8/Luvshack.jpg?dc=4675511135900116583)
Here is a link to a few pics. 8x10 footprint.
http://groups.msn.com/TheLuvShack/2212005.msnw?albumlist=2
Really like your work btw.
Dan
QuoteQuoteLets show what we can do with a house foot print no bigger than 400 sq/ft. Anything else is fair game. Multiple story, single story, cantelever rooms, anything goes.
Here is my effort
(http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/3600/jan2006400sf2ly.jpg)
396 sf.
Nice little place you drew there. I like it.
QuoteWhat's your cad program?
I'm using Visual CADD. http://www.visualcadd.org/
It has been around for a while, longer still if you count Generic CAD (DOS). I'm sure there is better out there but the company I work for still uses it and I purchased a copy for myself. Seeing some of the impressive examples posted here it looks like I need to explore some other programs.
Yahoo group at; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/visualcadd/
Good group if you need help with the software
Has anyone ever given any thought to tiny house on wheels. What would be the largest one could build? Jay's are kinda small... almost 70 square feet. I was hoping for something a little bit larger...
Mike...
I'm not aware of anyone here building a larger version. Using conventional wood working techniques they get heavy real quick.
How big would you like, and how mobile?
I had a lot of fun exploring those tiny houses on wheels, but I moved on for the many reasons. One of the real detractors in my mind is that most of them have no "bathroom" facility. No toilet facility to be precise, and sometimes no shower.
That tends to put one in a dependent situation. Either you have your own place where sanitary and personal hygiene facilities must be accounted for separately, or you may have to "rent a space" where communal facilities are available, or you are parked on someone else's place, and have to use their shower and toilet.
I don't really like any of those options. So, for me, the only answer is to build big enough to accommodate those necessities.
When considering permanent living, the cabin sized ideas on this forum seemed the more reasonable option to me.