We are impressed. Watch this Tiny House creator and be inspired.
Blake here. Right now at Blake’s Tiny House we are catching up on work and life following the holidays, so we are a bit behind schedule. We have been very pleased with all the comments, suggestions and other feedback we have receive on the preliminary designs we have posted. Thank you! Many people have voted on the designs with Lance’s concept being the favorite.
Over the coming days and weeks we will be moving into design development. That means stepping back, reviewing and analyzing the feedback we have received and coming up with one or two or more designs that are more detailed, refined and responsive to real world specifics.
Roles will be shifting a little bit. I will be assuming more of client and critic role. Sarah will be handling media inquiries. Lance and Alex of F9 Productions will be taking a project management role, keeping us on task. All of us will be participating in the upcoming design development, as well as product and materials research.
We will all be blogging with a more regular posting schedule. Other plans include:
- a website reorganization that is easier to use
- monthly newsletter, summarizing what has been happening at Blake’s Tiny House
- if we get really ambitious, a podcast
Thank you for visiting and please stop by regularly and often. We appreciate all the comments. If you have ideas for something you would like to see or suggestions about anything please let us know. Honestly, we have really learned a lot from everyone.
We are excited about the New Year and what it has to offer.
Many have commented on the design concepts on Blake’s Tiny House and quite a few have voted as well.
Since I am shifting to more of a client and critic role, I thought I would give my opinions/comments on the designs:
Transformers (or Blake’s Megatron House)
Some of the designs have featured really unique ways in which the tiny house can be transformed or modified. This is a particularly fun concept and it is surprising element in that is not typical of tiny houses. It is a great away to expand or create unique spaces.
It does, however, present some technical and cost challenges. In order to make the transformational elements a reality, I think the tiny house needs to be fully function without them, but can pick up “bonus” space once they are employed. Otherwise, the transformation seems a bit gimmicky. Also, I think a “fold down” or “fold up” approach seems easier to tackle than something which “pops out.”
Green Strategies
There have been many comments regarding what green design strategies have been incorporated on the Tiny House. It is our wish to incorporate as many simple and effective green design strategies as possible. I think it would be best to look more passive strategies as opposed to active ones, as typically these are more cost effective, which is important with our tight budget. In order of importance, I feel the following green strategies would the most benefit, in order of importance:
1. Passive daylighting
2. Passive heating/ventilation and Water Heating
3. Mini roof or vertical garden; mini greenhouse
4. Rainwater collection
Vertical and Roof Space
All of the designs used vertical space to some degree—mainly for a lofted bed. This is great, as vertical space is kind of a freebie—more usable space without increasing the area of the footprint. However, I think we can become more creative than just a lofted bed. Just to throw out some possibilities: additional open shelving or a mini-herb garden above the kitchen area.
Also, I think a roof balcony is another area where there is space to take advantage…
Surprise Factor / Simple Interior
All of the designs have some type of surprise factor: Lance’s can fold down, Sarah’s has pop out wings, and Alex’s has movable interiors. The one idea I really liked about my design is the difference between the outside and inside. On the exterior, the tiny house appears as a boring ice fishing house. But walk inside and it changes to a curved ceiling that allows in dappled light. It is a simple, but I think dramatic and comfortable effect. It basically that old phrase of, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover...” which I think can be very powerful.
Sofa
As someone had posted…there definitely needs to be a sofa. We’ll make it fit somehow.
