In honor of this weeks daylight savings time adjustment we offer this time-warp video showing our progress.   

While stumbling my way through the internet, I came across this list of "space saving" chairs from This Old House.

The list is diverse, with some unique designs as well as old favorites (such as the Papton chair, shown at left, made from a single piece of card folded cardboard).

The practicality of some designs is questionable and most likely none of them will end up in Blake's Tiny House, but it is certainly fun to take a look.

While reading the book At Home by Bill Bryson,  I have been thinking about is how little the word "home" is used in everyday conversation.  Usually it is only mentioned in a phrase like, "I'm going home" or "I need to pick/drop something off at home" or "See you at home."  

"House" seems to be used more frequently.  After all it was the "housing crisis," not the "home crisis".  And the name of this website it is "Blake's Tiny House."

Well, I am off on an tangent.  But, perhaps that is appropriate, given that Bill Bryson is constantly jumping around in this book.  

In At Home, Bryson, who also authored  A Brief History of Nearly Everything, offers the history of the house.  Specifically, his small stone home in England that was built in the mid-1800s.  Although his Victorian vicarage differs from the residence of most people, it does not really matter because, as stated earlier, Bryson switches topic a lot.  He reminds us that the house---which started as the simple one room hall---has over time, been molded into something much more complicated and cluttered.  I think the modern complexity of houses, is good to keep in mind while working on a tiny house.

At Home is not a dull, dry historical tome, but a quirky book with facts and stories that are funny, unique and interesting.  Of particular note, is the section dealing with the impact of artificial light.  After reading it, I am sure no one would willingly return to the days of the single candle.

Sections of At Home can be found at Google Books.  NPR also has an interview with BIll Bryson.

Tell us where we should take the Tiny House. We are planning a journey that takes us to builder shows/conferences, RV shows, or general festivals/fairs.  Home base will be in the Bolder/Denver/Longmont area and we only have 7-8 days to do the tour. We are looking to tour in June or early July. Where do you want us to go? Comment below. 

Here at Blake's Tiny House, we live in areas with cold climates and understand how important it is to have a good building envelope.  Unfortunately, many of the traditional insulation products are made from some very unpleasant and often toxic chemicals.  

While looking about for some other options, we have come across Greensulate by Ecovative, a very interesting insulation product grown from rice hulls, cotton and fungus. 

For more information, take a look at this article from Time and a video from the always interesting TED talks. 

Taking the feedback we have received with our four initial designs, Lance and Alex have developed two exciting new designs.  Come take a look!

We have also made the SketchUp files available for download.  Please feel free to modify and have fun with them.  When you have come up with that pièce de résistance, send it to us and we will post your contributions on the site.

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.