Comments on: Possible Final Design for Nine Tiny Feet

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Tue, 17 May 2011 06:16:55 +0000

Thanks Terence. I should start posting my sketchup files more often. Not sure where this one is but I’ll keep your comment/suggestion in mind for future posts. If I find it I’ll try to get that added. Happy to share. Thanks again!

By: terence

terence — Tue, 17 May 2011 06:03:56 +0000

these designs are absolutely fascinating. ive been foraging around for sustainable living but this takes minimalist thinking to a whole new level. Do you reckon you could post up the google sketchup file of the completed version? I just want to have a feel of the house by exploring it. Thanks and keep up the amazing work

By: Knifemouth

Knifemouth — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:52:06 +0000

I deeply appreciated your comments above. ‘Nuff said.

I once luxuriated in 5′ and a few inches squared… this here would be a delight.

I suppose my only woe is that I am neither nimble nor could I go back to sleeping on thin foam.

I’d love to be able to own something myself someday -honest and undramatic? Before I expire. And while my days are fewer than most would ever guess, I appreciate that I can come to places as this and see attainable dreams -much as I hate to admit it, I can often gaze at other sites (Jay’s) and despair.

But I lived in a car as a teen, I slept under things and up in trees and in borrowed tarpaper shacks in remote wooded areas… if it isn’t your own- if it isn’t a home but a car? It’s not a HOME.

With my health I’d need some powerful insulation and may have to cut back on porch. But even now where I squat, I go and sit on the porch just for the feeling of reflecting, feeling a breeze… porches bring gifts that it’s easy to forget as many get locked up in their homes- especially the ones in their media rooms, or their grand basements. I’m not judging that they ought not have their luxuries- just that maybe they’d have yet more if they had a little time of contemplation and the world around them that a porch just brings to a soul.

Thank you (again) for the efforts you make in sharing. Means so much. Oh- and the water? You could always share it with someone or make use of it if you needed to mobilize. You know? I like it all & watching them evolve. Like cousins.

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:03:36 +0000

Thanks Gcsbarker,

I agree. Nine Tiny Feet isn’t really an experiment in the ideal micro living space but the smallest square footage for what four ‘normal’ walls can provide.

I did do a variation that was more towable. http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/2009/04/28/wedge-shaped-nine-tiny-feet-concept/

By: Gcsbarker

Gcsbarker — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:39:57 +0000

I think this is fascinating. However, if you are towing this behind a vehicle would it not be easier to sleep in the car? You are essentially towing around a bathroom. Convenient, but are you really improving upon what is already available? If it could be towed by a motorcycle or bicycle that would be useful.

By: John Faller

John Faller — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 08:52:40 +0000

Hi,
With regard to the toilet, if you separate the urine from the solids the smell virtually disappears. Systems like this are used in Sweden.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 23:34:16 +0000

I love this concept. I have done a great deal of camping in the back of my full size pickup… I know how every inch counts. The one thing I love most not sleeping in the truck, the ability to stand up. I can’t do that in my truck. Anyway, just want to say, do be sure to consider the width if you are looking at making this into a trailer. It appears most states require widths no greater than 8 to 8.5 feet. I wish you great success.

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:03:24 +0000

There would be a two-part fold-down (plywood) shelf level with the bay windows. This would create a level sleeping space 2-feet wide and a bit longer than six-feet long. Tight but doable.

The two shelf sections would make it easier to get in and out of bed without having to go outside. Sit on one side while folding down the second. The mattress would need to be something fairly flat like a camping mat or foam roll.

By: Billy Girlardo

Billy Girlardo — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:40:26 +0000

I read your paragraph on the sleeping spot, but can you throw up a graphic for that too – arguably the most important part IMO. TIA.

By: TruthHunter

TruthHunter — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:41:02 +0000

This house reminds me of the guy who crossed the
Atlantic in a 5’11″ sail”boat”. He was doubtless inspired by the the guy who crossed the Atlantic in 13’6″ Tinkerbelle and got famous for his trouble.

Unless you are cobbling together a bunch of scrap, it would use less material to make something simpler, but a little bigger. Really, a porch?
I am trying to think of reasons for going anywhere near this small. You want to hide it by making it
look like a tool shed? You plan to move a lot and want something you can tow around?