The problem with a Tumbleweed house is that even the 65 square foot model is over $36,000, plus shipping.
Well now I learn that early this year students at the University of British Columbia's Emily Carr Institute designed and built four houses, each unique, each 64 square feet, and none more than $1,500.
Unlike the Tumbleweed models, these little houses don't have their own toilet or shower facility. Instead, they're designed with communal living in mind. For example, a cluster of them might be built around a central bathroom and laundry facility.
Michael Johnson, one of the students who worked on [one of the houses], was surprised how fiercely the homeless citizens he met wanted to maintain their autonomy.
"Some of them weren't homeless because of a drug addiction, they weren't homeless because of anything. They just ran completely out of luck and out of money and out of all of the normal safety nets that catch people," he said. "A number of the people, while they appreciated what the shelters were doing, they felt that, to some extent, their individuality was lost. And speaking to some of the social workers, it was the loss of individuality that proved to be the biggest hurdle to overcome toward rehabilitation."
The portion I highlighted cannot be emphasized enough. It only surprises how much most people don't get that those who are homeless desire their autonomy as much as anyone. Shelters deprive them of that.
As for the little $1,500 houses designed by the students, the problem comes down again to land. And because they are so low cost and would share bathroom facilities, very likely NIMBYism too. Recommend this Post
7 comments:
You know Chris, I think having a private bathroom is also about autonomy, but Laundry facilities could be shared. A bathroom space can be pretty personal.
Do you have pictures of the ones designed by the Carr students? I loved the tumbleweed ones.
You are right. It is the land. I personally think that the city, province should provide the land very, very cheaply. It could be like crown land and taxes would also be very cheap because the costs associated with providing municipal serves were correspond with the size of the home. The destiny would be good for the environment too. Now this is a housing strategy.
No, couldn't find any photos. But I've written to the prof who assigned the students the project asking if he has any.
Re sharing a bathroom, I remember doing that in a dorm setting. Took awhile for me to get used to it. But once I did, I was OK with it.
But yes, I'd prefer my own too. And it's not like it isn't doable, as demonstrated by Tumbleweed. All of their models, including the 65 square foot one, has a combo toilet and shower facility.
$1,500. price tag if located on coastal BC land? I'd assume it would cost more, if only with the addition of energy-efficient insulation, for installation in other parts of Canada.
The article (or perhaps another one I read about the same thing?) did indicate that insulation is factored into the cost. E.g., the green wall mentioned, which is part of one of the houses, both would provide food and insulate.
Everything old is new again, apparently. When I first came to Manitoba, there was (still is) a tract of natural land where well insulated shelters were built as architecture projects, each one no larger than 12 foot square, designed to be heatable by one person's body heat plus a candle, although this latter requirement didn't really get fulfilled, at least not in the depth of a Manitoba winter. I have spent vacation time in one or another of these shelters.
I am sure they aren't as nice as these new shelters, but they were built about 40 years ago and are still in use.
In Manitoba in the early 70s there was a push for wind and water power and insulation and a host of other conservation initiatives. Then disco came and spoiled it all. :-)
But now all these initiatives are being pulled out of the closet again. Then, I was in college. Now I'm retired. It's a funny old world.
Noni, I agree that modern design could learn a great deal from the designers of old, I wish the municipal leaders of today would also learn from those of old - as in reducing the restrictions on where such homes can be placed.
There is also a company working with shipping containers to build homes in the mexican border towns
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081005/BUSINESS01/810050385/1003/NEWS01
They are aiming at a 320 sq ft home with bath ,kitchen and sleeping area for $8000.
Despite the global recession there has been shortages of these containers in the last year so I don't know if they will be able to hit their target price. Even at a higher price I'm sure there is a market for these homes somewhere.
I really want to move back to the land and one of these would be excellent short term housing while I build my straw bail or earth bag house.
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