Welcome to Tiny Homes, an idea that is more popular with minimalists than with neighborhood associations and zoning boards. We'll point out the fun parts. You'll have to check out the logistics and legalities - and the math and the movers.
Take a 1901 barn, a 1923 farmhouse, and a student who needs an architectural project and you get the opportunity to own a unique two piece tiny house. Come up with $23,000 and a way to move the project from its home in Olympia and you support a student with ideas while also being green and eco. At 256 square feet, the price per square foot isn't too bad, either. There must be a catch.
Some assembly required. The house is a student project, an incomplete student project. The most important parts are finished, or at least enough of the exterior has been completed to protect the building and the interior. As for the interior, the hardwood floor, bathroom sink, and "other bits" are in; but you may want to check on the kitchen, the rest of the bathroom, any cabinetry, lighting, plumbing, heating, etc. Details, details.
Some assembly is also required after you move it. The building was built in two parts. That's one way to get that extra floor space; put it in two pieces, somewhat like a double-wide, but offset for style. If two pieces, why not more? Grow a house as you need and can afford.
The eco idea has a lot going for it. By using wood from a 1901 barn you end up with a tiny house built from old growth timber. It would be ridiculously expensive to buy freshly cut old growth. Take it out of an old barn though, and the farmer may thank you. Some of the windows, and there are a lot of windows, came out of a 1923 farmhouse. There probably weren't many windows in the barn, and they had to come from somewhere. Many of them work, too. The result is good materials for far less, and less is sent to the landfill.
An old barn and an old farmhouse do not look as modern as this tiny. The old materials are dressed up for a new life. With cedar shake or corrugated metal siding, the house has a better chance of matching any existing building at its ultimate destination. With the right insulation, appliances, systems, and detailing, this tiny could be a show piece; in which case, find a more accessible site than out by the pigs.
Oh, and check the math. The dimensions and the listing claim about 256 square feet, but the description claims 227 square feet. Either an asterisk should be involved or someone should get out the red pen.
· Eco Tiny Home [THL]
· All Tiny Homes coverage [CS]
Written by Tom Trimbath