San Francisco artist/builder Jay Nelson’s electric car made of recycled bike parts, plywood, and fiberglass. There’s a stove, sink, and bed.
Godfrey Stephens’ latest sailboat is this little 12′ San Francisco Bay Pelican, a model designed in 1959 by Bill Short.
It’s a much beloved boat among sailors. Godfrey worked on and off customizing it. A leeboard on the side provides lateral resistance; this way he doesn’t need a centerboard, and can go up on the beach…
Photo by Ella Jenkins
Photo by Ella Jenkins
It’s like the whole thing is one big relief. It’s a relief to have a simpler life. It’s a relief to have less things. It’s a relief to be compact and contained…
In 1971, I bought a 1949 Federal two-ton flatbed truck for $125.00. I replaced the worn-out engine and transmission, rebuilt the brakes, and was off and running on a project that continues to this day…
Photo by Evan Kahn
Photo by Mike Basich
He bought a 1999 Dodge Ram and started by cutting out the back cab and fitting a massive custom roll bar made out of 2″ square tubing where the end of the cab used to be. He then built a custom camper to fit the truck bed, with a liftable top. This way, after the snowmobile is secured, the roof could raise to allow for a more comfortable living space…
Ness and Jess are two incredible ladies. After moving to New Zealand, they decided to begin their new life in a strange country by building a Tiny House on wheels. With minimal building experience but lots of passion, this dynamic duo has designed and constructed a true tiny masterpiece.
There’s no doubt about it, this tiny house is packed full of great features and industrial design influence. Much of that character is testament to the couples resourcefulness, repurposing skill and eye for a good bargain.
Elements such as the exposed structural steel beams that have been interwoven with LED rope lights help the home to not only build a bold impression but also somehow warms the raw nature of the materials and makes the cold steel feel like a cosy character piece for the home…
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When Antje wanted to build her own small dream house but was told that she must construct a home greater that 150 square meters, she started to look for alternatives. After spending some time researching her option on the internet, she decided that a Tiny House on wheels would be perfect for her needs…
Hey now. Lloyd and friends,
Here’s a bit more on my Zen Buggy:
Designed and built in northern California, it started out as a cardboard model and then I went out a bought a 5×8-foot landscape trailer. We put down some sheet metal first so critters wont get in through the bottom, and then my builder buddy, Tim, then welded up the supports and brackets we thought we needed.
We just made it up as we went along, as neither one of us had ever made anything like this.
We then monkeyed around with some plywood and a pencil and some chalk and got half our basic shape jigsawed and sanded, then mirrored it. Then we glued three of these shapes together to make each rib which we then bolted to the frame.
All the plywood was certified sustainably harvested, and most of the wood was reclaimed from Bug at Heritage Salvage in Petaluma and Almquist Lumber in Humboldt County.
Floor was high school bleachers made from Doug fir; the door is 100% reclaimed redwood from an old barn, made by Imperial Door in Sebastopol; cedar from I don’t remember; and the interior benches were naturally felled old-growth redwood from the Humboldt forest, with birch ply for ceiling.
Lots and lots of planing, cutting, screwing, sanding, and staining with Penofin Verdé, she came together.
Insulated with eco-bat and interior end-walls were painted with Bio-Shield clay paint.
It is heated by an under-carpet, radiant floor-heating system called a “rug buddy,” and is perfect for such a small space.
The carving in the bed frame is called a ranma and was carved in 1910 in Japan, and my closet is a shamisen case also from Japan made in 1920.
The outer roof/shell is made of Galvalume, which I was told was the only Energy Star–rated metal roofing. It keeps the inside cool when it is hot out. Scott, the owner of Northern Pacific Sheet Metal, worked out the edging detail in his free time.
The feeling inside is very peaceful and my sleep and dreams have never been better.
I want to thank every one who helped make this dream a reality, and even Bloomfield Farms in Petaluma where we built her, and thank you for letting me share my Zen Buggy.
Peace from,
–Flow
Photo by Lloyd Kahn
Many people would be really apprehensive when it comes to the idea of moving into a small space with a young family. The challenges such as lack of space and privacy are obvious. Perhaps what’s not so clear though, is the benefits. Josh, Naomi and Kilaian took the plunge, selling their three-bedroom home in Christchurch in order to purchase a house truck where they now all live together full time.
When it comes to House Trucks, this home is pretty large and very child friendly. At 11 meters (36 ft.) and weighing close to 20 tonnes, this home on wheels isn’t one that is perfectly suited for a grand family road-trip — although the family haven’t entirely ruled that out yet either. This home is beautifully constructed, with exceptional woodwork everywhere you look giving the house a rustic charm and warmth. When the gorgeous design isn’t enough on it’s own to keep you warm though, there is a lovely wood stove which sits in the centre of the living room.
Photo by Jay Nelson
A lightweight camper built built by artist Jay Nelson — from our book Tiny Homes on the Move.
Check out my latest project I made for my parents’ 50th anniversary.
–Mike Basich
This small home on wheels is smart, modern, incorporates passive design principles and was even designed to withstand earthquakes! For those who love the idea of getting into an affordable home but are afraid that a tiny house on wheels would be too small, this may be the ideal solution…
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