For maximum space versatility, the shelves and seats can be folded up and fastened out-of-the-way, and the massive drawers and cupboards under the bed provide ample storage. We have no running water or electricity, but plenty of comfort and convenience with the propane cooktop, large bay window, and skylight that lets us see the stars at night.
The structure of the tree house is a two-story wooden yurt with the roof supported by a web of small branches and spiraling cedar boards. The walls are cedar and hand-plastered, tinted, gypsum over drywall.
A cleverly built windbreak beach shelter captured by @lloyd.kahn.
This home was built by Marlin Hanson (@hanson_land_and_sea) with Douglas fir logs from adjacent land that were milled onsite. Marlin is a marine construction carpenter and he utilized the strong construction methods used in building piers for framing this home.
This home is featured in our book Small Homes: The Right Size on page 36.
With over 1,000 photographs, Shelter is a classic celebrating the imagination, resourcefulness, and exuberance of human habitat. It includes a history of shelter and the evolution of building types: tents, yurts, timber buildings, barns, small homes, domes, etc.
There is a section on building materials, including heavy timber construction and stud framing, as well as stone, straw bale, adobe, plaster, and bamboo. The spirit of the ’60s counterculture is evident, and the emphasis is on creating your own shelter (or space) with your own hands. A joyful, inspiring book.
To purchase go to www.shelterpub.com/….
By Lloyd Kahn and Bob Easton
House laser cut by Wood-A-Majig; stop motion concept by Mari Lillestol
Discovered new shack today, the day after I finished layout of revised driftwood book.
Having some training in natural building, as well as conventional building, and armed with a bookcase full of prior Lloyd Kahn / Shelter Publications books, I began the process of designing and building a small, yet comfortable, home for me and my family. I began salvaging and repurposing that which others left behind. Being a woodworker by trade and owning a sawmill, it soon became obvious that there were tremendous local resources to be had. Although not completely finished (Is it ever?), the house is currently being lived in and fully enjoyed by my wife, two boys, and me.
This beautifully proportioned and detailed barn would make a nice house shape. The gambrel shape (where roof changes pitch), give you more headroom for hay (or bedroom space) on the second story. The dormer is simple and straightforward: an extension of the upper roof line and the front wall line. Note slight upturn at roof’s edge to shoot rainwater out from walls.
This is a graceful little steel-framed boathouse that Dean built on the beach. Posts are 4″-5″ square steel, 8′ on center. The steel purlins are 2½″ steel tubes. The 1″×6″ sheathing is welded to the steel purlins with nails. Photo by @lloyd.kahn
Photo: Bruce Winckler
The rooftop shakes were sourced locally on the island and were steamed to achieve the curves. This cottage is featured in our latest book, Small Homes.
Lloyd House built this in 1972. His condition for taking the job was that the owners could only visit the job site three times during construction.
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