Michael Janzen / Tiny House Design | Michael Janzen

Designer: Michael Janzen

I'm not an architect. I'm a simple living and tiny house advocate. Through my blog, TinyHouseDesign.com I write about downsizing and simple living. My hope is to inspire more people to discover that living in less space liberating. Shouldn't the true value of a home be measured by the happiness and security it brings instead of its size and cost?

Certifications

Services

Interests and Research Papers

Portfolio

Entry: Tiny House Cluster

views: 2408
votes: 4
comments: 10
profile: The Not So Empty Nest

area: 1408
bedrooms: 1 to 3
bathrooms: 3.5
garage stalls: 2
floor: 1
depth: 68
width: 68

Vote for This Design

In order to vote please enter a valid e-mail address and click on the vote link. We'll send you a validation link to this address. You should receive a validation e-mail after your vote on this site. Please click on the link in this e-mail to have your vote count. If you run into issues please contact us at WhosNext@FreeGreen.com. Thanks for voting.
Email:

Enter security code and click on the vote button:

Vote

I agree to the Voting Terms & Conditions
Comment on This Design
Add your comment here:

Your name:

Enter a valid e-mail:

Enter security code and click on the submit button:

SUBMIT

Comments on Tiny House Cluster

7/10/2010

Susan Allen: Love,love,love it. Reminds me of the cluster units from the 60s-70s that never quite caught on...ahead of its time. You have done it VERY WELL, and just in time for our rapidly changing world. It's flexible, private while still engaging, simply perfect indoor/outdoor living with all kinds of situations. Works for residential and commercial with options. Thank you!
3/15/2010

Deek: I do like the 4-structure-aspect, esp in terms of added privacy, and noise-minimalization- that is so key and appreciated in smaller structures.
3/12/2010

El Beedle: For me this addresses one aspect of the 'green movement' that nags me a bit, and I thank Mr Janzen for his entry: I am rubbed the wrong way by the many "GREEN MANSIONS" where folks seem to think that a few people need 2,000 to 6,000 square feet & if it's LEED something, then they are peaches. Laud the 'FIRST step,' but as population skyrockets? I agree with the other things brought up here as well: over time, this could be fleshed out with gardens, wind turbines and the like. I'd love to see this all around me, Instead of one big house on a lot- to simply have smaller homes on that same piece of land to accommodate a less expansive way of life. Thanks!
3/4/2010

Susan: I like this design for several reasons, apart from the efficient beauty of the thing. Each space is multifunctional, gratis the Murphy bed. They are well integrated but separate, good for multi-generational living, a family compound with related couples living in it, or cohousing as many of us older folk find ourselves alone and in need of a community. I also very much enjoy the outward looking attitude: you can live in much smaller spaces with a good line of sight, and it is good to be focused on the outside rather than one's navel. If you can site this where there is a spectacular view, so much the better. I like the 'communal' gathering space in the center, which would be great for a firepit or some sort of outdoor cooking dealie-bob for group gatherings. This reminds me of the clusters of tiny homes in the San Juan Islands and other cottage communities. The notion someone offered of different levels is also good: if you have grouped housing it is fabulous to have dedicated, 'buried' storage. I always envisioned a cluster of small homes for our family and their mates, with a shared building housing garage, workshop, laundry, exercise area. Last, no matter how you doll up the inside or determine to finish the outside, it's going to look very, very cool.
3/4/2010

Mark H: This creative design shows that practical living can also be prestige and provide flexible space use for today and tomorrows needs. It has an interesting profile from the various elavations that give it 'eye' appeal and with each zone being managed seperately should have 'buy' appeal for its efficient running cost potential. Ideal for co-purchase between different home owners whose budgets and needs will vary over time. Great job!
3/3/2010

mark: This design just begs to be built around a huge tree, or on a hillside with the tiny houses at different elevations. The separate small buidings approach opens up once unbuildable or very expensive to build lots. I also like the consideration of not having to build it all at one time, but as need or finances arise. Fantastic job I cant wait to see it fleshed out.
3/3/2010

Kaye Williams: Add a small wind turbine somewhere on there and it would be perfect for the plains states and here in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska - wind 24/7. This is perfect for my friends and I who are about to retire. Self sufficient etc. Please add a garden somewhere for appeal. Love the set up and the look - tiny but not so "folksy"
3/3/2010

Audrius: It can be one of "growing house" example.
3/2/2010

Julia: So incredibly cool! I want one!
3/2/2010

Craig Moorhouse: A very thoughtful design that invites one in as well as defining living space outside of four walls - to draw you out into green spaces. This redefines the boundaries that surrounds what is meant by the word "HOME". Grandchildren have ample space to play - to have a stress free place to visit with their grandparents. I can really see this small home being about enriching the quality of relations between family, friends, caregivers and the homes residents and I can not think of anything that would be more important than this in ones retirement years.

Who's Next Logo