359 Rotating Home follows the sun like a sunflower

Ben Kaiser’s 359 house can be rotated by just one person- or two kids- pushing a bar and walking around it. It’s what he calls the logical union of the small house movement and energy consciousness. At just 12 foot square, or 144 square feet, his rotating house can follow the sun for warmth, and on cloudy or particularly cold days, it can be heated with just a 110 Volt heater.
359 falls short of full 360-degree rotation in order to avoid tangling electrical and water lines. The Portland house is fully plumbed and wired, but Kaiser sees the home’s ideal state as off-grid: “All you need is a garden hose hook-up and the house is ready to go,” he writes. The off-grid version would cost about $90,000, but that could even come down if these were mass-produced.
“But 12 by 12 the whole idea, you can actually put a crane on this so it’s all built to actually be picked up and moved. So 12 feet is the maximum width of shipping, trucking in the country so this would fit and not be over cost for trucking across the country.”
While the current home cost is permanently hooked up in Portland- the owners use it as a guest house and a nightly rental (the windows can be turned away from their main home when rented)- Kaiser sees the 359 as an ideal solution to the city’s homeless problems.
“The original idea was that these were made in a warehouse and I think it would be fantastic to make 30 of them and put them in a field on city-owned property and have very affordable housing. When you do a pre-manufactured thing you could just order 100 of them, 20 of them, and the cost is always just fixed and they’re built inside so all you’ve got to do is do the sewer hookups and drop the pre-permitted things on the site, so I think you could do it way less than a new project every time.”
Kaiser’s prescriptive for a field of 359s? ““If the sun is too hot, turn 359’s back to it. If the winter sun is desired, let the light shine in.”
PATH Architecture: www.architectur...
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....

[@TristanMorrow]

There was a writer who built a much smaller heliotropic shed as a"writing shed" in his back yard. He would turn it during the day to get optimum illumination, I believe using a clockwork mechanism...

[@kirstendirksen]

I'm guessing you're referring to George Bernard Shaw's revolving Writing Hut www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/george-bernard-shaws-garden This one is 2 stories and more modern, but they definitely have a lot in common (windows mainly on one side, etc).

[@maxdecphoenix]

So put in some fucking sun roofs. The 'light' in my bathroom camper is a thin, transluscent white plastic bulb that illuminates the room brilliantly for about 13 hours a day. And I don't have to rotate my camper. Better yet, you want optimum illumination to write, go sit in a fucking field.

[@firstlast9184]

maxdecphoenix Do you eat with that mouth that spews that filth?

[@kenwinstoncaine]

Yes, there are great benefits to tracking the sun -- especially in darker, colder climes. Solar orientation means natural heating and natural lighting with zero (or greatly reduced) energy expenditure.

[@maxdecphoenix]

south-facing windows in the Northern Hemisphere. North-facing windows in the Southern. no need for other novelties.

[@aperson2943]

It's guys like this that helps me to believe that my ideas of a dream house are not that far fetched. I love this channel so much.

[@rudde7251]

A dude in Norway build a HUGE automatically rotating house. Who uses electronics and is always tracking the sun. It's amazing.

[@rogeesatburn2046]

Rudde link?

[@jerroj2326]

Link?

[@becomingfr33]

@@rudde7251 I don't see it.

[@eriktarasyuk1552]

Rudde no link

[@rudde7251]

@@eriktarasyuk1552 Then I think you should consider glasses. Or maybe learn how the KZbin comment threads work.

[@dr.justintime1848]

Imagine this house being hexagon shaped instead, can still use the 12 feet wide sides, but adding 2 more sides would gain approximately double the space. I would also add an electrical engine to move the building and a surround balcony on the second story.

[@bcubed72]

+Time Doctor If you watched the video, you'd know the purpose behind the sizing is that you can ship stuff up to 12' wide without extreme expense...it was intended to be a "shippable house." A hexagon with 12' sides would be non-shippable. Not to mention that hexagonal rooms aren't very practical/useful space.

[@dr.justintime1848]

I disagree, the walls will still be flat. If it needs to be shippable it should be shipped in parts that you attach together, not a fully constructed house. this house is too small, I don't want to live with a mini fridge.

[@kimberlynhughes3658]

@@dr.justintime1848 you can have a full sized fridge or a European sized fridge if you prefer. But what you are suggesting would cost more money. I think he was also trying to keep costs down. Besides, I wouldn't want to have to put my house back together. You simply place it on your spot/foundation if u keep it the way he designed.

[@dr.justintime1848]

​@@kimberlynhughes3658 I think either you or me is missing the point. If it comes ready built, ok, you have a point. If it comes in parts that you put together yourself then I'd prefer to spend a little extra on having a house that is twice as big.

[@VanInhalin]

@@dr.justintime1848 This is an oversize load(much higher expense). In fact its too tall to ship upright, It would have to be shipped on its side to protect the large glass panes. That would lead one to believe that there would be some assembly required. Construction is based on vertical gravity, cabinets, countertops, toilets, windows, etc etc won't ship as reliably with "lateral" gravity applied. The type of person who would buy something like this and have it shipped "across the country" is someone above the threshold of the concept of value of money. Ideally something like this would be built by local builders in a warehouse and then only need to be shipped a short distance. Maybe there could be local "boutique" tiny home builders that specialize in high end builds and they could build off a plan that any architect in the world sent them and then ship a short distance. Most cheaper prefab trailer type tiny houses I've seen are built to an exceptionally low quality. As an aside, in final production a small electric motor would be used to rotate this house. The idea of manpower and leverage is cute, but that ain't happening irl.

[@birchplease9536]

This house was made for when the sun gets in your computer screen while watching tiny house videos.

[@sanctuarywoods7748]

Okay , sooooo the man engineered a house you can turn with a pole that spins on a centered sewer drain , then he puts a big rock in the way as a tripping hazard ? ! Even more amazing , he hasn't moved it yet.

[@265boots]

That’s was funny but still it’s a cool home

[@kimberlynhughes3658]

Lol- it is beautiful though

[@andrewhewes4010]

sanctuary woods I thought same thing. Duh.

[@AmantraDesign]

He put it there for leverage on the low point of otherwise flat, gravelly ground. If you look at the angle of the rock, it's similar to a runners starting block. I'm guessing the gravel is for mud proofing, drainage, and grip on the ground in the wet.

[@ratroddiesels1981]

this is the best tiny house ive seen very clever and the zen garden is low maintainence and enviromentally friendly ;]

[@mizpappas]

Kirtsen and her family are wonderful! I love seeing a whole family having an adventure 🦄

[@SandraNelson063]

I love the idea of using an "invasive" species as flooring and siding. Lovely interior. A nice vacation home idea.

[@o0bluemilk0o]

This is the neatest and most ingenious house I've ever seen.

[@funincanada]

I love the layout and how they utilized the space the way it rotates is awesome 👍

[@scottweissbeck1041]

I love this rotating house!

[@jacquelinefresquezfineart9753]

I’m obsessed w the fact that you can turn the house!!!!!!!!

[@liraziyad5806]

Girl? You know you are always finding some stuff to show us! Love it once again! And look at how the kids are growing!

[@mayamaeru]

LOVE the idea of a rotating house to follow the sun, OMG!!!

[@marcbeebuzz1711]

Should have showed the central plumbing and electrical design !!! MOST important part

[@CaalamusTube]

Likely proprietary...

[@boogiedownbronx73]

Also great multi-functional home/gym...I would use it as a work out every day haha and walk circles...

[@HousesBuiltTiny]

I building and raising a family in an alternative housing lifestyle for 30 years. That's simple life has led us to the most amazing Adventures. And we just love your channel we've seen them all keep them coming please

[@Gatubella48]

This home is amazing! I'm telling my husband, because he has been a carpenter for 40 years and works in construction....!

[@unchainedtechnologiesltd2638]

This is the ULTIMATE functional house. Pure genius on so many levels.

[@qristv1912]

i waited a while to click on this but im glad i did. if it weren't for KZbin i could probably go a lifetime and never see stuff like this. thanks4share

[@TheRausing1]

Seems like an amazing workout, just spinning your house around and around... you’d feel like Mr. Incredible!

[@paintedpony6394]

Amazing. I could easily live full time in this home. I love how it rotates!

[@oceaniebleue6032]

It’s genius, smart and compact it’s the minimalist house 🏡 of the future 👍🏻❣️🇨🇦

[@muhibuddinsoekarno1533]

I found this is the best channel that I don't want to miss every single content. Keep it up!

[@manueladames5835]

MY MOUTH NEVER CLOSES AGAIN SO STUNNED I AM BY WATCHING AL THIS GREAT TINY HOUSE MODELS :)

[@badapple65]

What is really crazy to think about is how the Earth circles around the Sun! But, this home is pretty darned cool!

[@lakecrab]

I would secure the lever under lock and key in an inconspicous place.

[@scdobserver835]

Wow, you can exercise with moving the house to change the view!!!

[@michaeldrewembrey2662]

One of my favorite Videos to WATCH so far, the moving energy is fun and practical

[@sportlol]

Happy to see the drone footage! definitely a great improvement

[@fortheloveofbrum3106]

I LOVE this house. This is my idea of heaven. I have always wanted a home that could track the sun. What a beauty!

[@dananelson3534]

This is pretty amazing, a tiny house that rotates to take advantage of the seasons. Thanks for sharing guys. Watched it twice.

[@greeniedrone2937]

I would really like the house if it had motorized tracking by the sun for maximum solar gain and energy storage as well as additional power sources such as a vertical wind turbine on the roof, a water catchment system, a composting toilet, and a garden to grow food would make it fully off-grid.

[@ismaeltenenbaum4103]

Great idea. To me, he needs to work on the stairs incline and include a full size fridge

[@kentvandervelden]

Amazing! People can be so creative when they have time and are allowed to be.

[@SweetFLGuy1]

This reminds me of a huge rotating dance floor in Orlando, Florida in a night club called Mannequins Dance Palace in Disney's Pleasure Island but unfortunately they closed it down and built more restaurants and shops : ( There is only a few dance clubs in the whole nation that has a rotating dance floor which is a fun experience while dancing and I sure miss that club. There is several KZbin videos that people took while dancing on the rotating floor. The rotating tiny house is very unique and a ingenious idea : ) Thank you Kirsten for filming.

[@blueman5924]

Marvellous! I have been daydreaming about this idea for months, a home that tracks the sun for solar power, or rotates the the desired view. Just like building a mini telescope observatory.

[@lenguyenhungarc23]

Wow, fantastic. That house can be roatate... by hand... crazy.. but.. i love that. Thanks Kirsten Dirksen

[@lifi5796]

Ironic, as a 7th-8th grader in mid-70's in Long Island I was lucky enough to think to create such a concept and homework was a model of such a rotating home. It was much larger and didn't get into the logistics of utilities, etc. but it sure was fun to Dream and to, Follow the SUN !

[@bnj0828]

The dog is pretty excited to see the house turning

[@frankfromupstateny3796]

Interesting....the second time I watched this,...I could hear Ms. Dirksen's drone flying...nice addition to her awesome videos. Good job Kirsten.

[@AndrewKumler]

I just love the way you film and produce your videos. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share with us. Cheers from Oregon.

[@tamaraweber3296]

Beautiful, ingenious. This is taking tiny house to the next level.

[@FrenchingAround]

I had a dream about such a house! But it was an apartment. Amazing...

[@EtherealAriel]

It reminds me of a tiny home i designed for an Arch course i took. If they added a third story and roof deck it would be even more elegant. I just love it!!

[@geocyo8835]

I would like to have a more thorough understanding of how the water and sewage work in this house. They kind of skimmed over it. I need detail.

[@clarkclarke]

YOU need more details?? wow!

[@douglasharley2440]

he said they used something that was originally used for natural gas applications, so google "rotating natural gas coupling" and get the details yourself.

[@stephenmg12]

They mentioned the sewage a lot. I'd like more details about electrical and water supply. Only mentions of those are that's why it can't rotate completely.

[@paulsuprono7225]

Not much internal storage, hmmmmmm . . . 😬

[@A2nthop]

@@stephenmg12 I imagine the main electrical and fresh water supply are just in flexible conduit/piping and wrapped around the waste water pipe. For water, something like a plastic PEX pipe (or whatever the modern equivalent is).

[@robautkir]

The house turning scene reminded me of Conan the barbarian...all that grunting and metal squeaking xD

[@BlutigerFuchs]

Him pushing the lever reminded me of Conan pushing the bar in Conan the Barbarian.

[@dannettekey8375]

I love the creativity in that design!

[@ApPersonaNonGrata]

Cool idea! Although, you could have a house where every wall is giant windows , have chairs that can be turned around (they make those now), and room-darkening blinds for every window.

[@burningmanmike]

next step, motorize the house to turn with a push of a button. maybe have pre-sets to go with the seasons, or...time of day!

[@CodeByRaeYT]

Nice one, Kristen! As always....

[@lorenl9262]

Great concept of being able to move the tiny house into multiple positions!! :)

[@christinafidance340]

That’s great and all and I love it ingenuity... but MY GOD! I LIVE ON A 37 FOOT BOAT AND I HAVE A DAMN OVEN!!! It’s not FULL size.... it’s a Princess Marine range with 3 electric burners and a decent size oven that’s just a tweensy bit smaller than a normal oven. (For example, you can roast a whole chicken, but not a turkey. Tonight I managed to fit a meatloaf AND a separate sheet pan of roasting veggies side by side in there!) But seriously folks.... DO PEOPLE NOT COOK ANYMORE???? I couldn’t live without my oven! It’s like the original “set it and forget it” dinner cheat!!! For example, I can throw a piece of salmon on a tray with potatoes and Brussels sprouts, pour a little melted butter and garlic on top and in 30 minutes, I got a home cooked meal! It’s THAT EASY, folks!!! Oh my bad, you put the potatoes in for 10 minutes and then add the sprouts and fish for another 20. THAT’S IT! And your guests will honestly think you went to culinary school, I shit you not!

[@DawnDavidson]

Those little marine ovens are amazing. I had a friend 20 ish years ago that had a boat and he lived aboard, and I experimented with cooking before he single handed it down to Mexico the first time. I’m always surprised that more people don’t utilize them in tiny homes!

[@jarrodabel4529]

I like this idea. I would really like to see the mechanical connections for all the utilities.

[@ronalonzo3976]

Awesome engineering and a beautiful home...

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍😍OMG this is awesome!! I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE!!! Amazing!! 💞

[@gogogg4610]

Love love this....but wish we had seen the entirety of the inside

[@fynbo1007]

Very cool house, thank you for sharing your amazing video. God bless you and your family

[@haroldsarino]

ive been thinking that same rotating house since 2010 i tried searching gear using tank turret lol it seems he also consider a problem like the plumbing! haha thanks for this i can now stop thinking about it

[@nelukaleanage3064]

This is smart. Smarter if electronic or "smart" to auto adjust with sunlight.

[@rainydaylady6596]

I love the house, but those stairs! Not a house for older folks unless they're in excellent shape. I also think it's great that it's in Portland. I'm wondering with the tiny house movement if this could be configured differently inside so the stairs aren't so steep.

[@UTubeGlennAR]

:} Vary Glad to see this concept in the flesh finally. Back in my hippie days this same idea drifted into my head in a cloud of smoke..... Now to see how great an I idea you had and followed thru on it and this is fulfilling for me also....... Wish you the best. PS I also had mine rotating electrically / inexpensivly with a 12v Jeep Bumper Cable Winch. The trick is have the cable both wind on and off the spool so you can pull in both direction to accomplish your 359 need as you feed out the slack so it is ready to go back in the opposite direction. :}

[@BenjasUberHobby]

Looks like a very nice little home :)

[@ehllyINTHEYEAR8642]

I liked the drone clip and the house house was really cool!

[@chopper421]

Kristen i have been a subscriber for a long time and you videos always amaze me thank you so much for these videos!

[@Ogsonofgroo]

I love this! Brilliant idea! Next step is covering it in solar panels and go off-grid! Thank you so much for this great vid and all the skills to put that together. I built houses for several years, this is very cool concept. Hmmm, A ring with a raised bed garden next? :) beautiful man, kudos!

[@reflexology52welsh48]

This is BRILLIANT, very cutting edge, it has so many possibilities, I wonder if you could put a couple of them close to each other, using a type of flexible walk way, and each cube having a couple points of entry....OMG, the possibilities that could come from this, my mind is racing, this is very innovative! WELL DONE!

[@Vera-dc7my]

Wow. Fantastic. I wish he would sell or share his blue print and technics so we can try and get our village hall to approve it. It's amazing.

[@Biggl]

i'd love to see it during a very windy thunderstorm. swoosh.

[@ozkrhills9624]

Fuck really good point... Must to put a sore of anchor. ..jajaja

[@flybeep1661]

As if it wouldn't have a lock mechanism.

[@Awelesslex]

Wonderful!!! Thank you once again!!! Im loving your use of the drone these days...

[@Bigwaterboi]

this is an amazing set up, rotating or not. I could totally imagine making an overhang roof fitted with solar panels and dropping this into a off grid property

[@Bummer1980]

What a really cool design! I’ve never seen a thing like that! I love that the space is so well thought out and the way you use the windows to heat the space or turn it to keep it cool.

[@TinyLuvsBostons]

Awesome!! The fisheye GoPro lens is the only negative.

[@seanruffolo6083]

Big Ballard in the fridge - I'm always amazed at the taste:price ratio of that beer. Delicious!

[@18magicMARKer]

its amazing that portland allows this creative house, here in los angeles the permiting would never allow this its so restictive

[@MaxamillianStudio]

Wonderful Work Kirsten! What an incredible concept!

[@tperry8130]

Wow! what a great idea...love it.

[@jacks19822]

it would nice if it's round, and open plan, with sun coming in from all sides... The point for that would be if you place it on the beach or sea side cliff , you can control which direction you want the wind to come in.

[@Rusofia]

I love such a house. It’s adorable 🌹.

[@wildchild7764]

this so awesome, I wish I had a house like this. wow!!!

[@netteleverett4871]

This is beyond amazing!!!💥💥💥💥

[@KennethCampbell]

This is incredible!! Stunning exterior (suppose it's a great use of the invasive Juniper) and it is quite spacious. Could easily add an outdoor cooker or oven for large meals right on the patio and cover it, if needed. Would love to see this with some solar panels and 2nd floor balcony space. Would make a great smart home, too. This was such a great watch, thanks. PS. Kirsten's reaction to moving while inside the house was so funny.

[@lizasoliman723]

it's basically a lego! i love this idea

[@deezynar]

You could have the bathroom and kitchen not revolve. Just have them in the center, and the house would turn around them. In fact, the bedroom could sit on top of the bathroom and also stay still. The living area would be the only space to move. Mount solar panels on it so they would track the sun.

[@CerealKiller.]

I dont want to brag about it, but on this principle my grandfather built windmill, it was 80% done when he passed away

[@KV-db9gw]

So found anyone to continue and finish it up?

[@CerealKiller.]

@@KV-db9gw No, Sir, we had to take it down, was swaying a lot when strong wind kicked in, it was built near a house, couldn't take any risks. And by the way, my older cousin +30 years bashed to peaces the three phase generator grandad bought for scrap copper. *insert* Palm Face here

[@hughrblackwell]

Wow. She's a bright reporter.

[@sholaking5027]

Ingeniously designed

[@MarshallSteeves]

This is in my city! Proud to live in Portland!

[@ajwasp3642]

I've lived here since 1981, and rents have skyrocketed. I can no longer live in my adopted home, with a fixed income. Fuck Portland.

[@carlyletom301]

I believe that he can get even more heat in by adding black perforated type drapes (that still let some light in). Added solar panels and rain water collection systems would be perfect for me.

[@MegaBobtube]

Can't have one like this in tornado prone midlands and hurricane playgrounds of Florida.

[@Justmylukc]

that would be a nice workout, just turning the house around for 30 to 60 minutes.

[@Kaisersozze]

Where's the living room? Is there just a bedroom upstairs?

[@PKedByBlade]

wow... very cool idea and excellent execution.

[@lovemind8466]

Just so amazing... I would love to see this off grid..

[@sarah-nm6dt]

Rent it out to some college kids, I want to watch! 😀

[@DawnDavidson]

As a Californian, I see this as a nightmare waiting for the first major quake. As far as I know, Portland is not immune to earthquakes. Otherwise, it’s clever.

[@vernedudeman]

Lots of people say they don't know what to do with invasives, but most are medicinal. Like juniper.

[@joanpellicci4365]

What a awesome idea!

[@paxundpeace9970]

Beautiful portland