Alaska Tiny House with Green Design for Sustainability College Professor

Mark Wipfli's "Midnight Sun Tiny House" might be the most northern tiny house! It's still a work in progress, but Mark's tiny house is unique in design and can withstand an impressive 150 degrees of temperature change from Alaska's summer to winter season.
Mark used to live in a large log cabin style home in Fairbanks, but then decided he didn't need so much space. He now rents his beautiful log cabin on AirBNB and lives in his tiny house on the property. He has access to electricity and water through his garage and pottery studio.
Mark is passionate about having a low-impact lifestyle, so he grows, hunts and fishes his own food. He also composts and utilizes rain catchment.
Full story & photos - tinyhousegiantjourney.com/2015...
Rent Mark's Log Cabin on your next vacation -airbnb.com/rooms/1803994?s=1
Subscribe: kzbin.infono...
Follow Jenna here:
Website: www.tinyhousegiantjourney.com
Facebook: / tinyhousegiantjourney
Instagram: / tinyhousegiantjourney
Twitter: / tinyhousegirl

[@londa4793]

Watching these videos are my weird obsession haah

[@Euer-Herzog]

Leedle Dee i love this too, my dream :D greets from germany

[@MinecraftPlayer1und2-TheMinder]

+teleherzog Ein Haus auf Rädern ist auch mein "Zukunftstraum", aber die Gesetze hier in Deutschland scheinen das ja ziemlich einzuschränken ._.

[@Euer-Herzog]

TheMinder × PvP auf Rädern ist es möglich, google mal "Mobilheime" habe Katalog seit 5 Jahren hier :D müssen kleine Räder drunter sein

[@MinecraftPlayer1und2-TheMinder]

teleherzog Ok, das wirft ja mal ganz neues Licht auf die Sache. Von dem was ich bisher recherchiert habe, schien es rechtlich nicht möglich zu sein... Naja, falls ich mich irgendwann entschließen sollte, eins zu bauen, werde ich mich einfach mal bei den Ämtern umhören...

[@bananamiggins1997]

likewise

[@Rebecca1Tupperware]

It’s actually a very well written and comprehensive book kzbin.infoUgkxhgbP-6hUnXu_QRaoHgLztgsI0YF3HqR0 . I wanted to pair this with an updated book on local codes to start planning a post-retirement dream shop. I think I have just about everything I need between the two. The extra plans available for purchase towards the end are priced almost as much as full home plans, not little sheds however.

[@Serene6703]

I love the beginning of your videos , where you show different people in different areas with their own tiny houses :) They all have that look of pride , and happiness :)

[@noelle1314]

Seems like every prof I see has that same monotoned sleep inducing voice lol

[@naziklerffeter3058]

Bueller?

[@651LYS]

Better than those fake, inane KZbin voices.

[@mcpsagentking5410]

Omg! 50 below zero!! U have to be superhuman to live in that type of extreme climate! Really nice little dwellng and compliments to its creator. Nice to know I'm not the only one who enjoys being a loner in a space custom designed for what pleases ones own taste. Enjoyed this very much...but not the climate :)

[@LukeBrady]

Lots of great Tiny House Videos, very well done. Easy to get ideas. Everyone gets their own story out there. Not too long, not too short.

[@fantasyreflection]

So many of these tiny houses have non-escape windows in the loft in the event of fire. Check out the house in New Zealand, very well designed, loft is roomy and airy and one could escape onto part of the sloping roof, slide down the roof and drop to the ground.

[@Hybrid.flower]

Love the iPad holder.

[@stevef4010]

Elmae El helps keep the screen from getting sticky.

[@mraidymaddful]

I think a nice wood burning stove would compliment that tiny house really well. What do you think?

[@stoneblue1795]

I think Mr. Climate change would say it would burn a hole in mother earth's delicate atmosphere, but I could be wrong. He probably has a massive stone fireplace up at the big house where the Gore's are entertained on Saturday nights.

[@stanlindert6332]

I like the down to earth practical way this guy thinks. The layers of insulation,full sized door. Think I'd add a wood burner. Love the porch.

[@GreatNorthWeb]

I would use this concept to build 10 of those houses side by side. I would join them all together and have a huge house. Revolutionary!

[@jeffharmed1616]

Thanks for sharing. Some of those ideas are excellent and I look forward to a second video in the fall

[@KitsuneNeko]

I'd be worried that the pitch of the roof slant will make snow pile up between the tiny house and the building next to it just enough to put weight on it to push it down the steep hill it's on. Hope he moves it before the snow comes. D: /worry

[@debbieboring3422]

Yes, I love his color blocking he has done. It is one of the most colorful tiny houses I've seen. I like it.

[@651LYS]

That greenhouse is fantastic!

[@rockyroxylovin5271]

Really great video! These are getting better and better :) Thanks for sharing. I hope you guys had a nice time in Alaska, I have heard only great things about the land. What a view!

[@rachelhudson4662]

My favourite tiny house so far.

[@yellowhammer3]

I couldn't live in a tiny house but I love tiny house people!

[@wanoor04]

love the detailing and the orange colour

[@ameic]

That iPad/movie theater is genius!

[@LilDroidBlue]

Those are my favorite colors to work with as well, except I also dig purple.

[@faithmoomoo1308]

Great! Really loved your sharing your ideas and inspiration for your tiny house!

[@stephendspringer]

Thanks for another great episode and my favorite bumper music on YT. I've learned a lot from your channel.

[@chubbycheesecake5131]

I absolutely love your channel, my need for a tiny house is huge!

[@RutherfordTony]

Enjoyed the video. There all different and one gets more ideas every time I watch another one. Stay safe!

[@rosaespinal7698]

I just want o congratulate you on a well made and beautiful tiny home. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!!! You will be nice and comfortable in it,I'm sure.

[@christineloggie4785]

I was so excited to see your post! I love following THGJ! This house was modern yet very cozy - his counter was lovely and I see many tiny home people get ideas from boats! Nice - Thank you again for doing what you do!

[@bunnymad5049]

Will so look forward to seeing this finished. Looks lovely. =)

[@reececrump8483]

love that toilet and the ipad holder and the fact its in alaska.

[@CyndyNeg]

very cool! love all the colors....great location!

[@tinynestproject]

Totally stealing a few ideas from this interior :) including the kitchen counter-top. We had thought about some kind of mount for a laptop in the loft, so we loved seeing the tablet slot and knowing we're not alone!

[@SexyBunny5576]

That tiny house is huge!! Its not even finished!

[@goldieratliff6812]

Just love your channel keep up the great job

[@zarahp2098]

A lot of really fantastic ideas here! I love this. :)

[@mamaspooky7806]

A tiny house that can survive Alaska weather! That's amazing. This is a cute house, I didn't see a closet for his clothes though.

[@user-kn9oq7le1g]

Thankyou for sharing! Its a lovely house :)

[@00230kevin]

You guys should go through some floating homes they are usually pretty compact. There's a lot of them in Washington!

[@ajmclucas1231]

This is great! Just subscribed, looking forward to upcoming videos! :)

[@wdbreezy]

It's nice to see a cold climate tiny house! I'm in Minnesota and was told by someone that tiny houses weren't possible in the North, I see that's not true. Maybe they were referring to zoning or off grid or (?) Anyway, it's good to hear how an Alaskan tiny house is insulated.

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

That's completely wrong! Ha. You can build your house with better insulation than a typical house, and it's such a small space it doesn't take much to heat. Can you hear your car in winter? Somewhat? Cars are super poorly insulated but are so small they can heat up.

[@aritakalo8011]

Tiny House Giant Journey Northern manufacturers of RV's have decades of experience insulating RV's and Caravans. If you can insulate a caravan, you can insulate a tinyhouse. It's all about good planning really. Trying to retro fit a non-insulated place is horrible and will be really bulky, but with right planning it is pretty virtually invisible. You can basically insulate any place with standard depth doors and windows, since you can put enough insulation in the depth taken by the door and window frames anyway. You just need to make sure you use suitable type insulation and use wall construction design that is meant to be insulated. As a scandinavian I would have one tip about insulation: get good doors and windows. I mean really good ones, specifically designed, sealed and insulated for northern use. All of the insulation in the walls, floor and roof will be completely wasted, if a north wind can just blow through your door or window. Hence why Mark talked about being so careful about sealing all cracks and holes. In long term use insulation is really only as good as it's weakest point, which is usually door or window. There is a reason why arctic windows are triple layer and doors have a sandwich insulation construction.

[@haydenbarbosa6171]

They probably meant since the Earth is round if you go North high enough you will end up in the South

[@e.v.6389]

I'm in Minnesota and am trying to find a spot to park the Tiny home.

[@suzilindblad5207]

I really like this house!

[@sensei9437]

I would love to have some of his pottery, it looks gorgeous!

[@cocowawa2453]

Love it and the way he is doing everything. He plants, his own huge home is earning money, he is doing what he loves....what a great way to live! Am planning my own cabin right now.

[@kathleenlowry9403]

really wonderful !

[@endwatcher]

Loving the counter top

[@ronf948]

Howdy ... I've been following you guys ever since you came through my area (Orlando, FL) This video, interview, is one of the best you have done. Thanks :)

[@babycakes8973]

YAY another video!

[@naberville3305]

In Alaska the maximum height for trailers is actually 14 feet so he coulda gone higher if he wanted. Awesome to see tiny houses here in fairbanks:) Theres actually one building in progress I see everyday on my way home.

[@samurilip]

this house is so cozy looking, i love it! i wonder what he'll do next

[@gethimgelded]

Awesome... I would love one of these. ;)

[@smallfootprint2961]

Wow! What a great setup. Nice that you're legally able to live in a "trailer" on your own property.

[@mrjoseph9827]

There's tons of Tiny house up in them there woods. Hehe. It's a great looking place. Good luck to you on the future.

[@RonnieMinh]

Great video and ideas.

[@TheRindyrae]

I love the deck and blue door

[@teesha123]

OMG THE IPAD HOLDER IDEA, YASS!!!

[@ecoomber]

I really like the canvass walls! It would save a lot of weight and space.

[@kevinlyons5314]

This tune by Grady Kelneck just hits me so hard! Love the vibe

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

Glad you like it. We're super happy he lets us use his work.

[@kevinlyons5314]

He's really good!

[@FoxKoit]

I like this....:) Now there was a proper room for.

[@bryantford3054]

Glad you made it to Alaska. Fairbanks is brutal in the winter. Your tires can freeze overnight & will go THUMP THUMP THUMP down the road til they finally thaw out. Now that's cold! Speaking of cold, it's good you settled on "climate change" cuz I got confused with the global cooling, then the global warming. Climate change covers all the bases, whether it's warmer, cooler, drier or wetter than last year. Very convenient! Higher taxes & energy bills will fix everything.

[@cnypilot]

Bryant Ford Oh look! A denier. :)

[@collenestephenson3550]

Aren't they fun? So cute in their denial.

[@spotterofgold]

+Tiny House Giant Journey Has he finished it yet? I would love to see the finished product. Love your videos, Jenna and Guillaume! Very professional and well presented! Cheers and Congratulations!

[@helenbeee519]

Amazing love the materials used both inside and out. The deck is proportionally right too. Im not a fan of corrugated iron lining for bathrooms because functionally it would be hard to clean so was thinking flat iron sheeting bent to shape with no joins and a copper spray finish? for the alcove might be a cheap alternative to corrugation. Other than that a marine ply apoxy resined shower alcove would look awesome too. My other idea is to house the bed over the entry area have it lower so you got more head height so even if you have to stoop a little on entry the space would open up as you moved into the living areas to a full height. As for seating when I see a tiny house with little furniture I love the openess of the space and was thinking of hinged seating like theatre seats that could flip up when not being used? This tiny house gets the ol brain cells working overtime. :)

[@ashleyyyy25]

You guys made it to Alaska? I'm from Juneau but currently in Anchorage, glad you are showcasing some Great Alaska finds! Are you going to make it to Southeast (Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan)? I would love to see some tiny houses there + you would get some good Alaska in on your trip! ;D

[@multicolorweirdo]

I'm so happy! I was really excited to see this video because I live in fairbanks, and because I really like his tiny house design. I really liked his color scheme specifically. I am not really into shed rooves or metal usually but I really like how they blend well in this design. The red really pops and contrasts well with the medium ceder colors and the rigid metal paneling. Per chance do you know if he's had any trouble with snow build up? I was considering using 2x6 stick framing for my houses instead of 2x4 for extra durability, but I also don't really want to give up that space as my family of 4 will be living in our tiny house. We need every bit we can get! I do know if a few tiny houses here in alaska also but I couldn't say which one is the most northern!

[@multicolorweirdo]

btw your hair looks great!

[@solatiumz]

As a British person, I would like to know from Alaskans if they feel the same as other Americans or if they think of themselves as Alaskans first and foremost?

[@janehope9730]

I grew up in Alaska and we are a special group. Much of the time we are under snow. In Fairbanks I have seen -60°! People have called us eccentric. (This does not hold true for newer people in AK that never get out of their vehicles). Love love the metal siding on this tiny house! Wish they showed more of the pottery. Yay, UofA!

[@juleenforbes]

Looks bigger than I expected inside

[@bgdn5]

+Juleen Forbes ))) Because there is no furniture inside

[@6maxgrinder549]

that's what she said

[@ReggieTime]

That Fabric on cabinets lays perfectly, unlike other curtains ive seen....what kind is it?

[@LIVEINPEACE2023]

Sweet! 👍

[@tacha3490]

University!! My grandfather was Arnold Griese. Did you know him? Nice space!!!!

[@laurentaylor4047]

Tiny house🏡=LIFE

[@deadaccount4734]

love it

[@relaxhappytube5934]

I'd be nice if there were a program where people build tiny homes for others who don't have help. There are lonely people out there who need help and who are unhappy living at apt. bld. or renting a room at a stranger's house or worse homeless.

[@4Freedomrider]

Who thumbs down this real stuff? They should be watching some fake reality show instead of spreading their lameness to great little videos like this.

[@motel29]

Must be nice to have a "big" house to rent. No hating at all! A Big Up Bro!~

[@janes7227]

How does he cover the seams on his canvas wall treatments? In the video the ends are sticking out.

[@Deltro61]

Hi Mark! I'm actually in Fairbanks and building a tiny house, so you're not the only one! Would love to take a peak in person.

[@Gevedon]

I like it!! ;b

[@MsFukeneh]

i watch a lot of tiny houses and I have to say I think this is in my top 3..i wish I could get my fiancé on board..im a minimalist and don't need much to make me content and hes a big house dweller...

[@Becca_Lynn]

I'm here so early! Whoaaaaaaaa :) Just needed to acknowledge this moment. You guys are great. Okay cool. Bye.

[@NickDeBusk]

If the house is only half done why did you fim it? Why not wait until it's completed to make your video?

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

Because we were in Fairbanks at that time... We're traveling with our own tiny house and don't have the funds to travel to locations for shoot. We find tiny houses along the way. The videos we produce don't generate enough income to justify traveling for them. We'd love to, but we're not paid for it. We figured it was still better to show it to the world and share some details than ignore the house altogether...

[@SvobodovaEva]

Nick DeBusk It's nice to see it in the progress

[@NickDeBusk]

ok. thanks for the response. I figured as much but didn't know if you just did more construction videos or progress videos. Thanks for the channel and look forward to seeing more. :)

[@The_Bearded_Lady]

he keeps saying small footprint... but he has all that land and a big house and a tiny house. i doubt airbnb has folks in it 24/7. so he has 2 houses and a studio/workshop and he uses all grid power... not really a small footprint... kind of a bigger than normal footprint...

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

AL Genaro You're not entirely wrong. Mark does have more than the average tiny houser. Consider this fact: Living full time in a tiny house is illegal unless you have a permanent residence (the same goes from living in an RV). A lot of tiny housers are living illegally, but Mark is not because of his big house. The way he gets around it is by renting it out on AirBNB, and he says it's almost always booked. As for the property, he utilizes for sustainable practices like growing his own vegetables and raising chickens. On grid power is another way of staying legal and most likely required for his log cabin. He does use rain catchment for water and composting for his garden. He may not have the smallest of small footprints, but he is definitely not bigger than a normal footprint. And, he's doing it legally. Not an easy task.

[@GspaceW]

tiny house burn

[@The_Bearded_Lady]

Tiny House Giant Journey I don't think it is bad, I just think constantly saying tiny footprint is funny. I live in a tiny outbuilding in back of a normal house... It is a collective with lots of folks and growing food and such in the middle of a city. My dry cabin is small by most people's standards, but it is probably bigger than your house on wheels. But one person with all that space saying small footprint seems to get to me. But I know collective living isn't for everyone. It is neat all the same. Just the tiny movement is getting too rich for my blood...

[@smallfootprint2961]

+Tiny House Giant Journey Not sure about the legality of it in all areas. Zoning for single family w/in city limits where I've lived and live, does not allow for anyone living in a trailer (tiny house.) Just the single fam res. County areas may be more lenient. Density and traffic/parking can come under consideration. I'd do some checking in any given area before assuming anything. You'd hate to get it all set up and have to remove it. I would.

[@GoatzombieBubba]

f you build according to code (which you’ll have to if you build on a foundation), that means your tiny home will be a safe, legal dwelling place.

[@veraniahinojosa2963]

Wow I would love to own one of these, it must be so expensive, I should save up.

[@crystalburnham9757]

I'm building a shed-style roof tiny house, almost at roof- trying to figure out if I ought to cut my rafters flush or not. I wonder how Mark did his overhang/ what this cornice type is called. How do you add the rake cornice? (the one on the narrow sides (tongue and butt of trailer).

[@sensei9437]

Is there anywhere he might have pictures of it completed?

[@mynamesnotrob]

what was the heating system. Electric base board.. they didnt cover that.

[@jesuscisneros2555]

love it excellent video guys

[@home-mini-garden6533]

Wow... Alaska... Cold....

[@dailyguidedog8432]

I would love that place. My dream once the kids are gone lol. I started a vlog about my seeing guide dog and myself. I would love some more subscribers. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@PreciousParadigm]

the melody at the beginning of this video series sounds a lot like Ryan Adams's little-known classic Let It Ride.

[@ochareunch1]

How did the house fair in the extreme cold?

[@Kay-qx2nt]

Wow tiny house giant journey! I've read a couple of your comments on videos. You are a sassy channel my friend lol

[@651LYS]

My friend has a friend who has a tiny house in Homer, AK. He builds them.

[@johnransom9039]

Low impact lifestyle? Look around the rest of the professor's property.

[@buenamami145]

this dude has it goin on! Love it!!!!

[@sherileepoetcmt]

Can you re-visit in the winter? Would love to see how it's going then and what heat he's using, and if he'll insulate the bottom somehow. I've notice others use hay bales? Thanks for the video and tour!

[@TheMusachioedBrony]

Yes! I was wondering exactly the same thing! Others have complained that with the house elevated on the trailer, it becomes cold. I was also wondering what he will do to prevent heat loss in the frigid winter weather. I saw in one other video that a woman used straw bales. I wonder what other options exist besides straw??

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

We'd love to, but we can't afford to go back there just for that... Straw bales is your best R-value/$. You can also just build a skirt with some insulation material. The risk with those is that critters might make it home. Mark told us that he didn't do anything last winter and the floors were fine. His extra insulation (thicker walls) seems to work beautifully!

[@brianrozell7626]

Furthest North tiny house? Hardly. Many small cabins sprinkled through the north country smaller than this. Try Heimo Korth's cabin in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

[@travissidoroff3592]

How do you get one arctic-friendly?

[@trevorbunkers7921]

Anyone know the brand of trailer his house is attached to?

[@heathermcalister9919]

this is a gorgeous example of a man /swoon

[@ps9743]

Nice place with lots great ideas and looks but UM hard to get thru

[@SvobodovaEva]

I have a question, can somebody please educate me? Why do people always use wheel trailers as a base for their houses instead of building the house from scratch? Or is that a thing in America? Because I haven't seen it much here in Europe, people usually build tiny cottages.

[@TinyHouseGiantJourney]

SvobodovaEva It's illegal to build a new house under 200 square feet on a foundation. This law was formed sometime in the mid 20th century, so homes that were built prior to the law are exempt. I believe it's the international building code that all permanent dwellings need to be over 200 square feet (but don't quote me on that). Obviously, in some areas of the world, building codes are less regulated. In the USA and Canada building codes are heavily enforced, although in rural areas they are usually ignored. Some counties do not allow you to build under 750 square feet! They do this so that all of the homes in one neighborhood look the same. Imagine a 3,000 square foot house next door to a 300 square foot house. The people who live in mansions would not like living next to a shack! For some people, tiny homes on wheels act as a loop hole to live small without having to obey code and pay large fees. Plus, it's mobile, which is really what we like about it!

[@CarolynnMarkey]

They have laws in America about the size of houses. Building on wheels exempts you from the laws so you can make a tiny house.

[@SvobodovaEva]

Tiny House Giant Journey oh, I thought of many explanations but I never thought of that. I'm not sure what the law is in my country or in EU but it just seems so unreasonable. Thank you for enlightening me.

[@goestplus]

+Tiny House Giant Journey +Tiny House Giant Journey actually-- these kinds of laws were made as a way to protect people, particularly immigrants, living in tenement conditions in the early twentieth century. Many of these laws were implemented during urban renewal periods in the early 19-teens, twenties & thirties. Although I'm a huge supporter/fan of the tiny house movement, I think these laws were and still are EXTREMELY important, and Tiny House people should understand the history of these laws, and how they were meant to protect economically vulnerable populations of people living in urban environments.

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

Yeah, making laws that force people to pay high rents and mortgages for their entire lives protects them from building small shelters that they could easily pay for with a year of work.....slavery to banks and landlords is so comforting.....