Living Small

This short video features tiny house builders Jim and Caleb Wilkins, who explain how building and living small can have a positive impact on the environment.
This video also features the research of University of Minnesota scientists studying households and urban pollution. The Twin Cities Household Ecosystem Project aims to quantify the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus through households along an urban to exurban gradient in the Saint Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota metropolitan area.
To learn more about this research project:
www.tchep.umn.edu
This video is part of the 'Sustainable Shelter' exhibit at the University of Minnesota's Bell Museum of Natural History:
www.bellmuseum.org/
Video Produced by Shanai Matteson and Matt Ehling
copyright 2010 Regents of the University of Minnesota

[@harshdeeptelang127]

This is the kind of video that gets widely recommended!

[@wjimmyjames]

Tiny Green Cabins was asked to be a part of an exhibit on sustainable shelters at the Bell Museum of Natural History. They shot over 2 hours of video at our location and shot many more hours of University Professors before edits and opening the exhibit and release of this video. We are proud to be a part of this video and exhibit and know that you will enjoy the video as well as the other related videos that are part of the exhibit. By living small, you can indeed live large!

[@lokinsea]

I agree I just like them, because its a cool getaway in the woods.

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

The best places for this type of arrangement I’ve found are lands for sale at least 1 hour away from a city or town in an undeveloped area, preferably those with a dilapidated cabin or mobile home on it. They are usually sold relatively cheap because of their location and condition but the existing structure keeps away unnecessary curiosity from any “shed” you might add to your property. Godspeed in your journey fellow KZbinr & please post a video if you make it happen!

[@wjimmyjames]

The current home is a 400 sqft cottage. Jim is the process of building a new model called the High Plains Drifter that has a main floor bedroom and loft loft area. That one will be around 200 sqft.

[@8digitPDX]

It is definitely a niche market but the housing model can be scaled up as families grow. As the family grows, they put in additional buildings or just move out and keep the tiny house as a guest place.

[@clittle10301]

THANK YOU! Someone needs to be a voice of reason:)

[@wjimmyjames]

Your reasons are valid, and it is no surprise that the more ecological choice is also the one that supports freedom and security you want..

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

Puting them on wheels is what is confining if you are not afraid of building and zoning codes you can build a small shelter that’s bigger than a closet for a lot less than a little house.

[@DreamersPathways]

Lets hope we don't wind up cramming all these tiny houses and small living spaces together like rat cages in the future; the greatest challenge in the small living space movement is to keep the outdoors as a vast, diverse and natural space.

[@NONNIE357]

I think this stuff is Great ! I've always been a Not Financially High in Society. So I have learned to appreciate the small things in life ! Like a roof over your head and a pillow lay it on ! This is not Roughing it at all this is Living in Style !

[@wjimmyjames]

Actually, Jim lives in the cottage of 400 sqft beside the main house. Jims son, Caleb, and his family of 4 live in the main house. The shop area that Jim and Caleb share is also on the property. Jim used to live in the Wildflower for 2 years, and sold it, so he moved into the office/cottage of Tiny green Cabins. You should really stop by sometime. The sight was perfectly located for the business with the main highway for easy access and display purposes.

[@wjimmyjames]

Actually, try living in it when it is -30. I did and it was warm, cozy and my heat and electric ran $25 a month. To clean the cabin took less than 10 minutes a week, freeing me up to enjoy life. I believe in sustainable living, and tiny houses provide a roof over my head without breaking the bank which gives me the freedom to pursue what is important to me.

[@8digitPDX]

There are groups getting together to buy land and build each other's houses in cooperative ventures. As long as you are willing to contribute a fair share, you can find one to fit in with. Several even welcome homeless people who don't bring much money to the table, but work and will pitch in.

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

Start small, save money, and add on. A 12’ x 24’ structure could comfortably accommodate a small studio. You can buy the shell for under $2500 in most places. Add to that the cost of a floor, some insulation, dry wall and paint and you got yourself a livable room. Then you can get creative with the amenities. For example composting toilet, gravity fed shower, rainwater collection, solar heater & electric, propane cooker. Nothing permanent so technically it’s still a shed so no code violations.

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

It all depends where you build. The rule of thumb is that the more rural the area the less prohibitive the building codes.

[@ImAChristianFirst]

This is pretty simple to solve. Just build a concrete storm room like we have in our house. Rebar reinforced concrete 4 inches thick on all sides does the trick. It is build into the closet.

[@ByeByeMissAmericaPie]

A village of tiny houses and tiny business sound like a great plan.

[@biggmoneyme]

i will be doing this soon. i estimate everything will cost approx 12000 dollars. thats for 810 solar batteries small 16X20 cabin . i have most appliances already

[@writerconsidered]

and this is where we agree with each other.

[@clittle10301]

I agree completely! I disagree with the whole "carbon footprint" lie. But, living small can be living better. I'm glad someone else out there feels the same as me!

[@Marialla.]

I'm into the tiny house idea. I'm with you there. But I hate tiny things. My vision is I'd like to see a community of tiny houses that share large appliances like laundry and kitchen stuff in a common building, but still enjoy the privacy of their own spaces for bed and full-sized soaking bathtub. Can't live without a soaking bathtub! I think 12x16 is a good size for a Tiny House with comfortable roominess.

[@SCLARK2112]

I like a small home with lots of land because I LOVE dirt cheap bills and the FREEDOM that comes from being SELF SUFFICIENT!

[@jbinpo]

I like the tiny house concept, and I'm trying to figure out a way to do it myself, but not because of this "anthropogenic global warming" myth. I like the idea of not having a mortgage, and being self sufficient and possibly off the grid. This is true freedom.

[@SlightlySquishy]

I do like "tiny house" construction, and it seems cozy to me, especially if one plans on spending their time mainly outdoors. The claim that house size correlates to someone's carbon footprint, because wealthier people like to travel? Well, that sounds like they are stretching quite a bit. Big houses can be quite wonderful, too. I am currently rather infatuated with the Earthship concept.

[@MonopolyBag]

@RawFoodGuy99 YES! Once I move out of my large standard middle class home living with my parents, I hope to live in an urban environment in a smaller and practically designed home. Not only for the green living, but for the practicality and easier lifestyle. I still plan to have a flat screen TV and a nice house, just not all this necessary things that I eprsonally do not find important in my life.

[@georgewu5]

I agreed,100% to build small. George Wu, AIA 2012-1-13

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

Unless you are planning to take it on the road you are better off converting a large shed into a small apartment, it’s less costly that way because those tiny house can be pretty costly.

[@xMrjamjam]

the smaller the house/shelter your have the cheaper it is to heat up so next time your out house hunting or building a woodland shelter/log cabin choose a small one is you want to heat it up quicker

[@wjimmyjames]

The water cooler is a Polar Water cooler, counter top model.

[@MonopolyBag]

@MrPilot921 Clearly you don't, but I do. But guess what, it doesn't really matter whether you or I "care" about it, it exists, and has effects on our planet. And we are learning that some of these effects cause impacts that may lead to catastrophic problems. You may not care, but I am glad some do and take the time to study it in hopes of learning more.

[@EasingDifficulties]

@mattgresh1 : Large boxes are preferable to small ones. The Buddha preached against baubles & trinkets acquired at the expense of the poor, not against John Q. Public having enough space to keep a free-standing ironing board at-the-ready, or a room to accommodate a modest pool table.

[@clittle10301]

AGREE!

[@MaureenKo1]

I like this tiny house cuz it brings the kid out in me.

[@RaisingHellAgain]

I love the tiny houses, for someone else. I couldn't live in anything smaller than 16x24 interior space, tried it once nearly lost it..it's fun for a very short while. I want a full kitchen and bath meaning a tub, fridge stove and real sink oh yeah toilet..no loft bed get a hide a bed loveseat combo. use the loft for storage..plus I have to have a screened in porch no bugs for me

[@syrynus876]

You'll be one of those screaming "Why didn't someone DO something about this?!" ten years from now, when things are going from bad to worse. Me, I agree with all the environmental reasons for smaller homes, plus they're so much easier to keep clean and comfortable.

[@sleado87]

Very nice!!! I like it!!!!!!!!!

[@TheUnchainedMind]

Well, a really small house or cabin would work out just fine for a single guy, or perhaps 2, but what of a family ? What of a little privacy from the other members of the family ? The whole concept vanishes when you fuse everything together like that. Now, while going smaller is a necessity in certain parts of the world, I believe the answer for the rest of us is doing everything in our power to render our pre-existing homes as efficient as possible, and there's tons of things we can do.

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

Wooded property can be pretty cheap too if it is rocky or filled with pine trees or it has a medium to heavy sloping grade or if it surrounded by public land or any combination of these things. Once again, good luck with your search. I’m sure you’ll have no problems pulling all together. Bye!

[@september1683]

I totally agree. By the way: Here in Germany they told us in the 1980s that the forests are dying (they called it "Waldsterben"). There was no evidence at all. If you disagreed to their propaganda, they treated you like a criminal! It was a total hysteria. Now, in year 2013 we have more forest than in the 1980s. They have found a new victim :-) CO2

[@goodlooks22]

actually if the house is built correctly it will be better in storms cause of the small surfas area

[@vechnoezabvenie]

It means polluting forms of nitrogen, like NO2 and NO.

[@MsBunnyLove4Ever]

I like your small homes. I really wish I could get one=)

[@u12kno]

Do you think my recliner chair would fit through the front door?

[@AlongtheFarClimbDown843]

@frezdead1 : Truer words were never spoken.

[@curiosidadesextrano]

That water filter or holder that was in the video do you know the name of it? thx.

[@vechnoezabvenie]

Even if it's not a fact. The point is an entirely different one: clean air, water, soil and food versus the things you and I are used to eating, drinking and breathing.

[@iRaWsUmPaNdAMiSsY]

They do have tiny homes like that you just need to search harder :)

[@BmoReYCE]

NO2 and NO are not forms of nitrogen, they are molecules that contain nitrogen atoms, bonded covalently to one or more oxygen atoms.

[@Marialla.]

@tallSOB No, it's freedom. Freedom from a mortgage. Freedom to live as I like. You don't like it, that's fine, you can choose something else. You are free to live in however big a house you want or can pay for. But I think I'd like a community of folks who all see the beauty of living with less stuff.

[@user-dr9xd3op3z]

nice...

[@jmlidea]

where? me too

[@kimmyshimmer4556]

we need tiny homes yes we do yes yes yes yes

[@malenazuleha5280]

me too

[@WilliamCerf]

I want to live in a village full of tiny houses, small houses, wee houses.

[@EasingDifficulties]

@mattgresh1 : The impoverished people of the world have less as they are wanting, thus they are: IMPOVERISHED. Having less is a cop-out. This presentation champions eugenism.

[@hannahmobrien]

lovely idea although it'd be better if it was multi-story

[@biggmoneyme]

i just want to be able to quit my job and smoke weed all day. having next to zero bills is the doorway

[@lonwlf68]

There is no damn way I would spend $20,000 for a 48 sq. ft base model (they range in price up to $89,000,if you check out their web site). I love the idea of scaling down to a tiny house,but having built houses and cabins off and on for years,I have no clue how they justify their prices!Hell,it only cost me $47,500 in materials,to build my current house,which is just shy of 2000 sq. ft,and has 3 bedrooms! So,what are they building with,exotic woods,and gold fittings??

[@firedathan]

Imagin the freedom.

[@JoshForet]

you said it

[@spystyle]

What we exhale is not damaging to the Earth

[@cepedayeltri2010]

in my country you can do it for less than 5000 dollars,but the materials are a lot cheaper,so nobody do it small.

[@SumoKevin]

The PC screen im using to see this wouldn't fit in his house

[@SCENARIOBABY]

I think its a show stopper

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

Same problem with mobile homes. I say tie them down if need be.

[@JMP411410720]

cost of already built 2000sq.ft. foreclosed home purchased from a bank? $25,000 .....cost of a brand new 200sq. ft. tiny home? $35,000.......realizing you just spent twice as much for a tenth of the space?........PRICELESS.......

[@YourUTubeMonitor]

@MickScarborough You should proof-read your comments.

[@shannagreer2812]

Now we just need to figure out how to make tiny homes for big families.

[@001Salome]

why dont you come to Mexico...get a 1 bedroom house...and thats it... i rented for a year a department...one big room small kitchen small bathroom,,,,,, happy as hell with my own key...i payed like 60 dollars per month...i miss those days...

[@Automedon2]

Imagine, he only has to build and sell one of those a year to make his entire income (if he's really living as cheaply as he claims)

[@writerconsidered]

I have more respect for people who can say " yea global warming is real but we'll never change so we're fucked O'well"

[@MrMeanderthal]

@MrExcogitate I agree. I live in a tiny house. it's a cross between a travel trailer and one like this. I do it so I can move to where the work is, live cheaply, and not have a pile of never ending debt.. my carbon foot print means nothing because it's a pile of BS anyway..

[@Grlypants]

Yeah, we are trying to buy a smaller home, going from 2,000 sq to 900 sq.... the bank doesn't believe we would want to do that and we have been fighting for MONTHS to get a loan approval. The system wants us to be consumer wasters!

[@marksolarz3756]

Houses are way to large! There are no cheap starter homes....forces young married couples into instant debt. I live small. However it helps to have several acres between neighbors! But row around row of huge houses with little strips of grass between them is an eyesore!

[@klickkzam]

that is not an option for people how have like 6 or more family member , not possible to you in small house. Add up the kids and No

[@highcountrytimber]

Smaller home lees energery means more money in the pocket.

[@Patmcgroin2121]

now try living in there during 30 degrees weather.

[@AlongtheFarClimbDown843]

Global warming? Central Florida is too cold for commercial orange groves these days.

[@NCHollop]

Too many ads

[@BmoReYCE]

"...and more nitrogen released into the atmosphere" i wonder if they realise that the atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas....

[@Valady42a]

Nice, but not if you have 6 kids that live with you! Hard enough in a 975 sq ft home... never mind less than that! *shudders*

[@pelementmaker]

+Valady42a why have 6 kids in the first place?

[@PkSage89]

GOOD, Shouldn't be living in a fking box in the first place!! >8( Great video :)

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

Convert a shed into an apartment for under $5,000.

[@Hitmandabeast0198]

Why do all these tiny house builders focus so much on the 1-2 person household? Families of 3-4 need at least 400 sf. Not 160! Geez !

[@michael616joaquin]

Carbon lol that's a good one..

[@MrsCathySmith]

Yes, but then you would always have to be on a diet, because chubby people would look out of place in the wee village.

[@ultrakool]

the day al gore down-sizes that mansion he lives in, so will i

[@thunderlord2200]

down size is its very cramping closafbic to me and in most times u cant have 2 ppl live there conff all year around u need ur pace. even for the few that dont.. (if u have a fight with ur love u cant be in the same area.. xD (coughs) risen y i have straps,,, >_>

[@nipzilla]

i live in a small house not because i want to go green, or save the planet, or any of these "eco" mantra bullshit. i live in a small house because this is all i can afford. if i have a better income i would get a regular size house and just chill like a regular person. small houses really, really sucks. trust me. i know because i have one right now.

[@feistygrrl99]

No one told you to live in a tiny house. There are already idiots telling people that they can't build a house this small, hence they are being built on wheels to curb popular zoning restrictions. I live in what is essentially the land of Republicans and guess what, these restrictions still exist! So please get your facts straight so you can blame the right people! It is ANY city who has minimum square footage laws, whether they be predominantly conservative or liberal!

[@EasingDifficulties]

Let's all crap in buckets for all the good that'd do.

[@MonopolyBag]

@looking4thepast09 You know these people? Interesting. I do agree that some people take the environment eco thing too far, this is borderline, however most people are on the other spectrum, not giving a shit about it. If you are one of these people, you are either just another selfish person, or just miss informed and ignorant when in comes to the human way of life impacting our planet.

[@danr97123]

like the tiny house for a cabin, but the line of thinking around pollution is going too far. Maybe we should all live in prison cells to cut back on global warming.

[@mik22pik]

Disregard the carbon foot print stuff all BS. Look at the sky, think what every jet aircraft pumps out while flying, I know, I'm a A&P! I agree with a small house you'll have small bills, if you can build from scratch yourself, then your ahead of the game. Who wants a mortgage every month.

[@KPoole9645]

Small houses

[@marksolarz3756]

Small place,and 7 acres is perfect! Everybody could use the space,....and the woods have a real calming influence. Not for everyone,...especially women!!!! Seems to be a guy thing!

[@thunderlord2200]

knowing me its because i cont clean up, OR im just a cluttered, or a cults (if FF did not fix this right then i mean i can fall over and brake something or do something and just muck up something.. xD i even trip over my own feet per say. i say i have weak ankles. xD )

[@shippermd]

I like small houses, but tiny houses imo, are ridiculous and claustrophobic, especially the loft beds, where you can not stand up or even sit up in many cases, no thank you!

[@AlongtheFarClimbDown843]

I urinate 700 times a night so sleeping in a rat's nest isn't right for me.