$11,000 House
You could have an entire house for $11,000 – if you’re willing to shrink all of the proportions, and can be as creative with usage of space as architect Macy Miller, who built her own micro home to avoid the responsibilities of a mortgage. Her cabin measures 196 square feet and features radiant heat in the floors, running water, electricity and a composting toilet.
Timber Hut on Sleds
The ‘Hut on Sleds’ by Crosson Architects is easily relocated from one spot to the next, especially on the sand of New Zealand’s beaches. Big enough to house a family of five, the structure features two-story-high steel-framed glass doors, a rooftop terrace and a two-story interior with a mezzanine bedroom.
Walden by Nils Holger Moormann
With a width of only three feet, this highly unusual cabin by Nils Holger Moormann offers just enough space to sleep, dine and store all of the implements needed to care for a small patch of land. Says the architect, “Easy goers have to decide whether to take a seat at the table in the seating cabin, or climb a ladder to the upper level. There it’s possible to enjoy the view or stretch out and gets loud shapes or count stars under the sliding sun roof. The obligation of a campfire is created in a swinging fire cauldron, and right beside it, the necessary space for firewood. As a whole, ‘Walden’ offers lots of room for things we associate with ‘garden’ and ‘outdoors’ and honors them with a layout in which they can be seen: birdhouse and bird seed, flower pot and water can, grill utensils and picnic table. Actually, you’ll never want to go back in the house.”
PODhouse
The tiny prefab PODhouse is essentially a modernized shack, just large enough inside for a couple people to sleep, but slightly larger versions connect multiple pods for increased interior space. Groups of them have the effect of a tent village, albeit much sturdier and more weather-resistant. The PODhouses are moved fully-assembled on truck beds and can simply be dropped in place.
