Tipis...er.... Teepees.....er... Tipees.....er.... Teepies.....

So why neglect one of the original tiny homes?? (No matter HOW it's spelled.....).

They have been used for many, many generations, were portable, easy to erect, simple to construct....in short.....brilliant  !!

Simple..... often amazingly elegant....and cosy :)))

....and can be made quite individual !!

Beautiful at night !!!

Don't know about you - but I think the interiors are lovely !!

One for every taste.......

Are you getting inspired? Welcome to the world of less..... where not much is needed !!

TINY HOMES !!

TINY HOMES

There is a very large movement of people who are downsizing – many disillusioned by our current way of life.

So bring on the small home migration, where less is definitely more!!

Many of these homes are also mobile, thereby increasing their usefulness. Like container homes, you CAN take it with you!!!

The domes below are even designed to be Earthquake-proof !!

Mobile !!

And not so mobile.....

Low-Tech vs Hi-Tech

Rustic charm.....

Yep - even with a spa.....:)

Naturally with such small areas, more attention must be given to the interiors. Many homes feature items that fold out of the way when not needed. Why have something in the way that is only used for short periods? Even beds can fold up and away when more living space is wanted.

More later.....

COB

COB building.....

This is an old method, and one that's a lot of fun! 

It is basically mud with straw impregnated into the mix as a binding agent.

One of the huge advantages of this method is that it is very "hands on", so labour is substituting the need for cash.

Of particular benefit is that using cob allows for a more artistic, or freeform method of building, as the photos will show.....

Some almost look like the original Hobbit homes..... but all are very organic in their style and execution.

Cob is also a method that lends itself to additions - more can be added when needed.

I personally like cob very much, as one's imagination can run riot !!

What I particularly like is what can happen inside - such a refreshing change from the usual mass-produced "boxes".

See why I find it exciting??

Not only that, but look at the possibilities with internal and external wall treatments, as in the example below:

How about this for a rocket stove??

A small home approach:

For more information, this is a good resource:  https://www.cobcottage.com/whatis

Have fun!!

RAMMED EARTH

Because they are so similar in many ways (earth, formwork, appearance) I will go straight to:

RAMMED EARTH.

Sometimes known as Pise, this method is similar in construction to Poured Earth in that it uses formwork, but there the similarities end.

Where Poured Earth is a very wet mix put into forms, Rammed Earth is a DRY mix (sometimes slightly moistened). Successive layers of soil are put into the forms and tamped down, either by manually pounding the soil with a heavy bar, or using pneumatic tampers with a heavy end.
The soil is compacted until it "rings" - then you know it's just right, and so put the next layer in !!

One benefit of this system is that you can take the time to be more artistic, by adding contrasting layers for a finished effect that almost looks like a mural !!

Pise examples here in the harsh Australian climate have survived in wonderful condition for well over 100 years - not bad for tamped soil !!

So it is obviously durable, and with a little care, will outlast many modern homes. Given the thick (typically 30cm) walls, they are also wonderful spaces for living.....

Have a look at some modern-day examples.....

Once again the only limiting factor is one's imagination!! 

I have seen some beautiful buildings, even including industrial warehouses - it's great to see people embracing this method of construction.

See you soon !

EARTH HOMES

This is a BIG area - and one dear to my heart.

It is also probably the most common building method in the world.

Much of the globe's population has and still does live in Earth buildings of one type or another.
There are even multi storey Earth homes in several parts of the world.

Of the many different types of construction, I'll begin with my favourite - Poured Earth.
Sometimes known as Formwork Cob, and more recently - Cast Earth.

As with Rammed Earth, it is usually built with formwork - pretty much like a concrete wall. The difference is that the usual mix is 90% earth and 10% cement as a binding agent. Water is added, the mass is churned somewhat, then poured into the formwork as a wet mix. Within a short space of time the forms are removed and presto.....instant wall.

To my eye they are also a very pleasing wall. Not quite as colourful as Rammed Earth (where layers are often added for a pattern or contrast) but a smoothly homogenous mix of a more subtle colour and pattern.

Poured Earth is normally made with a soil more on the sandier end of the scale, rather then the clayey one.

If no suitable soil is available, a very good substitute is RoadBase. This is a very uniform product used by Local Councils everywhere, and it is made to a specification.

The pictures above show walls made with small forms, but larger ones are also common. If the "block-like" appearance doesn't suit, then one can pour an entire wall in one go, providing you have the resources needed to do it, and are able to mix large batches!

One of the particularly nice features is the "chunky" nature of the wall. It feels massive!

And stylish !!

For more information, this is a very good resource..... http://www.michaelfrerking.com/

The design possibilities are endless. If you have the good fortune to have a compatible soil type on your own property, then so much the better!

I hope you like it as much as I do :)))

CONTAINER HOMES

Gone are the days of getting a rusting 20ft or 40 ft container, cutting a doorway and some windows then adding some furniture.

Today's homes are often 5 star!! One entire side drops down to become a deck, and then glass sliding doors and panels are revealed. Some are even completely self-contained, with their own waste systems, water catchment/storage and solar power. Brilliant!! Take one of these in the middle of nowhere and be completely comfortable!!

Just to give you an idea, take a look at this one called the G-pod. It is designed by an Australian architect and now in production in Hong Kong.   http://g-pod.com/

There are many outstanding benefits to containers, not the least of which is that global transportation networks are ALL designed to handle containers. You can literally close-up your home and ship it anywhere in the world. Without ever having to pack any of your belongings!!! Just leave them in the drawers and cupboards - how cool is that??
Once on the new site, only a few pad footings are needed and you are established. Perhaps in the future we will see container parks like for caravans and RV's.....

Alternatively, empty containers can be joined (or put close to each other with the gaps filled with other materials, eg glass) for an endless variety of shapes and sizes. The only limit is your imagination. 

I think you get the idea by now?

So many possibilities. 

And I don't know about other countries and their planning and building codes, but here in Australia these homes could even be seen as "temporary" structures, in order to get more leeway from a local Council.

Imagine having a small acreage, adding several container homes and ....voila!! Instant B&B !! Or retreat.

I'll leave the rest to your imagination..... have fun !!