Life in Tiny House

                  Ecological Literacy, Systems Theory, Resilience and
                           Sustainability Theories of a Tiny House
                                           Julie Malone
                                        Prescott College
                  Sustainability Theory and Practice in Education: I
                                   Pramod Parajuli, Ph.D.
                                   September 30, 2014

 
Abstract

This paper explores whole systems thinking and design, the concept of resiliency, socio-ecological system, and cultural landscapes of the idea of designing a tiny house.  The Rocky Mountain Institute (2014) believes that our society is based on systems whether its families, communities, organizations, government, industries, machines, or the ecosystem.  For years society has ignored the social-ecological values of this planet along with the ecosystem and the land that we use.  Fortunately more people are becoming aware of the tiny house revolution and beginning to downsize their ‘consumerism’ ideas and becoming more environmentally consciousness.  Similar to Pollan’s book Cooked: natural history of transformation on the system, history, and our relationship with food, the tiny house also has a system of how it can be designed and built according to a customer’s specification including using recycled or used materials, volunteers for labor, and alternative power as solar and wind in order to keep the environment safe.  

Keywords: whole systems thinking and design, resilient, socio-ecological system, cultural landscapes, tiny house

Introduction

When one thinks of whole systems thinking and design, the concept of resiliency, socio-ecological system, and cultural landscapes quite a few ideas can come to mind depending on a person’s personal, academic, and professional background.  After taking several environmental courses the first idea that comes to mind is how society compromises between the environment and the material world of consumerism and how we live as a system.  One solution to stop the bad habits is by designing and building a tiny house using alternative energy in order to save money, become financial independent, travel, become conscious about the ecosystem, and enjoy a new lifestyle.

Whole Systems Thinking and Design of a Tiny House

According to the Rocky Mountain Institute (2014), our society is based on systems whether its families, communities, organizations, government, industries, machines, or the ecosystem.  For years society has ignored the social-ecological values of this planet along with the ecosystem and the land that we use.  In the 80s and 90s homes began to get larger due to families growing and everyone wanting to be the ‘Jones’; however, this is changing.  Pollan (2013) writes in his book Cooked: natural history of transformation on how society is learning the reality of food and wanting to return it to the proper place in our lives.  Our society needs to regain what a home is created for: shelter.  After studying sustainable education and environmental issues and possible solutions one idea that come to mind is the makings and purpose of a tiny house.  The design of this structure can be either complicated or easy to construct depending on the builder’s experience and the customer’s needs.  The tiny house concept has existed on/off for several decades, if not longer as our ancestors lived in caves, teepees, huts, and other small spaces, with the most recent awareness from Jay Shafer in 19990’s who build him own house on wheels (Stone 2012).
   
The idea of a tiny house has gained awareness again as society and economic conditions change, creating a resilient society which is taking a closer look at global climate change, the environmental impact of living in a large house (McMansions), social-ecological inventory of how we are changing the planet negatively and effecting the environment, and sustainability as a new normal living style (Resilience Alliance, n.d.).  Since 2008-2009 society has witnessed company layoffs, baby boomers retiring, lifestyle preference has changed where family examine when to eliminate debt and ‘stuff’, family situation change such as death and inheritance of ‘stuff’, telecommuting on the road, the ability to afford more education (or pay off student loans), travel, and wellness in their lives. 

Tiny houses are basic homes for singles or couples who are seeking to trim down to the basics of what life means to them.  The tiny houses consist of standard spaces similar to a scaled down kitchen, bathroom, as well as a multi living space that is crafted to meet the owner’s specific requirements.  On the website, How Did the Tiny House Movement Get Started?, Johnson (2012) mentions that several companies that can meet the demand for tiny houses in their products lines offering customers pre-fabs, kits, and build-to-order homes.
The tiny house concept enabled people to cut back on utility costs, freedom to travel, create less waste, and leave a smaller ecological footprint to the future generations.  The tiny house is similar to the RV lifestyle in many ways as people choose to sell or giveaway most of their unnecessary possessions, move their lives into a motor home or travel trailer, and cut unwanted expenses from their lives. Tiny houses are more eco-friendly than RVs and less expensive while still giving owners multiple options for their futures (Johnson, 2012).  However, there is a downside to a tiny house which is the size.  Most people that have a desire to invest in a tiny house need to know the facts ahead of time such as can they honestly live in that tiny of a place.  Some of the answers can result from staying overnight for a few days to get used to the lack of space and what is not going to fit within the space.

Fortunately, there is a financial/statistical system set in place which can show owners where they can save money.  For example, 68% of tiny house owners do not have a mortgage as they bought the home with cash.  The average cost to build a tiny house is around $23,000 versus $230,000 or more for a larger home.  The average tiny house is 186 square feet where a house in the United States averages around 2,100 square feet; this means that 11.3 tiny houses can fit it one regular house.  Two out of five owners of tiny houses are 50 years of age or older; tiny house owners are 89% less in debt than regular homeowners; there are more master degree students that own a tiny house; and more women own tiny houses than me (The Tiny Life, 2013).

The whole systems thinking and design of a tiny house is no small task, similar to the designing of a vehicle or your body.  Before considering building a tiny house it takes planning and sourcing for resources such as where to locate or purchase the parts; tiny homes costs can range from $10,000 on up to $100,000 depending on what types of bells and whistles are added to the home.  Although building material can be expensive, at times a tiny house owner and builder can find used or recycled material at a minimum cost.

Planning

In the planning stage, the owner needs to determine their true need for the house.  A site must be selected if one plans on having a base unless the home will become mobile sitting on a trailer.  Fortunately, most tiny house owners pick the trailer rather than land in order to not intrude on nature.  Traveling with a tiny house can prove to be a positive and educational experience for the entire family to enjoy cultural landscape as sacred places, gardens, and National Park Services. 

According to Plieninger, et al., (2014) “Cultural landscapes are at the interface between nature and culture, biological and cultural diversity – they represent a closely woven net of relationships, the essence of culture and people’s identity.  Cultural landscapes are a focus of protected areas in a larger ecosystem context, and they are a symbol of the growing recognition of the fundamental links between local communities and their heritage, humankind and its natural environment.”
 
At first it is a great idea to speak with people that own tiny houses to get a true prospective of what life is like at 85-400 square feet (Johnson, 2013).  There must be a rough floor plan of what the client desires, list of major features that will be installed, a purchase plan (credit/cash), and create a budget for the project (how much will each phase cost the owner).  Should the tiny house sit on a trailer or land, does the owner desire windows, what type of lumber goes into the project (used, new, or recycled), and what type of appliances are desired (i.e. dishwasher, wash/dryer, refrigerator, television, and coffee maker).  As with any project does one have knowledgeable friends, professionals, or volunteers to assist with the building of the structure as labor cost can rise.  In this stage, bathroom details are discussed as human waste, whether from the shower, sink, or toilet must be used as compost or discharged properly as there is no septic tank or public utility.  According to Tumbleweed (2014), environmentally minded regulations require low flow toilets on all new bathrooms or remodels.

Sourcing

The next stage of the whole system thinking and design is the construction of the tiny house where costs, whether higher or lower, presents itself.  This systems thinking is similar to the one in Pollan’s (2013) book where he writes about food as being part of a whole web of social and ecological relationships with plants, animals, soil, farmers, microbes in/out of our bodies, and with people who enjoy his cooking.   The tiny house begins with the wall framing that requires labor, insulation, framing, and windows installed; the roof and flooring; skylights; doors; siding; outside trim; finishing the roof; electricity; and the construction of each room: kitchen, bathroom, sleeping loft, and main room/storage  (The Tiny Life, 2013).  Tiny houses can also be equipped with solar and wind powered off the grid to be installed on the roof to provide the owner with low or free utility costs (Johnson, 2014).

Conclusion

In reality a tiny house is not designed for everyone as it takes a conscious effort to look at a family’s social-ecological footprint and make drastic changes both mentally and physically within their lifestyle.  As the family’s economic conditions change, the spending and purchasing must change due to space limitations for a tiny house.  Costs including what utilities are being used, gas mileage and commute time, saving money for higher education, and limited savings must be examined.  Tiny homes can be an excellent answer to affordable, sustainable homes available to the average family. 

References

Carlin, Timothy. (2014).  "Tiny homes: Improving carbon footprint and the American lifestyle on a large scale". Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day. Paper 35.

Johnson, C.  (2014, April 12). Tiny house living, off the grid?  Here’s how to do it in style. Retrieved from http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/23057-tiny-house-living-off-the-grid-heres-how-to-do-it-in-style

Johnson. J. (2012, November 10). How did the tiny house movement get started? Retrieved from http://tinyhousetalk.com/how-did-tiny-house-movement-start/

Plieninger, T., D., van der Horst, C. Schleyer, and Bieling, C. (2014). Sustaining ecosystem services in cultural landscapes. Ecology and Society 19(2): 59.

Pollan, Michael (2013).  Cooked: natural history of transformation. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

Resilience Alliance. (n.d).   Socio-ecological Inventory Workbook
http://stockholmresilience.org/download/18.1f74f76413071d337c380004085/1381790163553/RA+workbook+final.pdf

Rocky Mountain Institute. (2014). Whole system design.  Retrieved frm http://www.rmi.org/Whole-Systems+Design

Stone, Dan. (2012, December 21). Jay Shafer, tiny house owner, gives a tour of his 106-square-foot home. HuffingtonPost.  Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
2012/12/21/jay-shafer-tiny-house-national-geographic_n_2346023.html

The Tiny Life. (2013). Tiny house building checklist. Retrieved from http://thetinylife.com/ryans-tiny-house/tiny-house-building-checklist/

Tumbleweed. (2014).  Small bathroom design tip #1. Retrieved from http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/blogs/tumbleweed/7088832-small-bathroom-design-tip-1