Downsizing? Don’t Think Small, Think Tiny

Almost exactly a year ago, we first mentioned Tiny Tumbleweed homes in a blog post on SF Sweet Digs called “Small AND Beautiful?” Since then, I have been following along on designer/founder Jay Shafer’s journey as he promotes, sells, and encourages America to go small. How small? Well, you can build a house as small as 60 square feet and go right on up from there. Want it on wheels to take camping? No problem. Want to build an extra dwelling for the kids to come and stay? He’s got something that will work for you. Thinking about putting something on that vacant 10 acres you bought in the boondocks? Multiples to choose from. And if you are just thinking about downsizing, reducing your carbon footprint, going as green as possible (without living in a tent or teepee), then Jay probably has the answer for you. And fortunate for us, he is making his way down the West Coast on tour, to display his homes and offer workshops.

Starting in early July, Jay will be traveling from the Canadian border and heading south to Seattle, Olympia, Portland, Ashland, Mountain View, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego. He and Small House Society co-founder Greg Johnson will be pulling one of the Tumbleweed designs behind them, making use of it as shelter on each of these stops. In addition, they will hold Building and Design Workshops in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Here is the local schedule:
7/26 – Building Workshop in Los Angeles, CA @ 9:00 a – 5:00 p
7/27 – Design Workshop in Los Angeles, CA @ 9:00 a – 5:00 p
7/28 – Open House in San Diego, CA @ 11:00 a – 1:00 p, location TBD ?

Full-day Building Workshops will be $275 and focus on how to build a tiny house from the foundation to the roof. Topics include: building basics, types of trailers, heaters, kitchen equipment, windows and more. Jay will talk about different building materials, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The full-day Design Workshops will run $375 and will concentrate on how to design a small house of your own. The cost to attend both days is $500 and a friend can come along for $99. Go here for workshop signups.