Less is More: Sheds For Living
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 12.19.08
Richard Frankland of Manchester's FKDA has developed a small but complete little housing unit that is much more than a shed.
"The idea of creating such a small living environment came from the growing reports of people being forced from their homes unable to make their current mortgage payments, and turning to living with family, in garden sheds and even in cars."
He tells Alex at Shedworking:
"We were keen not to compromise on space standards and quality of design to achieve a low-cost micro home. The layout of the shed is extremely efficient and compact, yet provides a spacious feeling with a double height space over the main living area. Directly over the kitchen and shower room is a double bed deck with ample storage and hanging space for clothes. To maximise storage, one of the most important attributes people look for in a home, an inner “sleeve” has been designed that incorporates cut outs for furnishings and fittings, and elsewhere provides plenty of storage space."
The layout is small (302 square feet usable not including loft) but effective, with full bath and kitchen as well as an 11'-8" by 15' living area. Wood stove and modulor man are optional.
Specifications:
engineered lightweight timber frame construction (FSC Certified)
Warmcell cellulose fibre insulation
external wall and roof cladding varies (options include timber, corten steel, fibre cement, rubber, aluminium, zinc)
aluminium & timber composite windows by Velfac
internal doorset by Sunfold
rooflight (optional extra) by The Rooflight Company
Energy Label A+ rated kitchen appliances
sanitaryware by Duravit; fittings by Hansgrohe
stainless steel drainage pipes and fittings by Blucher
LED/low energy lighting by Philips
electric underfloor heating by DEVI
photovoltaic panels (optional extra); solar water heating (optional extra)
whole house ventilation by Vent-Axia (optional extra)
wood burning fireplace by M Design
linoleum/cork flooring by Forbo; timber flooring by Junkers; carpet/plant fibre flooring by Crucial Trading
solvent/VOC free paint and varnish by Ecos Organic Paints
bike storage by Cycloc
Starting at 35,000 Pounds from Shedsforliving via Shedworking
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why down size to a shoebox if they are asking for a chicken coop the same price as a conventional house.?
which one, the chiclen coop or the conventional house will bring more at resale?
wow they are really cool and not expensive. I think for a family you could buy two and put them together and have a pretty good house.
I'm not sure 50,000 British Pounds ($75k USD) is a feasible solution for someone already to the point of living in a garden shed or car as Mr. Frankland suggests.
Still, they are nicely designed and kudos to trying to reduce the impact of the individual on the planet.
On a humorous note, maybe one day it will be hip for rich people to live in tiny houses while the lower classes are forced to dwell in embarrassing McMansions. :-)
this is a good idea, people dont realy need much to live in/on so this should do just fine..
Neat concept shed. But at 70Gs (70 Large, you know?) I can only assume living in a caravan (mobile home or travel trailer) is not an option.
A quick check shows 70,000 USD will net (IN Palm Springs, no less)
Brand New Champion Looking for winter getaway in Golfing Paradise? .. close to shopping centers and downtown. This is a brand new (never lived in) 2008 Champion Home. Walk to the casino's, Stores, restaurants, etc.
2 Bedroom
1 Bath
Approx. 728 Square Feet
Vaulted Ceilings
GE Refrigerator
Amana dishwasher
Magic Chef Microwave
GE 36” Gas Stove
Washer Dryer Hookups
Central Air and Heat
Cable Ready
Private Covered Parking Spot
Community Pool and Spa
Pet friendly
A quick look on a couPle of search engines show much more in areas outside of inflation-riddled California.
Must be a Brit thing....
wow, how much is it when you count land and construction costs? i'm betting quite a bit more!
how bout you just print up some plans and get rid of half that stuff on that list up there that lists like the captions on some celebrity photo in a fashion magazine.
but i guess design firms these days instead of making cookie cutter plans are doing yuppie green cookie cutter plans. why design a house around climatic conditions and terrain, etc, when you can just render your revit model and put in it a bunch of ""green" technology that might save energy in every climate (if you discount embedded energy - which people apparently like to ignore), but itsn't ideally suited to any climate. for example, it is apparently trendy to build these "green built" houses here in texas that look like shoeboxes, but require, as it turns out, far more heating and cooling expenses than houses done in a more traditional vernacular style - with large overhangs, porches, proper attic ventilation, etc - in the tradition of houses that predated air conditioning, but maybe modernized a bit with updated materials, and also sited in a way that makes sense, i.e., instead of building for curb appeal only.
So McMansions are a very poor idea after all, eh?
@ patrick. "wow, how much is it when you count land and construction costs? i'm betting quite a bit more!".
Yep. You beat me to it. Add in transportation and getting hooked up with plumbing and electricity— and you're looking at some real $$$,$$$s or £££,£££s.
Two years ago I downsized from a 2 Bdrm 2 Bath 1000 sq. ft. home to a studio apartment. It is much more convenient, compact and much less work and upkeep. The cost is a fantastic savings. This looks like a great idea.
a small house? how ingenious, nearly as small and ingenious as MY FLAT! which is stacked on top of another flat and converted out of an old terraced house, thus several times more dense than this. lame.