Sketchup

Finally, you get to see Sketchup pictures!

First Up, we have the framing. After waffling back and forth for awhile, I decided to use 16" on center studs rather than 24", but to otherwise follow most of the tenants of advanced framing (as small headers as possible, no headers on non load-bearing walls, header hangers instead of jack studs, single top plate, rafters aligned with wall studs, etc). The walls are 2x4 rather than 2x6 to save interior width, but I will be adding rigid insulation sheathing as well to bring up the R value (picture below). By the way, this is intended to be the North side of the trailer (thus the mono-slope roof points South for the benefit of solar panels).

Skipping over the next layer up since that's rather boring (just sheathing), and here you can see the Roxul "Comfortboard IS" sheathing mentioned above, with furring strips over top and the door and window trim in place. If you look close at the top, you can also see the standing seam steel roof.

Same wall shown, now with siding, windows, and door in place. The rectangular windows are all the same size (and that size is also repeated on the opposite wall), and all sliding style. The smaller square window sits right over where the kitchen sink will be, and will either be fixed or awning style (we have up until the order is placed to decide). I'd also like to point out that the colors for windows, siding, door, trim, roof...well, everything really is subject to change. All the colors as drawn are there mostly to help distinguish between the different parts. We're leaning toward a simple clear-ish natural oil for the siding, and something very bright for trim (think red, chartreuse, royal blue, or something), and then we could bring that trim color inside as an accent to pop against mostly natural tones. But again, that's not set in stone!

Just for fun, here's the opposite (South) side from all the previous pictures. You can see solar panels sitting up there, which are drawn the same size as the Volther PowerVolt PVT panels, which I'm hoping will become available in the US before I start purchasing the electrical system components. I'll be sure to do at least one post on the electrical (and whole energy system) design in the future!

And this is an isometric view from the front left (Northeast) corner. The area in the front with windows on three sides will be a booth-style multipurpose table for everything from our computer/office space to dining to board game area.

At some point in the past, I had some nice pencil sketches of the floor plan, and version 2, and 3, and...you get the point. But being the opposite of a pack rat (whatever the word for that is) means that once the Sketchup model was drawn, I threw away the hand sketches in short order (despite that they might have been a better way to see the rough floorplan). Still, you can get a pretty good idea from this drawing. Starting on the right is the table and bench seats; bottom-center is a futon that folds out into a full size bed for guest(s); across from that, stairs to the main loft, with substantial storage underneath (possibly including our TV, not yet decided on that); further to the left is the kitchen, with sink, stovetop, and oven (under counter) on the top, refrigerator (under counter) and plenty of prep space (that counter is about 5' long, for reference) on the bottom; finally all the way to the left is the bathroom, accessed by a pocket door, and containing a 36" square shower, small sink, and composting toilet. You can also see the tube steel joists that hold up both lofts: on the left is the main loft which will have our queen size bed and space for clothes, and on the right is the most likely location for our TV, video games, etc: not unlike the "media loft" from hOMe Tiny House. Last note about this interior view is that I'm aware large swaths are left undrawn, like the inside walls, for example. This is intentional: we'll draw them if we need to, but only later in the process after the exterior is done.

I think that's a pretty good set of drawings for now. Let me know you have any questions about our layout, materials, Sketchup, or anything else!

Trailer!

We've ordered the trailer! After months (years, really) of planning, we've taken the first tangible step.

Also, with the magnitude of investment that a tiny house trailer is, now it's going to be hard to turn back! Everything is getting very real, and that's scary. But it's also very exciting! Over the course of the next "3-4 Weeks", while the trailer is fabricated and delivered, I'll be headed over to lumberyards, home improvement stores, and placing orders online for materials; we also are going to spend this time trying to acquire any tools that we can by borrowing from friends and family.

Head over to the "budget" page for some idea of what we intend to purchase, if you're interested. It's mostly what you'd expect, with the caveat that we've decided on materials that are a little bit more environmentally friendly ("environment" both in terms of lower embodied energy where possible, and in terms of low/no VOCs where possible). Those materials will cost a premium, which will in turn slow down our construction process some: I can't pay in cash for everything yet (but hope to save enough money from my job as construction proceeds). But I believe it will all be worth it in the end. Maybe we'll only end up staying in the JR House for a few years, or maybe it will be much longer. Who knows? Either way, we're excited to build a home to live in that's made of materials we at least researched and chose consciously.

On a separate note, Sketchup drawings are pretty much as finished as they're likely to ever be. I just have to get some good screen grabs and type up some accompanying descriptions, and then you can get the first look!