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- Tiny Living Guide
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The Beginning
In recent years, the trend of tiny houses has been on the rise, particularly in the United States. These compact and portable homes have captured the imagination of people seeking a simpler way of life, and tiny house villages have emerged as a solution to address various societal needs. But when and how did it all begin?
The roots of the tiny house movement can be traced back to the late 1990s when architect Susan Susanka published her influential book, “The Not So Big House.” Susanka’s book challenged the notion that bigger is always better and emphasized the importance of quality over size. Her ideas resonated with architects, designers, and homeowners, sparking a shift in mindset about what constitutes a desirable home.
The tiny house movement didn’t really take off until 2008 when the economy collapsed. The housing market crash and the subsequent wave of foreclosures left many people disillusioned with the traditional notion of homeownership. As a result, individuals began exploring alternative housing options that were more affordable and sustainable, leading to a renewed interest in tiny houses.
In 2007, Jay Shafer, one of the pioneers of the tiny house movement, gained significant exposure when he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, showcasing one of his own tiny houses. This appearance brought the concept of tiny living to a broader audience, capturing their imaginations and generating widespread interest. Soon after, television shows such as “Tiny House Nation,” “Tiny House, Big Living,” and “Tiny House Hunters” started airing, further fueling the popularity of tiny homes. These shows not only displayed stylish and innovative designs but also highlighted the sense of adventure and freedom associated with living in a tiny house.
The Rise of Tiny Home Villages
Tiny house communities, where multiple tiny houses are clustered together, have become an increasingly prevalent aspect of the movement. While individual tiny homes can be found scattered across various towns and cities, these communities offer a unique sense of camaraderie and shared values. Although the United States remains the epicentre of the tiny house village phenomenon, other countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Japan are also starting to embrace this trend.
As more people advocate for accepting tiny houses, more areas will likely allow their establishment. These communities cater to diverse needs and interests, from permanent homes to vacation retreats. Some tiny house villages are specifically designed to support low-income earners, homeless individuals, or veterans, providing them with shelter and an opportunity to build a socially balanced life. These communities encourage residents to engage in various activities, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
Apart from the financial benefits and freedom of tiny house living, the movement has become an architectural and social phenomenon. It embraces the idea of a simpler life, where individuals prioritize quality over quantity and find satisfaction in a more minimalist lifestyle. Moreover, tiny house villages promote a sense of community, allowing residents to connect with like-minded individuals, share resources, and foster social bonds.
Where to find them
Cedar Springs Tiny Village – Cedar Springs, Ohio
The Cedar Springs Tiny Village is a collaborative effort between Modern Tiny Living and Gerald Brubaker, a passionate advocate of the tiny house movement. Recognizing the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of Modern Tiny Living’s custom homes and inspired by Mr. Brubaker’s unwavering commitment to excellence, the town of New Paris approved the establishment of this pioneering village.
With breathtaking lakefront views and the peaceful presence of mature cedar trees, residents can immerse themselves in the natural beauty surroundings. The village features well-maintained walking paths, providing the perfect opportunity for leisurely walks.
One of the standout features of Cedar Springs Tiny Village is its community garden, where residents can cultivate their own fresh produce and embrace the joys of sustainable living. The village also prioritizes environmental consciousness through its recycling program, encouraging residents to actively participate in reducing waste. Pets are warmly welcomed so people can relax with their beloved furry friends.
The village ensures convenience and modern comforts with essential utilities such as water, sewage, power, and cable/WiFi readily available to residents. Each lot within the village comes with private parking, providing residents with the convenience and accessibility they need.
Cedar Springs Tiny Village offers affordable lakefront sites, allowing residents to enjoy the beauty of the lake at a monthly rate of $441 for leases of 13 months or longer. Shorter lease terms are also available at slightly higher rates. The site fee includes essential services such as water, sewer, and trash.
Cedar Springs Tiny Village residents have the added benefit of proximity to Natural Springs Resort, a neighbouring recreational facility. The resort offers various activities, including access to a pool, beach, fishing, and scuba diving, making it an ideal destination for leisure and adventure.
The Cedar Springs Tiny Village presents a unique opportunity to experience a harmonious blend of nature, community, and simplicity. It offers an escape from the complexities of modern life, inviting residents to embrace the essence of “Simple Living on the Lake” in a warm and welcoming environment.
Tiny House Block – Mount Laguna, CA
Founded by sibling duo Melissa and Jon Block, Tiny House Block combines Melissa’s extensive experience in owning and operating multi-unit properties at affordable rates with Jon’s background in producing music festivals and transformational seminars. Their shared vision is to create a space that provides a high-quality and memorable stay for nature lovers and addresses the challenges of fostering authentic connections in the 21st century.
Tiny House Block facilitates connections with breathtaking mountains, hiking opportunities, minimalist values, and genuine community. In a world dominated by electronic devices, the community recognizes the importance of unplugging and reconnecting with what truly matters. Whether guests seek a one-day respite from hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, a permaneknt residence, or a second home, Tiny House Block offers a supportive environment for individuals to explore their possibilities.
The community provides various options for accommodations, including short-term rentals with a minimum stay of one night and long-term rentals with lease terms starting at six months. Guests are captivated by the freedom from urban life’s constraints, the minimalist lifestyle’s allure, and the meaningful community’s bonding experiences.
Residents can immerse themselves in the 3.5 acres of natural beauty on the property and enjoy proximity to numerous hiking and walking trails. The on-site Pine House Cafe and Tavern also serve as a welcoming neighbor, offering a diverse menu featuring items such as burgers, fries, salads, beer, wine, and cocktails.
Spur – Texas, USA
Spur, Texas, has emerged as a haven for those seeking a downsized and simpler way of life. Recognized as the nation’s first self-proclaimed ‘tiny’ house-friendly town, Spur has captured attention for embracing the tiny house movement.
Located approximately an hour and ten minutes east of Lubbock, Spur embarked on a vision in 2014 to transform its community into a welcoming place for tiny house enthusiasts. With a population of just over 1,000 residents, the town is evolving to accommodate a tiny house lifestyle. The town values creative innovation, self-sufficiency, and sustainability, prioritizing community and quality of life over the hustle and bustle of city living.
In addition to its small homes and charming atmosphere, Spur offers several amenities. The town boasts small restaurants, two gas stations (including a 24-hour option), a reputable Pre-K through grade 12 school system with a low student-to-teacher ratio, a library, a city swimming pool, and a 9-hole golf course. The cost of living in Spur is notably low, and affordable land is readily available.
Spur’s pursuit of a tiny house community stemmed from a significant population decline to larger urban centers in Texas over the years. Despite its diminished population, the town possesses the necessary infrastructure for a fulfilling life with fewer means. City utilities, high-speed internet access, fiber-optic lines, and well-maintained paved roads contribute to the town’s appeal. With numerous vacant lots, commercial establishments, and abandoned buildings, Spur is reinventing itself as an ideal destination for the next generation of homesteaders. The town is at the forefront of a housing market revolution and the flourishing tiny house movement, inviting individuals with an open mindset to create something extraordinary and realize their aspirations.
Escalante Village – Durango, Colorado
Situated in the breathtaking La Plata Mountains, Escalante Village is a beautiful tiny home community situated 6,500 feet above sea level. This serene setting provides residents a peaceful place to enjoy the simplicity and charm of living in a small space.
The homes in Escalante Village have an average size of 400 square feet and are placed on spacious lots measuring 20 feet wide and 40 feet deep. These generous lots offer plenty of room for the home, two parked cars, and a cozy patio where residents can relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. The tiny homes’ knotty pine floors, walls, and ceilings match the area’s rustic style and make the homes feel warm and welcoming.
Escalante Village residents can take advantage of various amenities designed to enhance their daily lives. Onsite storage options are available for those who prefer to keep belongings outside their home. The community also offers scenic river trails, perfect for leisurely walks amidst nature’s beauty, and access to a community garden. Fishing fans will love the proximity to award-winning fly fishing spots just a short walk away.
Escalante Village is the perfect mix of peace and community. It gives people the freedom and simplicity of living in a tiny home while providing them with a strong sense of belonging. With its beautiful natural surroundings and thoughtful amenities, this community in the heart of Durango, Colorado, is a great place to live for people who want a peaceful and fulfilling life.
LuxTiny community in Arizona
LuxTiny is a tiny home community in northern Arizona that offers full-time living and rental parking spots. The community’s primary focus is to become a Green Community in the beautiful White Mountains, all while providing low-cost and highly affordable primary residences or vacation homes.
At LuxTiny, residents have the option to bring their own tiny home or commission one from LuxTiny Manufacturing, a renowned custom house and park model manufacturer. LuxTiny’s models start in the mid $60,000s and range up to over $100,000. You can even commission a 399-square-foot home with a 144-square-foot studio, providing ample space for a comfortable lifestyle.
An exciting feature of LuxTiny is the potential to rent out the extra studio space, which could help cover loan payments.
The community welcomes greenhouses, solar panels, chicken coops, and other green aspects that contribute to sustainable living. LuxTiny encourages residents to embrace eco-friendly practices, fostering a harmonious and environmentally conscious community.
LuxTiny not only build tiny homes for the community, but also custom-build tiny homes or park models to place anywhere in Arizona.
Highlighted Project: Lehrer Architects’ Alexandria Park Tiny Homes Village in LA
Architect Michael Lehrer has made a name for himself by designing remarkable modernist structures throughout Southern California. From the Katz Family Pavilion at Stephen Wise Temple, featuring impressive 29-foot-high glass doors for weddings, to the pioneering Water + Life Museum in Hemet, the world’s first LEED Platinum museum, Lehrer’s work has garnered numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2020 Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles.
While Lehrer has built an impressive portfolio, he has also dedicated a significant portion of his career to serving a specific clientele: the houseless population in Los Angeles. He has built Alexandria Park Tiny Homes Village through Lehrer Architects LA, addressing the city’s escalating homelessness crisis. This village, constructed on underutilized and often oddly shaped plots of land, provides temporary living spaces that offer shelter, safety, and a strong sense of community for hundreds of needy individuals throughout Los Angeles.
I do believe that our projects have been instrumental in changing the conversation and perception of what houseless shelters around the city can be. It’s an answer to the problem. It’s an answer. And we need endless answers. But as an answer, it’s an interesting and viable one.
Architect Michael Lehrer for Altaonline
The eight-foot-wide square-shaped cabins are arranged like a small residential neighbourhood, with rows of cabins on either side of a main street-style thoroughfare. Yellow, blue, red, and green geometric blocks cover the asphalt surfaces between the shelters, creating a cheerful and visually striking environment. Some cabins have been painted to add even more color and serve as markers within the village.
Each cabin is lockable, providing residents with security and ownership. The village also includes amenities such as communal dining areas, showers and restrooms, laundry facilities, and spaces for receiving assistance and accessing city services. The layout incorporates existing oak trees from the park, creating shaded areas for residents to enjoy.
Lehrer Architects completed the Alexandria Park Tiny Home Village in just 13 weeks, building upon their experience from a smaller pilot project.
This colourful and welcoming community is a shining example of how architecture can solve societal challenges and create a sense of community and belonging.
Conclusion
The rise of tiny house villages signifies a shift in housing preferences and a growing desire for a more sustainable and community-oriented way of life. As this trend continues to grow, it’s clear that the tiny house movement has a lot of impacts, not just on housing but also on how we think about what it means to live a full and meaningful life.