TINY: A Story About Living Small

This week I finally had the opportunity to see the movie TINY: A Story About Living Small, which is now available on Netflix and iTunes. I saw the preview last year at the SF Green Film Fest so I fully realized this film is not a how-to manual for us tiny home enthusiasts. It is, however, a good introduction to tiny homes as it looks at some of the trials and tribulations one couple experiences as they build their own tiny home. The film also has a number of brief interviews with thought leaders such as Jay Shafer, Dee Williams, Tammy Strobel, and others. I highly recommend this film to anyone with a remote interest in tiny homes, as well as friends and family of anyone, like me, who seems hopelessly obsessed with tiny homes.

Glass cabin retreat

Not only are professionally-made tiny home videos entertaining to watch, but I believe they also help "spread the message" to a wider audience who may be initially drawn to the narrative behind the building rather than the structure itself.  One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this story is how during their travels they continuously searched for the perfect (reclaimed) windows, each of which has its own story.

As for the cabin itself, I'm intrigued by their extensive use of glass. One of the biggest advantages is all that glass will make it feel like you're outside in the woods even when you're inside the cabin.  They'll get plenty of natural light, as well as a myriad of interesting light patterns as the sun rises and sets each day. There also should be plenty of solar heat gain (assuming windows are oriented properly), reducing or eliminating the need for electricity and/or gas for heat. Furthermore, single-paned windows like these can be obtained very inexpensively (their cabin was built for ~$500) as home owners replace them with more energy efficient windows.

While it's great as a retreat, which it apparently is, or an artist/yoga studio, a structure with so much glass may not be ideal as a primary home as it can frequently be too hot (excessive solar gain) or too cold (heat loss through conduction, convection, and radiation). While awnings, shades, and curtains can help control solar gain, reducing heat loss in such a structure, especially with inefficient single-paned windows, can be challenging. One solution might be to install some type of thermal mass inside the cabin, like a Trombe Wall, which absorbs heat (solar radiation) during the day and then slowly releases that heat throughout the night.

Sidebar: This video is actually part of the interesting "Half Cut Tea" series of mini-documentaries on a variety of different artists.

Tiny Snapshot: Little Free Library

I recently saw this 'Little Free Library' in Atlanta (GA). Turns out it's actually part of a loose global network. While it might not work in every locale, this is still a great concept which can be implemented relatively easily, and help transform street blocks into communities.

Lodges and privies along Vermont's Long Trail

Butler Lodge

Taft Lodge interior with community table and drying backpacking gear

Earlier this month I was fortunate to spend ten days in Vermont with friends backpacking a couple of sections (Mt. Mansfield & Camel's Hump) of the historic Long Trail. While the peaks may seem tame by Pacific Coast standards (Mt. Mansfield's peak is ~4393 ft, the highest point in VT) the trail is fairly challenging with ladders and rock scrambles requiring use of hands. When it rains the water courses down the trail making it difficult to get solid traction on the rocks. Still, the natural beauty, including alpine tundra, and amazing 360 degree ridge views of Lake Champlain and the White and Adirondack Mountains make it well worth the effort.

The Long Trail, which traverses Vermont's length, is the oldest long distance trail in the United States. The non-profit Green Mountain Club (GMC) started developing the trail in 1910 and still maintains it today.  In addition to the trail itself, the GMC manages a set of rustic lodges and composting privies that hikers, as well as skiers and snowshoers in the winter, can utilize. The lodges we stayed in were generally constructed early in the trail's history and more recently renovated. They're small and lack plumbing and electricity, but are actually quite comfortable. The lodges all had lofts and could accommodate far more people than you would imagine: as more hikers show up everyone just squeezes in to make room like a cozy clubhouse in the woods. It's great to meet and talk with different hikers before everyone goes to sleep or heads to their next destination in the morning.

The composting privies were surprisingly clean and odor-free. I attribute this to many years of experience under the GMC's belt, dedicated caretakers, and a knowledgeable, respectful user base. The relatively simple structures admit fresh air and natural light while still providing sufficient privacy. Bark mulch is provided as a cover material to reduce odors, absorb liquids, and contribute carbon to the composting process. The biggest challenge is apparently the excess moisture from urine. Hikers are encouraged to urinate in the woods instead of the privy, but some seemingly prefer to take care of all their business in one sitting (so to speak).

Taft Lodge. Note historically consistent, accident-provoking size of door

Jake, a Taft Lodge caretaker, manages back office operations at his sturdy composting privy

Hump Brook composting privy

Privy interior: plenty of natural light and convenient, locally-sourced seat backstop

Long Trail: view from Mt. Mansfield summit

Tiny surfing tender at Mollusk

I'm not much of a surfer, but I still enjoy hip surf shops which often feel more like art galleries than retail outlets. This interesting little boat is located in Mollusk Surf Shop, a few blocks from Ocean Beach in my Outer Sunset neighborhood. While the boat probably wouldn't survive the nearby surf it's elegant design, woodwork and glasswork look great in the shop.

Design Elements: Unique planters

Denim jeans re-purposed as eye-catching planters in San Francisco's Western Addition neighborhood.

Outdoor screening of TINY in downtown San Francisco

Last night I enjoyed an outdoor screening of the entertaining short film TINY - A Story About Living Small in a downtown San Francisco alley. The film, which recently premiered at SXSW 2013, was sponsored by the community nonprofit SPUR and is part of the upcoming SF Green Film Fest (which includes a number of intriguing films). Squeezed into a narrow alley amongst tall downtown buildings with an almost-full-moon in the background and a SolMan portable solar generator powering everything, we watched the story of a couple building and living in a tiny home.

I was selfishly hoping the movie would be a how-to about building a tiny home, but that probably wouldn't appeal to the general public. Instead, it's an interesting look at the ups and downs of building and living in a tiny home as well as brief interviews with a variety of people involved in tiny homes. It's actually a great introduction to tiny homes for anyone either unfamiliar or just starting to consider them. The screening even concluded with a Sundance-style panel discussion where the filmmakers along with Jay Shafer answered audience questions.

Filmmakers and tiny home builders Christopher Smith & Merete Mueller with SolMan solar generator to the left