Get to know the origins, the evolution, the movement and the fascination behind living in tiny homes as well as minimal living.

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Tiny homes have evolved from necessity in its early years to today’s accommodation option in Airbnb. There’s certainly more to this small humble abode than meets the eye. With an estimated 1/3 of greenhouse emissions coming from buildings, living in an eco-friendly tiny home drastically reduces one’s carbon imprint.

Aside from saving the planet, living in a tiny home can also help you save hundreds of thousand dollars as well as escape a life of mortgage payments. In 2014, about 78 percent of tiny home residents own their home. These people also gain plenty of valuable time which is freed up by minimal living.

Related: Tiny House Staircase Ideas | Tiny House Bedroom Loft Ideas | Tiny House Bathroom Ideas | Tiny House Kitchen Ideas

History

The average house size for a family used to be around 1,780 square feet in 1978. This almost doubled in 2007 when the average family household grew to 2,662 square feet for a normal house size. While material wealth still means a lot, many families have chosen to downsize their homes for economic or other reasons. There were also families who moved into tiny homes instead.

A tiny home averages not more than 400 square feet. Some tiny homes, however, can average around 80 square feet.

Tiny homes have been around since the Pioneer age, but they have only become popular over the last decade. These homes emerged from the huts, tents, igloos, wigwams, and grass huts during the early settlers days. The Sioux, Inuits and Samoans were considered the earliest originators of tiny homes.

In 1000 BC, “Yurts” or “Gers” were established in Mongolia as practical small mobile homes. In 500 BC, Native Americans used tipis, small houses that were not only portable but also waterproof and extremely heat-resistant. In the 1800s, “Shot Gun Houses” with heavy Haitian influences emerged in the south.

Tiny House Movement

In the 1970’s, a man named Allan Wexler pursued the idea of living in a compact space which helped him promote his work of art. In 1973, an authors Loyd Kahn and Bob Easton released the book called “Shelter” which advanced the idea of living in a compact space even further to the masses. Other authors such as Henry David Thoreau and Lester Walker were also known as advocates for the tiny house movement.

In 1990s, another artist named Andrea Zittel used the concept of the tiny home in her work which became another inspiration for the tiny home trend. In 1997, an author named Sarah Susank, published a book called “The Not So Big House” which promoted the environmental benefits of the small houses that later led to the tiny home crusade.

In 2002, Greg Johnson, Shay Salomon, Nigel Valdez, and Jay Shafer created a society called “Small House Society”. In 2012, a company called the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company was founded by Jay Shafer, who wanted to push the tiny homes towards the masses. Shafer then created a second company called Four Lights Tiny House Company that took the tiny house movement forward. He popularized tiny homes by creating his first design that was only 96 square feet. He then moved forward with creating tiny homes on wheels. The other founders of the society, Nigel Valdez and Shay Salomon, published their guides of the small house movement in 2006 while Greg Johnson published his memoir in 2008.

Trend in Recent Years

The trend of the tiny homes continued to grow in the latter years. Examples are the Dymaxion Deployment Units from Buckminster Fuller that are 314 square feet each, made specially for bomb shelters. French architect Jean Prouvé also created a 64 square foot unit that served as emergency cottages for the survivors of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Movies and TV shows helped promote tiny homes. An example is “The Little House on The Prairie” which was a huge hit.

There’s also Henry David Thoreau’s 150 square foot cottage and Marie Antoinette’s 255 square foot home which are regarded as “history’s tiny homes” and give out tours every year. Those that get inspired in today’s society choose to live in a smaller place  not just for practical reasons but more so for emotional reasons.

In 2013, the city of Austin, Texas wanted to help the homeless so they created a “tiny house solution”. From there in 2015, “Tiny House Collaborative” was promoted and founded to help educate others on the fine design of tiny homes. In 2016, a legislation was passed in Kalamazoo, Michigan that allowed the tiny homes to be altered to better suit those that wanted to live a smaller functioning lifestyle.

Advantages of a Tiny Home

• Various reasons for living in a tiny home include: financial, decreasing number of families, family time, lifestyle, maintenance, environmental concerns, portability and recreation.
• Some tiny homes can be made on wheels for easier travel and recreation.
• Tiny homes are less expensive and easier to manage.
• Tiny homes help people be more creative with storage and how to manage their belongings.
• Tiny homes are usually more eco-friendly and can be built from recycled material.
• Tiny homes manages solar and wind power better than a traditional home does.
• Tiny homes help families save money.
• With tiny homes being so tiny, the furniture can be made to fit in the home and is easier to access and carry around.
• Repairs are easier to manage and pay for.
• Tiny homes give people the opportunity to live a lifestyle that is fit for them and what they need on a daily basis.
• Designing a tiny home is simple and it can be upgraded at any time.
• Having a tiny home on a property can create more outdoor space for family growth and for animals’ luxury.
• Tiny homes allow a family to own their home faster than a normal housing mortgage.
• Tiny homes allow less clutter if it is designed correctly.

Statistics

• According to Tiny Home Builders, “One of the biggest changes in the movement is the change in builders. Where there once were only a few builders and mostly DIY houses out there, the market is rapidly changing. There are probably more than 75% builders out there to 25% DIYers. These percentages were reversed and if not even more so in the favor of DIYers a couple of years back.”
• Marketplace expresses that tiny homes have increased in sales by 84% over the past two years.
• According to the 2016 Survey of Home Buyers and Sellers, “first-time buyers are a median age 32 years old and 60 percent of them are childless.”

Cost

The price of a tiny home can range anywhere from $10,000 USD to $100,000 USD depending on the contractor and the overall house design. The average rate of the tiny homes is around $23,000 USD. Factors that affect the pricing are the size, design, mobile, interior designing, and the type of materials to build the tiny home. If a tiny home is built by the owner, it will naturally cost less. However, it is a task that most people would prefer to rely on experts to take on.

According to Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses, usual costs of construction are as follows:

• $3000-8000 Cost of a real good trailer
• $2800 Windows
• $400 Single Entry Door
• $1200 French Doors
• $3000 Custom Arch top Door!
• $1000-5000 appliances
• $800 roofing
• $3000 lumber, sheathing, etc.
• $2800 insulation
• $400 Shower
• $500 electrical bits
• $500 plumbing bits
• $500 lights/fans
• $1000 Composting Toilet
• $600 flooring
• $2000-$5000 interior materials
• $500 finishes
• $800 cabinets
• $6 box of screws. Doesn’t sound like much until you have to buy like 30 of them
• $45/hr typ. rate for a rough or finish carpenter
• $20/hr typ. rate for helpers
• $60/hr typ. rate for a plumber or electrician
• $30/hr general labor, finish work, trim, etc.”

Note, however, that there are may be additional costs depending on your agreement with the contractor.

Overall, building a tiny home is definitely less expensive compared to getting a house mortgage for a fixed rate and a 30-year loan. It is a way to save on overhead and long term expenses. You can add solar and wind power to utilize natural resources. With a tiny home, a manageable septic system is built so the expenses are relatively smaller. The overall difference is a tiny home maximizes on overall potential to live smaller and function easier.

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The New World Order’s plan for you, if you are elected to survive their population reduction, is to be housed in their pack and stack high rise apartments in the cities designated for human population.  Your apartment will be no bigger than 200 square feet and likely much less.  

WELCOME TO YOUR FUTURE!!

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Designing A Living Space Under 18 Square Metres: Challenge Accepted

18 Meters = 59.05512 sq. ft.

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Super Compact Spaces: A Minimalist Studio Apartment Under 23 Square Meters

Designed by Barinov Andrey, this compact apartment design tests the limits of space conservation. Thanks to multipurpose living spaces and a super efficient layout, this apartment feels far more spacious than its actual size would indicate. In fact, this compact home measures in at just under 23 square meters! Simple decor and streamlined furniture keeps the interior feeling bright and uncomplicated – a dream for any fan of minimalist design. At the end of the tour, you’ll find a collection of useful floor plans to show exactly how this impressive space came together.

23 Meters = 75.45932 ft

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30 of the World’s Most Impressive Social Housing Projects

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As populations grow and cities become more crowded than ever, public housing has become an increasingly important issue for governments around the world. However, social housing is no longer limited to characterless blocks of concrete. These days, the aim is often to provide low-cost housing to individuals and families who need it – while still affording them the dignity of well-designed and distinctive homes.

These modern public housing projects frequently incorporate eco-conscious designs and elements, as efficient energy usage tends to be a priority. Here we look at 30 of the world’s social housing developments that break the mold, undoing negative stereotypes and serving as remarkable works of architecture in their own right. Contact the installers that are certifiedhome automation atlanta ga to help adding high tech in your home.

30. Mirador Housing Project – Madrid, Spain

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The Mirador housing project in Madrid’s Sanchinarro quarter is more than just a block of flats. It’s closer to a vertical collection of mini neighborhoods. Dutch architectural firm MVRDV created slits between the blocks in the construction imagined as upright alleyways, and the large open space near the top has been dubbed the “sky plaza.” This “semi-public” area provides residents with a communal meeting place and features a garden with stunning views of the nearby Guadarrama Mountains. The project won the Madrid municipality’s Best Design in Housing prize in 2005, even though it wasn’t completed until 2012. It contains 165 apartments.

29. Torre Plaça Europa – Barcelona, Spain

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This stunning eco-friendly tower in Barcelona’s relatively new Plaça Europa (Europa Square) zone completely shatters the idea of the boring, gray public housing block. Designed by local architects Roldán + Berengué, it is part of a project that includes another 25 other tower blocks, most of them social housing. The naturally ventilated building is an interesting mix of surfaces in varying shades of gray and black, giving it a decidedly futuristic look. Both recycled and 100 percent recyclable materials were used in the building’s construction, which began in 2005 and was finished in 2010. The 20-story tower contains 75 units.

28. Poljane Community Housing – Maribor, Slovenia

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Due to the fact that the Poljane Community Housing project in Maribor is located next to a busy intersection, award-winning Slovenian studio Bevk Perović architects faced spatial limitations when designing the complex. The limited exterior space prompted the company to create large community spaces, either inside the buildings, or on top of them in the form of roof gardens. The designers were also able to incorporate distinctive orange balconies, adding color and character to the otherwise somewhat plain looking walls. Completed in 2007, the four-building complex on the outskirts of the city contains 130 separate apartments.

27. Harold Housing Project – Paris, France

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Local architectural studio Jakob + Macfarlane faced a rather tricky environment when designing the Harold Housing Project in Paris, France. Faced with strict land rules, building restrictions and tree preservation orders, the project was divided into three separate apartment blocks, which are connected by a network of pathways. Completed in 2008, the eco-conscious buildings house 100 separate apartments. The complex also features ground-level shopping areas as well as wheelchair-friendly first-floor apartments. And all three blocks have green roof elements, plus rooftop solar-powered heating systems that provide the buildings with more than half of their hot water.

26. Les Nids – Courbevoie, France

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The brief for this social housing project in the relatively new urban development zone that is Les Fauvelles in Courbevoie, France was that it should “present new approaches for social housing in densely occupied urban settings.” Paris-based KOZ Architects responded with Les Nids, a two-block complex that includes innovative features such as different shaped apartments, large landings and lots of external spaces, offering residents airy views of nearby western Paris. Completed in 2010, the project was commissioned by the Courbevoie Town Council, which collaborated with social housing organization Groupe 3F to initiate a design competition and thus fill the final spot in the area. The complex includes 28 four-room social housing units.

25. Sa Pobla Social Housing – Mallorca, Spain

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Locally based architectural studio Ripoll Tizon designed the Sa Pobla social housing project in Mallorca, Spain to be both unified in its simplicity and adaptable to the needs of individual occupants. The result? This white-fronted complex, which almost looks more like a holiday resort than the kind of public housing we’re used to. The project was completed in 2012 and won first prize in the Best Residential Architecture Project category at the 2013 Architecture Plus Awards. In addition, the 19-unit project was a FAD Architecture Awards 2013 and XII Spanish Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2013 finalist.

24. Carabanchel Social Housing – Madrid, Spain

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This intriguing looking public housing project in Madrid’s Carabanchel district was designed by now-defunct London-based Foreign Office Architects, using what the design studio called “advanced ecological technology.” The exterior is clad with bamboo louvers, which provide environmentally sound climate control by keeping heat in during the winter months and offering respite from the searing Spanish sunshine in the summer. The project also includes a hollow “Air Tree” that is built from recycled materials and features solar panels, ivy plants, fans and water sprays, providing residents with shade and clean air much as a real tree would. The development, which was completed in 2007, is five stories high and contains 100 apartments, making it one of Europe’s biggest social housing schemes.

23. L’Astrolarbre – Paris, France

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When architects from locally based design studio KOZ Architects first saw this location in Paris, France, their attention was drawn to an old maple tree growing on site. The architects decided to incorporate the sprawling tree into the design of the 12-unit L’Astrolarbre social housing project, infusing the urban residential development with nature. “We just couldn’t imagine to cut it down,” explained an architect from the studio. KOZ Architects also added front gardens to the ground floor and certain first floor apartments as well as an eco-friendly rainwater harvesting system for the entire development. Construction was completed in 2007.

22. Tetris Apartments – Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Observing its irregular design, it’s easy to see how this block containing social housing in Ljubljana, Slovenia earned its “Tetris” name. Local firm OFIS Architects built the Tetris Apartments building utilizing cost-effective but good-quality materials like granite tiles and oak flooring. Completed in 2007, the four-story structure is situated looking in the direction of a busy highway. To compensate, the balconies and windows were angled 30 degrees away from the highway, and rather impressively, none of the windows and balconies look directly onto another apartment. What’s more, to allow for individual customization, only the main walls of the units are structural; the rest can be repositioned as desired.

21. Social Housing in Parla – Parla, Spain

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Madrid-based architectural firm Arquitecnica faced the common concerns tied up with developing projects of this nature when designing this social housing scheme in Parla, Spain. The architects had to consider the size and cost of the individual apartments as well as the land that was available to them, and the result was these attractively colored blocks. The design fits the specified purpose and – thanks to the green-patterned façade – blends in smoothly with the surrounding natural landscape. Construction began in 2006, and the project was completed in 2010. Altogether, 120 low-cost units with stylish modern interiors were built with young renters in mind.

20. Hayrack Apartments – Cerklje, Slovenia

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To make the most of the scenic location in the Slovenian town of Cerklje, OFIS Architects designed the Hayrack Apartments social housing project so that most of the units look out onto the neighboring mountains and fields. The crisscross motif at the front of the building was inspired by the traditional hayracks in the area – hence the name. Meanwhile, the structure’s L-shape design was built to preserve a 300-year-old lime tree on the property, such that the building and the tree are nicely integrated. The project was completed in 2007 and houses 56 low-cost apartments.

19. Angers Social Housing – Maine-et-Loire, France

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French architectural firm Studio Bellecour designed the Angers social housing project in France’s Maine-et-Loire department, aiming to break the mold of the stereotypically negative “concrete block” synonymous with schemes of this nature. Hence, the studio came up with a dynamic design that is both unified and intimate yet still clearly separated and defined for the different units and structures – each of which has an asymmetrical rooftop over an attic. The idea was to create a close-knit and positive environment that retains residents’ privacy, and the development was completed in 2010.

18. Vivazz, Mieres Social Housing – Asturias, Spain

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For its Vivazz, Mieres project in Asturias, Spain, French/Belgian design studio Zigzag Architects aimed to create a housing development that maintains a connection to nature. While the outward-facing sections of the structure are made of corrugated steel, their inward-facing counterparts feature a “double skin” comprising sizable windows and movable wooden shutters. The open spaces in the design allow natural light to enter and air to circulate. In addition, as well as enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, the development utilizes solar power and passive solar energy. Completed in 2010, in 2011 it was honored as a highly commended project at the AR+D Awards for Emerging Architecture.

17. Monterrey Housing – Nuevo León, Mexico

The Monterrey Housing project won Chilean architectural studio Elemental a 2011 INDEX design prize. Located in Monterrey in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, the reinforced concrete units were created with the idea that occupants could modify their particular spaces themselves, depending on their personal finances. For example, the empty spaces between the units provide space for future expansion. Only the essential parts of the houses, such as the kitchens and bathrooms, are ready built. Individual adaptability seems to be an important aspect of many modern social housing projects, giving residents the feeling that they really own and have control over their living spaces.

16. Social Housing for Mine Workers – Asturias, Spain

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Before this state-subsidized housing development project was constructed in the Spanish mining town of Cerredo, Asturias, it had been a quarter of century since any new homes had been built in the area. Designed by Spanish architectural studio Zon-e and completed in 2009, the two perpendicular blocks were intended to complement the colors of the surrounding countryside. Each apartment has a different floor plan, and all benefit from cross ventilation. The windows also afford stunning views of the surrounding Cantabrian Mountains.

15. Honeycomb Apartments – Izola, Slovenia

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This bright, eclectic and unusual social housing project is situated in Izola in the southwestern part of Slovenia. The distinctive design ensured Ljubljana-based architects OFIS won a Slovenia Housing Fund award in a competition that involved designing inexpensive housing for young families. Dubbed the Honeycomb Apartments, the two blocks enjoy a view of Izola Bay on one flank and look out onto the neighboring hills on the other. Shade and open-air access are important in this part of the world, so each unit has its own well-ventilated balcony area. Residents can also customize the interior of their apartments, while the colored fabric shades above the outdoor spaces provide privacy. Completed in 2006, the project contains 30 apartments in each block.

14. Pearcedale Parade – Melbourne, Australia

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The bright, cheerful colors and quirky architecture of Pearcedale Parade in the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows makes it quite an eye-catching development. It was designed by the Victoria-based branch of CH Architects and was funded by the Brumby Labor government and Yarra Community Housing, a non-profit body dedicated to providing affordable accommodation to Victorians who need it. Completed in 2010, Pearcedale Parade contains 88 cross-ventilated units, and the development also boasts solar-powered hot water and heating. The dignity of occupants was an important factor in the design process, and the hope was that the finished project would change the way people think about community housing.

13. Bondy Social Housing – Paris, France

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Thirty-four families were relocated into this stylish and energy efficient social housing building in the suburban municipality of Bondy in northeastern Paris. The units were designed by Parisian architectural studio Atelier du Pont. Built in a U-shape around a centralized courtyard, the development features a high-ceilinged roof, and the units benefit from ample natural light, balconies, and passive solar design – while rainwater is also used to provide eco-conscious cooling. Financed by social housing organization Immobilière3F for low-income families, the building was ready for occupation in 2010.

12. Salburúa Social Housing – Álava, Spain

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This housing development designed by international architectural firm ACXT proves that social housing blocks don’t have to be limited to the dull brown and grey shades often associated with them. The bright red color of the building leaps out from its much less vibrant surroundings, and the facility features a 21-story tower and a lower block of differing levels. Located in the Salburúa district of Vitoria, in the Álav province of northern Spain’s Basque Country, the apartments were built with consideration given to both energy efficiency and the comfort of residents. In Salburúa, social welfare is a matter of pride for the city council, which regards decent housing as the right of all citizens, no matter their economic status.

11. Hollande Social Housing – Pas-de-Calais, France

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The influence of the 1970s architecture that surrounds this building is obvious. As for the structure itself, well while its shape may be somewhat conventional, there is actually little that’s boring about this housing project in Béthune in the French department of Pas-de-Calais. The opaque black bricks of the exterior contrast with the light-colored wood used for the window frames and fencing, while the asymmetrical window placement adds a certain quirkiness to the otherwise slightly plain looking walls. Paris- and Geneva-based designers FRES Architectes developed the project for social housing specialists Pas-de-Calais Habitat, and the building was completed in 2012.

10. Savonnerie Heymans – Brussels, Belgium

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The Savonnerie Heymans social housing project is an attempt to create an entire environmentally friendly neighborhood consisting of public housing. Designed by local firm MDW Architecture, the development offers various apartment types, including lofts, maisonettes and duplexes, all of which incorporate energy-efficient qualities. Solar power and rainwater harvesting are just two of the eco-conscious features of the complex, which is built on the site of an old soap factory and utilizes the original structural elements where possible. You can see the old chimney for yourself. The 42-unit complex, which was completed in 2011, won a 2012 Prix Bruxelles Horta Award and earned a special mention at the 2012 Belgian Building Awards.

9. Les Loggias – Paris, France

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The timber façade and bright green paint of the Les Loggias housing project in Paris’ arrondissement de Reuilly sets it apart from its noticeably less vibrant neighbors. Paris-based agency KOZ Architects designed the building, giving consideration to both the environment and the needs of its inhabitants. Completed in 2011, the block is clad in neat looking ash timber, which is at once durable and cost effective. The interiors were designed to receive as much natural light as possible, and the building also features exterior insulation as well as eco-conscious solar panels.

8. Elmas Social Housing – Sardinia, Italy

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The colors of the Mediterranean were incorporated into the sunny white and yellow design of this social housing project in Elmas, Sardinia. According to Italian architects 2+1 Officina Architettura, the differently spaced and sized windows “create a vibrant and binomial play of open/closed.” The development has a walkway balcony with brise-soleil screening used as a form of climate control, and shutters on the north side of the structure shield against chilly winds. Materials were chosen to be both affordably priced and long-lasting, and the development, which was completed in 2010, includes a courtyard as well as ground floor duplexes.

7. Pormetxeta Social Housing – Baracaldo, Spain

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Completed in 2007, Spanish architects ACXT’s state-subsidized housing development in Pormetxeta, Baracaldo, in the north of Spain, was spearheaded by the local Basque government. Although the complex is made of prefabricated concrete, its sharp angles and modern, two-toned color scheme prevent it from resembling traditional public housing blocks. Forty-six units are housed within two separate buildings, and parking space is also provided. The plan won first prize in a scheme design competition.

6. Parc Central Social Housing – Valencia, Spain

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The Parc Central Social Housing Building in Valencia, Spain is made up of a large number of units shared among three non-identical towers built around a central courtyard. Two Spanish agencies, Office of Architecture in Barcelona and Peñín Architects, were involved in the design of the modern looking, aesthetically pleasing white buildings, which are situated in a landscaped park space. The project was completed in 2010.

5. Hatert Housing – Nijmegen, Netherlands

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Tower Hatert in the Dutch city of Nijmegen is part of the local government’s plan to invigorate its housing. The rippling, sculpture-like 13-story building was designed by Rotterdam-based studio 24H Architecture, and it houses 72 apartments as well as a health care center on the ground floor. The timber used throughout the construction is FSC certified. And the non-aligned balconies – with the railings apparently inspired by leaf patterns – ensure that each unit gets enough natural light, while also offering residents uninterrupted views of their surroundings. This futuristic looking tower was finished in 2011.

4. Zabalgana Social Housing – Álava, Spain

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In Zabalgana, Vitoria, in northern Spain’s Basque province of Álava, Spanish architects ACXT developed this striking social housing project, which contains 65 residential units. Completed in 2006, the building incorporates wood on the balconies and in the foyer area, providing aesthetic warmth and complementing the building’s colder, stylish metal cladding. Despite strict affordable housing guidelines, ACXT stuck to their aim and achieved what the company describes as “a deep environmental and landscaping sensibility.” The project was pushed forward by the VISESA group, which is financed by the Basque government.

3. Tête en l’air Social Housing – Paris, France

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This wooden structure may look more like an ancient fort than a modern complex in a busy metropolis, but Paris’ Tête en l’air (meaning “head in the clouds”) social housing project is definitely the latter. Designed by Paris-based agency KOZ Architects, the complex, which includes thirty units – 15 brand new and another 15 rehabilitated from the pre-existing structure – was completed in 2012. The project was undertaken for social housing organization SIEMP, a group committed to sustainable architecture, including the renovation of older buildings.

2. Sint-Agatha-Berchem Housing Project – Brussels, Belgium

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This project in the Brussels municipality of Sint-Agatha-Berchem may be new, but the district it is located in has been dedicated to social housing since the early 1920s. Architect Victor Bourgeois created the original district, and Belgian architectural firm Buro II & Archi+I designed these new units, which were completed in 2012, to complement Bourgeois’ cubist style. They are also low-energy units that incorporate solar panels, rainwater retrieval systems and eco-friendly materials – a far cry from the gray tower blocks many picture when they think about social housing.

1. Le Lorrain – Brussels, Belgium

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Designed by Belgian agency MDW Architecture, the Le Lorrain social housing project is actually a repurposed old iron dealer facility located in Belgium’s capital, Brussels. Completed in 2011, the new complex consists of a multi-unit apartment building and three terraced maisonette homes, each of which has its own private garden. Originally, a high wall surrounded the eastern side of the site, but this was lowered to allow in more light, and the complex has a large, open communal space for residents to use. The design of Le Lorrain is contemporary, yet it still retains a vestige of the site’s industrial heritage.

None of us need a 2,000 plus or more square foot home.  That is certain   But, we don’t need to be forced into less than 200 square feet of living space either.  Especially not stacked like sardines in highrise towers.  Living in a small space might be palatable for a short period if you have access to space outdoors.  I just do not believe that it is good for ANYONE to live in Tiny spaces for extended periods of time.  

As far as Tiny Houses go, I have yet to see the issue of proper toileting addressed.  They don’t really go into much detail about what happens to the waste products.  Composting toilets are only good if you have land on which to compost.  I don’t think that is a pastime most American’s want to deal with on a permanent basis.  

What about handicapped people?  If you are a big person in a wheelchair, you need a lot of room to navigate around your space.  What do you do for them?  Heck, I don’t think that a full size wheelchair could even fit in the door of most of these Tiny Places.