Living in Peace and Wisdom on our Planet

My name is Jay Shafer and since 1997 I have been living in a house smaller than some people's closets. I call the first of my little hand-built houses Tumbleweed. My decision to inhabit just 96 square feet arose from some concerns I had about the impact a larger house would have on the environment, and because I do not want to maintain a lot of unused or unusable space. My houses have met all of my domestic needs without demanding much in return. The simple, slower lifestyle my homes have afforded is a luxury for which I am continually grateful.

Since completing Tumbleweed, I have continued to make little buildings. How each house gets used depends on the occupant's particular needs. What one person would enjoy as a quiet studio in their backyard, another couple might choose to inhabit as a full-time residence. What some people see as the perfect weekend hideaway in the country, others will use as a beautiful free-standing addition to their existing home for accommodating an elderly parent, an adult child, guests, or as office space. My houses have been composed with meticulous attention to light, warmth, energy efficiency, and proportion. I have made the most of each cozy interior by minimizing transitional areas like hallways and stairwells and by using otherwise unusable space as storage. The simple, formal designs that have resulted are the best way I have found to order most any space and make it beautiful.

I hope you enjoy viewing these tiny houses as much as I have enjoyed making them.

[See also this recent coverage in the New York Times.]