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Murdok Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 2	Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:01 pm    Post subject: ~500sqft Home? Is it possible? Hello everyone, I am trying to make a home that is 500 square feet or less. The catch is that is need to meet the following: -2 Rooms (Preferably 10x10) -2.5 Baths -Living Room -Kitchen -Deck -Stairs -2 Floors -Large, Open Spaces I am getting close, but my best is around 560, and I'd like to shave something off of that. Does anyone know of any good way to make things count as less sqft but not compromise space? I would like an "L" shaped home, but if that is not possible, could someone tell me a good idea?
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phansford Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 829 Location: SW Ohio	Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:07 am    Post subject: 500 SF right? A couple of questions. Is it 500 sf per floor or total? Why do you need 2 1/2 baths for such a small house? Why does it need to be two stories. The L-shape is adding area - why do you want it? There are plenty of books on house plans from the 1920's and 30's that demonstrate small houses. Why not check out what Habitat for Humanity requires for a house compared to family size. They have standards that might guide you. There are plenty of resources out there to help you. Check out the books first.
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nanrehvasconez Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 329	Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:18 am    Post subject: 2 Rooms (Preferably 10x10) -2.5 Baths -Living Room -Kitchen -Deck -Stairs -2 Floors -Large, Open Spaces This is an OXIMORON at best, a single story tiny two bedroom apartment is usually around 650SF, no stairs, outside open spaces, deck or balcony also outside the unit. In 500SF you can have an spacious studio apartment or a tiny one bed room. In Europe and Japan you may find one bedroom pocket apartments, small as 300SF, usually occupied by business people that stay in town to work but go home for the weekends.
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phansford Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 829 Location: SW Ohio	Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:39 am    Post subject: nanrehvasconez wrote: 2 Rooms (Preferably 10x10) -2.5 Baths -Living Room -Kitchen -Deck -Stairs -2 Floors -Large, Open Spaces This is an OXIMORON at best, a single story tiny two bedroom apartment is usually around 650SF, no stairs, outside open spaces, deck or balcony also outside the unit. In 500SF you can have an spacious studio apartment or a tiny one bed room. In Europe and Japan you may find one bedroom pocket apartments, small as 300SF, usually occupied by business people that stay in town to work but go home for the weekends. I would not discount the effort so quickly as there are a number of experiments occurring in small houses - such as Tumbleweed Houses . I'm not saying it possible either, but I think your typically "flame everyone at every opportunity" is counter-productive.
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Murdok Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 2	Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:12 pm    Post subject: Well, I've done some thinking. Ultimately, I think I have gotten it down to AROUND 500-600, but I'm still not happy with it. I have one room, a kitchen, a living room, a full bath, and that's it. I'd like to have 2 rooms somehow, and I am going to look at those links and ideas above to see if I can cram another room in there somehow. The living room doubles as a spare bedroom, but it'd be best served as a temp. guest room. Lastly, the "L" shape is so that i can have an open main area of the house, a defined backyard, and a nice affect with the square-ness. I'll let you know what I find out, any more ideas are welcome!
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csintexas millennium club Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 2174 Location: USA	Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:32 am    Post subject: I think there are plenty of examples of small houses. Also look here for good ideas: http://www.cusatocottages.com/ You just need to stop thinking in conventional terms and commit to using the amount of space you want. here is a functional bedroom with 75sq.ft. _________________ -Chris Stewart http://bcshdb.blogspot.com > The B/CS Home Design Blog
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phansford Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 829 Location: SW Ohio	Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:58 am    Post subject: csintexas wrote: I think there are plenty of examples of small houses. Also look here for good ideas: http://www.cusatocottages.com/ You just need to stop thinking in conventional terms and commit to using the amount of space you want. Chris - excellent find with the cusacottages. Bookmarked that one for future use. I like the bedroom plan also.... did you work that up or find it. Reminds me of a dorm room or some of the ideas of the Modernists.
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csintexas millennium club Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 2174 Location: USA	Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:26 am    Post subject: Marianne Cusato seems to have quite a bit of talent That is my own design I did as part of my little green project: _________________ -Chris Stewart http://bcshdb.blogspot.com > The B/CS Home Design Blog
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