Category: Tiny Houses

Monterey Villa, part 3: Details

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floor plan of Monterey Villa

Warning: Custom designing a house “from scratch” is a long process and no one person should try to attempt this alone. Architectural and interior designers often dream big and have a hard time thinking small. This is most true when designing a beautiful and functional home in less than 600 square feet. One might say it takes a village to build a tiny house and getting everything right is a massive undertaking.

From my sketches, I created a 3D model of the house and refined that with the clients until we had a solid floorplan layout that they approved. Kurt our lead carpenter, Nathan owner/designer/carpenter and I then had to figure out and document how the house would be framed and built. As with traditional sized houses, we design and plan for every system (electrical, plumbing, roof structure, HVAC etc.) we just have a very, very small box to put everything in.

On top of designing the house, we also design and manufacture the trailer that the house is built on. Eric, our master welder and master of steel consults on the plan design in the early stages and is responsible for the first, and arguably most important, part of our tiny houses: the steel trailer frame that serves as the “foundation” of a THOW. Getting the right support where it is needed and not interfering with any of the house systems is crucial. Every detail from the anchor bolts to axles is crucial to the success of the whole house. After all, this house needs to be able to travel at approximately 70 mph over any road conditions safely and securely.

When doing a custom house, the construction documents are typically working documents through much of the build. One part is communicating the overall vision and key design elements to the construction team and the other part is documenting the details of how the carpenters actually build the house. In the Monterey Villa, the roof system took the most time to design, engineer and build. 

Guest blog written by Jennifer Richmond, Tiny SMART House business development manager,
experienced designer and tiny house expert

Monterey Villa part 2: A Spanish Style Tiny House – ON WHEELS!

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As you learned in part one, our clients came to us with a very interesting idea.  An early part of our design process is to learn our client’s sense of style.  From her Pinterest boards I could see a clear picture of the home she wanted to create. It was light, bright and filled with sunlight yet also private, secluded and made just for two people and two mane coon cats.

He needed a space to listen to heavy metal music, watch movies and sleep in.

She dreamed of a spa retreat with a comfortable bathtub and a tranquil view.

My heart jumped when I saw their inspirational photos. I had been dreaming of designing a Spanish style tiny house reminiscent of my childhood in Santa Ana. Not the ticky tacky architecture of the 80’s & 90’s but the simple beautiful houses built in the early 1900s in Santa Ana’s historic Floral Park neighborhood.

I proposed a tiny house unlike anything Tiny SMART House had built before. Something with big rustic exposed beams, plaster, stucco, bougainvillea and a clay tile roof. Oh yeah, and on wheels!

To follow the complete process, check out the other blogs on the Monterey Villa – parts 1, 3 & 4!

Guest blog written by Jennifer Richmond, Tiny SMART House business development manager,
experienced designer and tiny house expert

Monterey Villa, part 1: Design Process

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Spanish style building

Our clients came to us in the summer of 2017 with a tiny house dream. They loved our craftsmanship and designs but dreamed of something they had never actually seen before. I remember our first tour of the Tiny SMART House shops. We spent more time chatting and getting to know each other than pinpointing what their dream home was going to be.

Our design and build team has over 100 years of construction experience and we have worked with hundreds of clients. Each client is different and unique with their own ideas gathered in their own way. Our job is take their ideas and translate them into a functional and beautiful tiny house. Our success relies on our ability to communicate well with clients and each other. We gather information from several initial interviews and whatever media our clients bring to us. Sometimes the media is sketches, photos, Pinterest or Houzz posts etc. We listen to our clients and sketch out architecture until they start to see something they love emerge.

These clients wanted something that represented a style of home they fell in love with years ago.  Their dream was to create a mini oasis!  Check parts 2,3 & 4 to see the entire process!

Guest blog written by Jennifer Richmond, Tiny SMART House business development manager,
experienced designer and tiny house expert

Your Aging-in-Place Tiny Home

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willamette farmhouse tiny house with deck and fence

Are you considering your tiny house (whether an ADU, on a foundation or on wheels) to be your forever home – the one you want to grow old in?  We here at Tiny SMART House understand the needs that could crop up when you (or your loved one)  ages.  Because of the sizes of most tiny houses, saying they are “ADA compliant” is almost impossible.  We like the better term “aging-in-place friendly.”

One of our clients had the right idea and took this into account from the beginning. She set out for us to build her forever home, and we designed her house to be comfortable for all abilities and walks of life. No matter what happens, her 10’X28′ Willamette Farmhouse tiny house will be a friendly and frustration-free environment.

All of the door frames and entrances can fit a wheelchair. She had a specially built handicap ramp built to the front door. The layout also takes the turning radius into account. Her sinks, counter tops and other surfaces are appropriate for a sitting height. To keel things all on one level, the client will sleep on a convenient Murphy bed that easily folds down for nighttime. Note in the photos how the Murphy bed doubles as a desk!

There is a loft, but it’s for her grandchildren to sleep in when they come visit. Another upgrade we got into this backyard cottage is a stacked washer dryer. There’s a doggie door near the front entrance so she never has to strain letting pets in and out. The automatic skylight comes with a remote. Even her shower is “safety first,” featuring two seats and a grab bar.

floor plan for aging in place home

kitchen in ADA friendly house, white appliances, yellow walls

murphy bed in ADA friendly house

Murphy bed in desk position in ADA friendly tiny house

toilet & sink in ADA friendly tiny house

stacked washer dryer in ADA friendly tiny house

Here are some progress photos of the house during the build. For extra warmth, we gave the ceiling (and subfloor) our standard eco-friendly green spray foam! The last photo shows that this lovely home is located quite close to her family, but enough distance to stay independent!

 

 

willamette farmhouse next to big house

 

 

Blog edited and updated by Stacey Newman Weldon.  When she isn’t busy helping people create their own tiny custom homes, you can find her inspiring others to discovering their sense of fun at Adventure Wednesdays