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Shelter Publications

Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter (The Shelter Library of Building Books)

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Description

There's a grassroots movement in tiny homes these days. The real estate collapse, the economic downturn, burning out on 12-hour workdays -- many people are rethinking their ideas about shelter -- seeking an alternative to high rents, or a lifelong mortgage debt to a bank on an overpriced home. In this book are some 150 builders who have taken things into their own hands, creating tiny homes (under 500 sq. ft.). Homes on land, homes on wheels, homes on the road, homes on water, even homes in the trees. There are also studios, saunas, garden sheds, and greenhouses. There are 1,300 photos, showing a rich variety of small homemade shelters, and there are stories (and thoughts and inspirations) of the owner-builders who are on the forefront of this new trend in downsizing and self-sufficiency. At the heart of our 1973 book Shelter were drawings of 5 small buildings, which we recommended as a starting point in providing one's own home. Now, almost 40 years later, there's a growing tiny house movement all over the world -- which we've been tracking over the past two years. Many people have decided to scale back, to get by with less stuff, to live in smaller homes. You can buy a ready-made tiny home, build your own, get a kit or pre-fab, or live in a bus, houseboat, or other movable shelter. Some cities have special ordinances for building "inlaw" or "granny flats" in the back yard. There are innovative solutions in cities, such as the "capsules" in Tokyo. There are numerous blogs and websites with news, photos, and/or plans for tiny homes, documented here. If you're thinking of scaling back, you'll find plenty of inspiration here. Here's a different approach, a 180º turn from increasing consumption. Here are builders, designers, architects (no less), dreamers, artists, road gypsies, and water dwellers who've achieved a measure of freedom and independence by taking shelter into their own hands. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shelter Publications


Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 24, 2012


Edition ‏ : ‎ Original


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 228 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0936070528


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 20


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.41 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 0.7 x 12 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #600,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #97 in Architectural Materials #161 in Sustainability & Green Design #784 in Home Design & Construction (Books)


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Jun 19 – Jun 21

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Living Large in (Very) Little Houses
Format: Paperback
Lloyd Kahn has a lot to answer for. He bumped us out of our housing preconceptions as shelter editor of Whole Earth Catalog, blew our housing views away with indigenous vernacular housing around the world in Shelter, excited and encouraged us with Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter, and enticed us further with Builders of the Pacific Coast. Now, about the time we have regained equilibrium and settled into an expanded comfort level, here he is with Tiny Houses. And he threatens us with Tiny Houses II. Incorrigible. There is no stopping such a man. If you visit his blog at [...] you will see that he is also into fitness, so it is likely we will have to adjust to many more books from him. He is a leading cause of the ongoing need to build more bookshelves. The size of new American homes nearly doubled from 1970 to 2010. With the real estate crash and continuing widespread unemployment there is a whole lot of wallet tightening going on. There is also a lot of rethinking about how to live. Many people are dropping out of the consumption game. Tiny houses are extreme examples of the trend. The smaller the house, the more likely it can be built without a mortgage. An ever-growing number choose to build and live in something that is not only less expensive to build but less expensive to heat, cool and maintain. The LittleHouses group, to which I belong, is both the largest and busiest of any Home Building Yahoo! Group. The tiny house trend is not confined to any one place, although areas of mild weather are generally more suitable than places with extreme winters because of more typically thin building envelopes, which limit insulation. There are exceptions and included here is a glorious stone and timber house on top of a Colorado mountain. Tiny houses require less land and in fact can be portable. Sections of the book are Tiny Homes on Foundations, Tiny Homes on Wheels, Tiny Homes by Architects, Prefabs and Kits, Earthy Materials, Treehouses, On the Road, and On the Water. Most won't live in tiny houses forever. They are most appropriate for singles. With significant others and/or children, there is insufficient room to suit most people. One answer could be connected multiples with one unit serving as kitchen and dining, others for bedrooms and living. Most could be anchored but one could be used for travel. This book is inspiring, uplifting and offers encouragement for a sane and fun way to make fewer dollars go further. Profusely illustrated with 1,300 illustrations, the price is about two cents per picture. Whether or not pictures are worth a thousand words, this book is a heck of a bargain. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2012 by Kindle Customer
    • Packed Full of Fantastic Photo's. Creativity Meets Functionality!
Format: Paperback
After eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book, I was NOT disappointed! It is packed full of beautiful full-color photographs on every page. Quality of the book, text, photographic elements and diversity of tiny homes and simple shelters is superb! Various types of homes, different locations, building materials and styles mean this will appeal to a large variety of people. From city dwellers to cave (and even tree!) dweller, there is something here for nearly anyone. Whether you are just curious, desire a spare space for some peace and quiet or searching for a full-time alternative way of living...this book is sure to inspire a multitude of ideas. There is a nice selection of pre-fab/kits and other options as well as significant treatment of recycled materials. Examples of tiny homes range from ultra modern to quaint, primative to luxurious little escapes. Size, price estimates and materials are all mentioned. This is not a blueprint book nor a dedicated "how to" but rather a complete overview with a plethora of examples that will allow anyone to plan the perfect tiny home of their very own. Interviews with tiny home owners and designers are both informative and intersting. The writing style is engaging and the visuals beautifully executed. Well worth the wait! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2012 by AnAmazonCustomer
    • Great book full of cool pictures - Do NOT buy if you're looking for a technical account of architectural/building practices
Format: Paperback
This has a plethora of great photos and stories from many different styles of tiny homes. It is a great book to generate ideas and conversation. With that being said, here are some things about the book that you should know before buying: - This book is not intended to be a technical account of architectural styles - don't buy it if that's what you're looking for. - This book does not provide detailed plans or building tips. - As others have brought up, the photos in the book are not the highest resolution, but this did not detract from my enjoyment. Honestly, it is tough to notice if you are just flipping through. - I have never had a problem with the quality of binding or paper. To address some of the other reviewers who were wary of the reviews because they all mentioned the name of the author or publishing company: Lloyd Kahn is a well-known guy in the tiny house movement. I do not know him personally, but I saw him speak once (after buying this book), and I imagine that a lot of reviewers have seen him speak, resulting in a feeling of familiarity leading them to use his name in a review. I don't think it is a big deal. He has written and published a lot of books, so his name and the name of his publishing company coming up in reviews shouldn't be a surprise. Overall, buy this book if you want to look at a lot of cool pictures of tiny homes. Do not buy this book if you want a technical account of the architectural or building practices associated with the homes. It's a great book if you're looking for the former. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2014 by Molly E Moore
    • Amazing to me what is possible
Format: Paperback
"Tiny Homes" is a very interesting book loaded with pictures of tiny homes (defined as 500 square feet or less). There is a wide variety of building material used, excellent pictures, and interesting side stories about the people who built them or live in them. To be frank, I have no real interest in living in something this small (probably) but truly enjoy looking at them to see just what is possible. I have also enjoyed the books by Sarah Susanka ("Creating the Not So Big House" is just one of her books). My husband and I are at odds about home size but this book has allowed us to have some useful discussion about what is next for us. It has gotten my creative juices flowing a bit and has also come in helpful when thinking about downsizing my mother-in-law to a small apartment. My only real complaints about the book are two-fold. One: the working definition of a tiny house is one under 500 sf but almost all the pictures are of homes more in the 250 sf range. I can't imagine living in 250 sf but can picture 500 sf - just not enough of this slightly larger home for my desire. Two: I would have liked to have seen more floor plans. The pictures are great, but having a floor plan would help be better visualize what I am seeing. Even with those two quibbles it is a wonderful, picture-packed book that was well worth the money I spent. I am keeping it on my family room coffee table for perusal and inspiration! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2012 by Holly
    • Beautiful large book!
Format: Paperback
I was pleasantly surprised to see how large this book was....and the quality of the photos is exceptional. You are able to get a glimpse at many, many smallish to tiny homes/shelters. My only wish is that each home would have photos of every part of the home and that there would be diagrams showing dimensions and floor plans. Some have this and it is easier to understand the size and scope of the living space. This is not a 'how to' book, but rather one that shows you a myriad of possibilities. It is also very interesting to read about the people that built these homes....their stories. Overall a great intro on living small, full of ideas. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2012 by Amazon Customer
    • A marvelous book
Format: Paperback
I've given this book as a gift to friends twice since I first bought it at a surfer shop in May. My friends also love it. -just a very interesting and fun read with loads and loads of fine pics and useful information. This book can inspire and is a great traveling companion on a plane ride or just about anything when going some place. I can almost promise that curious eyes will want to peer over you shoulder when you bring this lovely large paperback with you. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2013 by bradford gillingham
    • Beautiful book but not what I was looking for
Format: Paperback
Not what I expected, I had thought this would have more detailed build information. Still a really nice, well done book showing a collection of beautiful homes built by some very creative people. Pros: Large, quality book filled with many excellent color photos and well written, inspiring stories. All about other people that have built tiny homes and are living in them. Its a really nice book however it is basically a very nice, colorful coffee table book. Cons: All the build stories seem (to me, I could be wrong) to be out of date, most look to be 10 or more years old? Was hoping for something more current. Some but not much actual build details or explanations. Still, nice book, will keep it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021 by Kindle Customer
    • Love it!!
Format: Paperback
Ill be the first to admit I'm not a big book reader but this my favorite book I have ever read or owned! I never get tired of looking through it. It sits next to me on my end table and I enjoy thumbing through it on a regular basis. I just moved in to my own Tiny Cabin (550 sq ft) and its great for getting ideas for things to do to my home. Great photos and story's about the unique people who own these amazing homes. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2013 by Bryan

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