Single Wide
Specifications: 297 sq. ft. interior, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 12′ x 36′
Description: Originally designed to go on 12′ x 36′ trailer chassis, this design could also be built on the ground. The main design goal is a compact shape that provides all the basic amenities one would find in a trailer house (which are very popular despite their poor quality and offgassing of noxious fumes). The south wall could be built as a wood framed wall to save space. This would enable the inclusion of a larger stove and refrigerator like in the Double Wide plan.
Single Wide East Elevation
I lived in a metal CONEX box for a year in Afghanistan. This design would have been the height of luxury with it’s own bathroom and kitchen! This would be a great starter home. I can’t see it getting much more basic than this…
Is 12′ wide too large a span for a Nubian vault?
I saw a plan somewhere, where they built two tiny buildings very similar to this… There was about 12-15 feet between them and they were paralell, but offset a little. There was a porch like structure connecting the two. Like a breezeway between them that was used as an “outdoor living room”.
That might be a good idea, you could build two and rent them both out, or combine them for a more affluent tenant.
I like the idea of adding outdoor space as you’ve described. That would be real easy to do.
A 12′ Nubian vault is doable, but that’s close to the upper limit. See my Nubian Vault design.
I would love to see people jump into the rental market with earthbag houses. That’s why I included apartments and duplexes.
I’ve been thinking about this design while I toured some local trailer courts. My feeling is that this type of building is really about all the house a person (with no family) really needs. But how would they be oriented with regards to each other?
The trailer courts I visited were generally dismal places with rusting rectangular metal boxes, and no porches of any kind. Just stairs up to a doorway.
The general pattern is a straight road with rectangular lots on either side. The trailers are parked in rows. It reminds me of a parking lot for humanity.
What if, using a design like this one, they were clustered around a pedestrian only courtyard? …park the cars out back somewhere. With the porches facing inward somehow, perhaps that would create a friendlier atmosphere?
Solar orientation is one important aspect to consider. You want these homes to be energy efficient. One method is to build streets on an east/west axis and align the homes in the same direction.
Creating walkable communities with open space is a great idea, although you still need to provide for vehicular access to each home. People don’t want to carry groceries, etc. Parking to the side or rear are both options.
Porches on the front of homes help build community by encouraging conversations. They also add a lot to the architectural look.
One barrier is standard lot dimensions. Orienting houses along an east/west axis will typically require two 25′ lots, which raises the cost of housing. This can be offset by using lower cost natural building materials such as earthbags and earth plaster.