A Peek Inside Alek’s Tiny Project House

Name: Alek
Location: Sebastopol, California

The Tiny Project is my attempt to live a simpler, more conscious, debt-free life, and in doing so helping to set and example and educate the community about alternative, affordable, more sustainable ways of living.

Sick of the high cost of renting, and determined to own my own home, I recently completed an 8×20′ tiny house on wheels. I designed every inch of this unique home and did most of the construction myself as well. A few months ago I towed it from Iowa to its current location in Sebastopol, CA, where these pictures were taken. I live in the house full-time, along with my girlfriend and our small dog.

The house features a modern, passive solar design with 10 windows and a full-glass door for tons of light; high-end stainless appliances including a 2-burner marine-style propane range, propane on-demand hot water heater, compact combo washer/dryer unit, and refrigerator with freezer; sustainable blue-stain beetle-kill ponderosa pine ceiling/wall/loft floor; clear grade cedar siding, 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam insulation throughout, full custom hand-planed trim, built-in storage and shelving, etc.

Due to it’s tiny size and materials used it is incredibly efficient. All it needs to operate is an extension cord and water hose from the main house on the property where it’s parked. Once parked in a more permanent location, I plan to add solar panels, water collection, etc to make it as self-sustaining as possible.

I think tiny houses are one way in which the next generation will be able to overcome our country’s current economic disparity and ever-rising housing and land costs. I hope this little house can inspire others to choose a similar way of living.

Thanks, Alek! For more info on his project: The Tiny Project