Page 67 - Lighting Magazine - August 2013
P. 67
How Big is small?
articulating and stick style portables, as well as a with the advent of the micro-apartment, spanning
contemporary acrylic chandelier for the dining somewhere between 200 and 400 square feet.
space. These units are under the zoned square footage
There are some homeowners seeking out tiny for a studio apartment, however, many mayors and
homes and by tiny, we are talking less than 800 developers from San Francisco and Seatle to New
square feet. Since 1999, builder Jay Shafer has been York and Boston are jumping on the bandwagon,
advocating tiny house living, supplying enthusiasts sensing a way to meet tight housing demands as
with plans and workshops through his original Tum- well as incorporating more units per building. In
bleweed Tiny Homes enterprise and more recently Providence, R.I., the Arcade Providence a $10 mil-
his Four Lights Tiny House Company. These spaces lion rehab of one of the oldest enclosed malls in
of 100 to 400 square feet can be trailered for zon- the U.S. is claiming that the 48 micro-apartments
ing reasons, but some cotages may also be placed on its second and third foors have already sold out
on foundations for more permanency. Shafer has and a waiting list has formed.
been living in his original 112-sq.-f. residence for One of the more high-profle projects has
more than 12 years. been instigated by New York City Mayor Michael
The tiny trend is also on the rise in major cities Bloomberg and the citys Citizens Housing Planning
The Not So Big
concept isn t
about size; its
a sensibility. Its
about spaces that
inspire and that
are used every
day. Sarah Susanka
RIGHT: TUMBLEWEED TINY HOUSE COMPANY. COPYRIGHT 2008.
Above: The 4' x 4' kitchen of the Epu, the frst Tumbleweed house
model and its smallest at 89 square feet, is seen from the great
room.
left: Another view of the living area shows a clever mix of art-
work of all sizes and more collections of portables.
august 2013 | enLIGHTenment Magazine 65
