Theres a grassroots movement in tiny homes these days The real estate collapse the economic downturn burning out on -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 homeIn this book are some builders who have taken things into their own hands creating tiny homes under 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 greenhousesThere are 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-sufficiencyAt the heart of our book Shelter were drawings of small buildings which we recommended as a starting point in providing ones own home Now almost years later theres a growing tiny house movement all over the world -- which weve been tracking over the past two yearsMany people have decided to scale back to get by with less stuff to live in smaller homes You can buy axAxA 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 quotinlawquot or quotgranny flatsquot in the back yard There are innovative solutions in cities such as the quotcapsulesquot in Tokyo There are numerous blogs and websites with news photos andor plans for tiny homes documented hereIf youre thinking of scaling back youll find plenty of inspiration here Heres a different approach a turn from increasing consumption Here are builders designers architects no less dreamers artists road gypsies and water dwellers whove achieved a measure of freedom and independence by taking shelter into their own hands.
