Photovoltaic Systems

Archive for the ‘Recreational’ Category

A while back, I mentioned The Crib, an “enviresponsible shelter” by Broadhurst Architects that can be used as a weekend cabin, backyard office, exercise studio, or guest house — you name it.  Well it’s time for a short update from our last article, if you haven’t already noticed, that a 250 square-foot Crib was built on the grounds of the Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.  It’s being used as a visual arts studio, a lab, and a gallery and is open to visitors during certain events and various other times.

The Crib is built as a kit of parts with SIPs (R32 walls and floor) and other recyclable parts from steel and aluminum.  The prototype home also has multi-layer polycarbonate panels, insulated glass, heat-treated poplar siding, LED and CFL lighting, an energy-efficient ceiling fan, and rainwater collection for showers and gardening.

In process construction photos are available on The Crib’s Facebook page.

The design allows for reuse by dismantling and reassembling The Crib elsewhere.  A version of the prototype runs for about $85,000, according to the Washington Post, not counting sewer hookup.  With a kitchen, the Crib will cost about $120,000, while the basic Crib costs just shy of $60,000.  The block/concrete basement adds about $25,000.

[+] Learn more about The Crib from Broadhurst Architects, Inc.

Credits: Anice Hoachlander.

Related Articles on JetsonGreen.com:

1. Tiny Eco-friendly Prefab Called The Crib
2. Sett is a Tiny, Green, Modular Studio
3. Small, Green, Affordable: Shelter Series

Cece Reinhardt and Brenda Daugherty decided to renovate a 2003 Airstream Safari with eco-friendly materials and convert their used diesel truck to a veggie oil machine to get “On the Green Road” in style.  They enlisted sponsors and finished the conversion and renovation.  They also embarked on a mission to get rid of everything that they don’t need or use, and will show people how they’re living off the grid.

The truck is powered by waste oil, while the Airstream is powered by solar panels.  The 25-foot Airstream also has rain water collection and a composting toilet.

In terms of materials, the 200 square-foot renovation has American Clay walls and ceiling, a 500-w solar system from Applied Solar Energy, whole-house filtration by Blue Gold for Life, an eco-friendly mattress from Keetsa, Vida cork planks, natural linoleum flooring, PaperStone countertops, Hardwoods Inc. veneer cabinets from Eco Craft Cabinetry, LEDs from Elemental LED, a Lumicor recycled resin shower door, a Kirei board office desk, and a waterless Nature’s Head composting toilet.

[+] Follow Cece and Brenda On The Green Road.

Credits: Y Studio Photography. 

Related Articles on JetsonGreen.com:

1. Green Gift Guide: Eco-Friendly Gadgets
2. Finding the Perfect Green Countertop
3. Green Gift Guide: Versatile Eco Spaces

The tiny house movement is just blowing up, and we’ve seen growing interest in our tiny house archives in recent months.  This week, Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, seller of tiny houses such as the Popomo, as well as books and plans, recently announced the launch of a new book — Backyard Sheds & Tiny Houses — and several new Box Bungalow plans under 110 square feet.  The plans sell for roughly $50 and the kits can be had for about $12,000 – $15,000.  If you’re interested in ADUs, backyard cottages, and tiny homes, we have a list of the new stuff from Tumbleweed below.

Backyard Sheds & Tiny Houses Book
By Jay Shafer // [$] Purchase the book for $19.95

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Gifford by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
99 square feet, sleeps 1-2 // [$] Purchase plans for $49

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Beavan by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
99 square feet, sleeps 1-2 // [$] Purchase plans for $49

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Anderjack by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
99 square feet, sleeps 1-2 // [$] Purchase plans for $49

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Zinn by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
99 square feet, sleeps 1-2 // [$] Purchase plans for $49

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Stamper by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
107 square feet, sleeps 1-2 // [$] Purchase plans for $49

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Weller by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
107 square feet, sleeps 1-2 // [$] Purchase plans for $49

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Purchases via links with “[$]” may benefit Jetson Green.

Credits: Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.

Related Articles on JetsonGreen.com:

1. Popomo is a Simple Modern Tiny House
2. The (Green) Tiny House Movement
3. Pure Salvage Tiny House for Living

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, a purveyor of tiny homes, workshops, books, and plans, is promoting the Popomo design pictured this month.  This is one of the company’s easiest homes to build, according to Tumbleweed, and it’s also one of the few modern plans they have available.  Popomo has a basic kitchen, wet bath, tiny bedroom, propane fireplace, steel exterior, and a total of about 144 square feet.  Plans are discounted through the end of July, if you’re looking for a new building adventure.

[$] More info on the Popomo plan from Tumbleweed ($9.99 through 7/31/2011).

Purchases via links with “[$]” may benefit Jetson Green.

Credits: Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.

Related Articles on JetsonGreen.com:

1. Free Green Launches Tiny House Plans
2. The (Green) Tiny House Movement
3. Building an Austin Tiny House [Video]