![]() ![]() Once space is defined, it is best made as energy efficient as possible, starting with insulation/ air sealing, followed by efficient appliances, heating/cooling systems, lighting, and low flow water fixtures. Minimizing conditioned space is the first priority- to me there should not be such a thing as a LEED certified 4000 ft2 house for 2 people. Other than living in a small space, how else can we change the way we design and build to minimize our impact? If other cities in the country could follow Portland’s lead, we’d have denser, more sustainable cities and more affordable housing options. Nationally, it appears that Portland is leading the country on ADU’s. communities that already permit accessory dwelling habitation)? Which cities/counties currently inspire you (i.e. For more information on the general process after determining feasibility, see this great website,. I’d also advise asking the official to cite the specific codes that underlie the advice you get on what is or isn’t possible on your property- there may be special exemptions you can find that are not commonly employed. Bring along a map of your property and an idea of your proposed structure. The most important thing I found is to go down, in person, to the municipal zoning/codes office and have a face to face conversation with a zoning official to determine the feasibility of your project. Also, ironically, the project promised more space for the things I really valued (land for gardening and a Studio Shed for a workshop).ĭo you have any advice for those who may be intimidated by the permitting process when planning their own ADU?įirst, I’d advise doing a bit of homework on how zoning and codes work in your town as they pertain to ADU’s, but no too much. I met some other folks who were interested in building tiny houses, so we thought, ‘why not build together’? And with housing prices skyrocketing, I thought the project could advance a larger affordable housing agenda. Here in DC, where many of us are so focused on work and our individual projects, the idea of making new connections through a community endeavor was also compelling. Inspiration also came from my own living arrangements throughout my life, where I noticed that my happiness was almost never correlated with the size of my living space. In part, having seen many tiny house plans that felt a bit too compromised, I was drawn to the design challenge of reimagining what a micro house could be. What inspired you to start Microshowcase? Boneyard Studios hosts open house events, demonstrating the livability, simplicity and beauty of micro homes with the intent that attitudes and regulations can be changed to allow more of them, everywhere. Last, through the project we are working to advocate for DC zoning and code changes that would allow construction and habitation of ADU’s and micro houses, which we see as one key piece to expanding affordable housing here in DC. ![]() Here are on wheels, so we liked the idea of making a beautiful, modern version of a ‘trailer park’ that might redefine our popular conception of this vital form of affordable housing. ![]() More fundamentally, it was to model what a micro house community could be. The idea was to first promote (here on the East Coast) the benefits of micro homes, which can be low cost, green, simple and attractive. It grew out of the national tiny house movement that has been slowly spreading for the past 10 years or so, mostly on the West Coast. Microshowcase is a micro house showcase based in DC. ![]() How would you explain Boneyard Studios to someone who is new to the concept? We’re thrilled to introduce him as our first guest blogger, have a read. He recently purchased a Studio Shed to serve as Microshowcase’s community area. Brian is a passionate advocate for smarter zoning and sustainable living. It has garnered national media attention and is a showcase for the tiny house movement. Brian founded Microshowcase, a micro-housing community in Washington DC. We’re thrilled to kick off our series with an interview with Microshowcase’s Brian Levy. In 2014 Studio Shed will be bringing you a guest blog series from some of the most influential voices in our industry spanning topics from green building, living small, outdoor spaces, landscape design and more. ![]()
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