3 ms·

The article doesn't mention this explicitly, but it sure seems as though this tiny house project is geared towards Appalachia and the rural South. Appalachia is

The article doesn't mention this explicitly, but it sure seems as though this tiny house project is geared towards Appalachia and the rural South. Appalachia is generally the mountainous parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina (maybe some parts of Ohio, too). It has its own culture and dialect. It is also the poorest region of the United States; Appalachia is a huge component of why the US is not like other first world countries. In Appalachia, it is not uncommon for desperately poor families to live in shacks or horribly broken down mobile homes, on land that's been passed down for generations, sometimes predating US independence. So, this house helps to solve the safe, modern, cheap problem for housing in Appalachia. Also note that one of their goals is making it sustainable for contractors to build and providing lots of instructions--that's to help provide jobs. There aren't a lot of jobs in Appalachia. So, this is why the house is not an apartment building. It's not built for Germany.

jonstewart 11y ago
It even has a porch with rocking chairs. That is a clue.
sageabilly 11y ago
My first thought when reading the article and seeing the pictures is that there's no way this design (as depicted) would work in Appalachia without enclosing and insulating around the bottom of the house. Otherwise, your pipes would freeze and the house would be way, way too cold during the winter. I was also disappointed that the article didn't go into the R-value of the house itself as that's going to be extremely important with regards to where the home could be built. I'm assuming it's probably pretty good, given that it's new construction materials, but I would not want to weather out an Appalachian winter in one unless it had been properly designed to withstand a harsh winter.
- logfromblammo 11y ago
  Auburn University is in Alabama. These houses are designed for the rural South. You don't have to dig down too far to reach the frost heave line (14" or less). The primary climate concerns are therefore summer cooling, storm drainage, and tornadoes. When there is a freeze warning, people let their faucets drip. These designs could be used in Tennessee and North Carolina, but that's as far north as I'd be willing to try them. But then again, it's a lot easier to dig deep holes for piers than a full basement, and you could insulate the underside of the house more thoroughly than is usually done.
sotojuan 11y ago
Appalachia also is what I would call the "center" of traditional American folk culture. It's no mistake that a big portion of the artists featured in the Anthology of American Folk Music come from there. Very fascinating area.

jonstewart 11y ago

It even has a porch with rocking chairs. That is a clue.

sageabilly 11y ago

My first thought when reading the article and seeing the pictures is that there's no way this design (as depicted) would work in Appalachia without enclosing and insulating around the bottom of the house. Otherwise, your pipes would freeze and the house would be way, way too cold during the winter. I was also disappointed that the article didn't go into the R-value of the house itself as that's going to be extremely important with regards to where the home could be built. I'm assuming it's probably pretty good, given that it's new construction materials, but I would not want to weather out an Appalachian winter in one unless it had been properly designed to withstand a harsh winter.

logfromblammo 11y ago
Auburn University is in Alabama. These houses are designed for the rural South. You don't have to dig down too far to reach the frost heave line (14" or less). The primary climate concerns are therefore summer cooling, storm drainage, and tornadoes. When there is a freeze warning, people let their faucets drip. These designs could be used in Tennessee and North Carolina, but that's as far north as I'd be willing to try them. But then again, it's a lot easier to dig deep holes for piers than a full basement, and you could insulate the underside of the house more thoroughly than is usually done.

sotojuan 11y ago

Appalachia also is what I would call the "center" of traditional American folk culture. It's no mistake that a big portion of the artists featured in the Anthology of American Folk Music come from there. Very fascinating area.