Go Underground!? A cheap, easy, underground camping hut

I've long been sketching ideas for this, and have finally begun the actual build. The idea behind this is/was to create a simple underground camping hut or shelter that might appeal to:

                                                        PLAN SET LINK IS BELOW

-Those just looking for a fun building project
-Peoplelooking for something that could be used as a simple camping structure for enjoying the   outdoors
-A small lockable storage unit
-Shelter- a basic one- that won't draw attention (is "easy to hide" for whatever reasons)
-Could make for a fun kids fort or play structure
-That might stand as an observation station for viewing wildlife.

Ultimately, regardless of the reason, it had to be straight forward, accessible (in its difficulty (or lack of) to build), and affordable- much like our Transforming A-frame Cabin Plans (also at the link below).

So, we came up with what we're calling "The Snapper". Why? Well, like a snapping turtle, it is compact, has a tough outer shell, and hides in the mud, out of sight. Why not BLEND into the natural landscape when building a small shelter, as opposed to sticking out like a sore thumb that doesn't belong?

While this structure is meant to be built underground (earth-berm style), the plans for it can ALSO be used to build a cool and unique tree house, or a simple camping/escape/hunting/survival shelter that resides ABOVE ground. It is versatile. TINY as heck, but versatile. Sure, you could also build a larger/taller version of it with a few alterations.

So, check the video on the progress so far.
AND.... the PLAN SETS (working on them NOW) are available for pre-order HERE (and they're only $12 for awhile too!). https://relaxshacks.myshopify.com/collections/all

-Deek

I can't AFFORD a tiny house! They're too expensive! (No, they really aren't)

"But tiny houses are just TOO EXPENSIVE! I never could afford one of my own!" 

Its probably THE top comment we see on tiny house message boards time and time again, aside from "But where's the bathroom?", or "I could never use a composting toilet!".

Regardless, with some of the high end tiny houses reaching prices well above $100k these days, its nice to see some simple, yet effective, conversion ideas and examples here and there.

And this is one of them.

I'll start with the immediate "con" of living in something like a RV or camper full time, and that's the fact that most RVs or campers are built and designed for OCCASSIONAL use- meaning that parts of them aren't built for constant wear and tear (many are built cheaply). RVs are often VERY POORLY insulated too (which can be a BIG deal breaker). There are some exceptions of course.
On the other hand, small spaces are EASIER to heat, so if you're fine with that climatic aspect, moisture will be your other concern (and I talk about that in video too).

Adequate ventilation (passive or active) is a MUST in any tiny house. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS.

But that aside, here's a video tour of a great little Twentynine Palms, CA rental that I found particularly attractive, fun, and effective. If you click on the link DIRECTLY to the video, you can also join in on the pros/cons conversation in the comments. PLEASE DO!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGkWO5M4sN4

The reason I've decided to share this one- RVS and campers can be purchased for close to nothing in some cases. With just a little elbow grease and NOT a fortune in materials, a camper could be converted into something more suitable for full time living for a mere $1000 or $2000.

It has been done- MANY times.

If you'd like to rent this place, here is a link for more.... https://www.facebook.com/purplepeaks.joshuatree/

Also coming up, we have our HANDS-ON, Joshua Tree/Twentynine Palms, CA tiny house building workshop. Guest speakers, build a cabin with us, and even campout if you'd like! This takes place May 1-3, 2020. If you'd like to attend....  https://relaxshacks.myshopify.com/products/joshua-tree-ca-tiny-house-workshop-diy-group-art-camping-adobe-more 

This GORGEOUS houseboat was built on a 1940s TRASH BARGE!

Yes, you read that right, the entire hull of this airbnb houseboat rental once was a trash barge for the Seattle area. Luckily it has now not only been cleaned up, but transformed into a rather elegant and fun "floating tiny house"! This is the SECOND houseboat I've rented in Seattle's Lake Union (loved them both), and the first one was featured in a past video, AND in my third book "MicroLiving"- shown/linked down below....

 Also, if you want to build a cabin with us, camp out, hear from guest speakers, see live demos, and       MORE!- don't miss our May 1-3, 2020 Tiny House Building Workshop in Joshua Tree, CA
 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS! 

And the other houseboat...

                             Deek's Book "Micro Living
                                             CLICK HERE

LIVE Tiny House Building (with us), Ferrocement, Adobe, and more! Join us!

     You might know by now (you might not), that we're heading back to the desert right outside Joshua Tree, CA to work on yet another cool cabin- one that you'll be building with us as we teach you the ropes. We're keeping this hands on workshop small, and its going to be fun as heck- as we've added MORE demos this time around! Three days of awesomeness! Great for the 101 of tiny house building, networking, and learning many alternative practices in trade- ESPECIALLY when it comes to salvage, reuse, and budget building!

May 1-3, 2020. ALL SKILL levels welcome (and appropriate)- even if you've NEVER built before.

Here's more on it.

Hosted by Deek and Dustin Diedricksen (former hosts/designers of the HGTV tv show "Tiny House Builders")

Also
-You can camp out for free- PLENTY OF SPACE on our 5 acre spread
-You can bring your RV or camper- no fee
-You can bring your (well behaved) pet
-We're in a cool remote area, but a MERE 2 miles from hotels, restaurants, chains, and more....

And if you missed our recent MEGA TREE HOUSE VIDEO.... here goes....

Check out this Dual Shipping Container Tiny House Set Up...

Well, we are going to have yet another Joshua Tree/Twentynine Palms Tiny House Building Workshop in May (Hosted by The Diedricksen Brothers- former hosts of HGTV's "Tiny House Builders"), and this might be one of the set-ups (among who knows what else) that you can take a look at.

We also will all be building a small cabin together- regardless of your skill level. Even if you've NEVER built before, this workshop will work with you/teach you- that's the whole point.

Also- if you're interested in signing up/want more info?- hit the banner link a little ways above this article.

As for the shipping container house, as you check out this video, here are a few quick pros/cons I immediately thought of in regards to a dual (yet split) shipping container home arrangement.

PROS-
-Separate living/working spaces for privacy/one's own space if living with another
-The ability to transport these to other locations as they act as two individual units on trailers.
-The two units, by being separated, create an outdoor living space (a large 16' deck in this case).

CON-
-Heating- depending on your systems, you might need two individual units.
-Heat loss by wind (more exposed surfaces as opposed to one larger "block-like unit")
-Each container is only a maximum of 8' wide, while the span could be larger inside if they were joined.

And there are plenty of other pros and cons I'm sure....

-Deek

Teenage Woman builds her own Getaway Tiny House

Meet Sarah McClellan, who while in high school decided to build her very own tiny house getaway in the woods of Ohio. This "tree house" (built in and around several trees) cost under $2000 to construct, and is heated, insulated, has a mini kitchen space, AND a second floor bedroom. Check it out in this tour, as well as more from her father Chris McClellan (aka "Uncle Mud") a world-renown mud/cob/earth building teacher- information on his home building techniques (and beyond) can be found at http://www.unclemud.com 

Couple lives in only 50 Square Feet FULL TIME! A tiny house story.

Having attended several tiny house festivals for inspiration, and one of our early hands-on tiny house building workshops (VT's "Tiny House Summer Camp") Emily and Dan Moore set upon designing, building, and eventually making the transition towards living tiny. REALLY tiny. Check out this youtube tour of their cabin on wheels (very vardo/gypsy wagon-like) when they visited my home in the Boston, MA area.

This tiny dwelling, while sparse and incredibly small (especially for a couple) DOES have solutions to their everyday needs, be it showering, going to the bathroom, or cooking. Like many other tiny home owners, the plan on living a transient life (working from the road) and following (or escaping) the weather when need be.

AND remember, early sign-ups for 2020's "Tiny House Summer Camp 8" in Vermont are up and running. You can click on the large banner on the top of this website on every page to bring you to a page with more details.

-Deek 

THE WORST! This TINY HOUSE will probably kill you.

Talked to/warned the owners, and more- don't worry- but here's THE VERY WORST TINY HOUSE I've EVER seen- and yes, we spent the night in it. Suffice to say, we didn't sleep all that well.

Check out this video and if you head over to the true link/video on youtube, be sure to enter a comment or two on anything we might have missed. There are SO MANY things done incorrectly here- its just scary!

I have NEVER seen such a poorly built structure. This tiny house video stands as a great lesson in terms of "WHAT NOT TO DO" when building your cabin or small home.

ABSOLUTELY FRIGHTENING. But this tour might be a solid learning tool for some of you.

"Enjoy"

PS- if you want to learn to do things the right way- we already have a pre-sign up for next year's "Tiny House Summer Camp 8" in Vermont- with live building, camping, live demos, guest speakers, and more!

Hit the banner above (top of the site) for more....

-Deek

This $1600 A-frame Tiny House- Featured in Sunset Magazine

"The Little A That Could" as I'm now calling it, has done it again. This time, its through a feature in Sunset Magazine- a national publication!
This particular article showcased the A-frame weekender-cabin (which can be built for as little as $700!) that is below.
Thanks to Marco Tovar for the heads up and hard work!

I designed this little cabin plan set several years ago and it has really taken off, and so many of these have now been built around the US.

If you are interested in plans, we sell them HERE 

TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP 7! Yes, its happening!

Camping, building (actual building!), guest speakers, and more!

Note: JUST ADDED (and see more below)- Cleveland OH's "Uncle Mudd" to lead Cobb/Mud/Earth building demos- all hands-on. He'll be offering side classes for those interested- all included with your registration! 
---------------

"Tiny House Summer Camp"- As featured in the NY Times, NPR, Boston Globe, and Yahoo.com

If you've missed out the other years when it sold out- here is your chance! 

Hosted by Deek and Dustin Diedricksen (authors, builders, former hosts of HGTV's "Tiny House Builders")

Where? Orleans, Vermont. 

September 20-22nd (Fri-Sun)- if you can't make Friday we will get you caught up with private instruction. 

This is for ALL skill levels (or for those that have ZERO skills- we'll help you gain some!)

Sign up now before its too late. We'll add more info to this post as we add speakers. (we have SO many already). 

We will ALL be building a backwoods tiny house this year. ACTUALLY building one- not talking about it or looking at powerpoint presentations. 

LEARN BY DOING

SIGN UP HERE
We have plenty of space for free camping too!

We limit the workshop to 22 students. 

SO many guest builders/hosts!

Chris Strathy- aka "The Capable Carpenter"-Tiny House Builder and Youtube Host from NC

Martin Skrelunas- Tiny House Builder and CT Architect

Palo "The Mad Scientist" Coleman- Repurposing Pro

Chris Schapdick- NJ Tiny House Builder and Author 

Jim Shippey- Builder from HGTV's "Tiny House Builders" Show

Matt Gabriel (back by popular demand)- to lead fun side classes on wilderness survival, backwoods building, and more! Matt is the host of the youtube channel "Animal Man Survivor"

We're working on adding some women too- we've always had some in the past on our teaching roster. 

And more!!! 

Any questions- newenglandrockpress@gmail.com