The Smallest (Real) Home on the Planet
December 9, 2007 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Home & Living
I can’t 100% guarantee the title (you know those kooky home builders) but I’m pretty sure this is the smallest home I’ve ever seen. So small in fact, that one can push it around the city, or the forest, on a hill, in a national park. Of course, this may be the only home you can lose if it happens to roll off. You can’t say that about any old house now can you.
N55 the creative minds behind the snail shell system note that this system, “Can easily be placed in a discreet way. It can be buried in the ground, exposing only the entrance. It can also function as a comfortable space inside existing buildings.” There’s quite a lot more to this structure which you can read about at the N55 website.
It is so a house! Look, it offers rest…
A shower and kitchen.
From the website; “The bilge pump (on the left) can be used as a vacuum cleaner as well as for pumping water. Combined with hoses and a flexible tank, it works as a shower… The box (on the right) contains a torch, hoses for the pump, kitchen pan, kettle and alcohol burner, foldable water containers that can be used for ballasting as well as for shower and drinking water, and plastic bags.”
Toilet
I didn’t say glamorous toilet.
One of N55’s work in progress living spaces, you won’t even have to push… it’ll just walk along side of you.
N55 has created so many interesting items — all related to space, how we use space, and living. They have inflatable, floating, and other innovative homes. I recommend setting aside an hour or so and cruising through all of their manuals. It’s well worth the time.
What could you use this for? Camping, living as a wanderer, in the old days maybe a Dead show or two.
I think I’ll stick with a tent. Even with legs, I think it would be hard to get around with your house following you.
Looks like something for the person who has everything.
I could put this house in my backyard and it could be my blogging house. Just my little space to go and be totally 100% alone to be able to blog, blog, blog. Wow, that sounds so nice.
We have had these for years. It’s called a port-a-potty. Available at construction sites and concerts everywhere.
Linette; maybe it is only for people who have everything. That’s not too off base.
Julie I cannot see you in one of these. At all. But you could be alone to blog for sure.
Thomas ~ Good point although most port-a-potties are sans cook stoves and showers (thankfully).
I’m thinking four kids could be very comfortable in these. I’ve plenty of room in the back yard
Gayla! Welcome to Offbeat
I think moving the kids into these is an excellent plan for downsizing and quiet. Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
This has to be one of the dumbest ideas ever. Get a tent. Seriously. it’s lighter, and you can pack it up into a backpack. also, it has more room, and you don’t need to roll it around. just pack it up, and good to go. I’d like to see someone hitch-hiking with this abomination.
I don’t agree that this is one of the dumbest ideas ever. But I would likely use a tent too; before this. Mainly because I can’t see enjoying the scenery while pushing a big plastic circle around. Or what about bike trips? Yikes. Thanks for the comment and for stopping by.
i think this would be great for any camper that does not want the hassel of a tent. how much does it weigh?
although I feel like they are trying to cram a lot of standing living ementies into a compacted space, I like their creativity. I can’t see anyone really going out to buy this today but it’s a cool thought. I seems rather mechanical. I’d like to see it in action.
Um…who wants to live inside a barrel?? “Hey, want to come back to my place? You’ll have to stand outside, because I live in a fucking fifty gallon drum.” A triumph of clever design over actual usefulness.
Good point Robert; not so much party headquarters is it. It might self-serve as a keg like structure but nope — lots of people aren’t fitting in there.
Buried in the ground somewhere? Hm…
The walking one is kinda revealing ain’t it? Who would want a big window in front of where you were sleeping! These things look like cages, prisons even.
I’d consider selling these to some overcrowded penitentiary’s.
Does the toilet also double as a trash can?
I hope it has good ventilation. Crapping inside of a little plastic box might make it temporarily uninhabitable.
What’s with the outside latches? Couldn’t someone lock you in?
It does seem to have potential but I wouldn’t think it would be at all useful on a hike. Maybe a semi-permanent camping/hunting lodge?
So, it’s looking like most people won’t be lining up for one of these. Maybe they need to re market as a child’s clubhouse or something. Without the lock.
I think I might get something like this when I get my acres of land to bury it on
It’s kind of up there with the Japanese sleeping pods. erg.
Um…. if you bury it in the ground, isn’t it called a ‘casket’?
Not for the claustrophobic….
But, I have seen people addressing the issue of homelessnes by making very small houses, so it’s something that needs to be looked at creatively!
I don’t know about this one either, but if you could put the kids in one and then bury it…!!! Sure would make for a quiet weekend for Mom & Pop. Jen, I’d sure love to know where you come up with all the links you have! How long have you been doing this?
And Merry Christmas!
Could re-market this as a great way to travel over the Niagara Falls. A certain posh touch to the wooden barrel.
Esther ~ It takes a while actually, to come up with all these links. But I love houses so it never feels like too much work
Thanks for stopping by.
Jimmy ~ Too funny. That cracked me up. Maybe you could start a business venture. Thanks so much for the fun comment and for visiting.