This modern log cabin from architecture students at Auburn University was designed to be completed for $20,000—an admirable solution for the down-at-heel looking to put down roots.
In the 19th century, architectural pattern books brought design (albeit primarily neoclassical and Greek Revival) to the masses. Equipped with a basic skill level and these instruction manuals that came complete with plans and renderings, builders from New York to New Orleans could create facades of Ionic columns and decorative cornices.
Auburn University Rural Studio’s $20K House project is the architectural pattern book’s modern-day counterpart. The project challenges students to design and build homes for $20,000 or less. The goal is that builders will eventually replicate these prototypes for hopeful homeowners who live below the poverty line and thus qualify for a federal rural development loan.
In 2008, students Drew Coshow, Robert Douge, Abigail Grubb, and Steven Ward designed the Pattern Book House. Nestled in a wooded area of Greensboro, Alabama, the house is a log cabin for the 21st century that harks back to the how-to books of yore both in name and with its own building manual, currently in the works.
Comments
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I live in the UK: that house is HUGE! It looks amazing and that price is right. We have to pay close to half a million for a small flat here (most people with normal incomes can't afford that). So cheap housing is the new middle class housing.
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That's about the size of my shed. http://scalehousedesign.com/topics/1112
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Beautiful, clean, affordable, sustainable - designed to fit the local ecology and culture. Congratulations to the Auburn University Students for thinking beyond the norm, and for illustrating how liveable and lovely a small home can truly be!! If more Americans lived in dwellings such as this, we would be able to live within our means. The smallness of this house might bring us back outdoors, inspire community gardens, and shared meals at picnic tables - it could transform us back into being "neighborly". Thank you for the inspiration! I want one!!
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We have to say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to Drew Coshow being involved. We remember his father, Doug, who was amazing at the University of Missouri way back in 1969. Like father, like son! Great cabin...certainly suitable for a weekend away for most Americans, and a "real" house for folks from other lands. Congratulations! B&B
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Chuck needs to get out more. Like out of the country to see the rest of the world. People raise families of 6 kids in your shed, Chuck. Most would love this beautiful version. Don't be bored, Chuck.
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or possibly you meant "that's about the size of my shed" in a non-cynical way. if so, I apologize...
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Where can I get plans for this home?
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I've been dreaming of building an eight foot by eight foot cabin with no water or electric but with a wood stove that is small enough to be moved. Seeing this little cabin gives me hope. So far I have a couple piles of lumber and two wooden skids. In a town with no land wanting to build leads you into the woods. I agree people do raise families in small spaces just look to the slums around the world.
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i lived in a 250SF studio in college and am now in a slightly larger 350SF one. both were sufficiently sized for me needs. the smaller one had a balcony which was great for a little grilling in the summer time. you'd be surprised how much you can fit in a small apartment, the key is to reduce all the clutter.
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During WWII in those times between tours as a fighter pilot I participated in London in the erection of all steel rounded dwellings for those who had been bombed out. They came with instructions and were fun to build about three days start to finish and then a few hours on connection of plumbing and electricity. Cost way under modern times $20,000. All steel is a little noisy when it rains so we used parachutes that were designed to deliver heavy equipment, we sort of stuffed in and covered over. A bit primative but we worked with what we had. So here in modern times Steel Shipping Containers draw me like a magnet. Cheers Lucius now playing with his brand new Plasma Cutter..
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Aenugus may want to check out Tumbleweed.com for inspiration on how to make his dream of a tiny, mobil house a reality. As for the pattern house, a fabulous job well-done! Keep up the great work.
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