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Collection by Luke Hopping

These Incredibly Tiny Cabins, Tree Houses, and Mobile Dwellings Are All Less Than 182 Square Feet

Author Derek Diedricksen zeroes in on the DIY art of small living in his new book, Microshelters. What he finds is a highly motivated, occasionally eccentric community of hobbyists who challenge themselves to pack tons of functionality into spaces that are barely bigger than parking spots.

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DIY touches define this three-tiered, 182-square-foot studio, belonging to artist and engineer Steve Sauer. Tables, shelving, and benches are made of wood recycled from IKEA products. Copyright Andrew Pogue Photography.
DIY touches define this three-tiered, 182-square-foot studio, belonging to artist and engineer Steve Sauer. Tables, shelving, and benches are made of wood recycled from IKEA products. Copyright Andrew Pogue Photography.
Hal Colombo's 68-square-foot Seattle guesthouse, which he proudly describes as "funky," includes a full tub, planted roof, and Murphy bed mounted onto an automatic garage door. Copyright Andrew Pogue Photography.
Hal Colombo's 68-square-foot Seattle guesthouse, which he proudly describes as "funky," includes a full tub, planted roof, and Murphy bed mounted onto an automatic garage door. Copyright Andrew Pogue Photography.
The Vermont-based Jamaica Cottage Shop built this 132-square-foot writer's retreat using a super durable timber-frame approach. Copyright Jamaica Cottage Shop.
The Vermont-based Jamaica Cottage Shop built this 132-square-foot writer's retreat using a super durable timber-frame approach. Copyright Jamaica Cottage Shop.
Designed and built by Diedricksen himself, the Periscope was intended to be a treehouse, but its tall, elongated form made it impossible to hoist into its canopy. Today, it remains fixed to the ground in Canton, Massachusetts. Copyright Derek Diedricksen.
Designed and built by Diedricksen himself, the Periscope was intended to be a treehouse, but its tall, elongated form made it impossible to hoist into its canopy. Today, it remains fixed to the ground in Canton, Massachusetts. Copyright Derek Diedricksen.
Both a workspace and sauna, this 34-square-foot hut, which belongs to Finnish artist Helle Kvamme, mixes business and pleasure in astoundingly close quarters. The steam-filled studio is heated by a woodstove underneath. Copyright Helle Kvamme.
Both a workspace and sauna, this 34-square-foot hut, which belongs to Finnish artist Helle Kvamme, mixes business and pleasure in astoundingly close quarters. The steam-filled studio is heated by a woodstove underneath. Copyright Helle Kvamme.
The Gnomadik, a 70-square-foot dwelling on wheels designed by Adam Szoke and Chris Boux on Google's SketchUp drafting program, is built atop an abandoned travel-trailer frame. Copyright Sean F. White.
The Gnomadik, a 70-square-foot dwelling on wheels designed by Adam Szoke and Chris Boux on Google's SketchUp drafting program, is built atop an abandoned travel-trailer frame. Copyright Sean F. White.
Microshelters, which features tips for designing your own small space as well as 52 other tiny structures, is out now via Storey Publishing.
Microshelters, which features tips for designing your own small space as well as 52 other tiny structures, is out now via Storey Publishing.