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Posts Tagged ‘tiny house’

Berkeley Strawbale ADU Cottage

Posted in Design Projects, tagged accessory dwelling unit, ADU, Berkeley, clay plaster, cottage, curves, fire resistant construction, green building, light, Lime Plaster, straw, Strawbale, thick walls, tiny house on June 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »

This project was completed a a few years ago, but I realized I never posted any finished photos because I was waiting for the landscaping and an interior sliding screen between office and living room. I think it’s done now and I hope to stop by soon to see it.

John and I both would love to build more strawbale structures. The thick walls (In this case 24″ thick, but 18″ is common) are really great architecturally and the inside is so quiet and well insulated. It is wonderful to use a natural material that is an agricultural waste product to insulate. Lime plastered strawbale buildings are also very fire resistant.

This photo shows the builder, John McBride & the construction of the curved walls at the doors

A fun, colorful cabinet for books and entertainment system and the deep window seat to the right (needs it cushion still) You can see the finished curves at the doorway to left.

office window and desk built into the thick walls

Windows on the south side with concrete sills, golden lime plaster, and bright painted soffits I (& some AI ) added the garden in the foreground because this photo was taken before landscaping.)

Tilework (Fireclay) and skylight (some temp plumbing that doesn’t match 🙂 for the observant. Plaster in the bathroom is clay plaster because of its humidity control and air cleaning properties.

Kitchenette – If I was an interior decorator I’d add a piece of art and declutter the counter a bit and Martha Stewart the corner shelves, but this is just a snap shot) Now, in Berkeley, a bigger refrigerator is required.

This is a screenshot from the concept model showing the windowseat and office, storage hallway, & bathroom

another screenshot from the concept model

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A Couple of Small Space Tricks from Copenhagen Apartment

Posted in Found Objects, Information, tagged small bathroom, small spaces, tiny house on July 4, 2024| Leave a Comment »

First trick – if you barely have room for the bed best to have the foot accessible so two can access. (If only one side)

Also two small comforters rather than a big shared one makes it easier to not disrupt the other person when you go to bed late.

Second – small bathroom trick that seems common in Scandinavia – the whole bathroom shower

in this one the toilet gets washed everytime you take a shower! (best if the tp is protected from splash)

This apartment also has a great shared private courtyard in the back. Ill post some pics tomorrow.

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Some North Berkeley ADU Updates

Posted in Design Projects, tagged ADU, air tight ness, airtight, Berkeley, blower door test, Building Science, castle, cottage, decoration, green, green building, net zero, painted beam, pattern, patterns, small buidings, tiny house, tinyhouse on March 5, 2020| Leave a Comment »

The painted ridge beam went in this week. You can see, if you look closely, another castle post to complement the beam.

We also did a preliminary blower door test to check for airtightness and passed with flying colors

And finally we had a ceremonial sage burning inside the building last night…to bring the good sprits and chase away the bad. Due to the airtightness, the building was still smokey in the morning after the ceremony! (The ventilation system is not yet operational and no windows were open)