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The Minim Tiny House 11′ x 22’5″

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Minim tiny house living room

Since its debut in 2013, the Minim tiny house has become one of the most iconic tiny homes in the U.S. Designed by Foundry Architects and Brian Levy, the 210ft2 Minim is the only micro house to win 3 American Institute of Architects design awards. No loft, no walls, and great vaulted ceilings lend it a modern spacious feel. A perfectly refined mobile tiny home, studio, ADU or AirBnB guesthouse.

Notes From the Designer

The philosophy behind the Minim is pretty simple: a contented life is largely independent from the size of one’s dwelling. We humans can and must live more sustainably, but not without style. Living in a small structure should never feel compromised- it should feel amazing.

With these principles we sought to re-imagine what the micro house can be, adding livability, streamlining construction with SIPs, modernizing aesthetics, increasing off-grid versatility. It took time- 7 months to perfect the plans, 1 day for every square foot! But this time and 6+ years of full time life testing, the design is now fully refined.

Features:

Minim features a full size roll-out bed (avoiding the many inconveniences of a loft), a highly functional 10’ galley kitchen with deep sink, 2 burner gas cooktop, full size microwave, 7 cu ft fridge/freezer. A moveable hydraulic table functions as a dinner table for 6, coffee table, extra kitchen prep space or a bar, or window desk (see pics).

For entertainment a large movie screen functions doubles as a window shade. The sofa is 8’ long, seats 5 and can double as a guest bed. On top of the bed platform is a separate 5’ desk and 5’ closet. The closet can be widened slightly if desired to accommodate a combo washer/dryer. Bookcases on 2 walls can hold over 150 books.

For heating there’s room for a Dickinson propane fireplace and wall panels, for cooling we’ve hidden a through-the-wall A/C into the desk shelving (you could alternatively put in a mini-split). The bath is a ‘wet bath’ and accommodates any type of toilet desired. We also include all the specs to make Minim fully off-grid with a solar array, battery bank, propane heat, and rainwater collection/storage/treatment.

Construction:

The house is built atop a standard 8’6’’ trailer. For ease of construction and much greater insulation (R-26 walls, R-40 roof), Minim is built using SIPs panels. There are SIPs panel factories across the country (https://www.sips.org/) that can take the included specs and deliver the panels- you can have the full insulated shell constructed in 2 days. There are also just 3 window panels and 1 door to install, and no interior or exterior trim work needed once in place. This greatly simplifies construction.

Wide vs 8’6’’:

Minim House is 11’x22’, with 210 ft2 of interior space.  Of course at 11’ wide, Minim House is a wide load. Since most houses spend less than 1% of the time moving, and 99% being lived in, we thought it made sense to go a little wider for extra comfort. Literally every one of the 6000+ folks who have toured the Minim in person just after visiting a standard width (8’6’’) tiny house preferred the wider space and greater resulting functionality. A few extra feet of width make a big difference. So if you don’t need haul it regularly, and really plan to live in it, we highly recommend going wider.

Buy DIGITAL Plans - $349
Buy PRINTED Plans - $379

Basic Information

Designer

Brian Levy

Name of Plan

The Minim Tiny House

Number of bedrooms / sleeping areas

1

Square Footage

210 sf

APPROXIMATE Weight

14,000#

Approximate Cost to Build DIY

$35,000

Approximate Cost to Have Built

$70,000

What the Minim Tiny House Plans Include:

This set is packed with photos, illustrations and diagrams, including:

  • Detailed elevations, including: Trailer and Floor; Reflected Ceiling, Power and Window Schedule; Wall Sections; Exterior Elevations Exterior Elevations; Structural Elevations; SIPS Panel Drawings: Wall Panels, Roof Panels and Details.
  • Comprehensive plans for the table mount, bookshelves, mason jar racks, bath wall panels/bath pan, off-grid packages, etc.
  • 18 pages of material order notes and construction guidelines.
  • Over 100 annotated build photos.

 

 

PLUS, REMEMBER YOUR $200+ IN FREE BONUSES!

Photos

Full Features List

Design Style

Modern

Minimalist

Square Footage

210 sf

Foundation Details

Deck Over Trailer (Trailer Bed Above Wheel Wells)

Wide Load: 11′ wide

Engineered Design

Primary Bedroom Location

Main floor

Sleeps

1-2 People

Dining Area

Home Office

Bathroom Details

Shower

Composting Toilet

Roof Style

Gable roof

SIPs

Estimated Completed Weight

APPROXIMATELY 14,000#

Exterior Door

Long End Locations

Drawer/Space Efficient Bed

Designed for Tall People

Designed for Extreme Cold Climates

Solar Ready

Washer & Dryer (can be added in closet)

MINIM FLOOR PLAN:

Minim tiny house floor plan

The Minim Tiny House Plans FAQs

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Are plans available in Metric? Unfortunately they are not.

Can I build my own trailer or modify an existing one for the Minim house? The trailer is literally the foundation of your house, and we only recommend a professionally built, new 14,000 GVWR trailer.  Full specs are included in the plans. For East Coast builders, we have had a good experience with Kaufman Trailers (sales rep Rachel is available at: [email protected])

Can I add a full refrigerator into the Minim? With the current Minim House plans, there is 28” of space between the side of the kitchen wall and the kitchen window, which would allow for a range of apartment size refrigerators, which typically run 24”.

Can I add a washer/dryer into the Minim? It is possible to add a small combination washer/dryer in the 5′ platform closet specified in the plans, though this decreases closet space. It may also be added to the kitchen during buildout, by adjusting the kitchen cabinet buildout differently from what is specified in the Minim House plans.

What can I fit in the 5′ closet? Over the bed is a standard 5’ long closet.  We’ve tried it out- it can fit 25 hanging dress shirts, 20 t-shirts, 15 pairs of socks, two coats, two suits, 21 ties, 6 sweaters, 7 pairs of shoes, a wetsuit, and guitar bag.  And a roller suitcase, large backpack full of camping gear, a 10 tray food dehydrator, a toolbox, a small welding machine, a printer/copier, cordless vacuum, 3 kites, 4 bike panniers, a folding BBQ grill, and the battery bank, inverter, and charger that allow the house to be off grid.  There is still some room to spare.

What are SIPs? SIPs stands for ‘structural insulated panel’. More information can be found at sips.org, which lists many of their benefits, and includes SIPs manufacturers around the country. For the first Minim, Murus was used for SIPs, and are recommended if you live on the East Coast (they can ship nationwide but shipping costs start to add up quickly).  SIPs come with electrical chases in the walls for ease of wiring. Plumbing is typically done external to the wall for ease of access and repair should freezing ever occur.

Can I tow my Minim House? The Minim meets federal highway towing standards for height to not exceed 13’-6”. The 11’-0” width requires a special “Wide Load” permit. Some secondary/local roads may have underpasses lower than 13’-6” that would prohibit towing. We generally recommend hiring a professional hauler to move the house, who can arrange necessary insurance, wide load permitting, and overpass screening.

The Minim Tour and Features

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Minim House Tour & Features 

Minim House: Minim House is 11’x22’, with 210 ft2 of interior space.  Of course at 11’ wide, Minim House is a wide load. Since most houses spend less than 1% of the time moving, and 99% being lived in, we thought it made sense to go a little wider for extra comfort.  Since it is built on a trailer, and can be moved by any truck with 14,000 lb towing capacity.  It can also unbolt from the trailer for foundation installation.  The house is built with SIPs (structural insulated panels).  SIPs are pre-built construction blocks made like a sandwich- OSB plywood on the outside, insulation on the inside.  Building with SIPs have many advantages. First, it’s easier and quicker to construct an insulated shell, just connect the blocks together. Second, the walls have double the insulation value of traditional stick built homes, and leak much less air. Walls here are R-26, R-40 in the roof, R-30 in the floor.

Kitchen: A 10’ galley kitchen, big enough for 2 cooks.  A 7 cu foot NovaKool refrigerator/freezer that can run off of a/c or the 12v solar system.  A 2 burner Dickinson range hides under the cutting board.  For baking, the microwave also doubles as a convection oven.  3 standard stainless IKEA cabinets are used to minimize custom cabinet building. There are two shelves that hold a total of 60 mason jars of food.  Under the counter, more storage, and a rack to keep drying dishes out of sight. The foot pedal controls the kitchen sink water- this is both convenient, more sanitary and greatly aids water conservation.

Moveable table: Off the shelf marine hardware was used to create a table that can rotate, pull up/down on a gas spring, and move around to 4 different metal sockets in the floor.  In front of the couch it is placed to make a  dining table for 6. In front of that socket, the coffee table. Over by the kitchen, extra kitchen space and dining for 2— or rotate 45 degrees for a bar. And by the window, a desk overlooking a graveyard, for contemplating mortality.

Stool: This Cubista stool unpacks to 5 stools. Even when fully compacted there is room inside for two pillows. With the sofa, there is comfortable seating for 10 in the house.  $950 from Resource Furniture in NYC.

Sofa: Seating for 5.  To minimize off gassing common with synthetic materials, the sofa is custom made with organic cotton fabric and all natural latex foam. It also can double as an 8’ guest bed. Underneath, the sofa stores a 40 gal water tank on the left, and water filtration system and lots of storage on the right.

A/V: The large window array next to the door is conveniently sized in 9:16 proportion, and the shade hanging above it doubles as a projection screen.  A small LED projector sits on the sofa and is wired to the computer at the desk.  Stereo speakers on either side of the window complete the home theater.

Bed: Most micro houses have climb-up lofts near the roof. This is ok if you are young, don’t drink much, can handle rain noise, and don’t get too creative during sexy time.  Minim House has a roll out full or queen size bed. It rolls out, locks in place, rolls back.  Two pillows store in the cube.  It’s easy to make/unmake. And with a 6’’ natural latex foam mattress, super comfortable, without any toxic off gassing.  Two all wool blankets from Faribault Woolen Mills provide high degree of warmth with a low profile. The bed can also be pulled out partway and locked, creating additional padded seating for 3.  

Office: The 5′x7′ office/storage area sits atop the bed platform.  It seemed important to have desk space that doesn’t double as the kitchen table. So in the office we have a 5’ long desk, with additional wraparound countertop.  A full sized piano keyboard hides underneath the desk (lift carefully!).  A printer/scanner/copier in the closet connects wirelessly to the laptop.

Closet: Behind the office is a 5’ long closet.  We’ve tried it out- it can fit 15 dress shirts, 10 t-shirts, 12 pairs of socks, two coats, two suits, 21 ties, 6 sweaters, 7 pairs of shoes, a wetsuit, and guitar bag.  And a suitcase, large backpack full of camping gear, a 10 tray food dehydrator, a toolbox, a printer, vacuum, 3 kites, 4 bike panniers, a BBQ grill, a paraglider, and the battery bank, inverter, and charger that allow the house to be off grid.  There is still some room to spare.

Bathroom: The bathroom is a wet bath arrangement, with showerhead over the sink area, with a custom stainless steel enclosure. The incinerator toilet is tucked in and screened off with a shower curtain when the water is spraying — a compost or standard toilet may also be used.  Next to the toilet is an electric Ariston 4 gal hot water tank. It can run off the solar system, since it is just turned on for 10 minutes before shower time. It easily gives a 10 minute hot shower.  The bath uses a standard IKEA sink, and has a standard remote controlled RV fan for ventilation. The bath may be extended longer if desired by eliminating one of the bookcases.  There is also a brass porthole, to keep a lookout for pirates.

Bookcase 1+2:  Here is the library. Plenty of shelves on two bookcases for 150+ books. Here is the sewing room. Here is the bar.  Here is the portrait gallery. Mom and Dad sure looked like hippies.

Finishes: Flooring, desk, table and counters are all made of solid walnut from a local planing mill, finished with a zero-VOC food grade oil finish.  Walls are finished with a zero-VOC paint.

Utilities

Electric: Minim House has a 960 watt solar array which feeds an Outback charge controller, 12 volt battery bank, and an Outback charger/inverter. With this system the LED lights, refrigerator/freezer, water pumps, keyboard, printer/copier, notebook computer, sewing machine, microwave, blender, bread machine, speakers, stereo, and LCD projector can run sustainably off the solar system. Note the solar array + battery bank are not large enough to power the incinerating toilet, the a/c at night, or the electric convection oven reliably.  The house could be completely off grid with: propane-only heat, a compost toilet, and a slightly larger battery bank.  The house hooks up to the grid when needed with a standard 15 amp extension cord.

Heating: A marine Dickinson propane heater provides a lovely hearth with yellow flame. It uses a double chamber vent, which both brings in makeup air from outside and vents the exhaust.  When connected to the grid, Minim House has 2 flat panel ‘eco-heat’ wall heater on the closet next to the bath that draws just 400 watts each but keeps interior temperatures up well.

 Cooling: Minim House uses a through-the-wall a/c unit, built into the office cabinets. There is nothing visible on the outside of the house except an architectural grade vent plate.

Off-grid Water:  Minim House has a self-sustaining rainwater catchment and treatment system- no water hookups, no problem.  When rain falls it is collected into the roof gutter, and is gravity fed to a 250 gallon flexible cistern under the trailer bed.  A small RV pump in the hitch is then used to fill the 40 gal on-board water tank (under the sofa).  Water is pumped through a 3 stage Doulton filtration system (sediment, carbon, and ceramic), which makes it completely potable.  With an average rainfall of 3’’/month in DC, approximately 500 gallons of water can be collected from the rooftop. With the most efficient low flow shower and faucets on the market, water use for showers and sinks is about 30-40 gallons/week.

Included in the Minim Tiny House Plans

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This set is packed with photos, illustrations and diagrams, including:

  • Detailed elevations, including: Trailer and Floor; Reflected Ceiling, Power and Window Schedule; Wall Sections; Exterior Elevations Exterior Elevations; Structural Elevations; SIPS Panel Drawings: Wall Panels, Roof Panels and Details.
  • Comprehensive plans for the table mount, bookshelves, mason jar racks, bath wall panels/bath pan, off-grid packages, etc.
  • 18 pages of material order notes and construction guidelines.
  • Over 100 annotated build photos.

 

 

Buy DIGITAL Plans - $349
Buy PRINTED Plans - $379

The Minim Tiny House Plans Samples:

WATCH A VIDEO TOUR OF THE MINIM TINY HOUSE!

Buy DIGITAL Plans - $349
Buy PRINTED Plans - $379

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