Recycled Pocket House: Rustic Cabin on Wheels
Part prototype, part experiment, but entirely excellent, this portable tiny home was a design/build labor of love from its scrappy start to its rustic finish.
Aaron Maret made this 200-square-foot structure mainly from reclaimed and salvaged materials and local upcycled hardwoods.
After spending time downsizing and living in it himself, he has put the building up for sale … and unfortunately been criticized by some for his $64,000 asking price. Sure it is a lot per square foot, but unique and custom come at a cost – critics are of course welcome to construct their own.
From its creator:
“This is a little story about a little house. This tiny house on wheels is a synthesis of thoughtful design, detail-oriented craftsmanship, and a healthy dose of patience. Five years in the making (longer if you count the design time), this has been a labor of love and a playful experiment in alternative construction… and living.”
“I began planning this house as a prototype- the first of a series of “Pocket Shelters” or small dwellings and structures. That series may still come to pass, but the project got sidetracked as I decided (along with my partner and young son) to make it ours and move into it.”
“Learning how to build this small is a challenge. But it’s child’s play compared to learning how to live small. It took every bit as long to pair down enough to fit reasonably into such a small space as it did to build it. Going through round after round of downsizing, purging, and otherwise shedding whatever is unnecessary took determination and mental and emotional stamina. And it’s been totally worth it. Having only what’s essential (by relatively affluent western standards) frees up a lot of clutter, expense, maintenance and energetic baggage.”
If you’re interested, you can learn more about the construction and see photos (and even some video) of the process here.
