The Microhouse: A Small Home You Can Build

By Rev. Bill Kaysing
Published on April 1, 1995
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Author Rev. Bill Kaysing began applying principles of “microhousing” to help end the suffering of the growing population of homeless people.
Author Rev. Bill Kaysing began applying principles of “microhousing” to help end the suffering of the growing population of homeless people.
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Overview of microhouse construction
Overview of microhouse construction
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Framing the microhouse
Framing the microhouse
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Door option
Door option
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Door option
Door option
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Door option
Door option
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Plywood flooring installation
Plywood flooring installation
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Door option
Door option
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Metal hangers make the process of floor joist assembly considerably easier.
Metal hangers make the process of floor joist assembly considerably easier.
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Nail at angle during floor installation
Nail at angle during floor installation
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Material list for a shed roof microhouse
Material list for a shed roof microhouse
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Materials list for a gable roof microhouse
Materials list for a gable roof microhouse
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Microhouse gable roof construction
Microhouse gable roof construction
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The proper way to toenail studs in place.
The proper way to toenail studs in place.

Oh, to have a little house!
To own the hearth and stool and all!
— Padraic Colum

Until recently, we, who live in the industrialized societies have felt and believed that ours is a world in progress — confronted by what we term “problems” but overcoming them, one by one. But during, say, the past 20 years, we have seen the problems no longer diminishing but becoming worse — much worse. Getting a decent place to live and bring up our children was simply something that everybody did in the course of one’s life, but now this seems possible for only a quite affluent few, even in supposedly prosperous America. As for the rest of the world, the matter of housing is rapidly turning into a disaster.

The Stanford Research Institute has predicted that by the year 2000, there will be 19 million homeless Americans. Why so many in this, the richest of countries? We have plenty of wood, cement, and labor. Why can’t affordable homes be built? During World War II, housing was constructed in a matter of days. I recall that the barracks that housed our ship’s company was erected in one week. While on leave, I saw similar structures for war workers built practically overnight. In one area, the military used church property, where they constructed dormitories that housed hundreds of men. In many parts of the country, the military also established trailer parks filled with small but comfortable homes on wheels.

People might argue that there was an emergency then, the war. But my reply would be: “There is an emergency now!” The solutions are all around us, however.

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