Intro:
This is the last in a series of three to encourage a focused lane-house movement in Nelson. Seeing we need (affordable) housing, this idea has been one of two vaguely - and off-point - floated for some time, the other is feasible basement suites.
City Council finally stepping-up with need-based incentives for lane houses and basement suites has been long overdue.
Particularly now - with local residential-property values assessed at about 10% higher for 2016: to immediately trickle - rather gush - down into (re)sales and rentals.
Of whatever few there are!
Tiny/Lane Houses:
Dezeen's top 10 biggest architecture and design stories of 2016
Dezeen (Daily), 25 Dec, 2016
(Non-essentials within the context of possible lane houses have been omitted.)
Kodasema creates tiny prefabricated house that moves with its owners
Jessica Mairs/Dezeen 20 July, 2016
This tiny prefabricated dwelling by Estonian design collective Kodasema is designed to allow its residents to pick up sticks and move to a new location in less than a day.
Named KODA, the mobile house prototype contains an open-plan living-space and mezzanine bedroom with its 25 square meter footprint and also includes a built-in terrace in front of its glazed frontage.
Ground-Floor Plan
First-Floor Plan
Kodasema hopes these features will keep both assembly and dismantling under 7 hours, making it easy for residents to relocate.
"Much of our quality of life depends on both our home and its location meeting our needs," said Kodasema. "When choosing where to live however, we may take risks on both fronts. It can be difficult to make major changes to a conventional home as inconvenient, and extensive repairs are often involved, or even full demolition and reconstruction."
Owners are encouraged to find a site with suitable water, sewage and electricity points. But the house is also designed to generate and conserve its own energy.
The building's quadruple-glazed facade maximizes natural light while preventing heat-loss, and roof-mounted solar panels are intended to return more power to the grid than the building uses.
"Its clever design provides the inspiration to make best use of every square inch of space and envisage how the built-in components, even the walls, can be adjusted to meet their purpose most effectively," said the team.
The small lounge area sits directly behind the glazing, while the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom are set towards the back of the space to provide more privacy.
A ladder leads up to the sleeping-area above the kitchen, which is just big enough for a bed.
"In our minds KODA can become whatever you want - a city-center home, a lakeside summer house, a cozy cafe, an office, a workshop or studio or even a classroom."
KODA was first exhibited at the Tallinn Architecture Biennale 2015 and was shortlisted for the Small Project Prize at the World Architecture Festival 2016.
Local Focus:
These three projects are not meant to be ideal choices for lane dwellings - rather to spark need-based discussion in Nelson. As already done for some time elsewhere in Canada and the US: looking at zoning-issues - generally the big bugaboo - affordability and lifestyle downsizing.
While we do have tiny houses around the area - we don't have them in Nelson proper.
Nelson Tiny Houses has several items on YouTube. The CBC/Kelowna ran tiny houses on 11 Jan, 2017; the Nelson Star will follow.
Small lane houses clearly won't be for everybody - like those with children - but as (affordable) starter-homes for singles, couples and those who want to downsize, while still maintaining independence: they are an option.
Channelling ideas of lane dwellings and tiny (or small ) houses into a single clear focus is a logical way of substantially addressing (affordable) housing-concerns in Nelson.
In the process making basement suites an affordable (for renters) and feasible (for house owners) option.
With all necessary regulations dealt with solely on the municipal level, there can be no excuse for not getting-on with them in/by Nelson!
The key is foresight and willingness at City Hall!
FloorPlans/Sections:
Kodasema
Photography:
Paul Kuimet
www.thetinyhousefestival.com
www.nelsontinyhouses.com
Pam Mierau, Manager of Development Services
pmierau@nelson.ca
Mayor Deb Kozak
dkozak@nelson.ca
Nelson City Council
nelsoncouncil@ nelson.ca
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