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Is Living in a $5K, 120-Square-Foot Tiny House ‘Extreme’? Ask This Guy

Oakland Tiny House: Man Living in 120 Square Foot Space Ponders How Extreme It Is to Live in a Tiny House

(Photo: OaklandTinyHouse.blogspot)

When you become a part of the tiny house movement, you might prepare yourself to be labeled as an eccentric. Matt Wolpe may not have realized it right away, but he explains on his blog after living in a 120-square-foot space for only a couple months he began to feel the tiny house dwelling was defining him. He writes his friends would introduce him as “This is Matt, and he lives in a tiny house.”

He says he’s not complaining though. He wrote earlier this year that he is proud of his “extreme life choice,“ which doubles as an ”instant conversation starter, girlfriend filter, added joke opportunity.“ But defining living in a tiny house as ”extreme” did give him pause.

(Related: See other Blaze stories about the tiny house movement)

Since late last year, Wolpe has been documenting the progress he has been making on the “Oakland Tiny House” in California. The home includes a working kitchen, composting toilet, an outdoor shower, a storage couch, loft bed, and a one-legged table. The exterior is composed of reclaimed redwood (purchased for $1 per piece).

Oakland Tiny House: Man Living in 120 Square Foot Space Ponders How Extreme It Is to Live in a Tiny House

(Photo: OaklandTinyHouse.blogspot)

Oakland Tiny House: Man Living in 120 Square Foot Space Ponders How Extreme It Is to Live in a Tiny House

Kitchen(Photo: OaklandTinyHouse.blogspot)

Oakland Tiny House: Man Living in 120 Square Foot Space Ponders How Extreme It Is to Live in a Tiny House

Storage couch upon which Wolpe plans on place cushions. (Photo: OaklandTinyHouse.blogspot)

Oakland Tiny House: Man Living in 120 Square Foot Space Ponders How Extreme It Is to Live in a Tiny House

One-legged desk (Photo: OaklandTinyHouse.blogspot)

Wolpe — who with Kevin McElroy runs Just Fine Design/Build – began constructing his tiny house in August 2011 and his latest addition to the space in May was the one-legged, corner desk. According to his blog, the project has cost about $5,500 so far.

In his January post, Wolpe questioned “Is the tiny house radical?” He writes:

The tiny house is about autonomy, both from the pressures of living in our current economic system via the sacrifices made for rent or a mortgage, and also about having the ability to have solitude while being in your own handbuilt space. The tiny house is also about having less stuff: only what is necessary and less space to heat and cool it, but also a different relationship to stuff, one that recognizes that things are just that, the acquisition of such should not determine the program of a building, rather people should.
But In many ways, the tiny house is ordinary. In most of the world, people live in such small amounts of space – it’s really only in the global north and elites in the global south that such a need for extra space exists, if it should be called a ‘need.’ Our thresholds for square footage are certainly culturally conditioned. In another sense, tiny house living is just a smaller version of exactly what we do now: the materials are more or less similar, the creature comforts reliant on industrial processes (although having an off the grid tiny house is totally doable.)

Here at the Blaze, we frequently cover the tiny house movement. What about it fascinates you? Do you consider it a radical movement? Let us know in the comments.

Read more details about the Oakland Tiny House here.

This story has been updated for clarity. 

[H/T Boing Boing]

Comments (144)

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  • Just in time
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:19am

    You sir are a petty man

    Report Post »  
  • Just in time
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:14am

    And the pursuit of happiness lives on. Way to go man. Your innovation and perseverance should be an inspiration to us all.

    Report Post »  
  • amyb73
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:13am

    Our city and neighboring ones have building codes requiring a MINIMUM of 2500 square feet for new houses. I‘m sure that’s going to be challenged with the economy going to crapola, and about half of those giant houses are sitting empty or in foreclosure.

    Report Post »  
    • sappi60
      Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:06am

      @AmyB7 – Wouldn’t that be wonderful! I think in many areas it’s way past due. Many people can’t afford your standard home nowadays. And many people can’t afford the expense of maintaining one. This would be an ideal answer to home ownership for the first time home buyer or someone who would like to own, but can’t afford to maintain something larger. This would also be a great substitute for some of the older mobile homes that still exist. Some can’t afford to have a larger stick built, but their trailer is on it’s last legs. Or lots that can’t handle anything larger than a singlewide.

      Report Post » sappi60  
    • BlueStarMom
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:20pm

      On the other hand, here in Cali they are going Agenda 21, not allowing single family homes to be built on less than 20 acres, requiring each acre to hold 20 dwellings, refusing to extend services (paved roads, electricity, fire dept, school buses) beyond city limits. Forcing people into public transportation zones where apartments cost as much as a house used to. It’s really evil.

      Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:11am

    I’d do it. Then put a 2,000 sq foot shop and game room out back. Which I would call ‘the house’ is up for grabs!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:05pm

      Gotta have the man cave, that’s for sure.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Tom K
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:04am

    U.N. Agenda 21 would prefer we ALL lived in “ tiny town ”; those of us that are left after they “ whittle down ” the world population to a little under 1 Billion. How many folks would just go absolutely NUTS being CONFINED to a small space like that ? Let’s fight and take America back !

    Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:26am

      Most will be “confined” in tiny coffins with 3 roommates.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • Cavy2see
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 3:21pm

      awful stuff…I don’t like a huge home…but something like this thing is awful…almost like the tentament houses in the late 1880‘s to 1930’s because of poverty…sad…I lived in a 1,200 approx home it was awful…one bath…kitchen 19 X 9ft…no foyer…when you came in home…either door…no garage…7 X 9 bedroom…and 9 x 10 bedroom…largest was 10 1/2 x 11 kingsize bed just made it in there…had to sit on bed to get into drawers…awful…no connection for portable dish washer…it had to be moved near sink…every time we used it…if you opened refrigerator and stove you could not stand infront of it to get anything out…this story is awful…I get clautophobia just looking at photos…ugggh…sad…my bathroom here is bigger that entire home??????? if you want to call it that…at least no one could suprise you for your birthday in that place…

      Report Post » Cavy2see  
    • ginger100
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 5:35pm

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Guidestones

      Report Post » ginger100  
  • amerbur
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:50am

    I find it very interesting. I have been watching and asking for years, Why are homes in America getting bigger and bigger” I saw them in California when I visited my aunts and then they began to appear in subdividions in my town. I thought at the time it seemed grotesque, a waist of resources and kind of a sick display of money. I knew no one who actually made enough income to afford such monsters. I wondered who these people were and why they would want to manage and pay the energy cost. As we all know, few could afford them. People were financially over extended. For what? People discoverd they were a slave to their home. They lived to pay for the home. They no longer want to be slaves. The little home is a push back to regain some balance. The little homes will get bigger, just out of necessity. But it is good that people are realizing that there is a cost to having lots of stuff.

    Report Post »  
    • another_mormon_4_Ron_Paul
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:23am

      One thing I can’t stand are useless knick-knacks, but I see homes where the walls and shelves are covered with them. Stores and souvenir stands have them by the ton. Go to your nearest Goodwill store and see what is being re-sold. I know a man whose wife died last year. He dearly loved her, but his first comment after the funeral was “I can’t wait to get rid of all these knick-knacks!” I collect yarn….then make something out of it….then give it away.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:40am

      My parents still live in the about 1,000 sq ft house they bought in 1971. My bedroom up until I joined the Navy at age 20, was 9 ft x 10 ft. I don’t mind a small house, but these houses that are only 200-300 sq ft are not family friendly. My dad lived in a travel trailer with his parents (as an only child) for 2 years while his dad built their house. I don’t care if someone wants a small house or a big house. What bothers me is the fact that everyone seems to be pushing small houses onto us. It’s Agenda 21. America has always been about becoming a success and doing what you want, whether it’s being a “snow bird” and living in a travel trailer and following good weather, or building a huge house and hiring a maid to clean it. As long as it remains a choice (small house) and not mandated, I don’t care.

      Report Post »  
    • Kozys
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:23am

      This is less about not being waistful and more about making poverty look stylish and acceptable. It is as if back in the Great Depression someone wrote an article discussing the benifits of the “Hooverville” shack. “look I don’t even have to sweep the floores.”

      Report Post »  
  • forthepeople
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:44am

    This is nothing new, go back in history when we had less and times were tough .

    Report Post » forthepeople  
  • Quasimofo
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:41am

    Love how lower standards of living are now being described as “trendy”.

    Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:18am

      When I was a kid they also had a terms for it: “White trash” or “Gutter white”

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • loriann12
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:42am

      I had a friend who’s dad turned a school bus into a trailer. I also remember how much crap she caught for it. Now adays, she’d be trendy I guess. I wouldn’t mind having a bug out house that was on an 18-wheeler frame, to run from the government when they start hunting conservatives.

      Report Post »  
  • Nate W.
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:31am

    What a dump! It looks like he found this shack on clearance at Ikea, and then proceeded to assemble it without the instructions.

    Report Post » Nate W.  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:24am

      Exactly. And where does he keep his seeing-eye dog?

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • Eggcellent
      Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:43pm

      Agreed! And how did he ever get it past the oppressive California zoning ordinances?

      Report Post »  
  • mertmag
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:30am

    I wouldn’t mind having a 1,000 sq ft house. Does that make me a tiny house guy?

    Report Post »  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:15am

      No I say 850-1200 sq.ft is all most Americans need. Me and girl moved froma 2800 mc.mansion to a 1090 starter home just before the market took the big hit. Made out pretty good went from 275,000 in mortgage debt to 40,000 in mortgage debt. Right now down to 25,000 and can see the light at the ned of the tunnel. Working on reisulating and rewiring to safe on energy right now. At some point I want off the grid all together. I think city water will be the hard one to stop get around.

      Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:29am

      This is about the same size as a jail cell.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:42am

      My 14X70 trailer equals 980 sq feet so you about right. But 120 is a 10X12 room.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:44pm

      About 7-8yrs-ago, I sold my family home[2400sq/ft with 3-bdrms,full-basenebt+full-attic+2,1/2car-grage. I went to a state without state-incomtax, and purchased/cash a 1180sq/ft, 2bdrm, 1-1/2car garage[no-basement-no-attic]. I went from paying $8600.00/yr land-tax, to $3500.00/yr. All my gas-electric bills are now 1/4th-cost. Car full- insurance went from $1500.00/yr to $567.00/yr. Oh–and the 2nd-bdrm=basement/attic+wk-space, since I now have a “slab”-house. Even my large uprite-piano fits and I still have a huge-room-to-live in. In the old-house, I only used 1-bdrm+20%basement+ 15%attic+ 1-1/5th-garrage. The actual-grass-space in the original back-yard is about the same as the new fenced-in backyard. My new lenni is almost twice-as-big as my old screenporch.
      And, last, I love not having 80%-useless-space to [clean-up] each week-orso. I finally have a little time, each week, to layback on my newbackporch with my two pup-dogs and RELAX.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:31pm

      johnjamison

      -Right now down to 25,000 and can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
      -Working on re-insulating and rewiring to safe on energy right now.
      -At some point I want off the grid all together

      More Power to you.

      Report Post »  
    • Alessandre
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:17pm

      @G. Whiz: I totally get the desire to have less space to clean. That’s 1 of my top priorities in choosing a home. I moved from a 4 bedroom 2 bath apt in NYC (that I shared w/ 1 or 2 roommates) to a large 1 bedroom loft in Houston (where I live alone) about 2 yrs ago. When everyone told me I could get a 2 bedroom apt for less than I was paying for my space in NYC I began to feel exhausted just thinking about keeping it clean. The space I have now is perfect: I can do everything I want/need to do w/o feeling crowded. That’s how I decide the amount of space I need.

      I dance, write, play the piano, sing, have lots of books & lots of friends w/ lots of children, I like to cook sometimes & sew & have people over for a meal or to chat. I use all my space (except the shelf in my closet that was installed so high, I’d have to be 9 feet tall to reach it). My friends use my space. And it’s easy to keep clean. It’s just right & I’m happy for now (though I’ll give it up when the lease expires because I want to pay less rent – but I’ll find something similar).

      It seems to me, we ought to live in homes that make us happy & that we can afford. Size isn’t the issue – though I really don’t get Mc-Mansions when there’s a giant house on a tiny lot. But if the owners are happy & can afford them, there’s no need for me to understand. As for this particular tiny house owner, he & his friends remind me of some kids I new @ school – they don’t seem to have grown up yet. Hopefully th

      Report Post »  
  • broper
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:29am

    Unit One… Obamaville

    Report Post » broper  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:21am

    What’s with all these dumb a$$ stories about little houses??? Who cares about these idiots???

    Report Post » BeingThere  
  • NOTAMUSHROOM
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:19am

    Is that his parent’s backyard?

    Report Post »  
  • DetroitTyronne
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:18am

    another brainwashed leftist

    Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:09am

    Next….people will live in bird nests. The new reality of obama.

    Report Post »  
  • huey6367
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:07am

    Ted Kazinski lived in a 120 square foot house. Just saying.

    Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:37am

      You didn’t help your point. The “Unabomber’ could not be described as a well-adjusted American.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • hidden_lion
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:05am

    My question is why does it cost $5k?

    Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:31am

      My grandmother’s 640 sq ft 2 bedroom cinderblock house cost $6,000 in 1960 and that included the lot, well and septic system.

      Inflation’s a real B***!

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:47am

      The cost of the crane needed to put it up in the tree.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • Allot-to-offer
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:03am

    I think it’s a great idea. I have seen many of these type homes online. There is defiantly a small house movement. That said, to each his own. I am a home designer and builder. It’s amazing what can be built in 400 to 800 sq ft. Your space is defined by your need and stuff. What you want and can afford is two different things. Living independent or self sustainable will put the world in a better place. More people should live within their means. I applaud him.

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:27am

      I too am all for anyone living within their means and being self sufficient. for me, no way my barn stalls are bigger than this as well as my kids tree house but hey anyone who wants to do their tiny house and actually pay for it themselves is ok with me. think about the money states send in housing vouchers monthly, take 2 months of rent get a tiny house and we are done paying for them. just saying.

      Report Post »  
    • Alessandre
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:23pm

      @HorseCrazy, I do like that idea. Send it to your representative. (I‘d send it to mine but she’s Sheila Jackson Lee & wants rent subsidies to continue.)

      Report Post »  
  • 9111315
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:03am

    I think they used to call this housing for the poor.

    Report Post »  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:27am

      I busted my butt waitressing to put myself through college so I could get OUT of a house (slightly) bigger than this one.

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
  • hi
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:59am

    Do you ever watch House Hunters? This is the size of living space in socialist countries but then it costs $500,000! This one has land so would probably cost millions!

    Report Post » hi  
  • snowdrop
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:55am

    The whole new “tiny house” dialog forgets the that for many years people have been happily living full time in recreational vehicles, and very comfortably too. Most of these are between 200 and 350 square feet!

    They live very inexpensively, and are able to look civilized at the same time!

    Report Post »  
  • MONICNE
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:55am

    That would be a luxury to some of our boys in Afghanistan who do not even get warm water showers for weeks at a time.

    POW MIA

    Report Post » MONICNE  
    • Fubared
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:17am

      That happens in areas where a live fire two way range is being conducted, slacker. They know going in, don’t just read about it like lefties. Do some good and head on down to cuba and make some new friends-we could pass the hat for you. Aliner makes great tow behind rv’s that cost this much and have as much room. But wankers will do as they see fit, see your above post for confirmation of that.

      Report Post »  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:25am

      FUBAR Ed, are you an Aussie too? Or a Limey? How come so many foreigners spend their time preaching to American citizens? Just because you speak English does not let you talk American!

      POW-MIA – Do Not Forget

      Report Post » MONICNE  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:54am

    I can see pros and cons to this. He should be able to send unwanted house guests packing pretty quick. Being only a little better a refrigerator packing crate and just about the same size, I wonder if he can get out in time if their is a structural fire? The size will allow it to be consumed quickly. Oh well, guess that is life in a technically advanced potting shed.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:50am

    Obama housing! I believe that the left would be happy if we all lived like this. Maybe these are “experimental” projects? Look at how they live in China and they all work for the government, who in turn provides very little for them and controls every aspect of their lives. This would fit right in with the progressive agenda, wouldn’t it?

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:49am

    California ??? .. you couldn’t build that in any place I have ever lived .. they would never allow it … that said .. how do you think that outdoor shower .. would work in Wisconsin or Michigan in winter??? He is living in a shack … pure and simple. Try to get a building permit for one.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:56am

      True; this will be the future of America under Obama.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:59am

      I was wondering about the building permits myself, and how the local power and water utilities even connected that place to the grid. If he is running a garden hose and an extension cord I’m sure he is violating a number of codes and local ordinances regarding a permanent abode.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
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