Tiny Homes on the Move by Lloyd Kahn

Tiny Homes on the Move by Lloyd Kahn

I began building about 50 years ago and have lived in a home that I constructed myself ever since. I might not have started building if I had been able to find a great historic house with a good vibe. Yet it was always cheaper to create than to buy, and by doing so, I was able to design exactly what I desired and utilize the materials I wanted. In 1960, I embarked on a journey to study the craft of construction. The entire procedure was quite enjoyable for me.

Nail hammering Delineating space is what framing is all about. The sub-floor and roof decking are nailed down. When you first tread on the floor you've just made, it's a rush.

I wish I could have spent more time learning the basics from a master carpenter, but there was never enough time. I learnt from friends and literature, as well as by blundering my way into a procedure that required some expertise. My viewpoint was that of a beginner, a homeowner, rather than a professional. As I gained experience, I began to believe that I could teach people how to construct, or at the very least get them started on the road to building their own homes.

I've gone from post and beam to geodesic domes to stud frame building throughout the years. It's been a never-ending learning process, and it's lead me to investigate a variety of construction approaches, all of which I'm interested in. I created geodesic domes for five years, from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. Domebook One and Domebook 2 were my first two books as a publisher, released in 1970 and 1971, respectively.

In 1973, I abandoned domes (as dwellings) and released our namesake Shelter. Over the years, we've released books on a wide range of topics, including Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter in 2004, Builders of the Pacific Coast and The Barefoot Architect in 2008, and Small Houses in 2012. My favorite subject is construction. Even in today's world, building a house with your own hands may save you a lot of money (I've never had a mortgage) and allow you to have exactly what you want in a home if you follow through.

Lloyd Kahn is a well-known architect.