Tiny Houses and Outdoor Kitchens and affordable senior housing (1 Viewer)

[cosjobs]

I am currently doing heavy research on these structures. If anyone is knowledgeable I'd appreciate their input.

My concept is to get some waterfront property, walking distance to downtown. There, I would build a big communal kitchen pavilion with full restrooms.

I then plan to surround it with maybe half a dozen tiny houses.

My biggest problems (literally) with tiny houses are taking a #### or cooking a meal in a highly confined space. If there was a great kitchen and good showers/toilets next door. I think I could happy in a tiny house.

My thought is that this would provide extremely affordable, but very enjoyable low income housing. I think I would do it for 55+ because they would be less likely to keep everyone up and I could legally not allow children to live there.

 

[Mister CIA]

This is something I know nothing about, and yet it fascinates me.

Random thought or two (this assume tiny homes are immobile):  Multiple levels.  Say  a 12x12 structure with 3 levels: 2 stories and a basement - and a livable rooftop environment.  That's 432 sq ft total (576 sq feet if you count the rooftop) 

Have MBR and bathroom underground, living space on ground level, and kitchen/dining on the 2nd floor (ventilation and all that).

I'm not going to articulate this well, but here I go. Have these 12x12 footprints stitched together in the shape of a square, with the interior forming a common area.  And have a super-setting underground hallway surrounding the joined subterranean bedrooms - a common area.

 

[El Floppo]

A gb started setting up a glamping spot upstate... Similar idea of centralized eating and ####ting. We had a couple of drunk idea bounces, but I'm not sure what he ended up with.

I love the idea, and am instantly curious how that would play out zoning and code-wise if full time housing vs temp. Also curious about geezers having to take an outdoor walk to the ####ter and if that's a great idea.

Would love to think and hear more about this...

Also ... I hesitate to even ask about why you're not legally allowed to live near kids

 

[El Floppo]

This is something I know nothing about, and yet it fascinates me.

Random thought or two (this assume tiny homes are immobile):  Multiple levels.  Say  a 12x12 structure with 3 levels: 2 stories and a basement - and a livable rooftop environment.  That's 432 sq ft total (576 sq feet if you count the rooftop) 

Have MBR and bathroom underground, living space on ground level, and kitchen/dining on the 2nd floor (ventilation and all that).

I'm not going to articulate this well, but here I go. Have these 12x12 footprints stitched together in the shape of a square, with the interior forming a common area.  And have a super-setting underground hallway surrounding the joined subterranean bedrooms - a common area.

I think if it's geared for the aging, you'll want to minimize stairs and level changes. But I like the idea... School design in the 60s and 70s in warmer areas used to do pavilion based class units with shared outside walkways.

 

[El Floppo]

Another thought... My gma retired into a great home that was set up like apartments with full kitchens and bathrooms. But they also had a dining room and you could also choose to buy into a meal plan.

Maybe you have a kitchen/dining/meeting pavilion and a gym/mixed-use/bathroom pavilion.

I'd want to have bathroom options inside my tiny home. Kitchen too for that matter.

 

[Mister CIA]

I think if it's geared for the aging, you'll want to minimize stairs and level changes. But I like the idea... School design in the 60s and 70s in warmer areas used to do pavilion based class units with shared outside walkways.

I hear you.  I've mulled over this hazy idea for years, and mostly from the perspective of a single person, but in a community that incorporates all types, maybe there is a model that allows for a larger footprint for old fogies, and a four or five story model for the young and restless. 

:buzzed: sorry

 

[Galileo]

Who cleans and maintains the common kitchen and bathroom areas?  Who covers the insurance for these areas?  Some serious ground rules would need to be laid out and enforced for the residents.  You would need a "neighborhood association type thing or management staff.

 

[El Floppo]

Who cleans and maintains the common kitchen and bathroom areas?  Who covers the insurance for these areas?  Some serious ground rules would need to be laid out and enforced for the residents.  You would need a "neighborhood association type thing or management staff.

I'd imagine both... People would buy in, and then pay member fees to cover everything you're talking about. It would be like a condo or cooperative apartment building with maintenance fees/taxes/etc... But with detached units instead of all under one roof.

 

[Galileo]

I'd imagine both... People would buy in, and then pay member fees to cover everything you're talking about. It would be like a condo or cooperative apartment building with maintenance fees/taxes/etc... But with detached units instead of all under one roof.

That will challenge the "low income housing" part of his plan

 

[[scooter]]

Sounds like a good idea for a campground but I don't see it being feasible in a city.

 

[cosjobs]

This is something I know nothing about, and yet it fascinates me.

Random thought or two (this assume tiny homes are immobile):  Multiple levels.  Say  a 12x12 structure with 3 levels: 2 stories and a basement - and a livable rooftop environment.  That's 432 sq ft total (576 sq feet if you count the rooftop) 

Have MBR and bathroom underground, living space on ground level, and kitchen/dining on the 2nd floor (ventilation and all that).

I'm not going to articulate this well, but here I go. Have these 12x12 footprints stitched together in the shape of a square, with the interior forming a common area.  And have a super-setting underground hallway surrounding the joined subterranean bedrooms - a common area.

Because this is creekside and half of the property is in the flood plain, there will be no basements. 

I will put the kitchen/pavilion in the flood plain, because it is not a habitation. I expect I will do a very sturdy cider block/concrete frame, so it will hopefully stay put, even if a river runs through it. 

I would also prefer mobile tiny houses, in case of historic (no new here) floods, we could pull the homes up to a higher level. This will rpobably require crawlspace with quick disconnect sewage/water/electrical.

But thanks for the thoughts. I like them, but this is a unique lot to build upon with plenty of considerations.

 

[cosjobs]

Sounds like a good idea for a campground but I don't see it being feasible in a city.

A campground is not feasible in the city. No way is there zoning for that or a trailer park. This lot is zoned MF1, which is multi-family. My big question is if the units can be freestanding or would they consider waiving that requirement, if it exists. Thing is, senior housing is in very dire shape around here. Tons of  millineals, etc. moving here for tech jobs and driving up housing costs, but there is also has one of the largest percentages of baby boomers in the country.

 

[Mister CIA]

Because this is creekside and half of the property is in the flood plain, there will be no basements. 

I will put the kitchen/pavilion in the flood plain, because it is not a habitation. I expect I will do a very sturdy cider block/concrete frame, so it will hopefully stay put, even if a river runs through it. 

I would also prefer mobile tiny houses, in case of historic (no new here) floods, we could pull the homes up to a higher level. This will rpobably require crawlspace with quick disconnect sewage/water/electrical.

But thanks for the thoughts. I like them, but this is a unique lot to build upon with plenty of considerations.

Yeah, I was speaking in generalities, which is clearly disconnected from your reality. But don't you want to own a 5-story condo?

 

[cosjobs]

A gb started setting up a glamping spot upstate... Similar idea of centralized eating and ####ting. We had a couple of drunk idea bounces, but I'm not sure what he ended up with.

I love the idea, and am instantly curious how that would play out zoning and code-wise if full time housing vs temp. Also curious about geezers having to take an outdoor walk to the ####ter and if that's a great idea.

Would love to think and hear more about this...

Also ... I hesitate to even ask about why you're not legally allowed to live near kids

All tiny houses would have a kitchen and bathroom, they just would not have to use them and have far superior options. 

If I designate  it 55+ only,  I can legally disallow kids from living there. That will save a ton: not having to kidproof the creek or pavilion.

 

[cosjobs]

Yeah, I was speaking in generalities, which is clearly disconnected from your reality. But don't you want to own a 5-story condo?

I'd love one in downtown Austin, but no way I could ever afford it.

 

[cosjobs]

I think if it's geared for the aging, you'll want to minimize stairs and level changes. But I like the idea... School design in the 60s and 70s in warmer areas used to do pavilion based class units with shared outside walkways.

Yeah, a lot of tiny houses feature loft bedrooms. I don't think we can have those without a conveyor belt.

 

[cosjobs]

Another thought... My gma retired into a great home that was set up like apartments with full kitchens and bathrooms. But they also had a dining room and you could also choose to buy into a meal plan.

Maybe you have a kitchen/dining/meeting pavilion and a gym/mixed-use/bathroom pavilion.

I'd want to have bathroom options inside my tiny home. Kitchen too for that matter.

Rather than make the pavilion much more than dining, eating and ####ting, I think I would have other leisure features in the flood zone: maybe a gazebo or two and one of those labyrinth  things the hippies like. Horseshoe pits. Probably a big hot tub somewhere. 

 

[cosjobs]

Who cleans and maintains the common kitchen and bathroom areas?  Who covers the insurance for these areas?  Some serious ground rules would need to be laid out and enforced for the residents.  You would need a "neighborhood association type thing or management staff.

Yes, some sort of staff. I imagine we could use 20-30 hrs/week lawn and common area cleaning/maintenance. I figure it will be part of their fee to live there. I think the overall entity would need insurance and each homeowner would need their own insurance. I am unsure whether to sell the units or just lease them. Typical HOA fees in Austin are 300/mo per unit for sub-300K condos. 

 

[cosjobs]

I'd imagine both... People would buy in, and then pay member fees to cover everything you're talking about. It would be like a condo or cooperative apartment building with maintenance fees/taxes/etc... But with detached units instead of all under one roof.

exactly

 

[cosjobs]

That will challenge the "low income housing" part of his plan

Not necessarily. Low income in this are would be 1000/mo for one and 1500 for two. We can achieve that.

 

[cosjobs]

Thanks for all the replies. I need to put all the thought I can into this before I start chatting with City Zoning dept. and you guys are providing a lot of good feedback/thoughts/insight

 

[E-Z Glider]

Sounds like a great idea to me. We've stayed at a lot of eco-resort / glamping type places over the years that are setup like this and I always enjoy the communal kitchen (especially a waterfront one!). it's just a natural place to congregate and chat in the mornings and evenings. Also fine with the communal showers. I think I'd like a toilet though. Give me a tiny home with no kitchen, no shower, and a toilet and I'd be happy. 

 

[Thunderlips]

Just need to glamorize the concept of the common trailer park.  Would basically be the same thing. 

ETA:  Hell....tiny homes are nothing more than yuppie trailers anyway.

 

[Godsbrother]

This is something I know nothing about, and yet it fascinates me.

Random thought or two (this assume tiny homes are immobile):  Multiple levels.  Say  a 12x12 structure with 3 levels: 2 stories and a basement - and a livable rooftop environment.  That's 432 sq ft total (576 sq feet if you count the rooftop) 

Have MBR and bathroom underground, living space on ground level, and kitchen/dining on the 2nd floor (ventilation and all that).

I'm not going to articulate this well, but here I go. Have these 12x12 footprints stitched together in the shape of a square, with the interior forming a common area.  And have a super-setting underground hallway surrounding the joined subterranean bedrooms - a common area.

You can't have multiple levels for seniors.