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Project posted by BLUE TRUCK STUDIO

Kleines Haus

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Location
Oakland, California
Year
2018
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Scandinavian
The Kleines Haus sits in the backyard behind the main house and has its own entrance from the street.
The Kleines Haus sits in the backyard behind the main house and has its own entrance from the street.
Kleines Haus sits on the lower part of the lot, which helps keep its profile low. The window on the room looks out into a play area for the grandkids.
Kleines Haus sits on the lower part of the lot, which helps keep its profile low. The window on the room looks out into a play area for the grandkids.
The rendering for Kleines Haus. It will feature a green roof.
The rendering for Kleines Haus. It will feature a green roof.
The interior of Kleines Haus is compact, but there's a place for everything. This cube contains the Murphy bed, closets, and cabinets.
The interior of Kleines Haus is compact, but there's a place for everything. This cube contains the Murphy bed, closets, and cabinets.
High ceilings, big windows, and skylights bring help Kleines Haus feel more spacious and livable.
High ceilings, big windows, and skylights bring help Kleines Haus feel more spacious and livable.
A grandchild plays in the loft area of Kleines Haus while grandma reads in bed below.
A grandchild plays in the loft area of Kleines Haus while grandma reads in bed below.
A slide on one side of the house and stairs on the others creates a circular path for the children to play. They literally run around the house.
A slide on one side of the house and stairs on the others creates a circular path for the children to play. They literally run around the house.
Owners and tenants of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) share key insights about how to navigate the unique living experience.
Owners and tenants of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) share key insights about how to navigate the unique living experience.

Details

Square Feet
265
Full Baths
1

Credits

From BLUE TRUCK STUDIO

It’s a quandary of modern intergenerational living: how to live with grandma, but also maintain her independence and dignity? The answer: a tiny house in the backyard conceived and executed as a family collaboration.

Architect Peter Liang, the principal of Blue Truck Studio, built a tiny house in his sister's backyard for their mother Irmhild, who is in her 80s. The family refers to it as Kleines Haus, which means "small house" in German, Irmhild's first language.

The small footprint of the site constrained the shape of the 265-square-foot house. But it doesn’t feel constrictive due to high ceilings, lots of natural light, and space-saving solutions like a Murphy bed and cabinets that fold into the wall. Well-insulated, with high-performing windows and radiant heat, the tiny house is energy efficient and will feature a green roof. But not every detail is driven by practicality: the inclusion of a loft gives the grandkids a place to sleep and play.