Tiny House for a Homeless Teacher
Donation protected
HELP US BUILD THIS NEW TINY HOUSE FOR PATRICIA HAMPTON, A FORMER TEACHER AND NURSE, NOW A SENIOR AND HOMELESS.
Patricia's Story:
I was born and raised in England, and a chance meeting in London with an invitation to the US 50 years ago, has given me such an interesting life. I have so much more than I ever then, dreamed I would have, for which I am so grateful. Living near San Diego in California for over 40 years was a wonderful life experience, certainly a weather change!
I had Graduated as a State Registered Nurse from a London Teaching Hospital where Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin, and had no thoughts beyond a position in another hospital, a career in Nursing.
Here in the US It would be a few years before I took the California State RN Boards and embarked on a Nursing, then teaching, career. Cultural shock was two countries divided by a common language! I had to learn American-English spelling! So, in the meantime, I worked as a Copy Editor for a couple of newspapers; then restoring old houses; briefly drove a taxi; took junior college classes, including Spanish and Speech.
Other classes gave me eligibility to take the RN State Boards, after which I was fortunate to walk into a job as Long Term Care Charge Nurse, and subsequently, teaching Voc Ed.
I had so much fun! The students were an inspiration for me to give of my best. Often they had low self-image, restricted finances. I would tell them, "when you finish this class, you will be so proud of what you know and can do. You will be able to help your families, as well as make a living helping others."
I have an ongoing interest in self-development and spiritual teachings, but do not subscribe to any particular religion or philosophy. I have learned something from all of the classes, gurus, retreats I have taken. Met some great people. Ultimately, it's about loving yourself.
My artistic bent is in the direction of mixed media art, jewelry, mosaics, and I do love Steampunk--jewelry of that genre fascinates me.
I moved to Eugene in 2010 mainly because I ended up being homeless here for a week upon returning from Canada, on my way back to San Diego. Since then I have been homeless and near-homeless. An economic refugee! Fortunately, I have never had to sleep on the sidewalk. I had a car to sleep in, or help from an unexpected quarter, an offer of money, a place to stay for a week or so, or a motel for a couple of nights.
Renting a room is becoming cost-prohibitive in Eugene. A small room, not including utilities, now costs 500 a month, and up. A place to call home, a "forever home," at Emerald Village Eugene, a space of about 200sf seems like a dream come true. Working with two architects, being part of a new community is very exciting. I feel like a pioneer!
The Context:
Patricia's 224 square foot home will be one of 22 architect-designed tiny homes build this year in Eugene, OR, as part of affordable housing non-profit Square One Villages' Emerald Village Eugene (EVE) . The project is geared to foster a self-managing community of adults and to support their transition out of homelessness. Patricia's house, called Domus Parva (Greek for 'Small Home') will be situated on Site F.
EVE will include shared open spaces, gardens, and a common building with meeting and work spaces, as well as essentials like a tool library, workshop, and laundry facility. You can learn more about the project and make a tax- deductible donation at http://www.squareonevillages.org/emerald
About the Tiny House:
Patricia's home is designed for accessibility, natural light, views, and sustainability. The 224 square foot home is built for southern exposure, with a roof slope that is optimized for solar panels, and rainwater harvesting for irrigation of the gardens. Low windows on the south allow for passive solar heating and high windows on the north provide for natural ventilation and ambient light throughout the year. The patio extends the small footprint to the outside, and a trellis with deciduous vines provides shelter, seasonal color, and shade in the summer months. LED light fixtures and low-flow plumbing fixtures are specified throughout.
Inside, the spaces are designed for flexibility. A private sleeping alcove becomes a window seat. A worktable can be folded down to expand the usable floor area when needed. Built-in cabinets and a loft provide ample storage.
The home is also designed with an aging inhabitant in mind, and features an accessible route to and through the unit, with a level slab floor, a slightly lower (34") countertop height, and grab bars in the bathroom.
Conservation of Materials & Hi-Efficiency Enclosure
Since most readily available building products come in sizes based on a 2 ft. module, the home is designed to optimize that 2 ft. module to reduce material waste. The walls are constructed using advanced framing techniques, with studs spaced 24" apart. Advanced framing is proven to be structurally sound, and can reduce the use of lumber used in construction up to 40% (according to the American Wood Council).
The exterior is clad in a rainscreen to enhance the durability of the structure in the wet climate of the Pacific Northwest.
You Can Help!
The project will cost about $35,000 to build. Your tax-deductible donation, of any amount, will help us toward that goal. When you donate be sure to let us know where we can send your receipt. Proceeds in excess of what necessary for Patricia's home will go to Square One Villages for site development and maintenence costs.
But money isn't the only way to give! We're looking for materials, and volunteers! If you think you can contribute, please let us know! We've already secured a general contractor, plumber, and electrician, but we are always looking for more help. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, and thank you!
-Bryan Hadley, & Donald Goerz,
M.Arch, University of Oregon.
Patricia's Story:
I was born and raised in England, and a chance meeting in London with an invitation to the US 50 years ago, has given me such an interesting life. I have so much more than I ever then, dreamed I would have, for which I am so grateful. Living near San Diego in California for over 40 years was a wonderful life experience, certainly a weather change!
I had Graduated as a State Registered Nurse from a London Teaching Hospital where Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin, and had no thoughts beyond a position in another hospital, a career in Nursing.
Here in the US It would be a few years before I took the California State RN Boards and embarked on a Nursing, then teaching, career. Cultural shock was two countries divided by a common language! I had to learn American-English spelling! So, in the meantime, I worked as a Copy Editor for a couple of newspapers; then restoring old houses; briefly drove a taxi; took junior college classes, including Spanish and Speech.
Other classes gave me eligibility to take the RN State Boards, after which I was fortunate to walk into a job as Long Term Care Charge Nurse, and subsequently, teaching Voc Ed.
I had so much fun! The students were an inspiration for me to give of my best. Often they had low self-image, restricted finances. I would tell them, "when you finish this class, you will be so proud of what you know and can do. You will be able to help your families, as well as make a living helping others."
I have an ongoing interest in self-development and spiritual teachings, but do not subscribe to any particular religion or philosophy. I have learned something from all of the classes, gurus, retreats I have taken. Met some great people. Ultimately, it's about loving yourself.
My artistic bent is in the direction of mixed media art, jewelry, mosaics, and I do love Steampunk--jewelry of that genre fascinates me.
I moved to Eugene in 2010 mainly because I ended up being homeless here for a week upon returning from Canada, on my way back to San Diego. Since then I have been homeless and near-homeless. An economic refugee! Fortunately, I have never had to sleep on the sidewalk. I had a car to sleep in, or help from an unexpected quarter, an offer of money, a place to stay for a week or so, or a motel for a couple of nights.
Renting a room is becoming cost-prohibitive in Eugene. A small room, not including utilities, now costs 500 a month, and up. A place to call home, a "forever home," at Emerald Village Eugene, a space of about 200sf seems like a dream come true. Working with two architects, being part of a new community is very exciting. I feel like a pioneer!
The Context:
Patricia's 224 square foot home will be one of 22 architect-designed tiny homes build this year in Eugene, OR, as part of affordable housing non-profit Square One Villages' Emerald Village Eugene (EVE) . The project is geared to foster a self-managing community of adults and to support their transition out of homelessness. Patricia's house, called Domus Parva (Greek for 'Small Home') will be situated on Site F.
EVE will include shared open spaces, gardens, and a common building with meeting and work spaces, as well as essentials like a tool library, workshop, and laundry facility. You can learn more about the project and make a tax- deductible donation at http://www.squareonevillages.org/emerald
About the Tiny House:
Patricia's home is designed for accessibility, natural light, views, and sustainability. The 224 square foot home is built for southern exposure, with a roof slope that is optimized for solar panels, and rainwater harvesting for irrigation of the gardens. Low windows on the south allow for passive solar heating and high windows on the north provide for natural ventilation and ambient light throughout the year. The patio extends the small footprint to the outside, and a trellis with deciduous vines provides shelter, seasonal color, and shade in the summer months. LED light fixtures and low-flow plumbing fixtures are specified throughout.
Inside, the spaces are designed for flexibility. A private sleeping alcove becomes a window seat. A worktable can be folded down to expand the usable floor area when needed. Built-in cabinets and a loft provide ample storage.
The home is also designed with an aging inhabitant in mind, and features an accessible route to and through the unit, with a level slab floor, a slightly lower (34") countertop height, and grab bars in the bathroom.
Conservation of Materials & Hi-Efficiency Enclosure
Since most readily available building products come in sizes based on a 2 ft. module, the home is designed to optimize that 2 ft. module to reduce material waste. The walls are constructed using advanced framing techniques, with studs spaced 24" apart. Advanced framing is proven to be structurally sound, and can reduce the use of lumber used in construction up to 40% (according to the American Wood Council).
The exterior is clad in a rainscreen to enhance the durability of the structure in the wet climate of the Pacific Northwest.
You Can Help!
The project will cost about $35,000 to build. Your tax-deductible donation, of any amount, will help us toward that goal. When you donate be sure to let us know where we can send your receipt. Proceeds in excess of what necessary for Patricia's home will go to Square One Villages for site development and maintenence costs.
But money isn't the only way to give! We're looking for materials, and volunteers! If you think you can contribute, please let us know! We've already secured a general contractor, plumber, and electrician, but we are always looking for more help. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, and thank you!
-Bryan Hadley, & Donald Goerz,
M.Arch, University of Oregon.
Organizer
Bryan A. Hadley
Organizer
Eugene, OR
