A BUILDINGS LIFE 2

year 2020

A young couple with a little girl wants to live in nature. As they only recently started working they cannot afford to build a full size home from the beginning. So, they start with a small hut in 2020, which is still providing all necessary living functions. In the small space one can find a light room with the kitchen and a dining table. The sofa opposite the kitchen is used as the parents bed. Above is, like a bunk bed, the sleeping space of the child. The bathroom is large enough for a small bathtub and a washing machine. The storage room helps to keep the small living space clean and useable.

The second child was born in 2023 and a second bunk bed was added above the couch after a while.

year 2025

After five years living in the small hut the family collected enough money to tackle the buildings extension.

To save costs, the hut will be totally integrated in the new building. In addition, the kitchen and bathroom will remain at the same position to avoid costs from altering the water connection and water pipes.

The way of construction allows here as well to live in the building during the whole building process.

year 2026

After one year of mostly self-building the house is finished. The former wood cladding and some of the windows and wall materials could be repositioned. A straw facade links the building to the surrounding agricultural grounds.

The sunny location is perfect for using passive solar heating through the glazed southern facade and electricity and hot water can be produced by solar modules on the roof.

The changes inside the space plan of the house include the extension of the kitchen and living space. The storage room is now larger as well and the parents and the children have seperate rooms in the attic. Above the dining area is a ceiling recess which could be easily closed and used to provide another small room, in case it is needed. In case more space will be needed in future there is the option to extend towards the north or east.

year 2033

The family is happy with the space they have and it was not needed extend the building or to close the ceiling recess, thus keeping the nice spatial quality of the two-story dining space.

But in 2033, the family had saved again enough to upgrade their house in a Latvian way by adding a country-specific sauna to their ground.

They have plans to add further buildings with time. At the moment the couple cannot decide if it should be first a little workshop space or a henhouse.