The Tiny Series: Living a Big Life in a Tiny Home

The Perfect Property with Juli St George

Guest: Will Johnston, Executive Director, MicroLife Institute

Summary:  

This episode of The Perfect Property podcast highlights a movement that has captured the imaginations of people interested in downsizing (or “rightsizing”) their property while upgrading their quality of life. Host Juli St George welcomes Will Johnston, executive director of the MicroLife Institute, a thought leader and innovator in the micro-living, or Tiny House, space. Their conversation explores a new approach to the built environment – the spaces in which we live, work and recreate every day.

Will shares the story of how he personally came to start the MicroLife Institute and his journey to establishing The Cottages on Vaughan in Clarkston, Georgia, a model community that is redefining the parameters of real estate development. Studies indicate that people of all ages and different stages of life desire not only a stronger sense of community, but also improved economies of scale, environmental footprints and housing equity.

The Cottages on Vaughan, an inaugural project for the MicroLife Institute, provides a template that’s stirring interest nationally and abroad – not least because of the powerful punch it packs within a tiny footprint (around 650 square feet). Will describes the interior layout and shares the philosophy behind outdoor spaces designed to foster a sense of neighborhood – from shared tools to a communal fire pit and pizza oven. 

The MicroLife Institute is tracking the demographics and data suggest that many people are ready to trade in a huge, isolated suburban home for more nimble, walkable, interconnected housing enclaves, or Pocket Neighborhoods, that offer a very personal sense of home and belonging. Enjoy this tour of a housing trend that’s here to stay.

What You’ll Learn: 

·         How Will ditched traditional corporate life in favor of the micro-life way. (2:12)

·         The spectrum of conversations going on around the concept of micro-housing. (3:29)

·         Will highlights the fundamental principles of micro-life and Pocket Neighborhoods.(5:08)

·         All about Cottages on Vaughan, MicroLife’s pilot project in Clarkston, Georgia. (8:42)

·         Juli asks Will to drill down on the demographics of micro-home dwellers. (Short answer: It spans all age groups!) There’s high demand, high interest. (13:47)

·         A virtual tour of a typical Tiny House – the parameters, layout, occupancy, etc. (17:38)

·         Physical layout and community planning are key elements to the MicroLife model, which Will details. (19:36)

·         “Layers of separation” are critical to Ross Chapin’s vision for Pocket Neighborhoods that foster community while preserving privacy and space. (21:45)

·         Pets are welcome – and here’s how it works. (22:29)

·         Costs associated with owning and living in a Tiny Home community. (24:42)

Key Points: 

“We are told that you get in debt, move into the house, keep up with the Joneses and all that jazz. I knew that that was not my story.”  

“We don’t want people to build bigger just for the sake of money. We want people to be smart about how they utilize space and create that walkability that creates community.”

“The more I read 'The Color of Law' and the more I get into conversations about exclusionary zoning, it makes me so angry about the world we built in the built environment.” 

“We have a huge gap in the built environment of people w

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