Hello All, Please join us for a Micro-Dwellings Presentation, Discussion, and Design Challenge - hosted by DVWM: When: Wednesday, February 20th, 2013, 7:00 - 9:00 PM Where: Forbes Library - Watson Meeting Room 20 West St. Mezzanine Northampton, MA To RSVP, and for more details, see the full listing: http://www.meetup.com/Design-Venturers-Western-Mass/events/94532652/ Design Venturers Western Mass will be hosting a presentation and discussion on Micro Dwellings and Tiny Houses. Micro dwellings are a trend that is gathering force. Micro-dwellings can range from apartment units in the city, to small cabins in rural landscapes, to shipping container studios and dwellings, and treehouses. Just in my own conversations with friends, I've heard so many people talk about the desire to create a small living space to get out from the overhead of home ownership, and the rent cycle. New York City's Mayor Bloomberg announced a design challenge at the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for a micro apartment of 120 sq ft., that the city would sanction ( http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120709/REAL_ESTATE/120709930 ). The Tumbleweed Tiny House Company ( http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/ ) will deliver a micro-cabin to your location of preference. Studios and small dwellings are being created from shipping containers. Beautifully designed tree houses are popping up all over. In Tenta has created a portable "Drop Eco Hotel Room" concept ( http://trendland.com/drop-eco-hotel/ ). Studio Dré Wapenaar ( http://www.drewapenaar.com/ ) creates beautiful modern tent designs. We will do a presentation about different types of microdwellings. Then we will have a Q and A/ discussion period around the concept of micro-dwellings, how to design them beautifully and with a high level of design, and what community systems would be needed to make this a healthy and sustainable lifestyle (ie. my own thoughts include an additional sanctuary space for personal down-time, and conflict resolution formats for human beings living in closer quarters. We'll also consider the possibility of creating a Design Venturers Design Challenge around creating micro-dwelling designs of our own. Come join the discussion, bring your own cool ideas, and links. Best, Lisa Hoag and Steve Williams -- Lisa Hoag Designs PO Box 983 Wendell, MA 01379 http://www.lisahoagdesigns.com