Tiny Homes

Jay Shafer

Saturday, February 11, 7:00 pm
$5 donation requested

As a special lecture to accompany the "Small Works" exhibit, Merilyn Lafferty, curator, has arranged for Jay Shafer to talk about his houses. The lecture will be at Gualala Art Center, February 11 at 7:00 p.m., right after the opening reception, in the Coleman Auditorium.

Since 1997 Jay Shafer been living in houses smaller than some people's bathrooms. The first of his little handbuilt houses was called Tumbleweed. His decision to inhabit just 100 square feet arose from some concerns he had about the impact a larger house would have on the environment, and because he did not want to maintain a lot of unused or unusable space. In 2004 he sold Tumbleweed and built the 70 square foot structure he lives in today. He calls his place Weebee or XS House (as in "extra small"). Both of these dwellings have met all of his domestic needs without demanding much in return. The simple, slower lifestyle these homes afford are a luxury for which he is supremely grateful.

He has lectured on the subject of subtractive design for green building seminars and schools including The Boston School of Architecture and the University of Iowa School of Art and Art History where he served as adjunct assistant professor for more than a decade. Professor Shafer's designs and essays on the subject of low-impact architecture can be found in periodicals including "The Wall Street Journal," "Fine Home Building" and "This Old House" and in several books including "Move House," "Informal Architecture" and "Freewheeling Homes." Today he lives in a 70 square foot residence of his own making.

Every structure is made-to-order to ensure that each client's aesthetic and practical needs are met. The houses are composed with meticulous attention to light, warmth, energy efficiency, and proportion. He made the most of each cozy interior by minimizing transitional areas like hallways and stairwells and by using otherwise unusable space as storage. The simple, formal designs that have resulted are the best way he has found to order most any space and make it beautiful.

A $5 donation will be appreciated.

Located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, the Arts Center is open weekdays 9 am to 4 pm, and weekends from noon to 4 pm. Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information.