Tiny Houses

UN and Yale team up to offer big ideas on tiny living

UN and Yale team up to offer big ideas on tiny living
The ELM was created to spark debate on the future of housing and encourage innovation
The ELM was created to spark debate on the future of housing and encourage innovation
View 12 Images
Yale University has collaborated with the United Nations' Environment and Habitat programs to design a prototype sustainable tiny house named the Ecological Living Module (ELM)
1/12
Yale University has collaborated with the United Nations' Environment and Habitat programs to design a prototype sustainable tiny house named the Ecological Living Module (ELM)
The ELM is, as of writing, on display at the UN Plaza in New York City
2/12
The ELM is, as of writing, on display at the UN Plaza in New York City
The ELM is predominantly constructed from wood
3/12
The ELM is predominantly constructed from wood
The ELM was created to spark debate on the future of housing and encourage innovation
4/12
The ELM was created to spark debate on the future of housing and encourage innovation
The ELM sports a roof-based solar panel array
5/12
The ELM sports a roof-based solar panel array 
The ELM can also be turned into a commercial storefront with a countertop by altering the front porch
6/12
The ELM can also be turned into a commercial storefront with a countertop by altering the front porch
The ELM's walls have integrated planters for growing fruit and vegetables
7/12
The ELM's walls have integrated planters for growing fruit and vegetables
The ELM model shown is designed with New York's climate in mind but future iterations will be tailored for other areas, including Kenya
8/12
The ELM model shown is designed with New York's climate in mind but future iterations will be tailored for other areas, including Kenya
Inside the ELM
9/12
Inside the ELM
The ELM's kitchenette
10/12
The ELM's kitchenette
Steps lead up to the ELM's sleeping loft
11/12
Steps lead up to the ELM's sleeping loft
Integrated Concentrated Solar System
12/12
Integrated Concentrated Solar System
View gallery - 12 images

The Yale Center for Ecosystems in Architecture has collaborated with the United Nations' Environment and Habitat programs, as well as Gray Organschi Architecture, to design a prototype tiny house. Named the Ecological Living Module (ELM), it's an interesting dwelling that produces its own power, water, and food.

The ELM is mostly constructed from wood and other recyclable materials, and can be packed up and moved by truck relatively easily if required. Its exterior walls have integrated planters for growing fruit and vegetables, and it's also topped by a skylight.

Inside, the home comprises a floorspace of 22 sq m (236 sq ft) and is rated to sleep up to four people, though that looks like a bit of a squeeze – two seems much more sensible. It contains a sofa bed, kitchenette, dining area, storage space, and a bathroom with shower and composting toilet. A sleeping loft is reached by steps. The finish is simple and utilitarian, but this belies the high-tech gear that's installed.

A roof-based solar panel array is hooked up to batteries and an inverter to provide a sustainable source of electricity. Rainwater is collected and filtered, and there's also a greywater tank and irrigation system for watering the greenery on the facade. A monitoring system ensures the solar panels and related tech are performing efficiently too.

Adding to its flexibility, the ELM can be turned into a very rudimentary store by altering the front porch to create a countertop.

The ELM's kitchenette
The ELM's kitchenette

It's all good food for thought, but don't expect people to be living in one of these anytime soon. The main impetus behind the project is to spark debate on the future of housing and encourage innovation in greener building.

"We clearly need more housing, but the key thing is that we also need smarter housing," says UN Environment Head, Erik Solheim. "The housing sector uses 40 percent of the planet's total resources and represents more than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. So making them more efficient will benefit everyone, and it'll mean lower bills too. Innovations like the Ecological Living Module are what we need more of."

As of writing, the ELM is on display at the UN Plaza in New York City. The model shown is designed with New York's climate in mind but future iterations will be tailored for other areas, including Kenya, which is the home of UN Environment.

Sources: UN Environment, Yale School of Architecture

View gallery - 12 images
No comments
0 comments
There are no comments. Be the first!