By Lesli Baker
Tiny-House Living represents a changing of priorities in life. In the small home eco-movement, many people are deciding to simplify, ridding themselves of the things they think hold them back so that they can live in a way that allows them easier mobility, sometimes to literally follow their passion. Or perhaps their desire is to lessen their impact on the environment and shrink their carbon footprint. The idea of no rent or mortgage payment is very appealing as well.
The Vardo is an excellent example of this idea. A “Vardo” or “Gypsy Caravan” is traditionally a wagon built to live in as well as carry persons and goods. Developed around 1810 in France, a Vardo took between 6 to 12 months to build of oak, ash elm, walnut or pine. They were very ornately painted and decorated with carvings and sometimes gold leaf. Gypsies are believed to have begun living in the vans around 1850. The gypsy caravan takes the idea of living small and adds all of the fun and whimsy and style of this aesthetic.
In Olympia, Abel Zimmerman is the man responsible for bringing these two worlds together. He builds amazing gypsy caravans for eco-living, right in his east Olympia back yard.
Abel is an Olympia native whose parents came here to live in a tiny home themselves: a tiny cabin on Pattison Lake. He and his wife, Kymberly, are both talented aerialists and members of Olympia’s amazing Tallhouse Arts Consortium, whose members perform locally and all over the world. Abel calls his circus community a true family- and infinite inspiration in his life.
I first saw his gypsy caravan while walking my aunt’s dog one morning… I had no idea that I knew the person who built this beautiful thing parked near an alley near the Eastside water tower, but I fell in love with it and made a habit of walking past it regularly.
As a fan of the tiny-house movement, and of design and architecture of every era (and after an unsuccessful year of trying it out for myself), I think Abel’s caravans are like no one else’s. They are unique in their design, economical and simple, while at the same time stylish and with an obvious sense of humor about them.
I asked Abel how they came about, and about how an average Olympian might go about getting one for themselves.
OP&L: What do you know about the history of these caravans?
Abel Zimmerman: Well, gypsy caravans are as old as there have been wheels and domesticated horses to pull them. Before that, I think they used tents. But if what you are asking about is the modern “tiny-house-on-wheels,” referring to structures built on flatbed trailer frames – they are a much more recent thing. The idea has some threads in the RV boom of the 50’s, the British fascination with Showman’s Caravans, and the Hippie Bus phenomenon.
Anyway, the real-estate and lending gloom of the last 5 years has inspired an upswell of interest in housing that is versatile, efficient and “the right size.” The idea of small housing is nothing new, but currently it is informed by modern materials and some creative people who want to make beautiful houses. Using a trailer as a foundation is an innovation that addresses many needs: regulatory stodginess, human quasi-nomadic urges, environmental/geologic concerns of placing a permanent structure.
OP&L: The caravans have an old fashioned “Gypsy” look to them. Can you talk about that?
AZ: Well, my own has a curved or “bow-top” roof, but it is otherwise not directly related to European Gypsy caravans. The aesthetics are mildly whimsical though I don’t think of it that way – I have a profound desire to make spaces that feel far more flowing and human to live in than the modern “box-house.” Life doesn’t have square corners, does it?
OP&L: What gave you the idea to build the small living spaces?
AZ: Many years ago I lived on a sailboat. I have the fondest memories of how it felt. Then I saw Dee William’s tiny house. Soon thereafter, I wanted to live in a tiny house myself, and I drew one. It took me a few years to build it but I got it done alright. Ironically, my family is now too big to fit in ours for more than a few nights. It is about 130 sq ft.
OP&L: How much cost, labor and time goes into building the caravans?
AZ: Well, it can range widely, and by standard measures expensive because it is a whole house concentrated into a smaller footprint. $20,000 is a starting point for having a basic house built. For one like my own, which is 20 feet with hot water, bathtub, kitchen, etc, I would have to charge about $30,000. About half the cost is materials.
As far as time goes, it could take me 4-7 months to complete one – and I am a builder. If you are doing it yourself, set yourself up so you don’t have to stress about time to complete it – or plan your project in stages.
OP&L: Do you have any thoughts regarding the “Living Small” eco-movement?
AZ: Yeah, try it! It is so liberating to have less to look after, pay interest for, and/or fear losing in a fire-flood-tornado-tsunami-economic-implosion. If you haven’t lived small before, be ready for a little culture shock as you figure it out. But then, when doesn’t life force us to take a hard look once in awhile? Also, aside from the joy of making a rebellious break, it is comforting to live like people have from time immemorial.
A whole family in a room isn’t weird at all. We are evolved to live close to each other. We have the social facilities to communicate and laugh and cry and learn in a crowded situation.
There is indeed a lot of interest in little houses right now. The rules are lagging a little about how to fit them into our cities regulatory frameworks, but the latter will have to evolve to follow the former. The way tiny homes are being used shows far more consideration to aesthetics, resource/waste management, and neighborly goodwill than conventional housing has in a long time.
It is a tough time financially for all of us. But it is easier to come up with $20,000 than $200,000. And for those of us that don’t have the former sitting in our peanut butter jars, we’ll need to work on the banks to give us low interest loans for this type of housing. Banks are stingy about everything right now.
OP&L: For those who are curious, how are power and water supplied to a caravan?
AZ: We’ll there are so many ways to go. On the simpler side, you can make the structure off-grid style – and carry water to it, use minimal lighting, and a composting toilet. This hearkens to a quieter, simpler life. On the other end of the continuum, you can use the natural efficiency of a tiny structure to your advantage, and still incorporate a bathtub, laundry machine, electricity, and internet.
An example of how power and water looks in practice is: For a backyard house-on-wheels, you can supply it with power via a heavy extension cord – or RV circuit if you need more power – and water via inexpensive polyethylene pipe. I don’t recommend the ‘drinking grade’ garden hoses, as some of them are just pthalate-reduced PVC. If you run the polyethylene pipe above ground, it will be susceptible to freeze during the winter. For waste water, you will have to use a tank and pour it into a proper waste system (not a storm drain!) or take it to an RV dump site. If you are running a composting toilet, you must protect the composting waste from rain or runoff, and this is especially important in a dense area like the city (especially with Olympia’s clay soils). Better to use a self-contained system. The point is, there is plenty to take into consideration.
OP&L: Can they be set up anywhere? Do they travel also?
AZ: If one has water and waste tanks, you can use it similar to an RV. If one has off-grid options, you can use it anywhere you like. “Backyard hookup” versions can be used near a house, but you may run into some temporary-use ordinances in some cities.
They may be used “on the road,” but I’d recommend a smaller version that is designed for this purpose. There are details that should be incorporated – like having an electrical system tailored to tow vehicle hookup, anti-vibration latches for drawers and cabinets, stow able/retractable awnings and steps, permanent trailer lighting, and extra weathering for windows and doors.
OP&L: How much does a caravan cost and how does a person order one?
AZ: I’ve seen tiny houses ranging from $10,000 to $60,000 or more. I offer models ranging from $20,000 to $35,000. I am open for contracts, but I want to give each one my complete attention, so there may be a waiting list. ◙
For more information, including models and pricing, visit Abel Zimmerman’s business at www.zylvardos.com or 360-349-2703.
Wow. I am honored to be building in Olympia WA. Thanks Lesli and Opal…