Quick, describe your dream neighborhood. For the Brinks family, the ideal neighbors are family members themselves.
Back in 2015, they moved from Michigan to London, Kentucky, and built an energy-efficient tiny village—one house for Keli and Ryan, and one for each of their kids.
They also got a few houses constructed around the property for storage. Yep, you heard it right. Brodey, 16 and Lennox, 18, have their own homes in the tiny-house community.
Initially, Ryan wanted everyone to live in one cabin. Knowing that her teenagers will need privacy, Keli made a valid point about their kids’ personal space.
The 21-acre property costs a total of $57,000, with each of the house’s cost an estimate of $6,000. The kids have 160-square feet of livable space with a lofted bed and a cozy living room.
Keli and Ryan’s house is a bit bigger compared to their kids furnished with a bathroom and a large kitchen. “My mom showed me a brochure with a bunch of different models and was like, ‘You can pick the one you want,’” Lennox said in an interview with TODAY. How can one turn down a sweet offer like that?
Why live in a tiny village instead of settling in a regular home? The Brinks family wanted to transition towards a more sustainable lifestyle compared to what they had when they still lived in a 2200-square-foot home they left in Michigan—smaller house, lesser energy consumption.
Aside from living in an energy-efficient compound, the Brinks have a compost to repurpose leftover vegetables for their chickens.
They also have an impeccable recycling protocol and a garden where they grow a variety of plants.
Lennox shares her energy-efficient compound with all her followers in TikTok. Her short videos give her followers a quick tour of the neighborhood and each of the house’s interiors.
Lennox now studies at the University of Kentucky but she comes home to her energy-efficient tiny house village every weekend. She even invites company in her humble abode.
Don’t be fooled by the size of the houses. The Brinks residence still has a touch of luxury and top-notch design despite the houses’ smaller size.
They produce less waste and require less heating. Keli and Ryan’s house got more windows for natural lighting.
Inside, you’ll notice the vaulted ceilings that make the entire structure look expansive. Their kitchen is also big and houses stainless steel appliances.
Beside the full-sized refrigerator is a ladder that leads to the lofted bedroom. The couple’s office is a separate house where they both work from home.
Lennox and Brodey’s houses do not have a bathroom, so they must use either one of the bathrooms in a separate cabin. Brodey has a king-sized bed in his sleeping loft.
He also has a couch and a Playstation. Lennox’s house, on the other hand, has the same style with a bed up the loft.
Just as you think you’ve come to know all the wonders of the Brinks’ energy-efficient village, the family also a private barn where they take care of poultry and livestock.
In the middle of the compound lies the outdoor firepit where they can gather around, roast smores, and talk about how their day went. Now that’s how life’s supposed to be.
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Debbie
Saturday 1st of April 2023
The kids "homes" should be connected to the parent's home, via a hallway. The bath and kitchen should be in the main house, so kids have to come in regularly. That way, parents can keep up with what's going on in their lives. An evening meeting is not sufficient for raising children, sorry! However, this idea of a compound is awesome for adults! Example, adult siblings who want to be near each other, but not living with each other. Parents and adult children. Friends who share like lifestyles. In these cases, I think there would be one main house that would be a gathering house for holidays, family get together, etc... it would, by necessity, be larger, to accomodate all. But, only the kitchen and living area need be larger, and perhaps more closet space. Yet it can still be energy efficient. Solar, both active and passive, as well as insulation will attend to that. The other cabins should have their own kitchens and baths for privacy. But, the houses could still be small and energy efficient. This would be my ideal compound!
Jean pierre Raymond
Monday 20th of March 2023
I see the main interest here is bathrooms im likely to have a large living space / kitchen , another tiny building for bath, another for bedroom all joining with corridors the 2 boys can share the large bath each with own bed room and loft bed for guests. I once had a plan to build in Trinidad with this similar concept of mine But not needing corridors. But covered paths. I was thinking a comode /sink in each bed room . So since my idea was a Air b&b plan those toilets would be a plus. But cost were another issue. Winter ,someone mentioned is easealy solved . 6 in walls ,spray foam. Foiled double bubble wrapped, one of the best combo for retaining heat and cool Heating an cooling is reduced significantly other tricks can be done, depends on location.
Jackson
Tuesday 8th of March 2022
No thanks. Might be cool for the kids but security risk imo esp leaving a teenager alone So many things can go wrong The bathroom situation seems to be a throwback to 19th century
Sunday 4th of July 2021
A bathroom is a must. You have to shower and use the bathroom outside of your place. What about when you get sick you don't feel like getting out of bed to go outside to a different place to use the bathroom. What about if you live somewhere cold. Nope not for me.
Maryellen
Friday 2nd of July 2021
I agree. I thought it was odd to have your bathrooms in different buildings than where you live. What about middle of the night treks? Or when you are sick. Just odd.