Robin’s Micro House

By Robin Falck

A couple years back in 2009 I got this idea of an cabin/small house that would be small enough to be built without the need of a permit. In Finland it’s 96-128 sq. ft. (depending on where you are). So I started daydreaming about different possibilities and didn’t really believe that I would one day actually build it.

Well, a year later, suddenly, after almost forgetting the whole idea I got obsessed and set out to actually design it. Probably a combination of the fact that my military service was approaching and after sketching and calculating it seemed so possible.

Winter of 2009/2010 I spent designing and planning the house. I contacted a couple of architects that were really kind to help out with some of the more technical stuff.

Then came summer and the construction began. I had already chosen the place and had it in mind when designing the cabin. On june the 5th I started and 2 weeks later the only thing missing where the window and door which arrived a couple weeks later.

Shortly after that my military service started and ended one year I got to fully enjoy my cabin!

It is 96 sq. ft. and has a 50 sq. ft. loft where I have my bed and store my clothes. I call my house “Nido” which loosely translated into Italian means “Birds nest.” The house sits on the lakeshore and views of the lake can be seen from both the bottom floor and the loft.

The bottom floor is pretty much a lounge/living room where I lay back and enjoy the starlight along with some smooth jazz. The house is designed to maximize the allowed 96 sq. ft., acoustics and to bring in as much as possible of the natural light and nature during the night as during the day.

I was surprised how affordable the whole project was. Most of the materials are recycled and I haven’t really calculated how much it finally cost, but the ballpark figure is something like $10,500 + the man hours.

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Category : Blog

55 Comments → “Robin’s Micro House”


  1. Dinah

    Feb 06, 2012

    It would have been nice to see the layout like where’s the toilet and kitchen?

    Reply

    • Steven

      Feb 06, 2012

      The kitchen and bathroom is located in the rear of the house. I am still trying to acquire some photos of them to post.

      Reply

      • LEO SALGADO

        May 16, 2012

        can you make and export this house? thanks

        Reply

    • Kyle

      May 15, 2012

      I think that’s the point of it being “micro.” You don’t get all the parts of a cabin. The kitchen is on the deck. its called a fire.

      Reply

  2. tracy

    Feb 06, 2012

    That’s beautiful!!! Now if you could only fit a bathroom and tiny kitchen, I’d be set! Great job–congratulations.

    Reply

    • Mary

      Nov 28, 2012

      There is a bathroom and kitchen he says so in one of the comments. I adore this – would Robin consider sharing or selling the plans?

      Reply

  3. Chrystal

    Feb 06, 2012

    This might very well be my most favorite tiny house yet. Simply beautiful!

    Reply

  4. Marianna

    Feb 06, 2012

    I LOVE this place!!! Please do post the photos of the kitchen and bath, and the layout when you get them… Love the windows, the light, the loftiness, the spareness, the deck…and it looks very, very functional for such a small space

    Reply

  5. Heather Lindsay

    Feb 06, 2012

    I would love to purchase plans for this. I love it!

    Reply

  6. Annie Blair

    Feb 06, 2012

    This is truly beautiful! Who would not want a tiny birds nest in the trees!? I cannot wait to see the tiny kitchen and bath….

    Reply

  7. Chana Meira Golden

    Feb 06, 2012

    Gorgeous! I like the design and placement of the window for natural light and an incredible view.

    Reply

  8. Nick CH

    Feb 06, 2012

    Absolutely stunning in its simplicity and design. Would absolutely purchase plans in a heartbeat. And the name is brilliant. Look forward to seeing more photos, and congratulations! Wonderful. Made my morning.

    Reply

  9. Shelley

    Feb 06, 2012

    I just totally adore!!! Please do post pictures when you get re: kitchen & bath etc.
    High 5 for a job well done Robin!

    Reply

  10. Deb

    Feb 07, 2012

    I want this house!!!! It is sooo beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  11. Sarah

    Feb 07, 2012

    So beautiful! Can you tell me the dimensions? Really, I’m curious is it’s under 13 ft. tall… and/or could be built on a trailer and made mobile.

    Also: Do you plan on selling this design (or any other designs)? This one is really gorgeous! <3

    Thanks for the post!

    Reply

  12. Judyth Wier

    Feb 07, 2012

    Absolutely love this small home!

    Reply

  13. Deek

    Feb 07, 2012

    Now I have TWO reasons to want to visit Finland- my ancestors are from there, and THIS cool lil’ house! Very nice post Steven!
    -Deek

    Reply

  14. Deek

    Feb 07, 2012

    One question though- it doesn’t look like it has any windows that open for ventilation/fresh air- or does it? Just one huge window in the whole place?

    Reply

  15. Teryl

    Feb 11, 2012

    I love this! I would love to build one and also wonder who manufactures such a large window. Stunning and so connected to nature! Is there a way to buy a design etc.?
    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  16. Lisa Pedersen

    Feb 17, 2012

    I would be very interested in getting the plans for this micro home.
    Its so efficient! Very well planned.

    Reply

  17. Scott

    Feb 27, 2012

    Sweet micro cabin! Like many of the other comments, I also would love to see the kitchen/bathroom photos. Great build. Looks like a super relaxing place; both inside and on that great deck area. Jewel of a house. Thanks for posting!

    Reply

  18. Sherry Coffey

    Apr 23, 2012

    I would love this for a backyard office. Any chance of seeing the plans?

    Reply

  19. Andreia Guimaraes

    May 14, 2012

    I would love to purchase plans for this. I love it! [2] :)

    Reply

  20. Mackenzie

    May 15, 2012

    I love this house, just gorgeous. Can you tell me where you got the outdoor lounge chairs/cushions? They look so comfortable and much larger than anything I’ve found.

    Reply

  21. dparks

    May 16, 2012

    what about safety electricity? does it use any? seems they could use some of the structure surfaces for solar-panel mounts.. how about a roof over the deck – if that’s the “kitchen”, it would seem to be a bit difficult to cook if/when it’s raining.

    Reply

    • Milessio

      May 17, 2012

      I assumed it was off-grid, but maybe it has a generator & batteries for the lights & music. Solar on his roof wouldn’t work due to the trees.

      With the space available inside, it would have a yacht style kitchen & bathroom, supplemented by barbecues on the deck & swims in the lake.

      Not sure why everybody wants his plans, as it was custom designed for his specific needs & Finland’s regulations?

      Good for inspiration though.

      Reply

  22. cat's eyes

    May 16, 2012

    I’m on my way…… :-)

    Reply
  23. [...] [+] More about Robin Falck’s build of Nido Micro Cabin. [...]

    Reply

  24. Steve

    May 17, 2012

    Your design is wonderful. Could the deck support a future addition?

    Reply

  25. Chris

    May 17, 2012

    you should really market these plans, I would buy these plans in a heart beat!

    Reply

  26. linus

    May 17, 2012

    add me to the list of people that want to buy the plans!!
    i can send money via paypal.

    Reply

  27. Rick

    May 17, 2012

    Another request for photos of the kitchen, bathroom….and plans.

    Beautiful work!

    Reply
  28. [...] on TumblrEmail    Robin Falck became tired of daydreaming about building his dream home, so he set about creating his very own [...]

    Reply

  29. Andy

    May 18, 2012

    Plans would be great! or at least layout drawings and more photos…

    Reply

  30. Notre-Assureur

    May 18, 2012

    C’est vraiment un chouette concept !! Top design !!

    Reply
  31. [...] einfach in einer kleinen Hütte an einem See zu leben. Einfach da zu sein. Manche Menschen erfüllen sich diesen Traum. Zum Beispiel mit dieser kleinen Hütte in Finnland. Wenn ich das richtig verstanden habe sind 96 [...]

    Reply
  32. [...] Via Tinyhouselistings [...]

    Reply

  33. William

    May 18, 2012

    Any place we can get the plans for this house? Its awesome!

    Reply

  34. Cool Green Magazine

    May 18, 2012

    [...] Via Tinyhouselistings [...]

    Reply

  35. matt

    May 19, 2012

    I would like to build one for myself. is there anyway I can buy the blueprints?

    Reply
  36. [...] to Robin, who guest posted over at Tiny House Listings, he was able to build the house in less than two weeks for less than [...]

    Reply

  37. Julian Alexander

    May 19, 2012

    Adorable design, yet practical, pragmatic and functional. Great concept and really well executed. Congratulations!

    Echoing so many on here, are you able to make plans available for this because I’ve been looking for exactly such a solution for a small piece of land I have, and your materials+plus the estimated build costs I’ve roughly calculated for the UK fall right in my budget.

    If you get a chance to respond, I’d love to hear back from you.

    In the meantime, I hope you enjoy Spring and Summer in your lovely cabin.

    Reply

  38. matt

    May 19, 2012

    Well, I surfed all over the web and the same story appears everywhere. Copy/ pasted story text and similar blueprint request. I guess the story just “viral move” to lure people to this site, with no trace of “Robin Falck”. Nice move.

    Again, if there is no author and there is no wish for some business I guess someone else can do the blueprints according to the images. Every image contains at least one reference object. Based on this object someone can interpreter the measures. It is not so complicated structure after all. I am a construction engineer and I don’t think I would have a lot of problem drawing this object, although I prefer buying the original blueprints from author.

    Reply

    • Steven

      May 19, 2012

      HI Matt. Although inaccurate, thank you for your feedback. Back in February Robin contacted me to run a story about his micro house. Recently several large sites picked up the story and many other sites followed suite. I hope you enjoyed the photos and the info about the micro house. It appears lots of others have as well.

      Reply

      • will b

        May 21, 2012

        Steven,
        Since you’re in touch with Robin, is there any chance of purchasing plans, or at least seeing lots more photos? We all seem to be very interested in the kitchen/bath area, and also how the electric was handled.
        Thanks!

        Reply

  39. Cath

    May 21, 2012

    I was wondering about ventilation as well as orientatyion. I suppose as the widow is angled it may overheat if the orientation is not just right.Lovely micro-house.

    Reply
  40. [...] inspiration – a gorgeous tiny house by a Finn called Robin Falck #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: [...]

    Reply

  41. linda

    Jun 30, 2012

    Have you study about doing that in other countries? Do you know laws about it?

    Reply

  42. ann quinn phyfer

    Aug 26, 2012

    This house is awsome! I’d like more photos. More information about obtaining the plans.

    Reply

  43. Valerie

    Sep 08, 2012

    http://robinfalck.com/

    Excellent concept and design… yes more photos please… but there is Robin’s url …online.

    I’d always wanted a yurt but this is pretty cool as well…

    Reply

  44. lotuskey design

    Jan 15, 2013

    [...] the itsy-bitsy Finnish dream house in the woods (by Robin Falck) This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged architecture, [...]

    Reply

  45. Lotte DM

    Jan 18, 2013

    Hi,
    Is it possible to rent the cabin for a weekend? How does it work?
    Where is it located?
    Thank you!

    Reply
  46. [...] Cabin in Finland by Robin Falck (via: tinyhouselistings) [...]

    Reply

  47. kuen choi

    Feb 04, 2013

    Wow, so it looks good here, indeyo drawings once I’d like to see if you can send us thank you happiness and foto24@hanmail.net Have a good time …

    Reply

  48. ender HD

    Apr 30, 2013

    [...] Nido micro cabin by Robin Falck [...]

    Reply

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