The 10 Most Inspiring Stories of 2021

These projects cleverly address issues ranging from affordable housing to building sustainably in the face of climate change.

Dec 24, 2021 - 19:34
The 10 Most Inspiring Stories of 2021

These projects cleverly address issues ranging from affordable housing to building sustainably in the face of climate change.

This micro-house in East Austin’s Community First! Village, a development of permanent, affordable housing, was designed by Jobe Corral Architects with input from its occupant, Jesse Brown, who had previously spent 30 years without a home.

The past year brought with it a number of groundbreaking projects, from a 40-unit prefab tiny home village for people who lack shelter in Los Angeles to the first legally habitable house in Europe with 3D-printed load-bearing walls. The dwellings below were designed to address a range of issues including—but not limited to—affordability and greener living. These are some of the most inspiring stories we published in 2021.

A Minnesota Couple Build a 324-Square-Foot House That’s a Blueprint for Greener Living

Sophia and Henry relax in the open-plan living area of their tiny home with their dog Cora, a Labrador retriever and Siberian husky mix.

Sophia Jungbauer, a former architectural drafter, and her husband Henry, a professional builder, constructed the tiny home they live in with their dog, Cora, in Duluth, Minnesota. For the name of the dwelling, RAD (Rethinking the American Dream) Tiny Home, the duo took inspiration from a capstone paper Sophia wrote in college titled "Rethinking the American Dream—Downsizing as a Sustainable Solution," which examined the tiny home movement.

Photo by Sydney Carlino

A sliding barn door accesses the bathroom, where the Jungbauers installed a compost toilet and low-flow fixtures for the sink and the shower.

The Jungbauers spent almost three years planning and designing their 324-square-foot tiny house. A large pantry and abundant counter space allow them to store bulk foods and prepare fresh meals, cutting down on waste. The couple also incorporated salvaged windows from Craigslist, Energy Star appliances, and LED lighting. A sliding barn door accesses the bathroom, where the couple installed a compost toilet and low-flow fixtures for the sink and the shower.

Photo by Sydney Carlino

"In some ways the strongest attributes of the house are probably the outside spaces,

Todd Vogel and Karen Hust renovated their waterfront home on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in accordance with the energy and environmental standards of the Living Building Challenge. Working with architects at The Miller Hull Partnership and interior designer Charlie Hellstern, they honored the 1960s Northwest-modern design while pushing the boundaries of renovating sustainably. 

Photo: Rafael Soldi

See the full story on Dwell.com: The 10 Most Inspiring Stories of 2021
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