How to build your own tiny house or ADU

In Carpentry 221, Laney College students build a tiny house in two semesters. The Digital Fabrication class first designs and CNC cuts as much as possible. Then the 20 to 30 students in Matthew Wolpe's "Advanced Elements of Construction" begin to build from the trailer up.

Once completed, the tiny homes are used as housing for housing-insecure students who, thanks to a grant from the City of Oakland, are able to live in them for free. Wolpe sees this city-college Tiny House Partnership as one of the solutions for what he sees as a housing emergency. A recent study found that 19% of California community college are homeless.

The builds are also an opportunity for students, many of whom plan to build their own tiny homes, to gain hands-on experience building one of two models. Costing about $30,000 in materials, Model S is built on a 16-foot trailer and houses a bed, desk, closet, full bathroom and kitchen. Model M sits on a 12-foot-trailer; costing $20,000, it includes a desk, bed and closet. Their award-winning Wedge house (2016) included roof-mounted solar panels, 2 sleeping lofts, fly ash composite siding and custom built furniture.

[JJ-diws]

thank you Kirsten. again outdoing yourself in finding these projects. it would be awesome if all colleges did this as a structured course. i have been in the building/ construction industry design/architect field for over 26 yrs.well done to the people shown here.
yes the one student got me cringing when she touched the blade of a circular saw when the battery was connected....

[ShakespeareCafe]

California State Legislature is passing a bill to require all Community Colleges in the state with parking to allow homeless students to sleep in their car in a designated, secure parking area of the college with nearby restrooms and security. A significant percentage of community college students are homeless because of prohibitively high rents in urban areas. It's heartbreaking that it's come to this point that we have to allow students to live in their vehicles as them try to gain a college degree or transfer to a University. These tiny houses are the answer. It's eminently more dignified to have these students live in these excellent homes than having to sleep in their car. I will lobby my local community college CCSF to allow tiny homes as alternative student shelter. I was taking some biotech courses at CCSF and I noticed a few cars where students were living in their car when I arrived at the college early one morning. It was distressing to see them sleeping in their car. COME ON SAN FRANCISCO, we can do better than that!

[PropheticCoachTheresa]

Kirsten I love how respectful you are of your stories, the people and the medium, first class documentary film maker, thanks so much!

[SABOREAME]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The gentleman who's wishes are to built Tiny Homes for veterans is to be commendable, simply because when I was an active nurse I worked with thousands of veterans that were homeless, and we nurses tried to help as much as we could. I sincerely hope he gets to build the Veterans Community of Tiny-Homes.

[nkmohamed]

I haven't gone to Laney College in years; I had no idea they had this program. I might go back and take a few classes part time to learn this skill! Thank you for showing us!

[DrAdnan]

Such a cool project for a great cause. I’d love to see more of these 👏👏

[leslieross]

Wonderful strategy of letting these people talk about their goals with the leader showing the way of construction. FC silent presence!

[Apchestangenightout]

Two thumbs up for that program and young adults to learn how to build a tiny house. And especially making them tiny home's for homeless students makes life so much better ! Homelessnees is so bad in America that it's better making a house for the poor too ! Outstanding job there young people ! God bless you all !

[dman]

just goes to show how important this kind of work to see young people that enjoy it.

[trevorpinnocky]

I really wish that was more than 10 minutes. Nicely done 😌

[pixyrosejes]

YAY! Tiny little home for all that needs a shelter. YAY! Knowledge is important. This is lovely. Thank goodness for this class teaching people relevant, useful information, finally.

[douglaspohl]

Thanks for once again documenting a work-in-progress which is changing lives... KUDOS!

[ClaudyArfaras]

Excellent... All they were missing was a grand finale song and dance... Looks like a Broadway Stage and actually a great subject for a production... Thank you.

[genegleeson]

GREAT VIDEO KIRSTEN, , I LOVE LANEY COLLAGE AND WAS ON A JOB SITE THAT REBUILT THE BRIDGE ON 9TH ST AND 4TH ST, , , WE DID THE SIDE WALKS AND HANDY CAP RAMPS ON ALL OF THE STREET CORNERS AT LANEY, , IM GLAD YOU SHOWED THIS VIDEO..THX

[dorcaspowellpowell]

This is amazing. These real deal skills I want my son to learn.My son and I just spoke on my plan on purchasing a plot of land for him so when he's older he will always have a place to call home. Just build a tiny home supply it with water, heat/cooling all the elements of a home =debt free living. The concept of HOME has changed and this school offering a class like this proves it.

[robvannNS]

Outswing doors are by far more effective against water intrusion ..just think about it, in driving rain and wind the door is forced into the door seal.

[GreenHomeBuilderscom]

Laney College has a long history of training Bay Area Builders. The college is a gem in the heart of Oakland.

[SuperCD]

Would love to see a follow up video from this course. Great video, thank you.

[daniellemhall]

That little sixteen year old though. I'm impressed.

[truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb]

These are actual useful skills to acquire. Bravo. A college course? Junior college? Tell us more?
Good "course" but where will the actual homes be installed?
I teach English second language at a junior college in Sherbrooke, Québec.