I made a model!

For the past few months, I've dabbled in trying to learn SketchUp, a popular 3D modeling software used by many tiny housers to design their homes. I usually got frustrated because I tried to go into too much detail too soon; after all, I knew what I wanted the details to be--why can't I just get the [expletive] [expletive] program to [expletive] just [expletive] do it?!

Well, today I decided to keep it simple and just make a box to try out some ideas for the siding and roofing. I didn't attempt the roof overhang, wheel wells, trailer tongue, trim, or other little details.

And... I still seriously screwed it up and had to [expletive] [expletive] redo the whole [expletive].....

Anyhow.

I posted earlier that I have (so far) decided on a modern style with galvalume exposed-fastener steel roof and a mixture of galvalume and shou sugi ban charred cedar tongue-and-groove siding. There's a million ways I could approach the mixture, but here's one version:

(Just imagine the wooden siding being much darker, the steel siding and roofing having this texture, the roof having a thickness, the existence of a trailer/wheel well and some restrained trim--and please forgive the aliased lines...)

Here is the entrance side of the house, with 9' walls.  The 3' x 2' bedroom window can be seen to the right of the door, and the bathroom window on the end of the house facing the camera.

The roof will actually add about 6-7" of height; it won't be all flush with the house, as it appears here. And the wheel well will be under the door and extending a couple feet beyond it to the left.

And the same side, but from the front, or trailer tongue end. As you can see, I've included a "shed" on the trailer tongue. This is something that many tiny houses feature, and is a good spot to store the propane tank, tools, and other outdoor things. I haven't given its construction a ton of thought, but its roof will open upward on hinges.

I also plan to have some kind of folding awning over the door, for shelter while I'm looking for my keys or something like that. And, of course, a short flight of stairs leading to the door.

Now for the 11' tall side, which I will try to face south to take advantage of wintertime passive solar heating and lighting:

The big window is an egress-approved one, 4' x 4', and is positioned in the loft so I can sit up there and enjoy the view, the  breeze, the warmth of the sun, or any combination thereof... and hop out in case there's a fire or emergency and I can't escape through the door! I'm thinking of eventually building a deck around the house, so it would be about a 6' jump from the window to the deck; otherwise, more like an 8' jump, which I'd be happy to make if the alternative were burning to a crisp, you know. 

The medium sized windows are 2' x 3' and supply the kitchen with fresh air and light. The small clerestory windows are 3' x 1'. The bathroom window is 2' x 2'. All the windows are operable (i.e. can be opened).

Again, picture that wood much darker...

...Maybe something intermediary between the above wood color/pattern/texture and this black:

It's just a first attempt, but what do you think?