Identifying the cooperative species that can be productive in a Biological Life Support System was daunting. While there are many species that can and do perform the individual tasks necessary, selecting a roster of a few that can be set to each task is fraught with challenges. In the same was as designing a piece of hardware, there are inputs, the manner in which those inputs are processed, and ultimately the outputs generated. But it is not just the I-P-O parameters, there are questions of quantity, quality, and consistency of those parameters. As we move into Phase 2 we have whittled down the lists to a handful of candidates for each task, and can move forward with constructing an Integration Prototype – or mockup.
In keeping with our focus on single-human-capable, our prototype will endeavor to size for one single human. To this end, our structure will begin with a basic utility trailer. Four feet wide, by eight feet long as a starting point. But this is not sufficient, so a four foot square slide out will be added.
The fledgling ecosystem that is the design of the habitat will require: 1) a garden to grow vegetables, 2) a fish pond to grow fish, 3) a toilet, 4) hot & cold water tanks, 5) a bed, 6) desk, 7) sink, 8) shower, 9) batteries for power, and 10) solar panels to charge the batteries. While these are just the core components, they are the most important that facilitate the interactions.
CONSTRUCTION
In design, we opted to place the fish pond, a 30 gallon capacity, beneath the floor, forward of the axle. This would divide the 240+ pounds between the axle and the tongue. With the pond beneath the floor, a clear plexi cover was installed with supports, and a 10 gallon fresh water tank was installed forward of the pond. The bed, murphy style, was built on the front wall, to hinge down over the pond. The leg of the bed, doubled as a desk when the bed was stored. Above the bed a shelf was hung, to support a microwave, and small refrigerator, and provide storage. To one side, a short counter with sink, and space to use a hot plate, and prepare meals. The opposite wall was left open for closet storage. At the ceiling height, two 6″ diameter tubes of PVC were hung, each side of the port-starboard centerline. This afforded approximately 7 gallons of water in each, one for hot, one for cold.
The slide out was constructed with 24″ garden beds on each side, with vertical grow tubes hung on the walls. The starboard side included a composting toilet built in, and a shower head installed at the center of the ceiling. The port side garden included a small composting bucket for vermiculture. Flooring was installed to facilitate water flow from the shower directly into the pond.
OMMISSIONS
Two components did not make it into this prototype; A chicken coup, and the cyanobacteria. Their importance did not become known until we evaluated our results, and began contemplating moving to Phase 3.
EXHIBITIONS
We took the Tiny Home to many local events, and presented papers at a few conferences over the four years of construction, exhibitions, and evaluation. There was much interest in the tiny home and it’s integration of sustainable concepts.
CONCLUSIONS
While our goal was to attempt to cram our biome into as tiny a space as possible, we succeeded. However, not only was the biome cramped, but accessing components for service was challenging to say the least. But we were able to incorporate a sizeable collection of the components into the tiny home, despite the lack of eggs, and oxygen production.
Phase 3 would bring together the Framework from Phase 1 with the integration experience of Phase 2, and construct a living system.