MICRO MODULA: WHAT'S IN THE NAME?

Photo: A very tired builder

---

MICRO MODULA: WHAT’S IN THE NAME?

---

As we kick off 2022, I figured this would be a great time to reset and reorient with the origins of Micro Modula and the meaning behind this name.

Back in 2016 when I was just starting my tiny house build I was looking for a way to brand and catalogue my journey. I was struggling because I wanted to capture so much. As a designer, an artist, or any creative, it can be tricky capturing the essence of something that is inherently multi-faceted. Even beyond the tiny house build, I wanted to create a container for an intentional lifestyle and design brand, an evolving creative/ architectural practice and a vessel for community and conversation.

At the time I was managing a DIY fabrication facility and learning all about different tools, processes and materials. I began thinking about materials as metaphor. I was also living in a renovated trailer (rented from a friend) and beginning to integrate a minimalist lifestyle regularly. I continued to take inspiration from my own experiences and exploring modular furniture design, pre-fab housing, and the future of accessible design. The tiny house movement was just starting to ramp up and more and more tiny house channels were popping up everyday. But I wasn’t interested in the novelty. Even to this day, I don’t really feel comfortable being a “tiny house” exclusive brand. I wanted my house to be the starting point for a larger conversation. So I started playing around with different iterations of these words/ themes.

Micro (my-crow): Human-centered, intentional, minimalist, resilient

Modula (mod-u-la): Modular, adaptable, scalable, transformative

Micro Modula came from synthesizing all these ideas. Now Micro Modula explores the architecture of HOME, PLACE, and the SELF. Micro Modula is multi-disciplinary design studio grounded in the values of intention, resilience and impact. From small-scale design services, to public space place-holding, to intentional lifestyle coaching, I hope that Micro Modula can continue to serve as a vessel for human-centered design solutions.

6 years later, I am constantly reminded that this brand, this business, is a conversation. This conversation has grown (as have I) to speak on things like the meaning of ‘home,’ safety and agency, public space and spatial politics, and the intersectionality of architecture. I can’t say for certain what Micro Modula will look like in 5, 10, or 20 years. But I’m grateful to be here and in this conversation now.

Thanks for reading,

~Mariah

Photo: Stacy Keck

5 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON A DIY TINY HOUSE BUILD

Photo: A very tired builder

One of the questions I often get asked is how much it costs to build a tiny house. People are usually surprised to hear that I built my home for under 13k. But what one has to remember is that that cost does not included my sweat equity (5 years of my time and physical efforts).

The reality is, the cost of a tiny house can vary tremendously depending on different factors (i.e. hiring a custom builder, buying one pre-made, types of fixtures/ appliances etc.) Since my build was a paycheck to paycheck project, I looked to find ways to save money at every turn. If you are seriously considering building your own tiny house on wheels, below are 5 ways to save some costs.

---

5 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON A DIY TINY HOUSE BUILD

---

1. DONATED, USED , OR RENTED TOOLS

Tools can be one of the biggest initial expenses when it comes to a tiny house build, especially if you are new to building. I remember gawking at the prices of the nice drills and even batteries that accompany them. When you first start out, instead of buying all brand new tools, first ask around and see if anyone is willing to lend or donate to your project. Eventually down the line it will be worth investing in good quality tools (typically you get what you pay for when it comes to tool prices). When I first started out, I didn’t have hundreds to spare to invest in tools. So I put up a flyer at my local Maker space that I frequented describing my project/ need. Sure enough someone had a spare drill, someone else a table saw etc. You can also rent certain tools for specific jobs if need be from the hardware store. Again regardless of if the tool is new or used, it’s important to know that your equipment is in good working condition and is safe to use. If you are super new and have never used basic tools before, I recommend taking a tool basics workshop at your local maker space or the like. Safety first!

2. MAKER/ CO-WORK SPACES

After breaking down our personal relationship to home, we can start to re-imagine what our ideal life would look like. THEN we start to see how this lifestyle informs what type of dwelling or tiny house and specifics when it comes to design features. If your ideal life looks like being on the road 24/7, maybe a van-life journey is more relevant for you?

Photo: @maketory

3. RESTORE

Have you ever heard of the Re-store? As an off-shoot of Habitat for Humanity, the ReStore sells new, used, and donated building materials. Often their products come from excess of new home developments. This is a great place to get things like windows. doors, furniture, tile, hardware…you name it! Whatever they have in stock is on the floor, so I recommend going ready with a truck if your looking for larger items. Recently they have been using Instagram stories to share what items they have in store, which is great to scan periodically if you’re looking for a certain type of item. You can do a quick search here to find out if your city has a Restore.

Phote: @Restore

4. BUY IN BULK

This one might be kind of obvious. But especially with the recent increase in material costs, this is can be make or break. How do you know when to buy materials in bulk? If you’re working from a purchased plan set, you might already have a materials or cut list. In my case, I was using a working Sketchup model of my tiny house. I used this 3D rendering to plan my materials list project by project (for example, I could measure exactly how many sheets of ply I would need to wrap my house).

5. WORK PARTIES

Friends and family can be a great resource during your build. But the key to having a productive and efficient “work party” is allowing others to feel a part of the process. If you bring people in to help with a project, keep the task simple and have all your materials prepped and ready. Also, beers and snacks at the end of the day also help :) Pro-tip: Try and bring in specific friends with specific skill sets to help at certain times. This will help prevent you from burning out and exhausting your network. For example, I called on my homegirl Elena, a maker, woodworker, mama, and hardware guru to help me design/ install my custom door handle (see below).

Of course, this list is non-exhaustive and there’s plenty more hacks or tricks than can be added. What else would you add to this list?!

AAPI HERITAGE MONTH

Lola and Lola in DC circa 1960

Happy May 2021, and Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Month.

For those that don’t know, I’m a Filipina-American mixed kid. The fluidity, nuance and my relationship to my identity being mixed in particular has always something that I’m highly attune to and continues to evolve.

But I wanted to take a brief moment and speak to the history and journey of my maternal ancestors and during this month in particular.

My Lolo (grandfather) Gil Palabrica served in the US Navy during the American occupation of the Philippines. Lolo was a bit older that Lola (grandmother) but came from the same region of the Philippines and was part of the early generation of Filipino migrants, coined the ‘Manong generation’.

Emigrating to the US in the late 1950’s, my Lola Mildred soon married my Lolo Gil in 1959. They bore two daughters, my mom and aunt. When my mom was 12, my Lolo passed away following health complications. Lola went on to raised two young daughters in a new country by herself with support from other family members that had come to the US by then. She went on to live a long life until she eventually retired and moved back to her hometown, Pototan. Although I didn’t get many years to get to know my Lola intimately and never met my Lolo, their resilience and histories through war, colonization, migration and survival have inherently shaped my continued exploration of ‘home’.

Lola Mildring (far left, with 5 of her 8 siblings circa 1940-42’)

Lovely Lola

Lolo Gil (bottom left)