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28-year-old Converts dumpster into livable tiny house and now he’s only paying $62 for rent
Harrison is a young architect who committed himself to this project 100% and it’s not for the reasons one might think.
Jessica Adler
10.11.23

In the bustling heart of central London, where the relentless surge of rent prices has become a notorious reality, lives 28-year-old designer Harrison.

Harrison has crafted an innovative, albeit unconventional, solution to navigate through the city’s housing crisis.

His residence is a meticulously designed and thoughtfully repurposed dumpster.

It stands not only as his humble abode but also as a subtle protest against the escalating living costs and the absurdity of the rental market.

Harrison’s journey into creating this unique living space is as intriguing as the concept itself, blending practicality with a dash of rebellious creativity.

YouTube - CNBC Make It
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YouTube - CNBC Make It

The idea was born from a mixture of necessity and a playful, experimental spirit.

Harrison, having previously worked on a few projects involving dumpsters, whimsically pondered upon the possibility of transforming such a space into a livable area.

This seemingly jestful thought gradually morphed into a serious consideration, leading him to explore the potential of making a home within the metallic confines of a dumpster, which he affectionately refers to using the British term, “Skip.”

YouTube - CNBC Make It
Source:
YouTube - CNBC Make It

Harrison’s endeavor was not a solitary one.

It was supported by various organizations and individuals who found merit in his innovative project.

Anti-pavilion, an arts-based charity, provided him with a site to place his new home, free of charge.

The skip company, initially agreeing to rent the dumpster for a mere 50 pounds a month, has not charged him for over a year, further reducing his living costs and enabling the project to flourish.

YouTube - CNBC Make It
Source:
YouTube - CNBC Make It

The construction of his petite dwelling was a display of resourcefulness and ingenuity.

With a budget of around four thousand pounds, Harrison, with the help of friends, transformed the dumpster into a cozy, functional living space within three weeks.

The exterior, clad with cedar shingles, ensures water-tightness, while the interior, adorned with standard plywood sheets, provides a simple yet effective living environment.

YouTube - CNBC Make It
Source:
YouTube - CNBC Make It

Harrison has devised systems to manage his daily needs with minimal fuss.

A tiny fridge, capable of holding a modest amount of small beers, and a compact cooker facilitate his culinary endeavors.

Water is fetched from a nearby tap, and washing up is done using a small Tupperware dish, demonstrating that a simplified lifestyle can indeed be manageable and surprisingly efficient.

YouTube - CNBC Make It
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YouTube - CNBC Make It

The absence of certain amenities, such as a shower, is cleverly circumvented by utilizing facilities at his workplace and local gym.

His toilet, aptly named “Waterloo,” is a portaloo provided free of charge by a company, ensuring that basic sanitary needs are met without complication.

These adaptations to his living situation highlight a willingness to compromise for the sake of maintaining his unique residential setup.

YouTube - CNBC Make It
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YouTube - CNBC Make It

Harrison’s sleeping quarters, nestled at the top of a small ladder, boast a curved roof and a petite window for ventilation, providing a cozy and surprisingly comfortable resting place.

His clothes find their home against a wall, and the overall setup, while minimal, encapsulates a certain charm and warmth that defies the stark, metallic origin of his dwelling.

A dumpster it may have once been, but now it’s a home.

YouTube - CNBC Make It
Source:
YouTube - CNBC Make It

Beyond the physical aspects of his living situation, Harrison’s dumpster home has become a catalyst for dialogue regarding the housing crisis.

Strangers, upon learning about his project, often share their own struggles and stories related to housing.

His home has, inadvertently, become a symbol and a conversation starter about the broader, pressing issue of housing accessibility and affordability.

YouTube - CNBC Make It
Source:
YouTube - CNBC Make It

Harrison’s journey is a narrative that intertwines resourcefulness, a critique of the housing market, and a show of human adaptability.

Harrison, in his cozy, repurposed dumpster, has not only found a unique solution to his own housing predicament but has also illuminated the stark realities and potential alternatives amidst a pervasive urban issue.

Take a look inside Harrison’s SKIP house in the video below!

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