Whether you are fascinated with the end result or its undoubtedly storied past,repurposed materials always come with a story. Southern Pine takes pride in recycling,reclaiming,and repurposing. Whether it is 150 year old hand hewn dock piers,dredged river recovery logs,or deconstructed homes saved from the swing of the wrecking ball,a new surprise always waiting around the corner. Sometimes literally…
Meet the Little House. It is located on the east side of our block and one of three homes that have been vacant for several years. The fourth house on the block to the south is home to one our favorite neighbors and cheer leader,Miss Frederica Taharka. She lives in the home her father built and has seen decades on this block. of the three vacancies,two were affected by fire,but left standing. Arriving at work on a sunny Tuesday,I was greeted by the sound of breaking glass and crashing lumber.
As far as we know these properties were ordered down by the city in what remains of Savannah’s annual 100 Worst Properties Program,(read more about the program in this article from 2007) in an attempt to combat urban blight. The wheels apparently started spinning a few days ago and the city came knocking with a bulldozer. Three houses were ordered demolished and one came down before noon,a rather jarring sight so close to a refuge of reuse. However,a silver lining soon emerged. After swift action and a bit of passionate pleading the city agreed to give us 1 day (!) to save the little house next door if it could be removed in 24 hours.
True to form,Ramsey and the boys jumped to action. As I write,it is Day 2,and our lucky tiny cottage is rolling down the street,ready for a new home. It is truly amazing what at little gumption,a few house jacks and group of determined individuals can accomplish in a days work.
In the last several years,‘The Tiny House’concept has received quite the buzz. Building them,buying them,and the advantages of downsizing to live in them. Once it is written about in the New Yorker, New York Times, The Economist,and The Financial Times, does that make it a movement? What a way to get involved head first! Imagine the advantages of in living in a tiny house that is 100% reclaimed…
It has been an exciting couple of days. Stay tuned to see what we can cook up for this little beaut…