Sometimes the answer we seek is right before our eyes. The recent Reply All podcast “Minka” did a great job telling the story of my efforts to create better options for older people. I have done my level best to reform nursing homes through the “Eden Alternative.” I have tried to re-invent nursing homes with the “Green House” model. But up until now I felt I had still failed to answer the simplest and most important question:
“What do people really want?”
What people of all ages and situations want most is to live life on their own terms. To live where and how they want. It’s pretty simple really.
And for most people, the point at which they fail to live life on their own terms comes down to the same thing — housing.
Tens of millions of people of all ages will find their houses, and housing stock in general, to be too big, too expensive and too hard to maintain. For younger people, these barriers can prevent them from owning a home of their own. For older people, sustaining a big unwieldy house can be the thing that tips the scale from independence to dependence. This insight is behind the “tiny house” craze that has fascinated so many people.
I’ve decided to follow the example of Goldilocks and develop a new approach to housing that isn’t too big, or too small. I wanted to create a house that would be “just right” for millions of people. I used my time in Japan and my study of its architecture to inspire a new kind of house, a compact, digitally native, modular, panelized house that is both affordable and easy to live in. It seemed right to call this model the “Minka” because that is the Japanese word for “a house for regular people.”
With backing from ChangingAging Tour sponsor Mainstreet Investments, I worked with BUILDlab architect David Bosworth to create a system of interchangeable house parts that can be combined and re-combined to give people just the house they want and need. We have leveraged the latest advances in digital design tools, robotics, and construction materials to minimize cost (for example by dramatically minimizing waste and rapidly accelerating completion time) and maximize customization. Better. Faster. Cheaper. We love the fact that a Minka can be exquisitely designed, rapidly “printed,” packed into a cargo container, shipped and assembled anywhere– in the world.
Our goal is to make the Minka available to people everywhere and be amazed by the way our customers use Minkas to foster independence and well being for themselves and the people they love. If you would like to learn more about our progress to date and, maybe, become part of the Minka story yourself don’t hesitate to explore MyMinka.com, sign up for our newsletter and follow the build process on Facebook.
Let the revolution begin!
You can listen to the entire podcast episode below:
Unfortunately, the design of the Minka would not work for many elderly like myself (ADA design allowing for functioning independently. Many are able to afford to purchase a larger home, however, it is next to impossible to find one that is even semi-wheelchair accessible. When will architects and builders wake up and realize that not only do many persons with mobility disabilities want, need and can afford to purchase a modest (or even more expensive) home in neighborhoods housing people of all ages, but those without a mobility impairment would like guests to be able to easily access and even use the bathroom in their home?
Some significant issues with this tiny home. I use a wheelchair and live alone. The bathroom would be terribly problematic for me. 1. Getting my wheelchair close enough to use the bathroom sink and no counter to put toiletries (e.g., toothbrush, paste, hair dryer, etc.). 2. Mirror is too high. 3. There are no grab bars by the toilet. 4. There are no grab bars in shower for transfer to either a shower bench or shower chair. 5. Shower hardware is not ADA accessible (lever for water is too high, shower head is not on an adjustable vertical bar). 7. Hook on bathroom door is way too high. 7. It appears entrance door opens to the inside. Ergo, there is insufficient space to get close enough to the door from a wheelchair and open it. Look at the ADA codes for specifics. 8. Didn’t see a thermostat; is it accessible from a wheelchair? 9. The threshold to enter the home appears to be too high and not bevelled which makes it difficult or impossible for a person using a walker or wheelchair to enter independently. 9. Gravel is terrible for elderly whether walking, using a walker or wheelchair.
I discovered your homes through an article that was in the AARP magazine. I am excited to share this info with my daughter. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 I knew I had to explore my options. The next step is to find out if Indiana or its communities allow this type of home.
Thank you for the option to live on my own and not pay for the extreme expense of assisted living.
What did you find out about Indiana? I realize that many homeowners associations would not allow them.
hello.. exactly the insight is behind the “tiny house” craze that has fascinated so many people.
A well outstanding review you have shared on this page about the importance of house construction but i was notice that For younger people, these barriers can prevent them from owning a home of their own. For older people, sustaining a big unwieldy house can be the thing that tips the scale from independence to dependence. This insight is behind the “tiny house” craze that has fascinated so many people.
Thanks.
A well outstanding review you have shared on this page about the importance of house construction but i was notice that For younger people, these barriers can prevent them from owning a home of their own. For older people, sustaining a big unwieldy house can be the thing that tips the scale from independence to dependence. This insight is behind the “tiny house” craze that has fascinated so many people.
Thanks.
This was a excellent informative post you have shared on this page about the construction of home in uk according to the rules and regulation of a country with the constructions company services by offering the sumptuous interiors and high-end features associated with luxury home interior and exterior design, the show house realises the concept of Eco-luxury, integrating sustainability and sophisticated engineering to prove that a luxury home doesn’t have to sacrifice environmental consciousness.
Thanks.
I came across this on Gratefulness.org blog. Great concept! I’ve been looking at tiny houses, but the Minka project makes a lot of sense. I live in Maine and visit South Carolina a lot (may live here one day if I can build a Minka-type house). Keep me posted!
I’m a bit late, but that’s not Lake Oswego as listed on the first two images of the gallery. I grew up there. With a little digging, I discovered that’s Lake Cayuga, NY. I’m really curious how y’all mixed it up. Let me know. (found this through Reply All)
Hi Charles, you’re absolutely right that the first Minka was built on the bank of Cayuga Lake. The original Minka factory’s home was in the nearby town of Owego (now located in Lansing, NY).
Where are the Minka villages that exist already?
Where are villages planning to be established and built in next 2 years?
Although our units are stick built and are NOT ” one size fits all ” our programs have some interesting similarities.
We accentuate the ability to customize inside and out to meet any clients design criteria.
Our units, cottages or ( Accessory Dwelling Units ) ADU’s can be sited behind an existing primary so as to afford a level of privacy , independence and manageable space to meet many housing requirements.
See all the possibilties in the Gallery Area of our website.
Great Concept if your interested in creating a community in Catskill NY let me know.
We have new apartments in our community for aging population and there is always a waiting list to get in. So, interested in this concept. Are there pictures or information of an existing community to see how it is working? How they are doing with hot summers and cold winters or are they designed more for warmer climates? How do you find out the costs of these homes? Are the exteriors to be primed and painted? Thanks.
i wonder if a community of minkas like i think has happened with tiny houses could be organized similar to how a trailer park would be. it could be like an i.c. for anyone who needed what the minka house has to offer and not just older people. there could also be staff living there for those who needed additional help.
Hi Dr. Bill! I listened to your ReplyAll episode and I am lucky enough to be a friend of Kyrié’s. I had a lot of questions after the episode and figured I would try going straight to the source. My questions are about a specific subset of aging adults- the chronically poor and/or homeless and/or mentally ill. I work in public health, often with older patients, and at this moment, these individuals depend on larger models of housing to ensure their safety when their physical capacities change. Of course, Medi-cal has a lot to do with where people are able to move when they need more assistance, as do other state entitled benefits. Further, what happens when people don’t have a yard to put the Minka in? Or a family to care for them? I love the theory of the Minka but I worry it’s a solution that leaves a large component of society’s elders without access to this resource, and broadly eliminating nursing homes creates a large gap for people to fall through. I’m sure thso conversation is more nuanced, but these were my questions after listening. I would love to know your thoughts on this!
Unfortunately there is nothing at myminka.com to explore. All you can do is sign up for a newsletter and I really don’t need yet another of those. Interesting concept, but…
Stay tuned Trudy, we’ll have some exciting updates on the website very soon!
i’m hoping this does work out and there will be a lively discussion in a short time. i can foresee villages organized with a similar base as the greenhouse homes, but more like a villiage or an i.c.