So what happens if you have a GF or get married, or possibly Kids?
Where is the Man Cave Ad-on?

I've seen a lot of these prop up and they've always been interesting in a design sense. But I can't help but think that current houses with upkeep and renovations would be better for everyone. Of course building new houses isn't the way, but if you already have a house or can find one just living in a sustainable way could keep that house going for decades rather than building a new one.

This won't work for me personally with a wife and kids, but I'm impressed by the idea. I think the concept was born out of the desperate need for affordable housing in metropolitan Vancouver BC, where housing prices put even the most modest house far out of reach for most families.

"Historically, Western cities have had a housing-to-income ratio of around three. In Vancouver in 2011, that ratio hit 10.6; the median house cost 10.6 times the median income. Only Hong Kong was less affordable, with a ratio of 12.6."

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/23/canada-house-prices-vancouver-2nd-least-affordable_n_1224207.html

For all that they imply this is suitable for all climates, I don't think this would work where I live. The huge windows alone would seem to make this inefficient for a climate where winter temperatures regularly drop to -30 centigrade... I heard the word "heating" once, but I don't see where that fits in here? All electric?

Also, I think it's great people are working on this kind of thing, but 30,000 USD for a small compromise house doesn't sound all that cheap to me. Again, local issues apply, but I'm pretty sure I can just buy a house actually designed for the location and climate it's in for not that much more than that here. Provided I'm willing to move into the sticks, that is. If location matters, then it's the cost of acquiring a plot that is the first sticking point...

Small affordable homes that could be moved as needed and attach to external utilities were invented decades ago - it's called a trailer. (or mobile home).

Moving this video to alcom's personal queue. It failed to receive enough votes to get sifted up to the front page within 2 days.

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see a shower or indoor toilet.