Building Contest 2013:4 - Extreme Minimalistic Starter

[Lilygirl]

Building Contests 2013: 4 - Extreme Minimalistic Starter

The Task:
Minimalism is defined as a style or technique characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity. We are taking this extreme to the extreme! You are tasked with building a house that includes everything a Sim requires to live there (kitchen, bathroom, bed, entertainment, etc.) with an obsessive focus on saving space, multipurpose uses, and a micro budget.

Additional Information:
Less is more – the best entry is one that makes the best use of the fewest floor tiles, walls, and Simoleons.

Entry Specifications:

• Lot Type: Residential
• Lot Size: 10x10 or 10x15
• Budget: $16,500
• Content Restrictions: There are no additional content restrictions.
• Number of Bed Spaces: Minimum of 1
• Other Specifications:
  • Minimize floor space – be sure to test your build for routing issues!
    
  • One overhead screenshot must have the floor grid on so it's easy to count the number of "squares" used.

Contest Start Date: Sunday, February 24 - 12:00am
Contest End Date: Saturday, March 9 - 11:59pm

For instructions on how to enter the Contests follow this link.

Only post in this thread if you are posting an entry or you are asking a question, we would prefer however if questions were PMed to us. If you have any questions please PM the Contest Team: samoht04, Lilygirl and Ausette. Ensure all receive your question to ensure it gets answered as quickly as possible.

[Alex]

The Potting Shed

Lot size: 10 x 10 (designed to sit next to the Landgraab house in Sunset Valley)
Furnished price: 11,705
Unfurnished price: 6,078
Bed spaces: 1
Expansions required: Pets, Showtime, Ambitions, Generations
Store content: none

This converted potting shed is now an attractive minimalist home for the single sim just starting out.





Its location allows the occupant to gaze out and dream about being able to afford a decent-sized home one day…



…but for now, the interior boasts a small but functional kitchen, a somewhat comfortable bed, and a simple bathroom, all contained within a 5x5 square.





The close proximity of the bed to the kitchen might seem like a fire waiting to happen, but it also allows a Sim to roll out of bed and straight to the fridge, saving precious time every morning. The provision of a laptop allows a Sim to chat online, work from home or build skills, although Sims are advised to keep the laptop in their inventory during mealtimes to avoid getting toast crumbs in the keyboard.



The bathroom is small but tastefully-decorated, albeit in need of some self-cleaning upgrades. The shower runs cold occasionally, but it’s also eco-friendly. The comfy toilet even allows for extra seating in case of multiple guests for dinner.



Notes:
1. Fireproofing the stove before the bed catches fire is highly recommended.
2. The right hand side of the lot is likely to need smoothing, depending on exactly where the house is placed.
3. The kitchen/bed thing is fully functional but the bed has developed a tendency to clone itself (if you delete the spares in buy mode, it magically works again). Bunk beds always do that in my game, though, so I hope it’s just me….

Download link

[Chuckles_82]

the bed has developed a tendency to clone itself (if you delete the spares in buy mode, it magically works again). Bunk beds always do that in my game, though, so I hope it’s just me….

That explains it then - I've had that happen to me too, but I thought that I somehow accidentally placed two on top of each other.

[Claire Fox]

"Middle of the City" Earth
(Set in Riverside, but could go anywhere really~)

Lot size: 10 x 10
Furnished price: 10,724
Unfurnished price: 7,071
Bed spaces: 1
Expansions required: Pets, Showtime, Outdoor Living Stuff
Store content: none


Moving into a bigger city from nothing but fields, This earthy-styled home made me feel, well, right at home!


Working part-time and studying for college, this "apartment-sized" house really hit the spot when I could keep my garden outside! I'm not sure about you, but for a "tree-hugger" like me, that really sealed the deal.

[Pupdude]

(Note: Meant to be read with a prissy voice.  See Honeybadger video (Yes, THAT video) for info)

Name: Bachelor's Bungalow
Size: 10x10
Location: Compatible with pretty much anywhere, best if placed on flat areas
Furnished Price: $7,554
Unfurnished Price: $6,804
Expansions Required: None (That's right, it's base game compatible)
Store Content: None
Custom Content: None (Other than the house itself)
Tile Space Total: (8x2)+(6x2)+(6x2)+(1x2)=42 (Now how did that happen? XD)



This little shack may be cramped, but with a little tweaking (You have the money for it anyway) and no need for a driveway (Cars are expensive anyway), you can add about 18 more tiles to your house.  Or if you want a car, you can actually GET a car.  And not just a Jalopy, but a truck!  Or a motorcycle, if you have Ambitions!



As you can see, it's absolutely perfect for lone sims looking for something cheap (I mean, inexpensive.  Certainly NOT cheap, there are absolutely NO structural defects whatsoever. *sweating*).  It may be cramped for more than one sim, but this house was not DESIGNED to house more than one sim at a time.



Okay, so the sink's outside the bathroom.  Doesn't matter, you don't need privacy to wash your hands.



Note: Fire Alarm Not Included.  Not like you can't just buy one.  If you wanted, you could buy a burglar alarm.  You have THAT much money left over.




Here, you can park your car (Driveway Marker Not Included).  Or you can build on it for an extra 18 tiles of space!

I know, very cramped, but so what?  With the money you save, even from choosing Furnished, you can INVEST and still have a good amount of money left over.  Score!

[Sans_Sanity]

The Minimalist's Dream Home

Lot size: 10 x 10
Location: Originally Sunset Valley - but pretty sure you could put it anywhere
Furnished price: 9,462
Unfurnished price: 5,724
Bed spaces: 1
Expansions required: Supernatuaral, Generations (pretty sure I stuck to those two...)
Store content: None

The beach house dream, at a bargain price;



A fully equipped home; designed for the modern professional... on a serious budget!







Overhead view;



(Sorry about the zz in the picture - realised I hadn't taken some of the screenies until after I did a quick test for any pathing issues!)

[Snufflesxx]

Little Lucie's Caravan

(I was going to go for an outdoor type build, it didn't work out so I came up with this instead. It has a little story to go with it so enjoy!)

Lot Size : 10 x 10
Unfurnished Price : 4,951
Furnished : 6,681
Expansion packs used : Pets, Generations
Stuff packs used : None
Store content used : Mr Turnwillow (scarecrow) that is part of Riverview (free)
Number of bed spaces : 2

When Lucie's family was split apart through a painful divorce, she and her mother were forced to move out of their comfy family home and live in a hotel. However, one night, when Lucie returned from school, her Mum told her to pack her bags. She's found them a place to live! Lucie was excited. What colour would she have her bedroom? Was there a garden? Would it be the envy of all her friends?

But when they arrived, all Lucie saw a old, wooden caravan.

"I think we're in the wrong place, Mum." Lucie said nervously.
"No, no, this is it! It's even named after you, Lucie. It's called 'Little Lucie's Caravan.'" Her Mum replied, grinning from ear to ear.



It was cramped and there wasn't even a toilet inside - you had to go outside to the little shed... uh, thing at the back of the garden.



Lucie had her own bed - not a room, but a bed, and it was a bunk bed, but Lucie was afraid of heights. Oh, bother!



The outside was quite nice though, with a scarecrow and a little pair of flamingos.




Hey, it may not be a castle, but at least it's a home 



Note: The bed on the right isn't accessible when somebody is using the counter below. Apart from that, no routing issues.

[RaiaDraconis]

Teeny House on the Prairie



Lot Size: 10x10 (in this instance, placed next to the Sekemoto house in Sunset Valley)
Cost: (including the §200 cost for the 10x10 lot)
   Unfurnished: §4,627
   Furnished: §6,274
Expansions Used: Ambitions (white hydrangea), Generations (chair and bunk bed)
Stuff Packs Used: None
No. Beds: 1



This cozy little starter home is perfect for the single sim who wants affordability without sacrificing ambiance. The main living/dining/kitchen area is a small but workable 18 squares with a loft bed, television, comfy chair, basic kitchen, and two-seat dinette all in soft shades of yellow, green, and blue.



The bathroom, while utilitarian, will fulfill a sim's basic needs. The sink can even serve double duty as a dishwasher!



For the sim on a tight budget this house also features a basic garden in the front for free nibbles, plus a bike rack for the eco-friendly types (or those who simply cannot afford a Sloppy Jalopy).

[Jaaaaks]

Simply Rustic



Lot size: 15 x 10
Furnished price: 15,414
Unfurnished price: 11,857
Bed spaces: 1
Expansions required: Seasons, Pets, Generations, Late Night, Ambitions
Store content: none

This small hill is built on a bit of a gentle hill. It may look small - and it is - but it is very rustic and almost vintage inside. This house is perfect for a down-to-earth bachelorette or a senior ready to wind down and enjoy the simple things in life.

When entering this tiny yet humble abode, you will stumble across the very modest seating area.



The couch is a nice worn leather. The tv is a little dated but - hey - you at least get satellite. The mirror there is to make sure you get one last look at yourself before you go about your day.

Shimmy to the right and here's the small yet fully functional kitchen.



Just a small makeshift bar/island seating and a nice (fake) flower for a small accent. The kitchen appliances are brand new and are of slightly higher-end, just to help avoid the nuisance of purchasing that upgrade you're bound to get anyways.

Around that little wall is the the bed nook...



And what you can't see is a bookshelf against the wall. And behind this little nook is the bathroom.



Wait! You will notice there is no sink! Unfortunately the proprietors can't compensate for that, so you're going to have to use the sink in the kitchen.... (so be careful! Really!)

And that's all! Here's a look at the floor plan with the spaces on the floor so you can see just how big your new, very modest, yet very livable house is.

[Chuckles_82]

Singular Efficiency

Price Furnished: §6294
Price Unfurnished: §4932
Lot Size: 10x10
Bed Spaces: 1
Description: Single living is much more efficient than living with others. That is why you want your house to be efficient too. It makes very efficient use of space, saving you simoleans. For those who would like to spend a little extra, a flat screen TV can be mounted above the kitchenette.
Content: Base game, Ambitions, Late Night, Pets, Seasons
Floor squares: 17 1/2
Walls:20

[ladybug53]

Micro-Mini
by ladybug53

Lot Size : 10x10
Cost Furnished : 5,095
Cost Unfurnished : 4,415

Expansions Used : Late Night - Generations .
Stuff Packs Used : None .
Free Store Items : None .

NoCCs or Mods were used.


As small as this Micro-Mini house is , it's quite efficient . Even though it was built on a very tight budget you'll find it quite comfortable .

                                                                                                                                     Click to enlarge image .



Link for Download :  Here

[Vinyl]

The Peaceful Slumber
Lot Size: 10x10
Lot Value: $6,773
Content Used: All Expansions
Number of Bed Spaces: 1
Number of Floor Tiles: 9
Description:  This unique home features a serenity pond with fountain, perpetual flame, and a very restful interior.  It requires minimal maintenance, and is shared with the most quiet roommate one could ask for!




Notes:
-The fire option will probably have to be chosen from the fx settings to create the perpetual flame.
-There's a possibility the bunk bed will clone itself when the home is placed (it'll be very obvious visually if it happens).  To fix, simply delete the clones.
-The urn doesn't have an occupant.
-The food processor allows fresh parfait and autumn salads to be made.  If you wish, a microwave can be substituted (and is cheaper to boot!).

[ratchie]

Fleur Cottage.

Lot size:10 by 10.
price furnished 10,664
Expansion packs used:base game,ambitions,generations,supernatural,late night.
Stuff packs used:Master suite stuff,Seventies eighties and nineties stuff.

Ladies and gentlemen of the forum let our lovely hostess Stella show you around her charming little home.

The front of the cottage has a beautiful flora display.

The kitchen is fully functional and there is room at the dinning table for a guest.

The bathroom is quite spacious for such a small house.

You can even laze around in bed and watch tv with this specially designed peice of bedroom furniture.

At the end of a hard day you can relax in the garden and watch your veggies grow.

View from above.



download here.

[MissPlumbBob]

Single Mom Studio

Lot Size: 10 x 10
Location: Anywhere it can fit, so everywhere!
Furnished Price: 9,926
Unfurnished Price: 5,714
Expansion and Stuff Packs Used: (possibly) All (with no Store content or CC)
Bed Spaces: 1.5 (if you will)
Number of Floor Tiles: 22 1/2
Wall Sections: 23



Description: This small yet stylish home is perfect for the working mother and her toddler. With its neutral color scheme and affordable price, it's sure to be a big hit in the housing market.

[hazelnut]

Black & White & Re(a)d



Lot size: 10x10
1 bed space, 1 bath
Price: §7313 furnished, §5059 unfurnished
Content used: Ambitions, Generations, Pets, Showtime
Size: 20˝ squares




Q: What’s black and white and re(a)d all over?
A: This house, of course!

The main living area serves as kitchen, bedroom and study – and dance floor, as long as your moves don’t get too wild.  As well as the stereo, there is a computer for work, socialising and fun – and if it breaks, you can always entertain yourself by reading the wallpaper.

The roller blind above the bed can be pulled down for greater cosiness and privacy at night – or simply to keep the daylight out if you’ve been working the night shift.  Alternatively, it can be used to hide an unmade bed and cluttered desk from the eyes of guests.



The kitchen has a cooker, fridge and preparation space, plus a dining area for two.  At a pinch, an extra guest could eat at the desk (assuming you’ve tidied it).





The tiny bathroom has a shower and toilet – the washbasin is just outside the door so that it can double as a kitchen sink and also has a mirror above for gussying up and charisma practice.



Outside, the garden is small but distinctively landscaped.  Many ordinary houses have a rockery.  This one has a... papery.  All paper bundles are recycled and guaranteed water-resistant.



It also has the advantage that the scruffy paperboy/girl tossing your newspaper on the lawn is just adding to the effect .

Notes:

1.  This loft bed also seems to suffer from the cloning issue.
2. Everything is usable - although it looks a little disconcerting when Sims crawl through the roller blind to get into bed.

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