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You’ve probably seen Greg Kloehn’s dumpster house, online at least. Curbed recently encouraged readers to go check it out and take some photos, so we did just that. Little did we know that the artist who lives in it, Greg Kloehn would give us a look at what’s beyond the cushions inside too. For the last month, Kloehn has been at Pioneer Works Center for Art and Innovation in Red Hook, a community art and science space that’s a gallery and studio for artists in residence.
Take a tour with us of the famous dumpster house:
Not only are the windows insulated, the ceiling is also lined with outdoor carpet. Under the ceiling’s carpet, Kloehn put in a layer of bubble wrap, aluminum, and half-inch layer of plywood. On one wall there are four cushions, two which Kloehn removed to show us the storage space behind.
Kloehn then placed the two cushions over the walking space, converting the seating area into a lounge area. More storage space (and a toilet) resides under the seat cushions on the right of Kloehn (above).
Inside, there is also a kitchen with a sink, toaster oven, water pipes (where nearly 6 gallons of water flow) and a single gas burner. In the drawer, under the burner, is a watermelon-sized propane tank. If it rains the 6-cubic yard “Humpback” dumpster was already designed to be waterproof. On the outside, Kloehn has welded nuts to his house so he can bolt anything to it. Right now bolted to it is a shower hanger, a shaving mirror, a shower head, and, on the roof, an umbrella pole.
Lest you think Kloehn is sitting still with his dumpster, he’s got a lot of other projects up his sleeve. Two months ago while Kloehn was making another dumpster home, a homeless man asked if he could stay there if it rains. Kloehn responds, “Well, how about a home?” Since then Kloehn has been collecting garbage to make homes for people without one. “The only things I buy are screws, glue and paintbrushes. People throw away so much paint.” He gives the homeless people a lock, a key and a bottle of champagne.
The other homes Kloehn is working on
Kloehn is also building a “party cube” out of repurposed shipping containers. He envisions a restaurant downstairs and a lounge upstairs.
He wants to install a spiral staircase, windows, a deck and railing leading to the roof where a DJ could be located.
If anyone’s wondering if this is illegal, policemen and firemen have so far given Kolehn the thumbs up. One day a couple policeman even asked for hot dogs. Kloehn’s invited us to an overnight stay in the dumpster, so stay tuned for some live blogging of our experience inside.
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