Thinking outside the box. I know, we’re all sick of this tired, old cliché, but Yale University graduate student Elizabeth Turnbull really did think outside of the box—in this case, the box being your typical dormitory or ghetto-ized student housing unit.

Estimating her housing costs for the year at $14,000, Turnbull brainstormed on more creative ways to live and spend that money. Her insightful solution: build her own house. After all, Turnbull’s major, Forestry and Environmental Studies, emphasizes shrinking carbon footprints and waste, and what could be greener than building a tiny, transportable house?

The new home is eight feet by 18 feet, built atop a flatbed trailer. Features include a small sleeping loft, a study room, kitchen and bathroom, plus some storage and (apparently) a designated “living room.” Seems a little cramped, but a neat idea.

Ever the idealist, Turnbull has installed solar panels to power up her cellphone and computer—free, off-the-grid power—and heat the house with propane. More ecological features include a recycled (and recyclable) aluminum roof, sailboat sails for ceilings (brilliant idea!), a composting toilet and salvaged fixtures and finishes for a total cost of $8,000.

While not the first to conceive and build a tiny, portable house—she was inspired by California builder Tumbleweed Tiny House Co.—she is certainly the youngest (age 26) and likely the first college student to do take such a green approach to living expenses.

Kids these days.