BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Imagine your college dorm room, just a bit smaller. Throw in the amenities of modern living, a fireplace, washer/dryer, and you've got what will be Ben Landry's new mini home.

So why did he do it?

"I decided I could minimize certain bills and get the house cost down and the size down and pretty much that's it," said Ben Landry, a former sculpture major at Binghamton University.

No social or political statement, just an efficient way of living. While the building's perhaps more shed than house, Landry says there are some great benefits.

"Maintenance is simple, because you're not trying to figure out someone else's cobb job," added Landry, who does most of the building on his own.

Landry seems pretty satisfied with his 250-square-foot mini mansion at the corner of Walnut St. and Seminary Ave., but the question remains: What do the neighbors think?"

"I think it's great he's building his own house and it's small, but it's all that he needs," said Jacqueline Janowski, one of Landry's neighbors.

"It's not taking up space, who needs 7,000-square-feet of living space for themselves," added Patrick Morris, who stopped by the house to donate building materials.

In a bit of homebuilding irony, construction's begun on a 6-bedroom behemoth across the street.

But in an age where real estate excess has cost America its economic health, where does Landry stand?

"I do get disgusted by what's happening now, which is people not being able to pay their mortgage. It's irresponsible spending and people living outside their means."

With a total building cost of just $13,000, foreclosure seems pretty remote for Landry's home sweet mini home.

Landry says his home will be environmentally friendly, and, it would seem, economically friendly, too, with taxes at just about $600 per year.

Landry plans to move in at the end of November.