Nowadays tiny houses stopped being a novelty and started becoming a movement. For the past few years, talented designers and creative DIY’ers have playfully competed to create the smallest and most efficient homes in which life can truly be lived to the fullest. Here are some of our favourites.
1. Tokyo - modern & minimalist tiny house
It’s called the Reflection of Mineral. The 86.2 m2 floor area is spread over four levels, including a basement. Inside, the play of light on the angled surfaces provides visual interest throughout the day. Windows placed in the corners draw the eye along the long diagonals, increasing the perceived space. The living room window faces the intersection, taking advantage of the longest available view. Mirrored surfaces, openings between floors and large skylights all add to the feeling of spaciousness. This house is the epiphany of future sustainable housing not just for individuals and couples but for families as well, especially in areas like Tokyo where space is truly limited.
2. Finland - a comfortable cabin in the woods
Built from recycled materials for around $10,000 lakeside cabin in Finland is deliberately —and smartly — designed with a teeny-tiny footprint as to avoid building permits and bureaucratic red tape. Less than 9 m2 cabin consist of a loft for sleeping and storage, a ground floor lounge/living area, kitchen and bathroom. The house is designed to maximize the allowed area, plus boosting the capacity for great acoustics and natural day lighting. In addition to the tall window, there's an adjacent deck for a great view of the tranquil surroundings.
3. Australia - The L41home
Designed by Michael Katz and Janet Korne, the L41home is a sustainable, power-environment friendly home that really places the type in compact dwelling. Key features include an integrated building mechanical system, "the beating heart" with solar thermal capillary heating and cooling, and sustainable construction techniques, including non-toxic materials, LED lighting, zinc exterior cladding, a green roof, super-efficient windows and cross-ventilation.
As important, the L41 is intended to be mass produced, with the price declining as production goes up, making this a viable alternative to traditional-sized and conventionally constructed dwellings. This abode is ultra micro — only 20 m2.
4. Germany – Seelenkiste (Soul Box) Another Tiny Wooden Cabin
A group of three students designed a relocatable dwelling for one person, whilst building, they thought that it would be a good idea for it to be a spirit hut, meaning it would be placed in a secluded, rural setting to give the occupant quiet time in order to contemplate and self-explore. Seelenkiste itself is a relatively simple timber frame structure in which sections can be prefabricated, flat-packed and transported to the owners site. A small team is then able to assemble the different components to create the tiny retreat. Area is only 8 m2.
5. The oldest Little House in Toronto
It may look like a playhouse for children, but fully grown people actually live here! Built in 1912 by contractor Arthur Weeden, Toronto’s Little House, as its known, is only about 7′ wide, 47′ deep, with a total of less than 28 m2 of living space inside. The house has everything that is needed, a pull out bed, kitchen, laundry, lounge room, etc. Then house even has a small back yard.
