I have always been interested in innovative design ideas that are good for people and the planet, and have taken courses in straw bale building and been an avid studier of eco-friendly building options, including solar power, geothermal heating, greywater systems, and alternative building solutions, and have always sought to build things in a better, more environmentally-friendly way. I also dislike seeing things wasted, and I source out recycled building materials and strive to salvage materials when and where I can.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to take these interests and work on an exciting new project to design and build a Tiny Home.

If you’re not familiar with the Tiny House movement, it’s a growing trend in North America where people are choosing to downsize, simplify, declutter, and live with less by designing and building small dwellings. It’s a movement undertaken for all sorts of reason: to decrease environmental impact and footprint; to live more simply and more happily; to build affordable and comfortable homes; to combat urban sprawl; and to provide innovative solutions to meet housing needs all across the continent. For more information, I recommend checking out the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company or read the Tiny House Talk blog.

This is the first time I’ve designed a tiny house and, while it has been a challenge from both a conceptual and a mechanical perspective, I have enjoyed learning about this exciting new movement in home building, and stretching my thinking about design in new and innovative ways. If you’re interested in reading about the process from the client perspective, check out this great post.

This project is at the end of the design phase, with construction starting (in my driveway) in mid January, 2015. Please see below for pictures from various stages of the design process.

For up-to-date information and postings, please check out the blog section of the website.

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