We hear more and more of the Tiny House Movement, but what is it?
In this article I will explain in detail everything there is to know about the new made in USA phenomenon that is arousing considerable interest around the world.
Tiny Houses: what are they?
The name "Tiny House" gives us a precious suggestion: the Tiny House Movement is both an architectural and social phenomenon that embraces the concept of minimalism.
These are real homes, but on a smaller scale, sometimes even smaller than 10 square meters.
The movement was inspired by a group of people who found that limiting their expenses by living in small homes by limiting the number of useless objects inside them increases their free time and makes them happier.
These homes can be both mobile and fixed, and the underlying concept is to concentrate all the essentials and some extra comforts in very limited spaces, thanks to a design that aims at optimization.
The Tiny Houses are often identified as houses with high energy performance and low ecological impact, even self-sufficient, or almost in the production of energy.
When was the Tiny House Movement born?
The founding period of the Tiny House Movement is to be found in the 70s with the "Back to the land" movement. During this time, people have embraced a simpler lifestyle by moving to rural areas and becoming more self-reliant.
They have embraced eco-sustainability by increasing organic farming and living outside the cities. Many of the books written during this period included information on building small huts, tree houses, and yurts.
In the 1990s, it became popular with architects to design smaller spaces with lots of multifunctional furniture and storage space.
Sarah Susanka has written a series of design books called The Not So Big House. Her work has shown that smaller homes can be attractive and functional.
The 1990s also saw the beginning of tiny house regulations. Oregon became the first state to allow Accessible Housing Units (ADUs) on personal property. They continued to lead the march by also encouraging the construction of small houses with financial incentives.
How much does a Tiny House cost?
The average cost for the construction of a Tiny House is between 30,000 and 60,000 euros, depending on whether you opt for do-it-yourself or buy from a builder.
... But is all that glitters gold?
What are the disadvantages of living in a Tiny House and what discourages people from doing it?
In this regard, the quote from Leonardo Di Chiara, twenty-seven-year-old architect from Pesaro, winner of the Berlin 2017 prize with his mini mobile home aVOID is particularly interesting, who claims:
“Tiny houses represent a possibility, but not a solution. It is a mistake to entrust a small space to those who request social housing because it requires adherence to minimalist principles. Few objects, little water consumption, limitations in the activity: it is not something for everyone".
In this regard, we can say that there are several reasons why the Tiny Houses represent a disadvantage:
• Having the economic possibility to buy a house
• Tiny Houses are very difficult to resell, and very often at a lower price than the costs incurred
• You can live in an eco-sustainable way even in a normal house
• Living small can be an adventure in its early stage, but it becomes heavy in the long term
• An expanding family needs more rooms
In conclusion, the idea of a small eco-sustainable house, perhaps on wheels, which does not require special permits to be built, arouses interest. On a practical level, in everyday life it is not the best solution to consider as "the home of life" for most people. With this article I hope I have clarified your doubts on the subject, so as to understand if the Tiny Houses are for you or not.