Tiny house movement: Thinking small this summer

The tiny house movement really took off in the past year, which means that if you are interested in your own small home, you are spoiled for choice.

Here are some of the current offerings in the tiny house movement, both overseas and closer to home.

The VIMOB. Photo: Colectivo Creativo Arquitectos

An architectural firm based in Colombia, Colectivo Creativo Arquitectos, have come up with a modular prefab made of interlocking modules.

Called the VIMOB, it’s about 37 square metres and has a natural timber look.

To watch a VIMBO get assembled, check out their video.

Photo: LUMO Architects

In Denmark, LUMO Architects have been charged with designing a collection of shelters for several islands, including Skaro, Drejo and Birkholm, after winning a competition.

They have a distinctive, asymmetrical appearance and are covered in woodchips coated in black-pigmented wood tar oil.

Photo: Inhabit.com

Photo: Freedom Yurt Cabins

If you prefer you tiny homes to be more, well, circular, Freedom Yurt Cabins have come up with a responsibly sourced pine yurt with solid, insulated walls.

According to Inhabit.com, they can be put up or taken down in a couple of hours by two to three people.

Carmel Place. Photos: Buzzbuzzhome.com

Unit 6A, available to rent for $US3025 per month, is 32 square metres. Photo: Buzzbuzzhome.com

Meanwhile, floor plans of New York’s micro-unit development, Carmel Place, have been revealed. 

They are available for lease and range from 24 square metres to 32 square metres.

Residents will start moving in in February. Curbed.com has more details on the project here.

Fred’s tiny house. Photo: Source: Youtube

So how about Australia?  Happen Films have released a YouTube tour of Fred and Shannon Schultz’s off-the-grid house on wheels in Victoria.

Fred, who runs Fred’s Tiny Houses, spent about about three years designing and a year building the 10-square-metre home. The total material cost was about $45,000.

32 Davos Street, Main Ridge. Photo: Kay & Burton, Flinders

Also a bit closer to home, on the listings front, an architect-designed stone dwelling in Main Ridge, Victoria is for sale.

Set on 26 hectares, it comes with a building permit and plans to extend to a four-bedroom house. Another studio is located on the property if the minimalist lifestyle doesn’t particularly appeal. 

Lot 16, Rocky Creek Road, Wollombi. Photo: Wollombi Real Estate

And up in New South Wales, the “Zig Zag Cabin” at Wollombi is on the market for $248,000. 

The eco cabin has a small carbon footprint and is based at a 42-hectare property.

More: Ten of the world’s best tiny homes