TINY HOUSE

The Tiny House exemplifies an approach to simplifying living while minimizing environmental impact, all within a robust and comfortable structure. Nestled on a former sheep farm at the edge of a blackwood forest in New Zealand, this home is designed to meet the essential needs of modern living.

 

Constructed primarily from natural and non-toxic materials, the Tiny House achieves high living standards while reducing reliance on typical industrial products. Careful sourcing has prioritized sustainability, with many materials repurposed from previous projects. The design is grounded in passive solar principles, featuring full insulation and thermal breaks. The thermal mass is enhanced by an earthen floor and clay bricks integrated into the interior, while reclaimed double- and single-glazed windows provide natural light and warmth.

A north-western facing deck is equipped with transparent sliding screens, offering protection from the elements, while a lush green wall of grapevines shields against the summer sun. This design allows winter sunlight to warm the space and provides an abundant harvest in autumn.

Completely off-grid, the Tiny House features its own solar system for power generation and a concrete rainwater tank for efficient water harvesting. Although concrete has a high embodied energy, its durability and partial integration into the landscape make it the optimal choice for this location.

The site’s landscape has been carefully developed over four years, creating a serene environment surrounded by fruit trees, raspberry shrubs, and vibrant birdlife. This tranquil setting invites reflection on the simplicity of human needs and the beauty of nature.

PROJECT DETAILS

CLIENT
ARCHITECT
CATEGORY
SIZE
LOCATION
YEAR

CLIENT
ARCHITECT
CATEGORY
SIZE
LOCATION
YEAR

Private
Collaborative Projects Studio
Residential
10 sqm
Kotare Village, Wairoa, NZ
2017 – 2021

 

PROJECT DETAILS

CLIENT                    Private

ARCHITECT            Collaborative Projects Studio

CATEGORY              Residential

SIZE                         10 sqm

LOCATION               Kotare Village, Wairoa, NZ

YEAR                        2017 – 2021

Framing constructed from reclaimed Douglas fir and locally sourced Lawson cypress serves as the foundation for the mezzanine floor joists.

A close-up view of Lawson cypress board and batten cladding, complemented by river stones around the perimeter of the wall (on the left) and floor joists (on the right), showcases the meticulous craftsmanship following chiseling.

The floor is composed of multiple layers, including pumice rock for its thermal insulation properties and a compacted gravel-clay mix (road base). The final layer is yet to be installed, but several samples have been created using locally sourced materials (clay, sand, water and straw).

The sampling process evolved into clay brick production, with the bricks laid outdoors to dry. These bricks were later incorporated into our internal features and fit-out.