Homeownership has long been the “American Dream”. Whether it is for financial investment or for family values, many people are putting their entire savings into real estate to achieve this dream. With housing prices skyrocketing and the threat of global warming, micro homes or tiny houses have become a suitable alternative for many.
Micro homes refer to any residential structure under 400 square feet (37 square meters). They can range from cob houses and shipping containers to buses and even boats.
I was first introduced to micro homes in an Architectural Technology course, where students were required to design Net-Zero Energy tiny houses for single families. The main benefits of micro homes that appeal to me, include:
Affordability
Understandably, due to their sizes tiny homes cost much less than the traditional options. It is less likely for people to be handcuffed to long-term mortgage loans. For example, this Japanese Tiny House on Wheels cost USD $30,000 in construction. Aside from the small purchase price, micro homes also demand for a relatively low cost of upkeep and insurance fees.
Customizability
Customizing a micro home is more manageable than renovating a standard single-family house. Many have built their homes from found materials, others have tailored their space to their needs through DIY projects. However, what fascinates me the most is the ingenious solution to the limited space: shapeshifting. With pulls on handles, the walls slide across this 344 square feet (32 square meters) Transformer Apartment in Hong Kong, to create more “room”.
Sustainability
Tiny houses are environmentally conscious. Often constructed out of recycled materials and converted from “undesirable” spaces, they have a significantly smaller carbon footprint. Some owners prefer an “off-the-grid” lifestyle, which means they must source their own water, electric and plumbing services. Introducing water recycling system, solar-integrated roofs and compost toilets!
Micro Homes in Canada?
Although interest in micro homes is high in Canada, municipalities are slow in accepting them. Some set a minimum square footage requirement; some even specify the colour and type of building materials. No city yet provides adequate zoning description or building by-laws to encompass tiny houses.
Progress is slow, but present. Some cities, such as Vancouver and Edmonton, are softening restrictions for secondary suites. There have been plans to build communities of micro homes in towns such as Okotoks, Alberta. The City of Hamilton has recently shown it’s progressive side by approving a zoning by law that permits the construction of laneway houses on inner city lots containing a detached single-family home. In this case, the size of the units are limited to 50 SM in area and 3M in height, adding much needed smaller units to the mix, allowing residents to age in place, or simply add some more affordable units to the retal stock.
Micro homes can offer refuge to the homeless, improve social wellness and contribute to fight against climate change. Most importantly, they offer some simplicity to life. We can live for ourselves, instead of living for our houses.
