The Tiny Home as a Module

I have a lot to say about the rise and popularity of Tiny Homes, but will go more in depth in a future post.  In the meantime, I have come across some innovative applications beyond the standard 200 SF idyllic house on a trailer out in nature (thanks treehugger.com!).  Designed by VIVA Collectiv, I love these because they take a small module and think about it in a way that it can be aggregated to create new spaces, both inside and out. 

The Ohana:  Copyright: Craig Williams, Viva Collectiv

 The first is called the Ohana and essentially combines two tiny homes and uses the space in between to create an additional space.  Here is how Treehugger.com describes it:

"With each side comprising 176 square feet of usable space, and the sunroom adding another 247 square feet, the total comes in at just a hair under 600 square feet of usable space. While a bit larger than the standard tiny home, it’s a wonderfully novel way to live big while still on the small side. It’s also a very reasonable way for a family of four, for which the home was designed, to cohabitate while living in a small footprint."

The Ohana:  Viva Collectiv

The second is the Amplified Tiny Home, which consists of a small 400 SF house on a foundation and a 160 SF mobile tiny home that can "plug and play" with the main house. 

The Amplified Tiny Home:  Copyright: Don Shreve, Viva Collectiv

The beauty of this is that it allows the actual tiny home part to truly be mobile.  Because it is site-built, the main house can be a little more dimensionally flexible as it doesn't have to meet the width requirements of traveling down the road. This allows for a more livable space.  Additionally, the way the two units are situated allows for a  deck between, further expanding the feel of the space in both units.  It allows for small living without feeling "tiny."

The Ohana:  Copyright: Don Shreve, Viva Collectiv

Thinking of a Tiny Home as a module that can be adapted, added onto and planned to grow and change certainly makes them a much more livable housing option, while still keeping costs down compared to other housing options.