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Tiny houses are a big thing. Around the world, more and more people are embracing the concept of downsizing their living space. The reasons for doing so are as varied as the tiny houses they create. Some wish to lessen their impact on the environment, others want to reduce their cost of living, and for some, a tiny house offers greater flexibility in where, and how they live.
Five years ago Bryce Langston stumbled upon an image of a man standing in front of a tiny house on wheels and was intrigued to find out more. He was hooked, and from then on, he has constructed his own tiny house and at the same time, created a video channel showcasing his own experiences as well as exploring the tiny house concept. This book is born out of that passion and interest, and is a collection of inspirational houses and the people who live in them.
Ranging in size from a miniscule 4 metre square to a ‘huge’ 60 metre square, the houses are as different as their owners: some are kitted out vans, some are permanently fixed homes, others are converted shipping containers. The folk themselves range from singletons, to couples to families to retirees. One particularly impressive owner built her tiny house as her Year 13 school project – a home owner at just 18 years old.
Each house is presented with an array of photographs along with a background story/interview of the owner and the how/why of their tiny house journey. For those who might be inspired to build a tiny house, practical tips for construction and planning are included at the beginning of the book. Although the photographs offer a good peek at the inside, I would have liked to have included a plan of just how each tiny house is laid out.
It is beautifully presented, and is a colourful and interesting book to dip into. The personal stories show not only the possibilities of what can be created, but also how lives can be enhanced and widened by living with less. You can’t help but admire the tenacity and passion of these pioneers in the tiny house movement. This will appeal to anyone who is interested in design and lifestyle, or those who are keen to try tiny house living for themselves.
Reviewed by Vanessa Hatley-Owen
Living Big in a Tiny House
by Bryce Langston
Potton & Burton, 2018
ISBN: 9780947503901
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