This 17m² Tiny Home Proves Net-Zero Living Can Be Luxurious
Unlike many DIY tiny houses built with cost savings in mind, the FL Tiny Home was conceived as a piece of architecture. Designed as a “refined tramping lodge on wheels,” it complies with NZTA width, height, and weight regulations while remaining fully transportable.
Originally planned for a section in Ohariu Valley, the home was designed with flexibility for future relocations. The project received a 2020 NZIA Wellington Architecture Award and was a National Architecture Finalist.
The exterior is clad in ebony corrugate with matching aluminium details, emphasizing a sculptural, streamlined form. An asymmetric gable roof creates volume where needed, while six solar panels align the house on its north–south axis. Large French doors and sliding windows open the interior to light and views from both sides, ensuring a strong connection to any site.
Creamy poplar plywood and silvery fittings keep the palette simple and warm. Space efficiency drives every detail: built-in furniture doubles as storage, while a chef’s kitchen with a tilt-up tabletop anchors the interior. A modular deck extends living outdoors, doubling usable space and enhancing flexibility. Despite its compact 17m² footprint, the house feels open and comfortable, proving that careful design can turn logistical constraints into architectural elegance.
