A Modernist Tiny Home Prepares to go Off-Grid
Last Updated: Apr 13, 2025Mention “tiny home” and this charming biophilic home in Portland might come to mind. Or this 500-square-foot cabin-like home in West Virginia. Or this mod box built on a gooseneck trailer with prof-chef kitchen near San Francisco Bay. Or this tiny house that unfolds into a castle on wheels in New Zealand.
Table of Contents
- Tiny Footprint, Off-Grid Potential
- Functionality and Finishes
- Start Downsizing Now
The home’s black metal exterior—with recycled hardwood timber trim—accentuates its height, while black “shade cloths” sheltering the deck give the structure a lift. Abundant windows and skylights bring in lots of natural light. A cat run at the back of the tiny home allows the kitties to play—and do their business—safely outside.
Inside, high ceilings bring in a voluminous sense of space—which is accentuated by the skylights. A grid-like fixture hung with plants and downlights provides a biophilic feel in the living room. The kitchen sports every “indispensable” modern amenity and appliance. The couple slid the refrigerator and oven underneath the stairs leading to the loft.
The loft runs the length of the structure. The home’s height ensures sufficient space for standing upright. A small walkway separates the master bedroom from the guest loft. Other creative storage ideas include wardrobes hidden behind large double mirrors. The double shower features beautiful tile work. We asked Lisa Hobbs more about the couple’s fascination with the tiny house movement and the home they designed.
Q: What is your favorite part of your home?
A: The little design features. The tile-to-wood transition, the feature panel on the end, the levered window in the bathroom. The full-size butler’s sink is a winner for design, although not so much for practicality. Also, the twin showers are a favorite, as that’s where we debrief at the end of the day. Most major decisions are made in the shower.
Q: How does the environmental impact of your tiny home compare to that of a “regular” home in Australia?
A: Our house is so much smaller than the house we were in previously. The four-bedroom house we came from, even with solar and tank water, relied heavily on the mains supply. Just by reducing our square footage, we’ve cut our energy bills by a quarter, without dramatically changing our habits. Likewise, reducing our consumption of material products and waste has made a difference. The smaller space means you can’t accumulate things, making us question even the most trivial purchases.
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
