The Tiny Home Build

After competitively selecting 12 students to participate in this project, it was time to get to work. Students were split into two crews of six and committed 40 hours a week, for six weeks, to this build. Since they only had six weeks, they did not have time to do the design work themselves. The house itself was fully functional, including electrical and plumbing work. Days were typically 8 am-5 pm, although it was not uncommon to work as late as 9 pm. Fortunately, students were given credit for two courses during these intense six weeks. After the six weeks were complete, Chris stuck around for another two to complete the project fully.  

All in all, there weren’t any significant hurdles design-wise for the team. However, since this was a reasonably non-traditional build and the client was fundraising, many of the donations were in the form of building materials. Therefore, the crews needed to be flexible with their material use and implement the contributions to the project. 

After the completion of the build in the summer of 2018, Chris was extremely pleased with the final product. “I didn’t realize the home would be as big and comfortable as it was. I think anybody could do it, so I’m on board with the movement,” Chris said. 

The Challenge

With a tiny home build, permitting is usually the hurdle that some people don’t get past. While the state of North Carolina allows much flexibility for tiny homes on foundations, the students need to build the tiny house on a trailer since they didn’t have a site to place it on at the time of construction. 

Chris originally went to his local planning department, who told him that there is no permit for a tiny home for occupancy. Displeased with this, he decided to go to the state. Chris got a state representative to send an email to the city of Boone stating that the tiny home could be permitted as a regular structure, with the caveat that would be on a permanent foundation. The tiny house permit was obtained through the proper channels with inspections, rough-ins, etc. The town of Boone did the inspection itself. 

The North Carolina Department of Insurance has distributed a memo to code officials, manufacturers, consumers, and other interested parties, which outlines building requirements for tiny homes on foundations. ASU’s tiny home build fits the needs of all of this document except for the foundation itself. When placed on a site in Boone, it will be attached to a permanent foundation to fit this requirement. 

Through the challenges that Chris experienced through the permitting process, he also learned his most important lesson from the project. 

“The biggest thing I learned is that the government is not against anybody; the rules don’t know how to deal with it. There isn’t a precedent. Even if it seems challenging, you can politely push the system, and you can change things. That’s the biggest thing-- don’t be afraid to talk to people. Reach out, if someone says you can’t do it, it’s not necessarily because the law says you can’t, it could be because they don’t know or they don’t have the precedent.” -Chris

Next Steps

As it stands now, LIFE Village plans to sell the tiny home as a way to raise funds for their initiative. They are also hosting the Peter Pedroni Memorial Charity Dinner to benefit LIFE Village in mid-November to raise funds. 

When asked if the IDEXlab will see any more tiny homes in its future, Chris shared that they hope to build another eventually if there is enough support. He mentioned that a faculty member in their department was interested in a tiny home for herself. With one of the most expensive real estate markets in North Carolina, tiny houses could be an excellent option for those dealing with rising housing costs. 

Before jumping into another tiny home build anytime soon, the IDEXlab has a handful of potential next projects: a mobile educational lab for the Sustainable Development department and park facility for a nearby town. Students will be able to do the design and construction of these projects. The IDEXlab currently runs every spring; however, they might begin running every semester. 

Valuing a Student-Driven Tiny Home Build

Implementing tiny home builds is a fantastic way for students to get hands-on experience in a way that can benefit their community. Chris and his students are a great example of how a tiny home project can create a meaningful partnership between an institution and a local program. It also provides students with the rare opportunity to learn how to build a house and learn practical skills that can be used later in life.