Tiny house enthusiasts Robert and Bettina Johnson from Alkali Lake in British Columbia, Canada, have recently completely their own 280 sq ft (26 sqm) home. Combining a surprisingly large and modern interior with a beautiful curved roofline and references to local art and tradition, this is one tiny home that stands apart.
Robert Johnson, a carpenter by trade, along with his wife Bettina wanted to challenge themselves by building their very own tiny house, that would also honor the local land and aboriginal roots.
Robert Johnson, a carpenter by trade, along with his wife Bettina wanted to challenge themselves by building their very own tiny house, that would also honor the local land and aboriginal roots.
"We sat down to draw our own design, and we knew we wanted to create an artsy and unique tiny house, with a flowing interesting roof shape," Robert and Bettina told Gizmag. "We envisioned a house with curves and an open feel, knowing that our vision for this tiny home would be used as a guest home, for visitors to our area. We've called this first design the 'Esk'et Sqlelten' with 'sqlelten' being the Shuswap [an endangered Aboriginal language] word for 'salmon', because of the salmon-shaped roof rafters."
The 280 sq ft (26 sqm) wooden home is built on top of a 20 foot (6.10 m) trailer. The floorspace has been extended by a 6 inch (15.25cm) overhang on both ends of the trailer and an additional 20 inch (50.8cm) overhang on one side. Measuring 8.4 ft (2.6 m) wide and 13.6 ft (4.15 m) high, it is possible for the home to be hooked up to a truck and moved to different locations, however due to its extended shape it's the not easiest of homes to tow around, and not an ideal mobile home for those wanting to travel several times a year.
The exterior facade was built using pine, which was treated with the Shou Sugi Ban method (a traditional Japanese method for preserving wood), adding durability and a rustic look to the home. The home is insulated using a closed-cell spray foam insulation and also features an air exchange unit for ventilation that reduces humidity. In the future Robert and Bettina also hope to incorporate off-grid solutions into the home, such as solar panels.
The interior of of the home features an open integrated living/dining and kitchen area, with a propane fireplace and beautiful wooden floorboards. Two slimline ladders lead to two separate elevated lofts, perfect for sleeping quarters or just a quiet spot to relax. The home also features a full bathroom, with shower, toilet, basin and secret storage space hidden within the wall cavity behind the shower. The living area was purposely designed to sacrifice on storage space in exchange for more open space and the sense of being in a real home.
"We've left room for a real couch with arms, and it's a super comfortable place to relax in," says Robert and Bettina. "Our spiraling ladder is also a winner! Not only does it look amazing, it functions great – it is easy to climb up and down, with no handrails required."
A series of different shaped windows fill the home with natural light and a large picture window in the living room allows guests to sit by the fireplace and enjoy the views from the surrounding landscape.
"We love the incredible feeling of spaciousness, considering it is such a small space," says Robert and Bettina. "The space flows perfectly, thanks to the roof-line and the vaulted ceiling in the kitchen. The main sleeping loft has a completely separate feel, and because of the curved roof design it is very spacious. You step into this house, and you don't want to leave."
After having completed the Esk'et Sqlelten tiny home last November, the couple now plans to create and sell bespoke versions for other tiny home lovers. In addition, building plans for the Esk'et Tiny House will be available for purchase this year.
"We hope to build more unique tiny houses with exceptional quality and we would love to keep including Aboriginal artistic elements or creative elements," say Robert and Bettina. "We are open to start building this year for a potential client ready to hire us for a unique custom tiny house project."
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