This towable tiny house was built by my husband Kane (DIYer), for our family of 4 giving us the opportunity to explore and adventure around NZ. We needed 3 bedrooms, a sense of space, be warm and comfortable enough to travel for extended periods off grid during all seasons, fit in with the natural landscapes we'd be visiting, while being lightweight enough to tow with a WOF. Airbag Suspension: The tiny house was designed around the cruise master airbag suspension, to enable our adventurous family to get off the beaten track. Kane is a keen outdoors man and having a cabin that is adaptable to the changing environment was key. Fibreglass Cladding: Kane designed a fibreglass texture board mold and self engineered fibreglass sheets to create the exterior cladding. This increased the strength of the build and reduced weight, while still looking like timber cladding. 3 Bedrooms: The 3 bedroom build considered the changing needs of our family and the children’s bedrooms were made large enough to sleep growing teens up to an adult. Warmth/Cooling for all Seasons: The tiny house is incredibly well insulated and double glazed meaning we can make the most of the fireplace while we are travelling in sub zero temperatures. The fireplace also ensures we do not have challenges with condensation which is a common problem with caravans and small spaces. Fireplace/Oven/Hot Water Jacket: The fireplace has a custom made oven and smoker enabling us to make the most of this heat source. Kane has also created water jacket that sits along side the oven that heats water from the fireplace. Window Placement: The placement of the custom double glazed windows meant we could wake up every day with a different view, while the kids can view the night skies from their individual skylights.

After being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2022, and a full year of treatment in 2023, we decided to take a year away from our normal life and go make some memories with our family. In Jan 2024 we decided that we'd rent out our 200sqm home and move in to our 20sqm Tiny House and Travel New Zealand for 1 year. Our adventure started in June 2024. It has been an adjustment living in a smaller space, but on a whole we feel incredibly fortunate to have created this beautiful tiny home to enable us to adventure and grow together. Features that have made the Tiny House liveable are: - Off Grid Solar Power: 400W solar panels & 300 Amp hours Lithium Batteries. The tow vehicle can also charge the battery bank. - Custom Fireplace/Oven: - 3 separate bedrooms with master bedroom down stairs - 350L Fresh Water Capacity (Gauged) - 300L Grey Water Capacity (Gauged) - Full sized shower & Composting Toilet - Instant gas hot water, with a 'water save feature' for the hot water - Air Bags: easily self levelable on arrival at site, and off road capability to get to that perfect spot - Wet weather gear storage - Pull out Deck & Thule Awning - Lighting: We've designed the lighting to include feature lights, mood lighting and focus lighting - Separate family living space - Indoor or Outdoor cooking ability - Varied dining table tops depending on daily needs - Ability to run wireless Wifi

Every aspect of this build was well thought out, although weight and towability was a key consideration, a lot of thought was invested into the materials and features that would make this tiny space a home. - Recycled Matai flooring - Recycled Oregon Scissor Trusses - Recycled Rimu Ladder for the kids to get to their rooms - Recycled Antique Cooper Bowl: Bathroom Handbasin - Custom made fireplace/oven - Mezzanine landing for the kids - Clever storage systems, in floor chilly bin, tech cupboard, hideaway and slide out toilet - Lighting (especially the mood lighting) - Native timber & copper Whiskey Shelf - Feature Wall mural (interior) - Feature wall Cedar Cladding combined with fibreglass (board and batten style) (exterior)

After opening the exterior cedar door, you are welcomed into the warm inviting open plan living space. The gabled ceiling/roof and timber feature trusses gives the tiny house a true sense of space. The living area features a full wall mural of a beach in Tutukaka ( a place that is dear to us both), which combines a sandy beach, the ocean, and Pohutukawa trees. This makes you feel like you're instantly on holiday. The wrap around bench seating (that doubles as storage) makes the most of the ever changing views from the large double glazed window. To the right of the bench seating is a custom made fireplace/oven that keeps the space cosy, while allowing us to bake and cook roast marsh mellows, and relax. The fireplace leads to the L shaped kitchen with excellent over head and under bench storage and drawer locks to stop the drawers opening while travelling. The hidden sink and continued bench space ensure there is ample room to prepare meals on the indoor/outdoor gas hob/grill. The Matai floor has a hidden feature, a submerged chilli bin which allows for additional cool storage. Access the bathroom through a obscured door in the feature wall, you'll find a full shower and vanity, which a pop out composting toilet. The bathroom acts as an ensuite to the Master bedroom which is also on the bottom floor of the tiny house. The Master bedroom houses a custom built in queen bed, and custom mattress (made for comfort and to be lightweight). Below the bed are self locking drawers for clothing storage, while the other half of the bed is accessed from outside and is used for storage of deckchairs and sports equipment. Next to the queen bed is a Wardrobe to hang clothing, a shoe cabinet and a hidden pull out work station. Top floor: We head back through to the communal living area and nestled in to the wall mural, is a hidden Rimu ladder which enables the kids to access the top floor. On the second floor is a shared mezzanine that the kids share and hang out on. They access their separate rooms through insulated doors, and once inside they have a single custom mattress, and 3 storage drawer for their clothing. They each have an opening window with an insect screen to ensure their rooms are at comfortable temperature, and a skylight (with perspex, and insect screen and a black out blind), so they can watch the stars at night. Each room is equipped with space specific lighting and usb chargers. There are many areas of 'hidden storage' through out the Tiny House.

Think peaceful holiday vibes, warm and cosy in the Winter cool and inviting in the Summer. Exerior: Built to 'get lost' in nature, the combination of board and batten look cladding (ironsand colour) and cedar cladding looks like stylish caretakers hut. The external solar mood lighting adds to the WOW factor at night. Interior: Natural elements like native timbers, ply, copper, linen, leather and woollen fabrics been used in the build and in the interior decor through out the space. After dark, the space comes alive! The mood lighting from the timber pinecone feature light, the whisky shelf, the under cupboard warm lighting makes the space feel luxurious and cosy!

This build was completed single handedly during my husbands spare time - and he's not a builder! Everything from the custom trailer design, the welding, the electrical and solar work, the fabrication of the fibre glass water tanks and cladding, the floor plan, and the cabinetry. This has all been done to code and with care ensure that our tiny home remains travelling for many years to come. This is now the third tiny house he's built over the last 25 years, and during that time he understands what works well in these small spaces. I have a love of interiors and wanted to create a space that felt relaxing, cozy, spacious and like home. We are currently living and travelling in our tiny home while homeschooling our children. Having the opportunity to declutter our lives and focus on what is important is something that we are incredibly grateful for!

No