Tiny Homes Big Dreams

DESIGN FEATURE

Konpak Co-Director and Building Designer Cody Greer explains some of the benefits of tiny homes and what to consider when designing one. 

Let’s chat tiny homes. What is all the hype about? 

Tiny homes are a great way to simplify your lifestyle, achieving the same utilities as a house with a fraction of the footprint. They are both lighter on the planet, and on the pocket.

They also make for a very popular and low-maintenance holiday rental. Essentially, they are an investment property taking up no more space than a small area in the backyard and perfect for when family or friends come to visit between tenants.

Top 4 things to consider when designing a tiny home

1. Passive design strategies

I want to start here as this is so often overlooked. Passive design is design that works with the local climate to maintain a comfortable temperature in the home. Engaging someone who is a licensed building designer or very familiar with passive design techniques is important to achieve a home that is comfortable to live in. 

2. Writing a design brief 

Good design is a combination of an exceptional understanding of your personal requirements and unique site setting. Go deeper than considering what the building looks like and consider what the space feels like, how it will be used, and who it will be used by. Ask your designer or builder for a design brief that you can fill out.

3. Requirements for power, water and waste

There are many options here and they can make a big difference in the overall build cost and maintenance of the building. Have your designer or builder explain the options available that are relevant to your requirements, site and budget. 

4. Location of your tiny home

A few key things that need to be considered are aspect, privacy, orientation, and access. If you don’t currently have a spot in mind or can see yourself relocating in the future, we would suggest being quite conscious in your glazing decisions to balance the need for privacy, aspect and orientation for passive design principles. 

Get creative and don’t let the unknown get between you and your tiny home dream. 

Left in photo – Konpak Co-Director and Building Designer Cody Greer.
Right in photo – Konpak Co-Director and Builder Dan Alroy.

Good news for tiny homes

Konpak’s tiny homes and hybrid buildings can sometimes avoid needing council approval, which can make them a great option for people looking for some extra space but not wanting to go through the daunting and time-consuming process of renovating their home. It's always important to check with your local council about their specific regulations.

• Recently in some states, laws and regulations about secondary dwellings and granny flats have been relaxed, allowing you to rent out your building to someone outside of your immediate family. This is fantastic news for people looking for an investment, or holiday rental between personal use.

• In NSW, a granny flat is allowable in designated residential zones under the SEPP (Housing) 2021 and can often be assessed as Complying Development by either a private certifier or Council, generally within a 10-day assessment period.

Along with a custom-design service, Konpak offer a range of both single-level and multi-level buildings to choose from. If your property does trigger the need for council or building approvals, Konpak can coordinate the entire process for you.

If you are looking to build, or unsure what you can do on your property, book a consultation today and the team at Konpak can explore your requirements or unique site opportunities.

To learn more about Konpak visit konpak.com.au