Tiny Houses

Ultra-small tiny house will appeal to hardcore minimalists

Ultra-small tiny house will appeal to hardcore minimalists
The aVOID tiny house looks empty here, but all of its furniture is hidden in the walls
The aVOID tiny house looks empty here, but all of its furniture is hidden in the walls
View 23 Images
Berlin- based Italian architect and engineer Leonardo Di Chiara designed and built the prototype aVOID tiny house
1/23
Berlin- based Italian architect and engineer Leonardo Di Chiara designed and built the prototype aVOID tiny house
aVOID is currently parked up in Berlin's Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design
2/23
aVOID is currently parked up in Berlin's Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design
aVOID has a Murphy-style bed in the wall that can be pulled-down when it's time to hit the sack
3/23
aVOID has a Murphy-style bed in the wall that can be pulled-down when it's time to hit the sack
aVOID's bedside table
4/23
aVOID's bedside table
aVOID's folding chairs are really neat and slot into the wall
5/23
aVOID's folding chairs are really neat and slot into the wall
aVOID has enough room for a small dinner party
6/23
aVOID has enough room for a small dinner party
aVOID is based on a double-axle trailer
7/23
aVOID is based on a double-axle trailer
aVOID is seriously small at just 9 sq m (96 sq ft)
8/23
aVOID is seriously small at just 9 sq m (96 sq ft)
aVOID is based on a double-axle trailer, with a wooden frame, the home is clad in metal and fronted by glazing
9/23
aVOID is based on a double-axle trailer, with a wooden frame, the home is clad in metal and fronted by glazing
aVOID's kitchenette
10/23
aVOID's kitchenette
aVOID's kitchenette includes an induction stove
11/23
aVOID's kitchenette includes an induction stove
aVOID's kitchenette includes an induction stove
12/23
aVOID's kitchenette includes an induction stove
aVOID's roof terrace is accessed by ladder
13/23
aVOID's roof terrace is accessed by ladder
aVOID is currently based in Berlin's Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design
14/23
aVOID is currently based in Berlin's Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design
Di Chiara is living in the home for a year as he continues to explore the possibilities of tiny living
15/23
Di Chiara is living in the home for a year as he continues to explore the possibilities of tiny living
Di Chiara plans some upgrades for aVOID, including solar power and greywater recycling
16/23
Di Chiara plans some upgrades for aVOID, including solar power and greywater recycling
aVOID's bathroom looks like the kind you'd get in a small motorhome and includes storage space, mirror, shower, and a composting toilet
17/23
aVOID's bathroom looks like the kind you'd get in a small motorhome and includes storage space, mirror, shower, and a composting toilet
aVOID's drop-down table/desk
18/23
aVOID's drop-down table/desk
The aVOID towable micro-home measures just 9 sq m (96 sq ft)
19/23
The aVOID towable micro-home measures just 9 sq m (96 sq ft)
aVOID's rooftop terrace is accessed by a ladder and operable window
20/23
aVOID's rooftop terrace is accessed by a ladder and operable window
The aVOID tiny house looks empty here, but all of its furniture is hidden in the walls
21/23
The aVOID tiny house looks empty here, but all of its furniture is hidden in the walls
aVOID's built in storage space
22/23
aVOID's built in storage space
Berlin- based Italian architect and engineer Leonardo Di Chiara designed and built the prototype aVOID tiny house
23/23
Berlin- based Italian architect and engineer Leonardo Di Chiara designed and built the prototype aVOID tiny house
View gallery - 23 images

Berlin-based Italian architect and engineer Leonardo Di Chiara designed and built the aVOID tiny house to explore tiny living. The prototype towable dwelling is seriously small at just 9 sq m (96 sq ft) and is definitely not for everyone. That said, it has some interesting ideas for downsizing.

Named aVOID due to the home looking essentially empty – or a void – the tiny house is the product of a lifetime spent living in a small space.

"During all my life I have lived in a very small room in my parents' apartment in Pesaro, Italy," says Di Chiara. "I was forced everyday to learn how to organize my space, fit all of my belongings inside the few cabinets, and to adapt my space to host my friends to play or later to study. I grew up with a minimalistic lifestyle, which certainly influences my design."

The home is based on a double-axle trailer and comprises a wooden frame, metal cladding, and is fronted by glazing. Excepting the bathroom, there is just one small room.

Quite a lot of furniture is hidden in the walls. A Murphy-style single bed can be pulled-down when it's time to hit the sack. The bed can also be transformed into a double if required. A drop-down dining table/desk and chairs are stowed away should guests come around for a meal, and the kitchenette includes a sink, two-burner induction stove, and shelving.

aVOID's roof terrace is accessed by ladder
aVOID's roof terrace is accessed by ladder

A ladder provides access to an operable window, and from there a rooftop terrace, allowing Di Chiara to sit and enjoy the sun. The bathroom, such as it is, looks similar to the kind you'd get in a small motorhome and features storage space, mirror, shower, and a composting toilet.

aVOID is still very much a work in progress and Di Chiara plans to install upgrades like solar panels and a greywater system in the future. The architect is living in the tiny house for a year as he continues to explore the challenges of tiny living. It's currently located in Berlin's Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design and will tour around Italy from April, 2018.

Source: Leonardo Di Chiara

View gallery - 23 images
4 comments
4 comments
Gizmowiz
Few if any tiny homes are wheelchair accessible !!
Paul Anthony
I'm gonna avoid this little prison cell
Buellrider
Might as well save the box the refrigerator came in.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think this is cool. While I like small houses, this is just too small for me.