Tiny Houses

Millennial Tiny House is packed with space-saving ideas

Millennial Tiny House is packed with space-saving ideas
A turnkey version of the Millennial Tiny House will set you back NZD120,500 (US$86,700)
A turnkey version of the Millennial Tiny House will set you back NZD120,500 (US$86,700)
View 21 Images
The Millennial Tiny House shown is Build Tiny's prototype model
1/21
The Millennial Tiny House shown is Build Tiny's prototype model
The Millennial Tiny House measures 7.2 x 2.4 m (23 x 7.8 ft)
2/21
The Millennial Tiny House measures 7.2 x 2.4 m (23 x 7.8 ft)
The Millennial Tiny House's loft office, which can be used as a second bedroom if desired
3/21
The Millennial Tiny House's loft office, which can be used as a second bedroom if desired
Access to the Millennial Tiny House's loft office is gained by ladder integrated into the wall
4/21
Access to the Millennial Tiny House's loft office is gained by ladder integrated into the wall
A footwell in the Millennial Tiny House's loft office makes sitting more comfortable
5/21
A footwell in the Millennial Tiny House's loft office makes sitting more comfortable
The Millennial Tiny House's kitchen
6/21
The Millennial Tiny House's kitchen 
The Millennial Tiny House's kitchen includes full-size fridge, two-burner stove, and sink
7/21
The Millennial Tiny House's kitchen includes full-size fridge, two-burner stove, and sink
The Millennial Tiny House's bathroom
8/21
The Millennial Tiny House's bathroom
The Millennial Tiny House's retractable staircase in use
9/21
The Millennial Tiny House's retractable staircase in use
Climbing up the Millennial Tiny House's ladder
10/21
Climbing up the Millennial Tiny House's ladder 
The Millennial Tiny House's underfloor storage
11/21
The Millennial Tiny House's underfloor storage
The Millennial Tiny House's retractable staircase and bathroom
12/21
The Millennial Tiny House's retractable staircase and bathroom
The Millennial Tiny House measures 7.2 x 2.4 m (23 x 7.8 ft)
13/21
The Millennial Tiny House measures 7.2 x 2.4 m (23 x 7.8 ft)
The Millennial Tiny House is available in a shell for DIY'ers or can be bought as a turnkey model
14/21
The Millennial Tiny House is available in a shell for DIY'ers or can be bought as a turnkey model 
The Millennial Tiny House's novel underfloor storage means that you can't put a couch and table on there without losing easy access
15/21
The Millennial Tiny House's novel underfloor storage means that you can't put a couch and table on there without losing easy access 
The Millennial Tiny House's hanging chair
16/21
The Millennial Tiny House's hanging chair
A turnkey version of the Millennial Tiny House will set you back NZD120,500 (US$86,700)
17/21
A turnkey version of the Millennial Tiny House will set you back NZD120,500 (US$86,700)
The Millennial Tiny House has two French doors, opening the home to the outside
18/21
The Millennial Tiny House has two French doors, opening the home to the outside
The Millennial Tiny House's staircase in the retracted position
19/21
The Millennial Tiny House's staircase in the retracted position
The Millennial Tiny House's staircase handrail
20/21
The Millennial Tiny House's staircase handrail
Floorplan for the Millennial Tiny House
21/21
Floorplan for the Millennial Tiny House
View gallery - 21 images

The Millennial Tiny House, by New Zealand's Build Tiny, boasts some great space-saving ideas. Its interior includes a retractable staircase, underfloor storage, and a home office. Interestingly, the towable dwelling is also available to purchase at three different price points, catering to both DIY'ers and those who want a turnkey home ready to move in.

The Millennial Tiny House is based on a double-axle trailer and measures 7.2 x 2.4 m (23 x 7.8 ft). Inside, the center of the home is taken up by a living area with generous underfloor storage.

The obvious issue with this setup is that installing a couch or dining table would make it hard to access the underfloor storage area, though perhaps movable seating could work (a hanging chair is currently installed). Two large French doors are positioned opposite each other to promote airflow and open the home to the outside.

The Millennial Tiny House's most novel feature is its sliding staircase. Made from a lightweight aluminum frame and poplar-plywood, it's pulled out from the wall manually and locks into place to offer access to a sleeping loft above.

The Millennial Tiny House's retractable staircase in use
The Millennial Tiny House's retractable staircase in use

Back on the ground floor, a door adjacent to the staircase leads to a bathroom with shower, sink, laundry area and a composting toilet on wheels.

Over on the other side of the Millennial Tiny House lies a decently-proportioned kitchen with full-size fridge, sink, two-burner propane stove, lots of storage space and generous countertops.

The kitchen provides access to a loft office area above (it can also optionally be used as a second bedroom). You get up there not with a retractable staircase, but by climbing some steps onto the kitchen counter (making sure to remove muddy boots beforehand) and then ascending a ladder attached to the wall.

Climbing up the Millennial Tiny House's ladder
Climbing up the Millennial Tiny House's ladder 

The office includes a built-in desk attached to the wall and a footwell that drops down to a shelf in the kitchen below so that users can sit comfortably. There's also yet more storage space.

The Millennial Tiny House comprises a steel frame (most but not all tiny houses are wood-framed) and Earthwool insulation in the ceiling and walls, with polystyrene underfloor insulation. It's clad in Cedartech and treated steel, and has a standard RV-style mains hookup, though a full off-grid solar package is available at additional cost.

The model pictured is Build Tiny's prototype but the firm does offer the Millennial Tiny House for sale. Pricing is flexible and comes in three stages: Stage 1 costs NZD59,750 (roughly US$43,000) and is essentially a watertight shell. Stage 2 costs NZD90,995 (US$65,500) and adds wiring, plumbing, insulation, etc. You'll need to shell out NZD120,500 (US$86,700) for a full turnkey version of the home.

Source: Build Tiny

View gallery - 21 images
3 comments
3 comments
McDesign
I do like the kitchen/office/footwell integration - nice use of space.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really nice. I like the steps but I am not too keen on the ladder. It needs someone who is agile and it looks like ones foot would easily slip from the rungs.
shopoutlet
Looks like a very efficient design. Not crazy about the exterior. I prefer wood siding. Office footwell is clever. Not sure about the ladder. Loads of counter space for a tiny house.