Tiny Houses

Compact tiny house's clever layout nets some extra space upstairs

Compact tiny house's clever layout nets some extra space upstairs
Plume maximized every inch of the Cosmos' available space with a clever layout that includes a netted floor area upstairs
Plume maximized every inch of the Cosmos' available space with a clever layout that includes a netted floor area upstairs
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Plume maximized every inch of the Cosmos' available space with a clever layout that includes a netted floor area upstairs
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Plume maximized every inch of the Cosmos' available space with a clever layout that includes a netted floor area upstairs
The Cosmos is based on a double-axle trailer and has a length of 6 m (20 ft)
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The Cosmos is based on a double-axle trailer and has a length of 6 m (20 ft)
The Cosmos' exterior is finished in thermally treated poplar
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The Cosmos' exterior is finished in thermally treated poplar
The Cosmos' interior is accessed through a glass front door that opens onto the living room
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The Cosmos' interior is accessed through a glass front door that opens onto the living room
The Cosmos' living room includes a sofa and a coffee table, plus a wood-burning stove for warmth
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The Cosmos' living room includes a sofa and a coffee table, plus a wood-burning stove for warmth
The Cosmos' kitchen has an oven, two-burner propane-powered gas stove, and a fridge
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The Cosmos' kitchen has an oven, two-burner propane-powered gas stove, and a fridge
The Cosmos' kitchen includes a small dining table and quite a lot of storage space
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The Cosmos' kitchen includes a small dining table and quite a lot of storage space
The Cosmos' two bedrooms are reached by a staircase that's integrated into the home's kitchen unit
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The Cosmos' two bedrooms are reached by a staircase that's integrated into the home's kitchen unit
The Cosmos' two bedrooms are connected by a netted area that still allows daylight to permeate throughout the home
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The Cosmos' two bedrooms are connected by a netted area that still allows daylight to permeate throughout the home
The Cosmos' netted area can be used as an additional relaxation spot
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The Cosmos' netted area can be used as an additional relaxation spot
The Cosmos' main bedroom has a door for privacy
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The Cosmos' main bedroom has a door for privacy
The Cosmos' bathroom is small but does include a shower, sink, and a toilet
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The Cosmos' bathroom is small but does include a shower, sink, and a toilet
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It's always difficult for designers to work with the limited room available in a tiny house, but French firms have it even tougher due to the country's strict towing laws requiring very small and light homes. With its recent Cosmos model, Plume approached this challenge with a space-saving interior layout that adds a useful netted upstairs area.

The Cosmos is based on a double-axle trailer and has a length of 6 m (20 ft), which puts it in line with most European tiny houses. It is of course significantly smaller than typical North American models, many of which can be over double that length.

The home is finished in thermally treated poplar cladding, and topped by an aluminum roof. Its glass front door opens onto the living room. This is relatively spacious for a French tiny house, with a sofa, a coffee table and some shelving, as well as a wood-burning stove nearby for warmth. The interior is light-filled too, thanks to the generous glazing.

Further into the home is the kitchen. It contains an electric oven and propane-powered two-burner stove, a mini-fridge/freezer, a sink, and quite a lot of storage space. There's also a small dining table. The kitchen connects to the bathroom, which is very compact and has a shower, a sink, and a toilet.

The Cosmos' living room includes a sofa and a coffee table, plus a wood-burning stove for warmth
The Cosmos' living room includes a sofa and a coffee table, plus a wood-burning stove for warmth

The Cosmos' upstairs is reached by a staircase that's integrated into the kitchen unit. That level hosts the main bedroom, which is a typical loft-style tiny house bedroom, though has a door for privacy. Over on the opposite side is a second loft-style bedroom that would be a good fit for guests.

Connecting these two bedrooms is the netted area, which would be useful for sitting and reading, etc. This area also provides the benefit of allowing daylight to permeate throughout the home.

The Cosmos pictured has been delivered to its owner, Raphaëlle. We've no word on the price of this one.

Source: Plume (in French)

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1 comment
1 comment
Karmudjun
Thanks Adam. Interesting. What does this bathroom look like, is it a composting or dry toilet, or is it connected to a grey water tank for recycling the kitchen sink & lavatory sink/shower waters? The net looks like it would not be a hazard for a decade or two, and easy to walk on for young, able bodied individuals, Certainly not a decent retirement tandem axle get away home as it lacks banisters and the 7 or 8 steps would be too high for less vigorous individuals or those with balance issues.