How much home space do you think a person (or family) requires in order to live comfortably? Some would say they need a spacious 5-bedroom home while others would settle for something a lot smaller. Some people, however, like to take space saving to the extreme. The tiny house movement is an interesting concept that has become a reality and we looked further into it
The idea of owning a micro home or ‘tiny house’ – as they are referred to in the industry, is starting to become a reality in a world that is vastly overpopulated. The economic climate is another influencing factor. Younger (and older) generations are starting to realize that dreams of owning large homes are not only physically impractical but also financially difficult to achieve. Micro homes have become a new fashion as people are finding ways to make ‘small living’ trendy and chic.
According to The Tiny LifeThe stats supporting the micro home trend are positive. They suggest tiny house owners are more financially stable as they have more money saved away in the bank and for retirement. Furthermore, it is stated that in the U.S, 78% of people living in tiny homes actually own their houses as opposed to the 68% that lives in regular homes. The idea of being more environmentally responsible also drives this trend. Although the trend hasn’t caught on as fast in South Africa, it is definitely coming to the awareness of more and more residents. Local architect Clara Da Cruz Almeida is the mastermind behind this small modular house design. The POD-iDLADLA takes up only seventeen square metres.
The purpose of the design was to create a stylish and functional living space that won’t break the bank or impact the environment so negatively. It is a way of the future because it gives more South Africans a chance to actually own their own homes without having to compromise on style. Almeida says it would be the perfect home for young professionals or as a starter home. The interior was designed by Dokter and Misses and includes lots of concealed storage space and fold-away furniture. The upstairs bedroom can fit a double bed and there is a covered patio area for entertaining. The house can be solar powered and run off a septic tank system if the owners wish to live completely off-grid, however, it also fits into standard services. It fits in well with the South African climate. The nice part about the concept is that there is a variety of different configuration options. Modules can be added together in order to create larger dwellings. By adding modules, a home that sleeps up to 12 people can be created. This means the modules can be used for a variety of applications and opens doors for tourism opportunities, too. As they are temporary structures, they are easier to get council approval for and are also transportable, which means someone can move the dwelling to new land if need be. The pod is constructed mainly from locally sourcedaluminium, wood, steel and glass that can all be considered environmentally friendly (depending on the type of wood used). The plan is to start producing these modular living spaces to sell to the public. To read more on this incredible design visit their website We like the idea of a fashionable, sustainable and, financially achievable home and believe that this idea is the beginning of a practical living solution for younger generations. The Pod iDladla show house is set up in Johannesburg, however, it is not yet open to the public. Visit the website for more information on the opening day and subscribe to their mailing list to receive updates on the pod.
A tiny home also requires careful decorating in order to balance proportions and achieve the overall look you are going for. For some great space-conscious decorating ideas, visit Jen Review’s article 15 Best Small Space Decorating Ideas or see our blog The Space Saving Tips You’ll Want To Follow.




