TINY HOUSES

Research paper

By ROSHNI CHOUHAN

0809AR191074

Under the Guidance of

Ar. VAISHALI SHARMA

School Of Architecture

IPS Academy, Indore

INTRODUCTION

Urbanization and population growth have raised many people's concerns about the amount of
consumption that will occur. Especially in the home market, this is an issue. Where houses
are getting bigger. The majority of the world's regions experience rising housing costs despite
declining or stagnant earnings. Most people's pay checks are frequently used to pay their rent
or mortgage. Their remaining funds are reduced, leaving them with less for essential
requirements including food, healthcare, education, and transportation. Due to this unsettling
economic inequality. Initiation of the tiny house movement.
The tiny house movement pushes people to reduce their living spaces and other aspects of
their lives. Smaller than a shed but not quite large enough to qualify as a home, tiny houses
are residential structures that are usually smaller than 400 square feet- larger than a shed, but
not quite big enough to be called a cottage. They have almost all the amenities and rooms that
a typical home has, but in a smaller space, free of all the "extra" space.
The fundamental idea behind tiny houses is to provide housing for individuals in need of the
most basic essentials in response to the housing shortage in expanding, crowded cities. Such a
unit should take into consideration people's daily needs and allow occupants to live in
compact areas while yet having all the features and conveniences of a typical home, including
a bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Those that purposefully minimise their living space
are the focus of the tiny dwelling trend. The initiative places a strong emphasis on reducing
living space and amenities to save money on building supplies, energy use, and other daily
expenses.
AIM - The purpose of this study is to determine the design aspects needed to adapt the tiny
house in India.

OBJECTIVE –
2. To look for distinctive and significant features in a home that is intended to have a very
small square footage area.
3. To recognise and research the various design elements that will meet the requirements of
an Indian tiny house.
4. To contrast the design requirements for constructing a tiny house in India

RESEARCH QUESTIONS –
i. What is the Tiny house, exactly?
ii. What design elements are necessary to construct a tiny house in India?

SCOPE & LIMITATION –

To identify the requirements for construction of a tiny house for the following 3
Contexts:
i. Warm and Humid
ii. Hot and Dry
iii. Cold

METHODOLOGY –
Based on the literature review conducted to understand the movement and the patterns of
houses seen in it, significant design elements of a tiny house in the tiny house movement
were discovered. The building materials and design requirements to construct a tiny house in
India were carefully examined based on the three physical settings of India that were chosen.
To determine how the movement can be modified in India, the findings are compared.
ABSTRACT

Urbanization and population growth have raised many people's concerns about the amount of
consumption that will occur. This is particularly problematic given the expanding size of
homes on the property market an analyse show the advantages of consciously downsizing in
favour of smaller homes that nevertheless offer a high quality of life in an effort to solve the
issue of overconsumption. Compared to huge conventional homes, tiny homes have a clearly
lower environmental impact. The programme places a strong emphasis on reducing space and
residential amenities in order to reduce the use of building materials, energy resources, and
daily living expenses.

There is considerable worry about the amount of consumption that would emerge from
India's growing population and urbanisation. India is a nation with a diversified social and
cultural landscape. Every location has unique social values and traditions. A completely
diverse system of home design is required by norms relating to resident privacy and security,
lifestyle, indoor/outdoor activities, cooking, etc.

The environment and site requirements in India must be taken into consideration when
building a modest house there. Since low cost consumption would be a key factor to
concentrate on when building a tiny house, the type of building material used in the
construction will also be greatly dependent on the site surroundings and availability. The tiny
house's architectural specifications can adapt and transform a space with flexibility in
designing by using minimal space requirements, low-cost materials, and local techniques that
are adaptable to the context of the region, which may help preserve these cultural practises in
the modern era.
LITERATURE STUDY

SMALL HOUSE, BIG IMPACT

This study comprehensively examines how tiny homes affect communities and the
environment. A great room unites the kitchen and living area in a typical tiny house to make
the most of the available space. Additionally, it involves creating multipurpose areas through
the use of numerous innovative shelving options that address storage problems.
Because of the rising expense of living and lack of access to huge spaces, tiny houses have
gained popularity despite their small square footage. In less space and for less money, a tiny
house can provide a sustainable way of life. Because it creates conditions that make it simple
for people to make ethical decisions on a social and environmental level, the small home can
challenge established narratives.

GROWING TINY HOUSES

Urbanization and population growth have raised many people's concerns about the amount of
consumption that will occur. To thrive, more people need more food, products, and space.
Population growth and ongoing development have produced an unsustainable level of
demand.
According to statistics, up to 80% of the environmental impact over the course of a product's
lifecycle is made up of transportation, food, and the construction and demolition of homes.
This is particularly problematic given the continued growth in home size in the housing
market. Since 1950, the typical single-family home size in the United States has doubled,
having a significant negative impact on the environment. Larger homes take more raw
materials to construct, more energy to heat and cool them, and less permeable surface area,
which increases the amount of storm-water runoff.
For many individuals, living in small places is a reality, but this trend goes further than that.
Those that purposefully minimise their living space are the focus of the tiny dwelling trend.
These folks are attempting to alter their own perceptions of what is "essential" for their
happiness and quality of life. The establishment of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
and the Small House Society in 2002 helped to further this trend in the United States. Not
only do tiny houses use fewer resources, but they also frequently save money and have
attractive designs. These can be utilised as home offices or guesthouses and are the ideal size
for empty nesters, students, or elderly parents (Foreman, 2005). The median size of tiny
homes is between 65 and 400 square feet (6 and 37 square metres), and more people appear
to be moving into them.
A better knowledge of the tiny home trend's current state is the goal of this article. This goal
focuses on developing a deeper understanding of the key elements influencing the trend, the
driving forces and difficulties influencing the move to tiny dwelling, and the salient features
of the trend.

TRENDS OF TINY HOUSES

A Tiny house on foundation:

As for a connection between space and place, tiny houses are often purpose a unique
situation. Sometimes these houses are built on a foundation. In this case, the site is carefully
selected and designed and constructed with a strong connection to it. However many tiny
houses are constructed on wheels, allowing the owners to live a more adventurous lifestyle
and have the opportunity to reside in different locations.

UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT ASPECTS WITHIN A TINY HOUSE

Perhaps the most important aspect of tiny homes is multifunctional space and furniture.
Carefully selected and designed to solve multiple purposes.
 Tiny houses are built from recycled materials
 Multifunctional space
 Minimal spatial requirements
 Minimal environmental impact
 Modular furniture
 Smaller or fewer appliances
 Composting toilet
 Water conserving fixtures
 Energy efficient appliances
 Garbage composting
DATA ANALYSIS
Building Materials used to construct a tiny house:
Criteria & Features
WALL - Structurally Insulated Panels (SIP's)
SIPS (Structurally Insulated Panels) are a wall system that consists of an insulating foam
core. Sandwiched between two pieces of sheathing. SIP's are built in a factory and only
assembled at the build site.
TINY HOUSE TRAILER –
 Wood
 Dimensional Lumber
 Plywood
 Exterior Siding and Trim
 Interior Siding and Trim
INSULATION –
 XPS Boards
 Spray Foam
 House wrap and Tape
FLOORING –
 Hardwood Flooring
 Tile
 Mortar, Thin set , Adhesive
 Flooring Transition Pieces
PAINT -
 Paints and Stains
 Construction Adhesive.

ROOFING –
 Metal roofing
 Tar roofing
 Rain & ice shield roofing

MILLWORK –
 Exterior door
 Interior door
 Windows
 Shims
CONTEXT 1 – WARM & HUMID CLIMATE
Criteria & Features

Design requirements –
 Maximum ventilation & free air movement
 Maximum shading from solar radiation
 Avoid heat storage
 Vegetation to mode4rate the solar impact
 Place the main elevation and room facing north and south to catch the prevailing
breeze.
 Larger openings
 Reflective exterior openings
 Ventilated double roofs
 Vegetation to lessen the solar impact
Orientation –
 Along the east - west axis
Activity –
 BESDROOM - The east side, which is cooler in the evening, might be a good place to
put bedrooms. For these spaces, proper cross-ventilation is crucial. On the west side,
there may be stores and other auxiliary spaces.
 KITCHEN – The kitchen is mostly utilised in the morning & midday hours, it can be
situated as west side as well.
 LIVING ROOM – Living rooms and other large rooms that are used often during the
day shouldn't be situated on the east or west side.
Building Material
 ROOF – Mangalore tiles
Palm trees for thatched roofs
Broken tiles
Photovoltaic panels
Terracotta
Clay
 WALLS - The shape of the roof should be designed to encourage air movement in
addition to providing protection from the sun and rain. Rooftop vents efficiently
create ventilation and remove hot air. To encourage airflow, a double roof with a
vented area in between can also be employed.
 MUD, STONE, GRANITE BRICKS
To reflect sunshine back into the surroundings and so limit heat accumulation, the walls
should be painted in light pastel colours or whitewashed. In order to reduce interior
temperature, it is cheap and extremely effective to employ the right colours and surface
treatments.

CONTEXT 2 – HOT & DRY CLIMATE

Design Requirements –
 Maximum shading of direct and reflected sun radiation in the hot season
 Maximum ventilation by regulated air movement
 Avoid large exposed exterior surfaces
 By using enough thermal storage mass, the temperature extremes of the day and night
may be balanced.
 In hot weather, lower internal heat generation and conduction gain.
 Evaporation & heat loss by radiation
 Air circulation
 Balance the extremes of summers & winters by movable parts
 Small openings
 Reflective exterior parts
There should be more windows installed on the north facade of the compared to the east,
west, and south of the structure because it gets less radiation year-round. For ventilation and
natural illumination, openings are important, particularly windows
Orientation –
SUN ORIENTATION –
 Along the east- west axis
WIND ORIENTATION –
 The primary walls and windows should all face the direction of the predominant
(cool) breeze. Air flow between rooms
Activity –
BEDROOM - The east side, which is cooler in the evening, might be a good place to put
bedrooms. For these spaces, proper cross-ventilation is crucial.
Store and other auxiliary spaces can be located on the west side
KITCHEN - If the kitchen is mostly utilised in the morning and lunchtime, it might also be
situated on the west side.
LIVING ROOM - Living rooms and other large rooms that are used often during the day
shouldn't be situated on the west or cast sides.
Building Material –
ROOF –
 Flat roof
 Earthen pots for insulation
The shape of the roof should be designed to encourage air movement in addition to providing
protection from the sun and rain. Rooftop vents efficiently create ventilation and remove hot
air. To encourage air movement, a double roof with a vented gap in the middle might be
employed.
WALLS –
 Sun dried earth bricks
 Mud plaster
 Concrete
 Double walls with insulation
 To reflect sunshine back into the surroundings and so limit heat accumulation, the
walls should be painted in light pastel colours or whitewashed. In order to reduce
interior temperature, it is cheap and extremely effective to employ the right colours
and surface treatments.

CONTEXT 3 – COLD CLIMATE

Design requirements-
 Maximum thermal resistance
 Maximum thermal capacity
 Increase buffer spaces
 Decrease air exchange rate
 Reduce shading
 Thicker walls
 Roof insulation, wall insulation and double glazing
 Utilize heat from appliances
 Trapping heat
 Uses of trees as wind barriers
Orientation –
SUN ORIENTATION –
 Along the east – west axis
WIND ORINETATION –
 To allow for the greatest amount of cross-ventilation in the rooms, the main walls and
windows should face the direction of the dominant (cool) breeze.
Activity –
BEDROOM – Bedroom should be on south west of the house
KITCHEN – Kitchen should be on south east of the house
LIVING ROOM - The main rooms which are in use most times of the day, such as living
rooms, should be located on the south side
Building material –
 Double wall with insulation
 The wall will be made of wood panels rather than brick or stone.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – KATHI KHUNI TECHNIQUE
 Made of wood and dry stone masonry in alternate courses without bonding mortar.
 Strength, stability, and flexibility are provided by layering and interlocking stone and
wood (earthquake resistant).
 These heavy walls allows good thermal insulation

CONCLUSION –
The fundamental idea behind tiny houses is to provide housing for individuals in need of the
most basic essentials in response to the housing shortage in expanding, congested cities. Such
a unit should take into consideration people's daily requirements and allow occupants to live
in compact areas while yet having all the features and conveniences of a typical house,
including a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. The consumers of small homes are those
who are willing to reduce their wants, as well as on space and residential amenities, in order
to save money on building supplies, energy sources, and day-to-day living expenses. Some of
the customers include elderly couples, young couples, young families, and single people.
Residents who are in need and can only afford basic amenities and a small space may also
use these homes. These homes can also serve as retreat homes, studio flats, offices, and
vacation homes.
The architectural specifications of a small house may convert a place with flexibility in
creating by utilising the barest amount of available space. These cultural practises could be
preserved in the contemporary day through the use of inexpensive materials and regional
procedures that are adaptable to the setting of the area.