Big Ideas in Tiny House Research at Norwich University

A small but notable trend that may offset energy consumption is emerging in a grassroots architectural counterculture movement focused on designing and building tiny houses. These small dwellings, ranging between 120 square feet and 400 square feet, simultaneously aim to consolidate, simplify, and minimize the energy requirements of the average size house while relieving their occupants of the burdens that come with owning a typical house. Tiny houses are entering the mainstream, showing up in unexpected places and catering to people from diverse backgrounds. Full-scale design/build prototype tiny houses developed at Norwich University serve as case-studies that may help prove, disprove and bring into question the effectiveness of the tiny house. This article will examine the second prototype house designed and built by Norwich University and will dive into some of the dynamic forces behind the tiny house movement and question how that movement might evolve and adapt to accommodate future scenarios.