It’s something of a phenomenon in North America, the ‘tiny house’ movement. Singles, couples and even small families are eschewing the dream of a big single family home in the suburbs for a micro-house and a simpler life with far fewer belongings.
But, if you’re going by the tiny house TV shows on home and garden channels, these custom creations on wheels have no shortage of comforts, from TV screens and tables that fold into walls, to bookcases tucked under stairways and full gourmet kitchens. Even in just a couple hundred square feet, there can be a living room, bathroom/shower and loft bedroom (plus a guest bedroom, believe it or not).
Part of the overall movement toward living smaller, Edmonton’s Honomobo is a newly-launched company producing modern pre-manufactured shipping container garage and garden suites. The 8-foot by 40-foot corrugated steel seacans shipped new from China (used once with cargo as it is transported here) are constructed here in factory – like a modern plug-and-play, according to company owner Daniel Engelman.
“We take a fully inclusive approach to each customer’s unique property needs, and with pre-manufactured modules, the process is predictable and simple,” said Engelman, who manages everything from permits to handing over the keys. “Ninety-five percent of the work is done offsite, reducing disturbance to the neighbourhood surrounding the construction site. On site time is weeks, not months. And we’ve infused our homes with technology, pushing the envelope when it comes to building smart. That includes the recycled containers, keyless entry and high efficient heating-cooling systems.”
Unlike other tiny homes on wheels, Honomobo homes are a fair bit larger, ranging from 352 square-foot studio units (using two seacans), up to 1,216 square-foot, three bedroom units that will house a sizeable family. And, just as they perform when travelling by boat or train, the seacans can be stacked into two and three-storey dwellings of a variety of customized floor plans, from open concept to walled, private spaces as desired.
Engelman recently launched the product here (and in Kelowna), reporting an already huge interest. “We’ve had crazy response so far – 5,000 inquiries in just three months, from 61 countries,” said Engelman, boasting sales in Kelowna, Salt Spring Island, even Hawaii and San Francisco. “Shipping containers are meant to be shipped. These homes can go anywhere.”
Engelman said the space-wise dwellings appeal to those who want to leave a smaller carbon footprint on the earth – eco-conscious, minimalist singles, couples and families who want less stuff, and less space to store that stuff. But other buyers simply want affordable home ownership (units are often under $100,000) or freedoms that come with little or no mortgage – more money for travel, less need for full-time work, etc.
To date, the greatest interest in such homes has come from property owners who want a secondary garden or garage suite for added income, or to house aging parents. Engelman said such a ‘mortgage helper’ may cost $500 more per month on the mortgage, but can bring in $1,000 in rental income.
Honomobo homes are CSA approved as permanent modular dwellings, but Engelman said St. Albert’s bylaws and architectural guidelines may provide a hurdle for buyers who hope to see the product on their property.
“It’s a deterrent if the bylaw reads that a home must fit in with the context of a neighbourhood. That means people will have to get community and neighbour approval before moving forward with this type of secondary garden or garage suite,” he said. “But we’re building in Parkland County and hope to come to Sturgeon County soon too.”
According to St. Albert’s planning and development department, the past year has seen a review of the land use bylaw and residential land districts to determine how to facilitate more diverse housing types and forms. And there are signs of change around the city – the luxury condo developments at Botanica (on the old Hole’s Greenhouse site), and Tenor on the River (a condo/apartment project on the Sturgeon River in Braeside), will house more people in less space, as will the high density plans for development on the old Grandin mall site downtown.
“We’re small and efficient – this is meant to be a long term liveable space,” said Engelman. “The grand single family home in the suburbs isn’t as palatable to the next generation. These types of homes are found all over the world, and we’re moving to that way of thinking here too.”
