We built a tiny home from a ‘worker’s cottage’ – it’s now a stunning modern space and may even improve your health
A TALENTED architect has taken a worker’s cottage and turned it into a sustainable oasis that makes ‘aging in place’ as comfortable as possible.
The modernized, single-story tiny home was rebuilt to accommodate a retired school teacher that desired a peaceful space as she lived out her remaining years.
The original dwelling was part of a lower-income ‘shacktown’ in Ontario, Canada, that was inhabited by many laborers and immigrants.
Back then, the neighborhood was dubbed “Tiny Town,” for its high concentration of compact homes.
Now, some designers have transformed the roughly 500-square-foot living spaces into architectural gems.
Architect Anya Moryoussef explained her vision behind the “ethereal refuge,” that she created for her client, Laurel Hutchison.
“An unassuming single-story worker’s cottage was turned from a run-down house built tight to the property lines into a luminous and ethereal refuge of modest, carefully sculpted proportions,” she explained.
The architect originally sat down with Hutchison to find out how she wanted to live as she grew older.
Hutchison was working with a fixed budget and wanted to not only address the home’s extensive water, fire, and termite damage, but also turn it into a clean and healthy space.
Moryoussef was left with a clear challenge.
“How do you build small (720 sf), affordably, and sustainably while also prioritizing uplifting design that supports psychological health and aging in place?”
Of course, Moryoussef also had to take into consideration the “street’s vernacular fabric and cultural history,” when deciding the best way to approach the remodel.
Ultimately, she decided to incorporate corrugated metal, known for its exceptional durability and low lifetime cost.
The new material meshes well with the aesthetic of the community, as well as ensures that Hutchison will be protected from the elements.
Now, she can enjoy the features of her home, without having to worry too much about paying for its upkeep or taking care of too much space.