FINDINGS
The thesis focused on 3 stakeholders: You, society and the environment. Through the process a 4th stakeholder was revealed: the building professional.
Building Professionals
1 Throughout research and development of the design it became clear that there is a big challenge in engineering oftiny spaces. They are ideal for more experimental appliances such as infrared panels and decentralized ventilation. These technologies have existed for a long time, but they are not yet included/standardized in dynamic simulation and modeling software, they are a nice challenge to work with!
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2 There is a disconnect between engineering developments and the design discipline. Dynamic simulation tools are often complex and used by an expert to fine tune a finished design, while this feedback can make a bigger impact used in the earliest design stages.
3 LCA building tools, while easy to use, are still not accessible enough. At the moment building with LCA can easily make a building less sustainable due to the lack of a sustainable materials in the database. LCA also misses the link to circular construction
YOU
4 The findings in the literature study showed personal benefits Tiny Homes bring to an individual, due to change in free time and financial health. It also stated that Tiny Home living is a lifestyle, not a one-fits-all solution or a fixed-for-life situation as it is often presented. People live as a single or in a 2 person household 50% of their lives, which means everyone can try out the Tiny lifestyle to see if it fits.
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5 The thesis showed how interior design is a critical factor in Tiny Homes. Emphasized by post Corona research, the lessons learned from Tiny Home design can be applied in all homes. Specifically the relationship to outdoor space and design is critical for smaller living spaces.
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6 This thesis also showed how people can make a more informed decision on choice of not only Tiny Homes, but houses in general - if we start to use transparent labels. Specifically information on health of materials or carbon impact.
7 The thesis also found that finance and a simpler life are key factors to communicate the benefits of moving Tiny. it is essential to work with the knowledge that most people are not going to change their life style for the sake of the environment, but when they move Tiny, they adopt a more environment friendly lifestyle automatically!
Society
8 Many studies have shown the way we build is not good for people. Anything from varnish to furnishing contains carcinogenic materials. The thesis found that laws have to be set up to regulate materials entering the building marketand furniture industry.
9 Tiny homes could be an opportunity to create fast market change in the building industry. Their fast build time, small cost and engineering challenges create a perfect environment for experimentation in low carbon housing.
Environment
11 If the 1-2 people households that are living in the suburbs would build Tiny when building their home, it would result in 72.000 ton CO2eq Or 482 football fields of mature forest. Looking at one home, if you build Tiny instead of a concrete home, you will save as much as you would never flying your entire life.
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12 Harder to put in numbers is the educational purpose of Tiny Homes that the thesis found. Due to their popularity Tiny Homes already have a wide audience. Adding sustainable building as a requirement for Tiny Home builders – specifically low carbon building - would show a wide audience what a low carbon and sustainable lifestyle can look like. The price of the created design at 128 000 € shows that Tiny Homes are accessible to a wide audience.
13Carbon Labels would be an excellent way to educate and involve the general public in the building industry. It would allow people to make informed decisions and create an incentive for building companies to prioritize and invest in low carbon solutions.