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We have brought together those who want compact, comfort-oriented and eco-friendly small houses that seem increasingly warm to us due to the changing housing criteria due to complex city life, intensive concrete works and earthquakes.
Posted by Pelin Özkul
The pandemic of recent years, the earthquakes that shook our country and ever-increasing real estate prices have made freestanding mobile living much more attractive. Many of us are already getting used to the idea of living in small but functional homes. Simple living with the nuclear family is more about lifestyle than action. Tiny homes that also offer security in life give some of us the freedom to buy property and continue living comfortably without borrowing, and for some of us the freedom to change the size, function, and location of an existing home, for others, on the other hand, use words to be mobile. How should you decide at this point, where to start and what should you pay attention to when making a decision?
WHAT IS THE TINY HOUSE CONCEPT?
The tiny house concept is the idea of living in small houses with less budget and less environmental impact, which began to develop in western countries during the global economic crisis of 2008-2012. Tiny house living, the lifestyle of those who prefer simple and plain living, is now evolving into a broader and societal movement with architectural solutions and new product designs. The choice of those who want to live a green life; The tiny house concept is a small house between 10 and 30 square meters that is very functional, does not contain empty space and has fixed or mobile options.
Each item is placed with a specific purpose in these houses, which offer everything one would expect from a traditional home, such as a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room. According to the road traffic regulations, tiny houses, in which there is no space for anything that is needed or used, have a floor area of approx. 20 m2.
WHERE AND HOW DO YOU START WORK?
You took a close look and decided that tiny house living is for you. So where should I start and how should I go about it? First of all, you have to decide whether you want to build your house yourself or have it pre-finished with professional support. Then comes the selection of materials resistant to external influences, insulation, plumbing, water costs and interior planning. The key to this concept is finding the right design that is comfortable for the whole family to use. In addition, it makes sense to pay attention to the use of light, durable and functional materials with an environmentally friendly philosophy of life during construction. Depending on your preference, you can opt for a model with wheels that can be moved to any location, or for a fixed variant on legs. Although most of them are free-standing, mobile structures, stable life is possible even with long parking.
EXPERT VIEW: FROM MATERIAL TO DESIGN…
“Tiny houses come in three different styles: wood, stainless steel and galvanized. Although wood is lighter, it is not common as it requires high cost and expertise. In the steel construction, the profiles are fastened by welding. When galvanizing, specified parts are connected to each other with screws. This system may be preferred in wet areas but may stretch on the go. With tiny houses, also pay attention to the chassis of the structure. In mobile homes, movement can cause capillary cracks. This is why waterproofing is so important. Façade and roof cladding help seal, but there is always a risk when there is no water drainage in areas with frequent rain. Because of cracks in the interior walls, I do not recommend plastering. Light, flexible and durable birch plywood can be used. Prevent damage to furniture with special products for yachts and caravans in motorhomes.”
M. Architect Can Küccük, KüccüK Architects
IS IT FIXED? MOBILE PHONE?
Tiny house fixed: In fact, the Tiny House, which is one of the prefabricated house types, is characterized by the fact that it can be taken anywhere like a caravan. If you prefer a permanent house, you must first obtain the necessary permits from the municipality. Then the construction of the house, insulating materials, roof, wall and floor insulation are determined and the foundation of the house and the location for installations such as fresh water, waste water, toilet bowl and bathroom are prepared according to the plan. Depending on the geographical location of the house, the roof can be triangular or flat. Finally, electricity and water installations are laid and life begins.
mobile tiny house: Also called a wheelhouse or caravan, this model house, which can be towed by a tow truck, can be mounted on a truck or truck, or made as a trailer. The difference from the permanent tiny house that is built as a residence on a plot is that it offers the opportunity to go where you want and spend a vacation freely.
How do you set the budget?
The budget scale differs depending on the floor plan, square footage, facade and roofing materials, and the quality of the design you choose. Land prices, on the other hand, vary by region, size, zoning or non-zoning, rental or purchase preferences. If you want to build your tiny house project yourself, this is a cheaper option. For fixed models, the cost of the land on which it is built and the occupancy permits are added to the cost of the house; Mobile options add license plate and license fees to drive on freeways. Structural details such as electricity and water installation, generator, waste water and fresh water tanks, insulation, thermal insulation; Functional furniture and decorative products also affect the final cost. If we take into account the rise in foreign exchange in today’s conditions, then the cost table for a small life fluctuates from $25,000 to $50,000.
How should the maintenance be?
In areas with prolonged rainfall, small puddles may form on the roof. To prevent this from happening, roof maintenance should be carried out regularly. In winter, you should protect the pipes from freezing, since your small house is in nature.
Because the Tiny House is a small building, if there is insufficient ventilation when boiling water, showering or turning on the stove, the moisture inside may damage the wood surfaces if left without ventilation for a long time. Suddenly changing weather conditions and precipitation can wear down the façade cladding over time. So don’t forget to have the exterior checked and serviced regularly.
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ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Advantages:
- Made from 100 percent recyclable products.
- It offers an organic, eco-friendly and natural life as it is predominantly made of wood.
- Create temporary living spaces without polluting the environment.
- Environmentally friendly thanks to natural design.
- Be economical, durable and renewable with the right products.
- Allowing mobile homes to live comfortably in many different regions.
Disadvantages:
- You may need to make bigger and different changes than your traditional lifestyle.
- Limiting preferences when decorating.
- It can present users with challenges in terms of odor and ventilation management.
- It may be small and not comfortable enough for crowded accommodations and families with children, regular guests, or people living with pets.
EXPERT OPINION: WHAT SHOULD BE PREFERRED?
“Mobile Tiny House must also have a caravan driver’s license. If not, go for the models that are produced under 750 kg and have an O1 certificate. Mobile home productions, which have to undergo a Tüvtürk test every year, must also be suitable for road traffic in terms of material and workmanship. The choice between mobile or stationary products depends on the area to be parked. Because mobile homes are caravans, they can be parked on campsites and private properties. Permanent houses, on the other hand, should be licensed and habitable, depending on the building code. In other words, it is a correct definition to refer to mobile products as vehicles and stationary products as structure. Permanent Tiny Houses must meet the prescribed minimum space standards. Likewise, hotels/houses with a tiny house concept must comply with tourism and building regulations. In short: the choice between a mobile or stationary product should be made depending on the intended use, the property and the budget.”
Pelin Dustegör, master architect, owner of Casa Locomotive
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