The Center for Architecture Sarasota held a Tiny House competition in 2020, providing the starting constraints of designing temporary housing that can be transported by a conventional trailer. Given the temporary nature of the units, we began with the intention of fitting two units per trailer bed instead of just one, thereby doubling the amount of units that could be transported with the same amount of energy. This thread of sustainability is woven throughout the project, along with the question of how to make a 8.5x8x20 box feel spacious and pleasant for a short span of occupancy.

To design the unit itself, the idea of movable facades that create shade and expand the sense of space within became a compelling, driving concept. Along the length of the unit, bifold panels lift and lock into place, creating overhangs that shade the floor to ceiling glass of the interior living area. Panels rotate out from the short side of the unit, expanding the perceived width of the volume and creating more shade protection. In essence, these movable facades double the effective size of the unit while creating a sense of openness and lightness. The unit itself is raised on piers, allowing airflow beneath and enabling flexibility for different terrain conditions.

The unit utilizes both passive and active sustainable systems: overhangs that provide shade, operable glazing that allows for passive cooling, rooftop solar panels that generate electricity, and harvesting rainwater for the shower and toilet. The unit itself is constructed with recycled and reclaimed materials, and multi-functional furniture within the unit allows for maximum flexibility of use within a relatively small space. Overall, the mobile tiny house accounts for the essential housing requirements needed for its intended guests while allowing passive sustainable techniques to drive the architecture.