Frequently Ased Questions:
An Interview with the Builder,
Rich Richardson
1) How BIG is a Tiny House?
Bigger than you think! Outside the house is 18 feet long by 8 ½ Wide by 11 feet Tall. Inside the Square footage inside is 110 Feet.
2) Tell me about the design of this particular Tiny House?
The idea was loosely based on Gypsy Caravans and English Shephard’s Hut, that had a rounded roof that provided a roomy, un- “boxy” feel. I was also inspired by local Plantation-style architecture, which led me to include a double French door. The corrugated roofing is a nod to the World-War II era Quonset huts, that can still be seen around the islands. I used reclaimed wood—old-growth Douglas Fir—for the flooring purchased at Re-Use Hawaii.
3) Can I move the Tiny House? Is it street legal?
Yes, it was designed to travel! It was built upon a two axle 18-foot car hauler imported from Texas via the Big Island. There is a standard towing hitch, which any good sized pick-up truck can haul. You can also rent trucks via UHAUL or utilize a Tow Company. It is street legal, meaning it can be driven on streets without any special ‘wide load’ or ‘clearance’ issues.
4) Do I need to get a building permit?
No, in Hawaii, this Tiny House on wheels is technically called a “House Trailer” and registered through the DMV. There is no reason to apply for a building permit, such as an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
5) Now that I bought it, where do I put it?
It can be parked on any piece of Private Property, for example: a friend’s driveway, agricultural land, a privately-owned plot of land, or even your own backyard.
6) What about plumbing and sewage? Do I need to hook up to the Sewer Line?
No, our toilet is an Airhead Composting Toilet. This is the highest ranking and recommended composting toilet from the sailing world. The liquids and solids are kept separate within the toilet compartment. The liquids are emptied and diluted in your garden. The solids are broken down by supplied enzymes and become a form of composting material. After 3 months, the material resembles crumbly earth at which time it can be disposed of either in your trash can or can be used as a compost for ornamental plants.
7) How was the Tiny House built?
It was built to International Building Code. This is the professional building standard that is used across the country. Everything was done by myself, by hand, and verified by a Licensed Electrician, a Licensed Plumber, and Construction Forman with over 50yrs experience. I used an exterior grade treated plywood that protects against Termites and moisture damage, which is common in the islands. We used several, large double plated windows to aid in air circulation. This also provided a 360-degree view. For the interior, we used a quarter inch maple ply that is lighter than drywall to keep the Tiny Home light-weight and transportable. The walls are hand-white washed. The ceiling is curved wood. The roof material is a long-lasting corrugated metal Galva loom that will last for decades. There’s fold out lanai and awning, that close securely over the double French doors during travel, but when open and in use create to the outside world.
8) What about Electricity and Water Supply?
The Tiny House has a propane powered Refrigerator with Freezer. There is also a propane powered 3-burner stove. These work off of a 15lb Propane Tank, which is the standard size. The electricity is supplied by solar panels that I mounted to a sandwich board. The lights are LED and there is a DC Fan that works on next to zero electricity due to its low wattage. There’s a Deep Cell battery that stores electricity for night time use. There are plenty of outlets for small appliances, for things like cell phones and computers. The Tiny House can also be plugged into a standard household outlet. This way you can switch from Solar to standard electricity, as needed. I installed a 50-gallon Water Catchment tank, that can be topped-off via hose if you don’t have enough local rainfall.
9) Is it livability? Where do I put my stuff?
One of the unique features of this Tiny Home is the 3-in-1, Ikea space saving bed. The bed starts off as a couch for day-time use (which also makes a great single bed) and folds out into a double bed at night. There is 3-drawer storage underneath. I also crafted a foldable table that lies flush when not in use and can extend to seat three people comfortably. There is ample kitchen storage with matching storage in the bathroom. I also created a flexible, open-air storage space above the bathroom that can be adapted to your needs.