Small spaces, big living: results of the Tiny House 2020 Architecture Competition

Our definition of home is evolving constantly as a response to societal, technological, environmental, and health-related challenges. The Tiny House 2020 Architecture Competition asked designers to envision flexible, sustainable, and mobile residential spaces that redefined the conventional idea of home — while not exceeding 300 square feet (27.87 square meters).

First Place: A Forest for Rest
Jorge Cobo (Spain)

Project summary: "The design looks at integrating the built and the unbuilt, with 'adaptation' being a core principle of the living space. The 'A Forest for Rest' house exemplifies 'Living small yet living it all' phrase; it embodies the characteristics of sustainability and resourceful living. The house also incorporates renewable energies to sustain itself, thus making it a responsible element of our environment."

Second Place: Ecottage
Dylan Morel and Dorian Bernard (France)

Project summary: "The Ecottage is designed to be environmentally responsible; it aims to be a solution to fight the adverse effects of climate change through its adaptive spatial design. This house is made of prefabricated mass, adapting to every individual habitat needs. Created with an intent to preserve natural resources, the Ecottage has the potential to be completely energy independent, a vital characteristic necessary to sustain life in the coming years."

Third Place: Off the Walls
Tak Ying Chan (United States)

Project summary: "The 'Off the Walls' tiny house is designed with the concept of sheltering homeless people in the Bushwick neighborhood of New York during today’s difficult pandemic situation. Its design celebrates the vibrant street art culture of the neighborhood, making it an indelible part of its dynamic surroundings and communities. Made of recycled elements, the house envisions sustainability and adaptability as means to invigorate the neighborhood and its communities."

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The competition jury included Pedro Tuma (Terra E Tuma Arquitetos Associados, Brazil), Arjun Desai (Desai Chia Architecture, United States), Juliana Terra (Terra E Tuma Arquitetos Associados, Brazil), Katherine Chia (Desai Chia Architecture, United States), Todd Saunders (Saunders Architecture, Norway), Enk Te Winkel & Anna Juni (Team Vao Arquitetura, Brazil), Gustavo Delonero (Team Vao Arquitetura, Brazil), Luis Rebelo de Andrade (Luis Rebelo de Andrade), Tiago Rebelo de Andrade (Tiago Rebelo de Andrade), and Biju Kuriakose (ArchitectureRED, India).