Tiny XXL Project: Redefining the Concept of Tiny Homes for Space-Conscious Families

Tiny XXL House and the Challenges of the Tiny Home Concept

A French company specializing in building tiny homes has unveiled a new model called Tiny XXL, offering a fresh perspective on the concept of compact living, particularly for families with children.

This model measures 26 feet in length and 11.5 feet in width, which is wider than usual in France, where most tiny homes rarely exceed 8.2 feet in width.

This expanded width provides an interior space of up to 430 square feet, making it a more realistic living solution for a family of four, rather than dealing with cramped spaces that turn everyday life into a constant challenge.

Balance Between Space and Mobility

While the increased size offers greater comfort, it comes with an obvious trade-off:

The home cannot be easily transported on public roads without a special permit.

As a result, this model is closer to a semi-permanent dwelling rather than a fully mobile unit.

However, this limitation may be acceptable if the goal is to place the home in a relatively fixed location, especially in serene natural settings, where extra space is more valuable than frequent mobility.

A Practical Solution to the Privacy Issue in Tiny Homes

One of the main challenges families face in tiny homes is privacy, especially with children.

Tiny XXL addresses this through a simple yet effective architectural solution:

• Two separate upper floors for sleeping
• Each floor is located at opposite ends of the house
• This provides parents and children with their own space without the need to share a single cramped room

This separation of spaces reduces discomfort and makes daily life smoother, an aspect often missing in traditional tiny home designs.

More Spacious Shared Areas on the Ground Floor

The ground floor is designed to be the hub of daily activities, featuring:

• A fully equipped kitchen
• A comfortable living area
• Enough space for family gatherings without feeling crowded

Thus, the design does not only focus on sleeping areas but aims to create a long-term livable environment.

An Integrated Approach Starting from Raw Material

Atelier Bois d’ici adopts a distinctive approach to building tiny homes that emphasizes control over the process from the very beginning.

Instead of using pre-treated wood, the work starts with raw tree trunks within a facility that includes both a sawmill workshop and an on-site storage area.

This integrated approach allows for more precise construction of building elements and enables the direct selection of wood without relying on external suppliers.

Diversity of Wood and Its Role in Shaping Visual Identity

Material diversity is one of the hallmark features of this approach.

Up to 12 different types of wood can be used within a single home, including:

• Redwood
• Chestnut
• Walnut
• Beech

This variety is not only for aesthetics but also creates visual depth and a rich texture, making the interior space warm and visually striking. The exterior façade, with its natural wooden layer, acquires a lively character, contrasting with the typically cold style associated with minimalist tiny home designs.

Sustainability as an Integral Part of the Building Process

The workshop places a clear emphasis on sustainability, not as a decorative addition, but as a core principle of the building philosophy.

To achieve this, they rely on:

• Locally sourced wood within a 30-kilometer radius
• Complete avoidance of toxic chemicals
• Utilization of the natural properties of wood for durability and weather resistance

As a result, each home becomes a miniature model showcasing local materials and traditional woodworking techniques that have evolved over generations, reflecting a distinctly French identity grounded in respect for authenticity and quality.

Practical Amenities Supporting Daily Life

The house design focuses on providing practical elements that simplify daily routines and reduce reliance on external facilities.

For example, the bathroom includes:

• A full shower
• A washbasin
• An eco-friendly composting toilet

Additionally, a dual-function washer/dryer handles laundry tasks within the home, eliminating the need for an external laundromat and adding a higher level of self-sufficiency.

Fully Equipped Kitchen and Central Social Space

The kitchen is equipped for preparing daily meals, while a central dining area serves as a social hub for the family.

This internal layout reflects a design approach that emphasizes creating a usable communal space rather than merely providing limited essential elements.

Thermal Comfort and Balanced Heating

To ensure a comfortable living environment, the house relies on:

• A 50-liter electric water heater that supplies hot water throughout the home
• A wood-burning stove that provides warmth and acts as the primary heating source during colder seasons

These features make the house suitable for year-round use, not just moderate conditions.

Sturdy Structure for Semi-Permanent Living

Although classified as a tiny home, it is built on a robust agricultural chassis capable of supporting the heavy upper structure and continuous load.

This level of durability allows it to function as a semi-permanent home suitable for long-term living without concerns about structural stability.

Redefining Living in a Smaller Space

For families considering a lifestyle with less space, Tiny XXL provides a clear example that reducing space does not compromise comfort or privacy.

The design balances the needs of parents and children, giving each individual a clearly defined space within a compact but thoughtfully planned environment.

Ultimately, the house stands as a model combining traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary vision for sustainable living, making it closer to a fully functional home rather than a temporary minimalistic experiment.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

From an architectural standpoint, Tiny XXL provides a valuable experience in rethinking tiny homes for families, particularly in terms of organizing interior spaces and separating sleeping areas from shared spaces. This enhances privacy and allows living in a limited area in a more orderly manner. The use of local materials and diverse types of wood also demonstrates a focus on sustainability while adding a distinct visual texture to both the interior and exterior.

However, several points should be considered when analyzing the project:

• Dependence on larger dimensions reduces mobility, limiting the flexibility of using the home as a fully mobile unit on public roads and positioning it closer to a semi-permanent dwelling.
• Construction complexity and manual wood processing may increase production costs and maintenance difficulty compared to traditional tiny homes built with ready-made materials and standardized methods.
• The variety of wood types and natural façades could create challenges regarding long-term durability and local climate adaptation, requiring careful study of the site and usage conditions.
• Internal space balance, although precisely calculated, may impose limitations for larger families or those needing more storage.

This project can serve as an example in architectural practice of integrating sustainability and local materials in small-scale projects. It also provides insight into how interior spaces can be distributed to balance privacy and shared functionality while highlighting the importance of considering mobility and maintenance in the design of new tiny homes.