LittleBurtle
A Tiny House Design Case Study
Introduction
Redefining Tiny Living
Welcome to the story of "LittleBurtle," a conceptual tiny house inspired by my participation in the Tiny House Architecture Competition 2021 (organised by Impact Competitions). Rooted in the Tiny House Movement, this 45 m² dwelling fuses the turtle’s resilience (symbolising strength and protection) with a birdhouse-inspired elevation (raised on a single concrete stilt for a nest-like feel). Initially planned as a competition entry, it evolved into a personal experiment when I chose to prioritise comfort over strict minimalism, expanding beyond the brief’s 23.2 m² limit. This case study highlights my design process, creative adaptation, and reflections on redefining "home" in today’s world.
Tools
- SketchUp
- Blender
- Affinity Photo
- Affinity Designer
- Sketching
Role
- Architectural Designer
3D Visualiser
Type
- Self-initiated / Competition
Brief
- Client: A couple seeking a minimalist, eco-friendly lifestyle.
- Goal: Design a versatile tiny house with integrated living, sleeping, cooking, dining, workspace, and toilet areas, prioritising comfort.
- Timeline: September 2021 – December 2021
Challenge
Embracing Constraints
The competition tasked participants with reimagining "home" amid post-pandemic environmental and financial shifts, with a limit of 23.2 m². Key constraints included:
- Adaptable, high-quality spaces for two people.
- Sustainability and off-grid potential.
- Integration with a chosen site context (flexible location).
My personal challenge was to merge the turtle’s sturdy symbolism with a birdhouse concept—raising the cabin on a single concrete stilt for elevation and uniqueness—while ensuring functionality. However, I opted to diverge from the brief’s strict minimalism, designing for 45 m² to maximise comfort, which led me to forgo submission and pursue this as a personal exploration.
Concept
Crafting the Vision
My design journey started with ideation, guided by keywords like "innovation," "sustainability," and "flexibility" from the competition brief. Here’s the progression:
- Research & Inspiration: Explored the Tiny House Movement’s focus on simplicity, inspired by "Less is more" by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
- Conceptualisation: Combined a "bed house" (turtle-like base) with a raised "birdhouse" on a single concrete stilt, sketching sloped roofs and brass accents for a 45 m² footprint.
- Iteration: Refined the layout to enhance comfort, adding spacious living, a generous sleeping loft, cooking/dining area, toilet, and workspace, tailored to the larger area.
- Visualisation: Developed 3D renders and plans to test the elevated design’s aesthetic, light flow, and site integration with the expanded footprint.
Final Design
A Modern Forest Retreat
The final "LittleBurtle" is a static tiny house elevated on a single concrete stilt, merging turtle resilience with birdhouse charm, scaled to 45 m² to prioritise comfort:
- Layout: A spacious yet efficient design with a sloped roof loft for sleeping, a generous ground-level living area, and a well-appointed kitchen-dining space. The stilt raises it for site adaptability.
- Innovation: Features brass plate accents for durability and a unique aesthetic, with potential solar integration.
- Sustainability: Minimises environmental impact with efficient space use and elevation for site-specific benefits (e.g., flood protection).
- User Focus: Crafted for a couple, offering a luxurious yet healthy living experience with abundant natural light and flexible zones.
The Architectural Layout
The architectural plans define a clear separation between social and private functions. The ground floor is a spacious, open-plan living area that flows directly onto a large outdoor deck, strengthening the indoor-outdoor connection. Above, the sleeping loft is a more intimate and secluded space, tucked into the dramatic volume of the roof. The cross-section highlights this vertical relationship, showing how the cosy loft overlooks the main living area below.
Exterior Renders
The exterior visualisations place the LittleBurtle Cabin in its intended context—a tranquil forest setting where architecture and nature coexist. The renders highlight the interplay of form and material: the dramatic, birdhouse-inspired roofline creates a striking silhouette against the trees, while the palette of standing-seam metal, warm wood, and board-formed concrete grounds the structure in its environment. The elevated design and expansive terrace demonstrate the cabin's light touch on the land and its seamless connection to the outdoors.
Interior Renders
The interior of LittleBurtle is designed to be a sanctuary—a single, flowing space that feels both intimate and open. A palette of dark, warm tones, rich textures, and metallic copper accents creates a moody yet inviting atmosphere, perfect for a forest retreat. Every element is curated to maximise functionality within the compact footprint, from the integrated kitchen to the living area. The sleeping loft, accessed by a minimal ladder, serves as a serene, nest-like alcove, reinforcing the cabin's concept as a personal sanctuary.
Reflection & Learning
Beyond the Brief
The LittleBurtle project was a valuable exercise in creative adaptation. By allowing the design to evolve beyond the initial competition constraints, I was able to develop a more resolved and thoughtful architectural concept.
This case study demonstrates my ability to not only generate a strong, symbolic design narrative, but also to make critical design decisions that prioritise human comfort and experience. It highlights my end-to-end process, from initial hand-drawn ideation through to the production of polished, atmospheric 3D visualisations.
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