This simple off-grid cabin was designed and built insitu by a professional builder/architect in early 2025. The challenge was to see if one man alone could build a comfortable modern tiny home for less than AUD$20,000 (materials only) in fewer than 30 days. However, after $20k expenditure and 24-days' work, the cabin was completed to lockup stage only. This design built to code, with insulation, internal fit out, kitchen & bathroom fixtures, floor finish, electrical, and plumbing, would cost an additional AUD$15,000 (plus labour). But that would still be considerably less than what most modern factory-built tiny homes half this size will cost.
The primary purpose of this build was to try out the basic design and some of the (non-standard) construction details in practice, with an emphasis on economy and ease of construction as a single-handed build. This particular cabin is set in a remote location and will be used as temporary worker's accommodation, but at some stage in the future will be dismantled and moved to another property, so it did not necessarily have to be internally fitted out or built strictly to code.
The design goal was to keep it as simple, functional, practical, and affordable as possible, while also being stylish, robust, and low maintenance. The design philosophy embraces simple modern minimalism combined with the belief that houses built onsite, by local tradesmen, using locally purchased (and sourced, if possible) materials, can be more socially responsible, more attractive, and more affordable than factory-built prefabricated houses and tiny homes.
It is 35 square metres (376sq.ft) in size (including the covered veranda) and utilises readily available standard-sized components for ease of construction and to minimise cost and waste, with small-section pressure-treated pine framing sized in compliance with the SAA (Australia) Light Timber Framing Code, seasoned hardwood (Merbau) decking and cladding, fibre-cement external wall sheeting, and Colourbond corrugated steel roofing.
Materials Cost to Lockup Stage:
90 x 45 H3 treated pine framing...................$1,712 90 x 45 H2 treated pine framing ..................$2,460 H3 treated pine fascia ....................................$340 Particleboard flooring & roof sheathing .....$1,204 140 x 19 Merbau decking & cladding ..........$4,213 Fibre-cement wall sheeting .........................$1,798 Colorbond roofing ....................................... $1,134 Sarking & wall wrap ........................................$300 Windows & external doors ..........................$4,535 Posts, hardware, & paint .............................$1,930 TOTAL MATERIALS COST .........................$19,626
