Coastal Tiny Home
Aligned Architecture, led by principal architect Nir Pearlson, designed this 400-square-foot home as a model of sustainable, efficient living. Guided by the firm’s “small footprint” design principles, the home thoughtfully balances functionality, comfort, and connection to the outdoors. Vaulted ceilings, exposed timber, and multiple windows maximize daylight and views, while the layout incorporates multifunctional spaces such as a loft bedroom, compact meditation area, and a fold-away desk tucked beside the central wood-burning stove.
Natural materials, primarily native Douglas fir, define the interior and exterior, supporting a small ecological footprint without sacrificing warmth or livability. The intersecting rectangular plan, innovative dual-sloped roof, and glazed porch door extend living areas visually and physically into the surrounding landscape. Energy-efficient systems—including a high-performance mini-split HVAC and on-demand water heater—complement the home’s sustainable design.
Sustainable design features include a tightly sealed and well-insulated envelope; abundant daylight via windows, glazed doors, and clerestories; durable, low-maintenance exterior and interior finish materials; high efficiency mini-split HVAC, and an on-demand mini water heater.
The most sustainable aspect of this home is its size, with a diminutive ecological footprint as compared to the 2,345 SF American median home. From resource extraction through construction impact, to total energy usage over the building’s life cycle, this Tiny Home provides a beautiful, functional, and super-comfortable template for environmentally-conscious living.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful planning, creative spatial design, and attention to sustainability can create a home that is both beautifully crafted and highly functional within a tiny footprint.
Natural materials, primarily native Douglas fir, define the interior and exterior, supporting a small ecological footprint without sacrificing warmth or livability. The intersecting rectangular plan, innovative dual-sloped roof, and glazed porch door extend living areas visually and physically into the surrounding landscape. Energy-efficient systems—including a high-performance mini-split HVAC and on-demand water heater—complement the home’s sustainable design.
Sustainable design features include a tightly sealed and well-insulated envelope; abundant daylight via windows, glazed doors, and clerestories; durable, low-maintenance exterior and interior finish materials; high efficiency mini-split HVAC, and an on-demand mini water heater.
The most sustainable aspect of this home is its size, with a diminutive ecological footprint as compared to the 2,345 SF American median home. From resource extraction through construction impact, to total energy usage over the building’s life cycle, this Tiny Home provides a beautiful, functional, and super-comfortable template for environmentally-conscious living.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful planning, creative spatial design, and attention to sustainability can create a home that is both beautifully crafted and highly functional within a tiny footprint.