Ultra-Functional Tiny Breaks the Norm With Unique Solutions and an Ideal Bedroom

The fact that this Kiwi tiny house company is no longer in operation is one of the saddest things that could have happened to the global tiny living community. For many years, Build Tiny has been one of the most creative, prolific, and inspiring builders in the world. Each of their models is uniquely ingenious, packed with smart design hacks that you wouldn't find anywhere else, ultra-stylish, and – above all – supremely comfortable.

Build Tiny was the winner of the 2020 NZIA Wellington Architecture Awards, the 2021 NZ Tiny House Awards for Best Commercial Builds, and the 2021 NZ Tiny House Awards for Tiny House of the Year. All the homes delivered under this brand featured similar exteriors – aggressively simple and unremarkable compared to the richly ornate and carefully crafted exteriors of French tiny homes, for instance. Still, each one revealed a completely original layout and unique features that were hard for other builders to match.

The Green Hill Farm was built in 2019 for a couple who lived in Green Hill Farm, which is why they named it that. It was similar to the Littlejohn design, yet the future owners wanted a bigger loft bedroom with additional storage and a more comfortable bathroom. That was because they had a very clear plan for this tiny home: it would initially operate as a vacation rental, bringing them extra income, and in the end, it was supposed to become their downsizing solution when they retired.

With these customizations in mind, the Green Hill Farm was built with a more generous eight-meter (26.2-foot) length. Build Tiny never went for oversized homes on wheels, and most of its creations were ultra-compact compared to some of the larger models available in the US and Australia. The steel frame with vinyl cladding and double-glazed aluminum windows is nothing to write home about. It's inside where these clever builds reveal their magic.

The Green Hill Farm's big glass doors lead into a cozy, modern lounge. An L-shaped sofa takes center stage but hides ample storage underneath, particularly meant for suitcases. A TV is mounted on the wall, which helps save floor space. The gimmicky table that was added also saves tons of space; far from an ordinary coffee table, this smart piece of furniture doesn't just have adjustable height, but it also swivels in all directions; it just doesn't get more practical than that when it comes to small spaces.

From the lounge, guests have a full view of the kitchen, which is part of the overall open-concept ground floor layout for maximum spaciousness. At first glance, you might think this is a tiny kitchen with zero room for dining, but you'd be wrong. One of the cabinets underneath the countertop is a drawer unit with wheels designed to be moved and to fit perfectly next to the countertop as a detachable extension. With a simple move, you get a longer countertop that can easily double as a breakfast bar or simply provide an additional working surface.

When not in use, the multi-functional cabinet simply goes back underneath the countertop, freeing up the initial spot. There are many other cupboards of all sizes in this seemingly tiny kitchen, and some of them hide really cool features: a mini dishwasher and practical bins on one side, plus a tall pull-out pantry and even a washing machine on the other side.

The kitchen space was cleverly used to integrate full-size appliances, such as a gas oven and a vented rangehood. A great chunk of this storage is provided by the built-in staircase with hidden cabinets and drawers. These types of staircases are a popular solution to make the most of a compact space while fulfilling their basic function as a safe, comfortable way to access the loft bedroom.

When it comes to the bedroom, this custom-built tiny truly deserves a round of applause. It may not be a traditional bedroom on the ground, but it's as close to that as it gets in terms of comfort. A lavish, king-sized bed flanked by large windows looks like an open invitation to relax. The carpeted floor adds comfort and adorable corner shelves were added instead of bulky bedside tables. The piece de resistance, however, is not the bed, but the built-in wardrobe unit with huge storage and a TV set mounted in the center.

This built-in unit is not only a very convenient wardrobe, but it also comes with a hidden cupboard for storing all the TV and internet equipment. Last but not least, high-quality insect screens were added to all the windows for an extra dose of comfort. Add to this the generous headroom, and you get one of the most luxurious, comfortable versions of a loft bedroom.

Space-saving solutions were applied to the bathroom as well, starting with a clever pocket sliding door that takes up virtually no space at all. Inside, you'll discover a large vanity with ample storage that's also designed to be lightweight. Per the owners' requests, the bathroom was big enough to fit a large shower, in addition to the conventional toilet and regular sink.

Even with all these cool, hidden amenities, the Green Hill Farm weighs just under 3,500 kg (77,100 lbs), making it easy to transport and relocate. Style-wise, a neutral color palette with vibrant pops of yellow and dark blue matches the home's modern layout and relaxed, carefree ambiance.

The owners of this beautiful, highly versatile tiny home were some of the lucky ones who got a custom-built dwelling from an award-winning builder. Even though the company is no longer in business, its creations have passed the test of time and will continue to live for generations.