This 160-Square-Foot Tiny House Made from Natural Materials Could be One of the Most Beautiful Built This Year

Name: Tilman Richter, Kathy Kwon of Namu Haus, and son
Location: San Luis Obispo, California
Type of home: Tiny House on Wheels
Size: 160 square feet
Years lived in: 3 months, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Our tiny house, which we call Namu Haus, is a modernist approach that is also ecologically conscious using mostly natural materials for structure and interior.

Our first prototype, designed by Tilman Richter (German born) and Kathy Kwon (Korean-American) was built by hand and was a true labor of love. We, a family of three, are currently living full-time in the house in San Luis Obispo, California, after relocating here from Berlin, Germany. Main features include a wide picture window and french doors that open from a central point of the house onto a deck, and although only 20 feet in length, it feels open and surprisingly spacious.

We were influenced by the serene and airy atmosphere of Japanese tea rooms and American mid-century modern architecture for the interior and decided for a robust oiled cedar exterior siding to let it blend with the pacific coastal nature. There are many more features of the house (built to passive house standards, sheep wool insulation, rear-ventilated facade, designated grey water system etc.). We are hoping to build a company with this product, so we are taking pre-orders at Namu Haus.

What is your favorite room and why? The whole house is basically one room. So that’s our favorite one. It has everything.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: American mid-century modern, Japanese tea room, passive house, natural high-performance building materials.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? IKEA LED Lamps and a bathroom mirror from AllModern.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Live with less.

The responses in this submission have been edited for length and clarity.

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