Kirimoko is a tiny home located on a suburban street in Wanaka, New Zealand, designed by Condon Scott Architects. The owners, Will and Jen, came up with the design concept after returning from a long bike trip where they had to live entirely out of pannier bags, carrying as little as possible to keep down the weight. The couple realized they were so happy living for months with just the bare essentials that they wanted to continue living that way after returning home.
Kirimoko’s footprint is 30m2, but none of the essentials have been left out. Every bit of space is used, from drawers pulling out of each step tread to kitchen storage going all the way to the floor by eliminating the toe space typical of kitchen cabinetry. There is one bedroom upstairs, and the living room downstairs is the largest room in the house because it is the most often used space.
Condon Scott Architects have received several awards for Kirimoko, including a bronze award at the 2019 Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Awards and the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) 2019 Southern Architecture Award. The tiny house stood out thanks to the measures taken in its Passive House approach during construction, resulting in a home that stays warm in the winter without heating.
According to a NZIA Jury Citation:
This small house, inspired by a cycle trip and a life lived out of panniers, is defined by a simple gable form and a sturdy black rain screen. The compact 30 square meter one-bedroom home utilizes cleverly crafted spatial devices to pack a lot of punch into a small place without compromising the living areas’ scale. With a combination of passive house measures and structural insulated panels, virtually no additional energy is required to maintain a consistent level of thermal comfort against the backdrop of the unforgiving Central Otago climate.
Passive House is a fundamental construction concept that requires solid, high-level insulation and airtight design to create indoor thermal comfort. For Kirimoko, this was achieved by using structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the roof and walls. SIPs maintain a solid foam center and are exceptionally airtight, meaning minimal energy loss between indoors and outdoors. They’re also prefabricated, which is convenient and ensures a higher standard of quality.
The exterior is clad in asphalt shingles from the roof down the walls straight to the ground on two sides. The rest is timber and glass. Three of the four sides are closed for a cozy private feel in the middle of a busier suburban neighborhood. But the northern facade is entirely open with a floor-to-ceiling glazed window.
In the Southern hemisphere, the sunlight comes from the north. Kirimoko stays toasty warm in the winter with its three well-insulated facades and solo full glass facade that allows the sun’s heat in. And for the warmer summer months, the home’s deep eaves help mitigate overheating. Meanwhile, the couple can enjoy the breathtaking mountain views by sitting on the outdoor terrace (that’s bigger than the house itself).
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