Cyril the Tiny House Is Tiny Only in Name, Has a Full Office and Cat Add-Ons

Put it differently (and less delicately), most tiny houses are painfully expensive. Not even a footprint larger than an RV and fancy amenities can compensate for the fact that these things usually cost more than a regular, non-moving house. That aside, they still remain impressive in their own right, from the way they downsize living without compromise on comfort or said fancy amenities to their ability to be entirely off-grid and their elegant design.

One of the latest tiny houses from New Zealand’s Build Tiny is all that, down to the eye-watering price tag. "Cyril the Tiny House" was commissioned by Summer and Jason, and was named so after the client’s grandfather. It was designed over the first lockdown of 2020 and completed in October of that same year.

Measuring 8 meters (26 feet) in length, Cyril the Tiny House is wider than regular tinies from Build Tiny, which sit at 2.7 meters (8.8 feet). That places it above the country’s standard towing width. Still, since it sits on a double-axle trailer, you can tow it to your favorite location if you have a special permit. Moreover, when you wish to settle someplace permanently, you can just remove the trailer and plop it on the ground.

The entrance is through double-glazed doors, into the living room. There’s an inviting couch and coffee table, with the kitchen at the opposite end. What makes this tiny stand out, aside from a certain rustic-meets-industrial mix in styling, is the large storage capacity. The kitchen is almost full-size, with full-size appliances, a kitchen bar that can house a washing machine, and a multitude of drawers and cupboards. There’s also an integrated pantry at the opposite end, right next to the storage-integrated staircase. The window opens all the way up, allowing to serve drinks on a wooden shelf outside.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the bathroom, which includes a shower, sink and compost toilet, and even more pull-up storage. On the other side is an outdoor shower, which should be the perfect addition for more adventurous travelers.

The Cyril has not one but two lofts: one serves as the master bedroom and is accessed by the storage-integrated staircase, while the other is a home office accessible by a removable ladder. The two lofts are connected on either side of the ceiling by cat bridges, and there’s a cat door in the bathroom, as well. The bedroom has a raised area that allows standing up and includes a wardrobe and storage on either side.

The office, which can double as a guest room if need be, has floor chairs with footwell. This means that you can maintain the correct sitting position at the desk, despite the fact that the ceiling is incredibly low.

“This tiny house feels luxuriously spacious,” Build Tiny says in the official description. “Living in Cyril is like being on holiday every day and we couldn't be happier with what the team has built for us and will always remain friends and fans of the company,” the owners add in a testimonial.

Perhaps just as importantly, Cyril is made to go off-grid. It has solar panels on the roof and battery setup but can also be connected to the grid with an RV-style hookup. Made with a steel frame and aluminum exterior, it comes with a gas system hidden away in the staircase, so it’s an all-season-type of build.

Like most tiny houses, Cyril is a bespoke tiny that was delivered turnkey. Build Tiny offers two options to potential customers: turnkey tinies or 2-step projects that they can assemble themselves. The company doesn’t offer exact pricing for either because most tiny homes they put their name on are customized according to the owners’ needs and desires. However, the company notes that an average 8-meter (26-foot) tiny house costs between $130,000 and $150,000, presumably before the customization or integration of solar panels.

Which brings us full circle: gorgeous, outstanding mobile homes, eye-watering prices.