If you have a pet, you probably already know that some things that pet owners do seem strange for non-pet-owning peeps, whether that means sharing the same bed at night or spending what amounts to small fortunes on their well-being. This tiny house also falls in the latter category.
We've been talking about tiny houses a lot lately here because tiny houses remain at the center of most conversations on alternative living or mobile homes. They're not a novelty, though, having first risen to prominence in the early 2000s when they were proposed as the ideal way of cutting one's carbon footprint by downsizing one's entire lifestyle.
In recent years, what with the 2020 international health crisis and the subsequent housing and financial crises, tiny houses in particular, and downsizing in general, have been taking up more of the spotlight. These solutions, whether used for short-term or permanent residency, check several boxes for many city residents and, as such, have come to be regarded as ideal beyond their original sustainability credentials.
Photo: Movable Roots
Tiny houses are small and mobile, which means you can move them around if you need or want to move around. They're more compact, which, together with a reduced carbon footprint, means reduced living costs and a smaller entry price compared to brick-and-mortar homes. Because they're more compact, they can fit less stuff in, which encourages decluttering and a more intentional lifestyle.
As long as you're looking for these exact things from your home, a tiny house can be your dream home. So, why should all these not apply to your furry or feathered child?
A while back, F1 champ Lewis Hamilton caused quite a stir online when he revealed that his two dogs, both of them vegan and living on different sides of the pond because of his work commitments and their health, would frequently fly by private jet whenever they needed to be reunited because they missed each other. Just to make sure you read that right: Hamilton would fly one of the dogs onboard his private jet from the UK to the U.S. for what could best be described as a spousal visit.
Photo: Movable Roots
This custom tiny house is average Joe's version of that, if you will – but an average Joe who can afford to commission a custom tiny house for a bird.
This is Snowball, a compact, air-filled, fully custom, and fully off-grid tiny house designed for a cockatoo. It's not a birdhouse, but a tiny house for a bird, and the distinction is important because the unit seems to have been designed with multi-functionality in mind.
This is the latest unit from Florida-based Movable Roots, a builder that often makes headlines for their unique customization options, creative layouts, and high-quality finishes. But even for them, this was a first, which is why they describe it as a challenge – one they were quick to say yes to, just to show that it could be done.
Photo: Movable Roots
According to Movable Roots, they were approached by the owners with a very specific brief: a tiny house for Snowball, their 36-year-old cockatoo who, apparently, has a problem with keeping the noise down. The brief also mentioned that the house had to be spacious and air-filled, but also off-grid.
Movable Roots built the tiny on a single-axle trailer, 10 feet long and 8.6 feet wide (3 by 2.6 meters), just small enough to be towed behind the owners' Class A motorhome. It's wrapped around in glazing and features two different entrances, one of which doubles as a vehicle ramp.
The exterior is Shou Sugi Ban charred wood, while the exterior is all plain white wood, with just one cabinet unit on one wall, underneath a wall-mounted TV. This leaves the owners with plenty of space to put in whatever Snowball needs for entertaining while on the road.
Photo: Movable Roots
Most importantly, though, Snowball the tiny is off-grid capable, thanks to solar cells mounted on the roof and on the sides, on fold-down platforms. Inside is a Victron energy management system, which runs the mini-split (AC and heat) to create the perfect temperature inside, the lights, and camera system. The list of features also includes a Ring doorbell camera and folding stairs with folding handrail.
The unit can also be plugged in to the grid through an RV-style hookup, Movable Roots says. The builder puts a lot of emphasis on how this "client-specific" tiny was designed to "[ensure] that even the featheriest members of your family travel in style and comfort," but there's more to it than just that.
If you look closely, you'll notice the access ramp, the non-slip floor, and what looks like a pair of floor railings. We're not saying that Snowball isn't Snowball's home away from home, but Snowball the tiny can also double as a mini garage and toy hauler. Given its size, it wouldn't fit too many toys, or, at the very least, they wouldn't be large in size, but it's still more than what you could carry on an outside rack.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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