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Thuya Tiny House Packs All Creature Comforts in a Very Compact Layout

In terms of alternative housing solutions that allow freedom of movement, tiny living has emerged as a recent favorite and, at the same time, an excellent example of creative thinking put to use for downsizing. This tiny house is here to show what downsizing is all about.
The Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizing 9 photos
Photo: Minimaliste
The Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizingThe Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizingThe Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizingThe Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizingThe Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizingThe Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizingThe Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizingThe Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizing
Minimaliste is a Canadian builder of tiny houses that has repeatedly made headlines for their not-so-tiny tiny homes. Put it differently, for the one-percenters of downsizers, Minimaliste is the go-to place to design their dream mobile home, and it will be fully custom, completely self-sufficient if need be, massive in size, and very luxurious in terms of creature comforts.

The Thuya is the opposite of all this. As the smallest model in their movable lineup, it was initially designed as a guest home or a rental unit, for a customer who had already purchased a main (tiny) home, also named Thuya, and now wanted something to sleep the occasional guests in. That said, the smaller Thuya is perfectly suitable for long-term living with some adjustments, and on the condition that whoever takes on the challenge be willing to give downsizing a proper try.

There is no clear-cut definition of downsizing, as neither is there for a tiny house. Speaking in general terms, downsizing means giving up a proper, brick-and-mortar home for a much smaller living solution, which could very well be a tiny house. A tiny house is just what its name implies: a smaller house, but one that sits on a trailer and, as such, allows freedom of movement for the residents.

The Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizing
Photo: Minimaliste
Naturally, you can’t just pack your brick-and-mortar home and leave for greener pastures with it in tow. The start of the 2020 international health crisis and the new work-from-home (wherever home might be) approach, combined with enhanced awareness of severe environmental issues, have paved the way for the current surge in popularity in tiny homes. The Thuya shows exactly what the appeal of downsizing is, starting with the promise of a clean slate that you can take anywhere with you.

As noted above, Minimaliste usually does massive tinies, so big that they almost fall out of the “tiny” category. The Thuya is almost half the size of those builds and, as such, represents a return to basics.

It sits on a dual-axle trailer and measures just 10 by 22 feet (3 by 6.7 meters), offering a layout of 220 square feet (20.4 square meters) in total. Two to four people can sleep inside, but for maximum comfort, it’s perhaps ideal for just two people – which makes sense if you also consider the pared-down facilities available.

The Thuya comes with cedar exterior with Shou Sugi Ban profile for less maintenance, and a sleek, very clean plywood-paneled interior that will go to some length to make the cramped space feel less so. It has a single loft configuration, with the main sleeping area located there. There’s a small lounge downstairs, as well as a kitchen and a bathroom, while the bedroom is accessed by means of storage-integrating steps. Though very small, the tiny offers every creature comfort of an actual home, but scaled down to size.

The Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizing
Photo: Minimaliste
Take the kitchen, for instance. It’s a short-counter one and very compact, but it still has a four-burner induction electric cooktop with extractor, a deep farm sink, some storage (including a pantry inside the staircase), and an apartment-sized fridge. The bathroom, by comparison, feels quite spacious and features a composting toilet (which can be hooked up to the mains, if the owner wants it), a walk-in elegant shower room, a sink with vanity, and additional storage.

This unit is hooked up to the grid for power and water, and has no solar panels on the roof. As does every tiny manufacturer out there, Minimaliste says Thuya can serve as the starting point for a custom unit, which will be designed with input from the owner.

As JP Marquis from Minimaliste explains in the video available at the bottom of the page, the initial idea with Thuya was to provide a comfortable stay over short periods. Other customers who might want to experience true downsizing can further customize it to include other basic features, so as to make it work as a permanent residence.

The Thuya tiny house from Minimaliste is the very essence of downsizing
Photo: Minimaliste
If you think of the many other, much smaller living options out there, many of which we’ve covered, this small tiny may actually feel – dare we say it – huge.

This brings us to pricing, which remains the number one hang-up for those considering making the transition to the downsized lifestyle. Given their size and the level of custom work involved, Minimaliste tinies are premium products. There is no price tag offered for this small unit, but the larger Thuya on which it’s based, which includes extra features and offers a much larger footprint, starts at $125,500.

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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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.
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