The Interreg Aurora funded Tiny Homes preparatory project explored affordable and flexible housing solutions in Northern Finland and Sweden. These regions face challenges due to harsh weather conditions and industries that rely on temporary workers. Seasonal tourism, mining industries, and large temporary labour-intensive industrial projects create unique challenges that requires innovative and flexible housing solutions. Tiny Homes can be a good solution because they are adaptable and mobile, making them suitable for various groups of people in different environments.
The small-scale cross-border project focused on addressing legal challenges, identifying key organisations, and adapting the Tiny Homes concept to fit the specific needs of the northern regions. The project partners Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu Oy, LTU Business AB and Pohjois-Suomen rakennusklusteri ry/Norra Finlands byggkluster rf established communication with local stakeholders. The project partners collected valuable information and feedback from construction businesses and municipalities in workshops, interviews and surveys.
The Tiny Homes concept offers significant potential as a flexible, scalable, and sustainable solution to various housing challenges, particularly for small households, temporary accommodation, and areas with housing shortages. The solutions can also be exported to third countries whose climate conditions vary.
“The same Tiny Home can, for example, be used as a spare room for an apartment being renovated, then as a residence for a seasonal tourism worker or student, and then supplement the housing needs at a mine or other construction site” explains Niko Pernu and Eila Seppänen, Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu Oy.
The project resulted in a state of the art report and a new Interreg Aurora large scale project application was submitted.
The project results indicate a need for more research on:
- environmental adaptability
- local cultural relevance
- ensuring that the concept meets legal standards and requirements, such as building codes and safety regulations
- strategic land use
- the user needs
- effective collaboration in northern challenging conditions.
You can find more information in the report Tiny homes state of the art report
