The phenomenon of tiny house living has gained significant popularity in recent years. This trend, which has been around for over two decades, has now captured the attention of people from all walks of life. Tiny houses, as the name suggests, are small homes that are built on trailers. Their compact size offers numerous benefits such as lower monthly costs, the ability to move around freely, and a reduced carbon footprint. Additionally, living in a tiny house encourages a simpler and more intentional lifestyle, fostering a stronger connection with nature and promoting social interaction.
Despite these advantages, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of tiny houses. Compared to traditional homes, tiny houses have a significantly smaller living space. To compensate for this, designers often employ clever techniques to maximize functionality within the limited area. Baluchon, a French manufacturer, is renowned for their innovative tiny house designs. Their latest creation, the Ellèbore, exemplifies their commitment to creating practical and aesthetically pleasing homes.
Completed in 2024, the Ellèbore is a tiny house designed for a family of two adults and their cat. Built on a dual-axle trailer, it measures just 6 meters (19.6 feet) in length, allowing for easy transportation. Despite its compact size, the Ellèbore manages to incorporate all the necessary amenities and boasts a charming rustic cabin-meets-vacation home aesthetic.
One of the key features of the Ellèbore is its unique layout. The bedroom is situated on the ground floor, while the living room is located in a lofted area. This reverse layout allows for a cozy and intimate bedroom space, reminiscent of a treehouse retreat. However, it is worth noting that the lower ceilings in the bedroom may not appeal to those who prefer open spaces.
Overall, the Ellèbore is a testament to the ingenuity and versatility of tiny house design. Despite its small size, it offers all the comforts of a traditional home while promoting a simpler and more sustainable way of living.
Image: Baluchon
The entrance to this tiny house is through the kitchen area, which is small but well-equipped. It includes a gas cooktop, an electric mini-oven, a fridge, and an electric water heater, providing everything you need for your daily tasks. Additionally, there are plenty of cabinets for storage, as well as a dedicated drawer for the cat’s belongings, such as the litter box, toys, and food supplies.
To access the living room, there is a four-step staircase that also integrates storage. However, the first two steps can be removed to create more space in the kitchen when necessary. The living room serves a dual purpose, functioning as a guest room when needed. It is designed as a relaxing area with an integrated home office, benefiting from an abundance of natural light through large double-glazed windows.
The bathroom is located at the opposite end of the trailer and features a composting toilet and a small shower cabin. However, there is no sink to save space. As we have mentioned before, tiny living requires compromises, and this is one example of that.
Image: Baluchon
The advantage of this tiny house is the sustainability it offers, along with reduced monthly and living costs. Baluchon primarily uses locally sourced wood for their builds and incorporates all-natural insulation made from a combination of cotton, linen, and hemp. Heating is provided by a wood-burning stove, and the composting toilet reduces reliance on the grid.
Although the Ellèbore still requires connections to the mains for water, electricity, and sewage, its carbon footprint is lower compared to a traditional home. Since this particular unit was custom-built, there is no specified price available.
The significant drawback, however, is that Baluchon tiny houses are quite expensive considering the limited amount of space they provide. A fully furnished unit can cost between €85,000-€100,000 ($91,400-$107,600 at the current exchange rate), while an unfinished shell starts at €25,000 ($26,800).