How to Design & Develop a Tiny House Course

Design your own tiny house in our Sydney property investment courses!

This Tiny House workshop will cover everything you need to know about designing, planning and building a Tiny House. You will learn about the benefits of the Tiny House Movement, including sustainability, minimalism, financial considerations and a preference for simplicity. You will also learn about legal and regulatory requirements, design techniques, and practical applications such as utilities and budgeting. Perfect for anyone looking to achieve financial freedom, downsize, or add additional living space. Join us to learn how to make your dream Tiny House a reality.

You will also learn about project costs and options for using recycled materials in your Tiny House build. It will also explain how to find the essential planning information and guidelines outlined by the National Construction Code (NCC). It is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of everything you need to know to build your Tiny House.

By learning about these aspects and implementing them in your Tiny House build, you can create a sustainable and cost-effective living space. Additionally, the knowledge and skills acquired during this process could open up career opportunities in the construction and design fields, particularly in the growing market for sustainable and alternative housing options.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Tiny House workshop, you will have enhanced your career prospects by:

• Understand the various layout options available for Tiny Houses and make informed decisions about the design of your own.
• Effectively utilize space in a Tiny House by applying techniques for reducing traditional living and lifestyle space requirements.
• Design multi-functional interior spaces in your Tiny House using appropriate techniques.
• potential career paths within the construction and design fields related to sustainable and alternative housing options. 
• Incorporate elements of design to make your Tiny House aesthetically pleasing and unique, also known as the 'Adorability Factor'
• Create a detailed project concept plan for your Tiny House that includes all necessary design and functionality considerations.

Course content

What will be covered in this Tiny House workshop?

During the workshop, you will explore the following topics:

Morning Session 1: Introduction to Tiny Houses

• Overview of the workshop and learning outcomes
• Introduction to the course presenter
• Understanding the history of Tiny Houses
• Identifying the different types of Tiny Houses from around the world
• Creating a design brief for your own Tiny House

Morning Session 2: Approvals Process

• Local Authority Planning Rules & regulations
• Planning Portal, Planning Maps, and BASIX
• Understanding the requirements for Development Applications and Construction Certificates
• Navigating the National Construction Code (NCC)
• Sustainability options suitable for Tiny Houses

Afternoon Session 1: Design Process

• Feasibility study examples
• Surprising architectural sources of inspiration for Tiny Houses
• Interactive class workshop on Tiny House layouts and forms
• Discussion of pre-made, custom, and reclaimed forms and materials

Afternoon Session 2: Practical Applications

• Specific exteriors and materials for Tiny Houses
• Multi-functional interior layouts and workshops
• Furniture selection, placement, and fixed fittings
• Utilities, construction details and examples
• Budgeting, costs, and understanding the difference between construction costs and project costs
• Q&A and wrap-up

Intended audience

This workshop is perfect for students looking to upskill and:

• Achieve financial freedom with a smaller, more affordable mortgage
• Downsize their living space
• Embrace minimalism as a lifestyle concept
• Invest in a second home or generate a second income
• Escape the rental treadmill
• Empty-nesters seeking a smaller living space
• Students looking to upskill in the tiny house market 
• Adopt sustainable living practices, such as going off-grid with solar panels, storage batteries, and water tanks.

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd in the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)