Business Central July 2021

102 | BUILDING Tiny By Taylor Making tiny homes dreams a reality T Kelly Deeks The Shaka Shack was specifically built to be frequently towed as an alternative to a caravan S ervicing the growing tiny homes market with high-quality, custom designed recreational homes, Tiny By Taylor is helping Kiwis across the country to realise their tiny home dreams. Managing director Taylor Dewis is a qual- ified builder who began his own tiny homes journey while living in a caravan on the coast of Portugal. “We thought it was awesome,” he says. “We had everything we needed, but it felt so cramped, so poky, so plastic. “Caravans have always been built to be super lightweight, but the vehicles we can get now can tow so much more, so caravans can be built more like a house, with all the home comforts and modern luxuries.” Taylor built his first tiny home, the Sha- ka Shack, from the trailer to the roof. Fully off-grid capable, with water tanks, solar, and composting toilet, the Shaka Shack can comfortable sleep two to three people in any of the most remote and secluded of locations around New Zealand. The Shaka Shack was specifically built to be frequently towed as an alternative to a cara- van, but as soon as you step inside, any idea of a caravan goes out the window. The use of standard yet lightweight building materials give the Shaka Shack a homely feel, while full amenities, big opening windows, and a slide out deck make it incomparable to caravans of similar size. “I thought this was the perfect design for this sized house, and I still think that, but we have been in business for three years now and each build has been completely different from the last. “Everyone wants something different, and that one different thing can change the whole set up. “I’m glad it worked out that way, because I’ve found a passion for designing something different for each client to suit their needs. “Moving away from the cookie cutter type of home, which was one of the reasons for getting into this business in the first place.” Now Tiny By Taylor also produces the Shaka Shack Basic, a cost-effective tiny home with the same layout as the prototype traveller version, replicated without the expense of lightweight building materials and off-grid appliances. Weighing 2.6 tonnes, it is still easily towable, and the perfect option for a tiny guest house, Airbnb, granny flat, or self contained sleep out. Tiny By Taylor is now offering a travelling tiny home built to accommodate a small fami- ly – the Angulo Bungalo. A stylish traveller with a super king size bed, kitchen, and bathroom on ground floor and plenty of space for two singles on the mezza- nine above. “With an outdoor shower, slide out deck and awning, and wrapped in cedar and col- oursteel, it’s a real head turner,” Taylor says. Then there’s the Harry House. A cosy home for a small family with a fireplace, the Harry House features a single, separate room and a double sided kitchen on the ground floor, and a large, open, and light main loft bedroom with skylight. “I thought this was the perfect design for this sized house, and I still think that, but we have been in business for three years now and each build has been completely different from the last.” Phone 06 370 6888 | masterton@mitre10.co.nz OPEN 7 DAYS FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING SUPPLIES