Testing time for tiny home design in Busselton

Australians build bigger houses than any other nation, but a Perth-based land developer and a leading homebuilding group are testing our appetite for ‘tiny homes’.

The average size of a new home in Australia in 2024 was 214sqm, ahead of New Zealand (202sqm), the USA (201sqm), Canada (181sqm) and Denmark (137sqm).

Now Yolk Property Group and the Summit Homes Group are challenging the norm with two homes on display in Embark Busselton.

Built side by side on one lot, each one is a fraction of the average-sized Australian home. The three-bedroom Willow totals 71.14sqm and the two-bedroom Terra is just 58.78sqm.

Tao Bourton, Managing Director of Yolk Property Group, said the option of building smaller was an important part of today’s housing mix but until now had been missing from traditional display villages.

“We believe this is the first time tiny homes have been featured in a display village in a new master-planned community, and as such they represent a milestone for Western Australia homebuilding,” Mr Bourton said.

“Tiny homes offer homebuyers options. Options are important if we are to see a shift towards more homes offering benefits such as a smaller carbon footprint, lower running costs and reduced construction wastage.”

Brad Bairstow, General Manager of Summit Tiny Homes, said there was growing interest in tiny homes in WA.

“While it’s early days yet, tiny homes are a growing trend appealing to a variety of purchasers, including those who are looking at a tiny home as their primary residence,” he said.

“As well as aligning with sustainable living practices and minimalist lifestyles, tiny homes are also resonating with downsizers looking for an alternative to an apartment.

“Many downsizers want to enjoy the space and location of a semi-rural block, for example, but from a modern, easy-maintenance home. Others are looking to boost the value of an existing property by adding a tiny home to provide dual-use or income-generating potential.”

Summit has developed a collection of seven tiny designs, which the homebuilder describes as “proper homes made small”. The smallest is the studio-style Aurora at 32sqm.

The homes are built to Australian Building Standards at Summit’s facility in in Canning Vale using modular construction methods. They are then transported to site. Initial build time can be just 16 weeks, with an another four to eight weeks for delivery and installation.

“It’s been especially rewarding to partner with Yolk Property Group to bring the first tiny display homes to a mainstream display village,” Mr Bairstow said.