Tiny House boom

Aylmer’s Lumbec produces permanent exhibit for Science and Technology Museum

Charles Fontaine

The new Canada Science and Technology Museum features Lumbec’s “Tiny House”. The Aylmer based company that specializes in custom-made construction built the tiny house that is at the heart of the “Technology in Our Lives” exhibition.

Life in a house after the Second World War is compared to life in a house today. Household goods such as refrigerators, cutlery and irons have evidently changed a lot. Houses are also more spacious. An after-war house measured 84 m2 while today’s family house measures 182 m2. The tiny house is even smaller with its 30 m2.

But why live in such minuscule house? First of all, it is difficult to own one and live in it since not many municipalities accept them. They are not legal in Gatineau but in Ottawa they can be installed on a foundation in a back yard. The micro homes are, of course, not very expensive, running from $20,000 to $45,000, and more environmentally friendly as they consume less energy. Maintenance costs are lower than those of conventional houses and with only a sixth of normal living space, they offer less maintenance and a simpler way of living.

Use of the reduced space, of course, needs to be maximized. One needs to be creative and devise as much storing spaces as possible. For example, tables and beds must be retractable and under-stairs accommodate shelves.

The choice of a company to build the Tiny House was easy for the museum since Lumbec is the only company that builds such houses in the region. Specializing in the construction of garden sheds, garages and gazebos for the past 30 years, the Aylmer business started building mini houses three years ago. Their dream is to see a mini house neighbourhood in Gatineau so that they can offer the territory accessible houses for all. But, the City would need to accept such a project. In the meantime, Lumbec continues to supply Ottawa. (Trans.: CB)