All tiny homes are clever, some more than others. They have to be in order to make up for the very limited floor space and it’s always interesting to see how different minds put together deal with this restriction. Today we’re checking out the SaltBox, a tiny house on wheels designed by studio Extraordinary Structures. It was built on a 24 ft trailer which gives it lots of mobility and allows it to be transported to new locations and it has a total interior area of 200 square feet which is a bit over 18 square meters and not a lot by any standards.

The exterior of the house is covered in steel panels which oxidize over time

There are a few openings in the facade like the glass door and the windows on either side which let in plenty of light

The small footprint meant a lot of clever and custom design solutions had to be employed on the interior. But let’s start with the exterior of this rather unusual little house. Its walls are covered in 22 gauge steel siding on the outside which act as a rain screen. As time passes and the house is exposed to the elements, these panels start to rust and to change their appearance. That in turn transforms the entire house and gives it character. The walls are built on a steel exoskeleton and they’re insulated using sheep’s wool and mineral wood. On the inside they’re covered in wood panels which help to create a very warm and inviting ambiance.

When the house is parked the area outside can become an extension of its limited footprintInside a wood-burning stove and a mini-split heating and cooling system keep the house comfortable

As a general impression, the interior of the SaltBox is all a big multifunctional volume. It includes all the essentials like a kitchen, a bathroom, a living area and a place to sleep. What’s interesting is how all the functions interact with one another. The living and sleeping area for instance are one and the same, featuring a fold-down sofa on one wall and a fold-down bed on the opposite one.

The interior walls and the ceiling are covered in wood with a light and natural finishA fold-down bed is cleverly hidden on one of the walls

They both have built-in storage underneath and a nice view out the window. The kitchen is on the other side of the space and has a small peninsula/ bar, a few basic appliances and a door that leads into the bathroom. Inside the bathroom there’s a cedar soaking tub, not what you’d expect to find inside such a tiny house. Although very compact, this little structure has a lot of interesting design features.

There’s also a smaller fold-down sofa on the opposite wall which makes a perfect reading nookThe kitchen is compact but well-equipped with an induction cooktop, a mini oven and a drawer refrigeratorThe bathroom has a vanity, a composting toilet and a soaking tub/ showerPlenty of storage is cleverly integrated into all the different areas in various different formsThe kitchen has stainless steel countertops and plenty of storage above and below that