Are Tiny Houses the Alternative?

If buying a house or a condo is too expensive these days, why not build a tiny home that's affordable?

At the Richmond Art Gallery, there is an exhibit that explores tiny houses as a solution to the housing affordability problem.

The display includes a 170 square foot wood frame house on wheels, which was contructed from scratch by visual artist, Germaine Koh.

The house has a living area and a sofa that can be pulled out to a bed at night. Behind the bedroom is a full size kitchen with some storage space and a mini bathroom with a shower and toilet. The house is also equipped with an electrical connector, a water tank and a compost system.

The house is named " Lulu Living" after Lulu Island, to acknowledge the  long history in houses in tranist in Richmond and the surrounding areas.

Koh is looking for support for different kinds of housing options that address different needs - not everyone wants or can afford a 3,000 square foot house.

Koh has also designed and built a 100 square foot, two storey, permanent micro studio prototype on the Southern Gulf Islands.

In some areas, the houses are small enough that you don't require a building permit, but in cities such as Richmond, all houses, including tiny ones, require a building permit. You will also have to submit a zoning application to have another house located in your backyard, according to the City of Richmond.

The exhibit is free to the public daily at the Richmond Art Gallery until August 26th. The house is on display on the green land outside and open to visitors on Tuesdays from 1-3 pm or by appointment.