Tiny Home and a Tiny Footprint in Toronto
Last Updated: Mar 17, 2025There are some 100 square foot tiny homes that look more like an outdoor shed where you might store your lawnmower than an actual living space. While these ultra-mini tiny homes might appeal to some homeowners, the image of a one-room tiny shack might be responsible for turning some people away from the idea of downsizing to a tiny home. As tiny home communities begin to pop up around the country, and more and more people begin looking for more affordable and sustainable housing solutions, elegant, custom-built tiny homes offer the appeal of luxury and comfort while still maintaining a low price tag and environmental footprint.
The Ébène is a prime example: a 10 foot by 34-foot tiny house that incorporates 475 square feet of living space between the main level and the two lofts. Designed and built by the Minimaliste Tiny House Team, RISE recently sat down to talk with Tori and Meghan, the owners of the home, and Jean-Phillipe Marquis, the co-founder and foreman of the company to learn about the design process and some of the unique benefits that come with tiny home living.
Table of Contents
- Pricing
- Characteristics of The Ébène
- Tiny Home, Tinier Footprint
- Some Words of Advice
Pricing
Tori and Meghan mention that “the exorbitant price of real estate in the greater Toronto area forced us to look at alternative options. Knowing that most traditional houses were too large for us, we decided that a Tiny House would suit all of our needs while carrying a much smaller price tag in comparison to a condo or apartment.”
According to co-founder Jean-Phillipe, the company has built 12 custom tiny homes, and the average price fora turnkey Minimaliste home, including all the appliances and furniture, is around $120,000 Canadian Dollars, or $90,000 U.S. dollars. For Tori and Meghan, they found that finding financing was a bit of challenge. “We were lucky enough to have a great financial agent who helped us with the process and made it possible,” they said. “We think as tiny houses become more popular, mainstream financial institutions will make it easier to secure a loan.”
While the price tag was certainly one area of interest for Tori and Meghan, The Ébène also filled their expectations in terms of interior space and livability. Because they weren’t planning to move the home as a tiny house on wheels, they opted for a wider trailer to maximize the interior living space.
Minimaliste Tiny Homes does provide Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) certification, though not all clients require this certification. Jean-Phillipe mentioned that “we always build by the same standards, but the RVIA stamp is mostly required by insurances companies or financing institutions. It does demonstrate that the builders follow regulations, making sure that the tiny houses meet the standards for safety and quality. That being said, we think that the RVIA certification is overrated; most of the things they are checking is electricity, propane and plumbing. We think that there is much more to take into consideration when it comes to the integrity and quality of a tiny house. We suggest that people ask more questions to the builders about the specifications of the tiny houses they make, instead of taking the RVIA stamp as a proof of quality.”
Getting used to their tiny home took some time. Tori and Meghan explain that “the biggest challenge has been learning the ins and outs of our specific tiny house. Getting to know the appliances and the nuances of tiny house living, and knowing that we have different issues than a regular foundation house” have been some of the challenges. However, they have also learned the art of “being patient when issues do arrive.”
Tiny Home, Tinier Footprint
While energy efficiency gains in modern-day, sustainable construction continue to advance, tiny homes are inherently more sustainable because of their smaller space. With less interior space, less “stuff” is necessary to purchase to fill up the home. Due to the reduced square footage, less energy will be required to heat, cool, and power the home.
Once you have settled on a design that you love, however, you will be able to say, like Tori and Meghan, that “living in a tiny house has been an amazing experience, and I look forward to waking up every morning in my house.”
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
