small home BIG LIFE: Challenge your thinking

Design Matters is proud to support the small home BIG LIFE competition which aims to promote the small house trend.

TAFE and University Building Design, Architecture and Interior Design students are offered the opportunity to participate in this trend by designing and presenting their proposal for a small house that is innovative, functional, energy efficient and buildable.

Small house design requires careful attention to how occupants are likely to live, move through and use their small home. Consideration must be given to how the small space will be furnished, where belongings will be stored, how guests will be accommodated and how a smaller-than-normal space can be made to feel inviting rather than confining.

The small home BIG LIFE competition challenges students to show us how a big life is possible in a small home.

The competition consists of three separate categories:

1. XXSMALL house (up to 45m2)
2. XSMALL house (50m2 – 60m2)
3. Small Family House (up to 100m2)

Note that only one entry per student will be considered. Proposals may be either single or double storey but must meet the maximum m2 requirement (measured to include wall thicknesses).

The following minimum spatial requirements must be met for an entry to be considered:

• For XXS & XS categories, at least one bedroom that allows min. double bed, bed side tables and clothes storage. For Small Family Category at least one main bedroom and 2 additional bedrooms (3 in total)
• One bathroom (can be shower only in XXS & XS category but bath and shower required in Small Family size).
• Laundry facilities (can be combined in bathroom).
• Living / dining that allows seating / space for minimum 2 people (4 people for Small Family size) and space for appropriate furniture including television, seating, coffee table/s, dining table & chairs, books / general storage.
• Access to outdoor living area off living space.
• Adequate storage allowing for linen, clothes, brooms, vacuum cleaner etc.
• Space identified for study / computer / phone.
• Kitchen to include sink, hotplate, microwave, fridge, pantry, rangehood and preparation space.
• Provide undercover parking (garage or car park) for the Small Family size (optional for XXS & XS size).

 

Current students (full & part time) at TAFE (Victoria) studying Building Design or Interior Design or current full & part time students at Victorian Universities studying the Bachelor of Design (Architecture) or Bachelor of Interior Design (or equivalent).

 

Macbook Pro, A Cube Bed + Cover, one year subscription to Sanctuary Magazine & one year Design Matters Student Membership

Macbook Air, one year subscription to Sanctuary Magazine & one year Design Matters Student Membership

Apple Ipad Mini, one year subscription to Sanctuary Magazine & one year Design Matters Student Membership

$100 & one year Design Matters Student Membership

$100 & one year Design Matters Student Membership

$100 & one year Design Matters Student Membership

Registration Closes 6th March 2020

Design Submissions by 20th March 2020 (Soft Copy)

Winners Announced Saturday 18th April 2020

All finalists work will be posted on the small home BIG LIFE website and finalists and winners work will be displayed at the 2020 HIA Home Show at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 16th – 19th April 2020.

Competition terms and conditions apply.