KAYSVILLE—It’s hard to believe that so much can be packed into a 249 square foot living space, but that’s exactly what makes the Davis Tech tiny home so mighty. Both high school and adult students from several different programs at the college worked on the project that just sold for $40,000 at auction. It was also featured in the Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes.

“It was the first time students were able to work on that and keep the momentum in the different subject areas,” said Melanie Hall, Director of Marketing & Community Relations at Davis Tech. “It was a great project to create a symbiosis of normal learning in their subject area while giving them a chance to collaborate. It was tricky in a tiny home to all work together and fit.”

Hall said the $40,000 will go toward funding another tiny home. “It’s just in the right spot to get the materials to start on the next one.”

The tiny home allows students from building construction technology, plumbing apprentice, electrical and HVAC apprentice programs to use their skills. “We’ve worked with the Davis School District on homes for Habitat for Humanity but it’s hard to have the opportunity to go out on a regular home. Since this is on our campus, students can go directly from the classroom and out to the project.”

The idea for the project grew out of a youth building program week-long boot camp, she said. “The first project was a playhouse. Then they souped it up in the tiny home with plumbing, lighting, etc. It gave them a chance to work with all of the training disciplines in one place and keep it here so it’s accessible as a capstone project for students.”

It’s set up to function like an RV, said Program Director, Kinley Puzey. “You can connect power to a generator or plug it in with a 220 cord like an RV. A mini split system heats and cools it. Propane runs a tankless water heater and the full size gas range.”

On the main floor is a living space, kitchen and bathroom, he said. “Above the bathroom is a loft with a bedroom.”

Puzey said the tiny house is designed to park in a backyard as an RV or on a lot. “It can be utilized any way it needs to be done.”

A lot of cities are moving in that direction by zoning for accessory dwellings like a tiny home, he said. “There’s a new push as cities are growing and house prices go up.”

“I worked on the inside doing flooring and finishing,” said Building Construction Technology student Alan Aguirre who is a senior at NUAMES. “It was a lot of fun. My dad worked with his hands so I got that from him. It morphed into this. Ever since I was a little kid I liked working with my hands.”

Aguirre said he will be working on the next tiny house. “I’ll graduate before it gets finished. I’ll be done at DTC when I get out of high school then I’ll go on to Weber to finish my degree in construction management.”

“Alan worked on the second half of the project,” said Hall. “He will articulate his certificate toward his associates degree. It’s great for high school students because they can attend for free.”

The tiny house is a genius idea, she said. “That’s why we call it the Mighty Tiny Home. For something so little it still packs a punch.”