It’s no secret that we here at Cottage Life love tiny homes with even tinier carbon footprints. This microhome, however, may be our favourite yet. Based out of Whitehorse, Leaf House builds tiny homes that are designed to withstand subzero Arctic temperatures, while maintaining a completely sustainable, modern style that has us daydreaming about downsizing and moving to the Yukon.
This microhome is perfect for subzero Arctic temperatures
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The third model from Leaf House is a mere 16-feet-long and weighs less than 5,000-pounds, making it easy to tow around on cross-country road trips. Designer Laird Herbert carefully selected materials to keep the tiny house as light as possible, utilizing a metal-mesh, open-joint rainscreen for siding on the front end, and spruce pine at the back. Foam wrap was used as sheathing. Through clever design, the 97-square-foot trailer encompasses a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.

The house, which can endure temperatures down to -50 C, is built with vacuum-insulated panels and quad-pane windows to keep it nice and toasty during the frigid Yukon winters. Meanwhile, the Lunos E2 heat recovery-ventilator uses the indoor air to warm the incoming cold air, with the help from energy-efficient radiant heaters.

The kitchen features a two-element stovetop, a fridge/freezer, and a surprising amount of storage space. The countertop is made with foam-core backer board and then coated with a concrete micro-topping, a combo that is significantly lighter than pure concrete.

The bedroom is nestled into the back of the trailer and features a custom-designed Murphy bed. Windows, white-painted pine, and a wall of cedar shingles keep the space equally airy and cozy. The flooring throughout is made of laminate bamboo.

Although small in size, the home doesn’t skimp out on amenities like a full-size shower.

Your own Leaf House will set you back anywhere from $26,000 to $50,000 per house, including material costs that cost around $19,000 to $40,000. Or if you’re handy, you can buy the building plans for just $150.
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