How much space is needed for living, working, or going on holiday?

The cross-border study trip on the topic of ‘Tiny Houses – Innovative and Practical Solutions for Mini Living’ invited private individuals and representatives of micro-communities in the border region to explore the potential of minimalist living during a one-day excursion. As students of the University of Sopron, we were delighted to participate in the TinyGreen project event. The Südburgenland Tourism Association organized the program, transportation, and catering for the roughly two dozen participants. Since both destinations were in Austria, German-Hungarian translation was provided.

We thoroughly enjoyed the first presentation and subsequent Q&A session at Wiesenquartier in Lechnitz, where the owner of a local restaurant introduced his tiny houses designed for tourism. Five tiny chalets stood on a green hill, surrounding a small swimming pond with a lone ripple in the winter chill. Standing on the veranda of one of these 40-square-meter holiday homes, the owner explained the advantages of the wooden construction: excellent indoor climate even in summer, the use of renewable materials, and eco-friendly aesthetics—highly popular among guests. Sustainability is further enhanced by photovoltaic panels on the roofs and environmentally conscious service practices. To avoid soil sealing, the structures rest on just 12 drilled foundations beneath the wooden blocks. Built primarily from regional timber, these simple yet luxurious tiny houses are factory-finished and delivered as complete units. Sustainability, mindfulness, and understated luxury are the guiding principles—the latter reflected in the price, both for tourists and the owner.

After a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant, the study tour continued to Graz.

There, a representative from Eko-Box presented a completely different take on tiny living: container houses. Instead of wood, these rely on metal and polyethylene as primary materials, with wooden paneling added only for visual comfort. Whether for commercial or private use, Eko-Box offers customized solutions for diverse needs. Thanks to cutting-edge construction technology, these container homes match their wooden counterparts in temperature regulation. While sustainability plays a slightly lesser role here, the containerized building method excels in cost-effective budgeting, rapid assembly, and flexible functionality. After a brief presentation, participants could explore two model variants: a living container and a workspace container.

Overall, the study trip was an excellent opportunity to connect with interested parties from various backgrounds and exchange perspectives. The two tiny house construction methods may have served different practical purposes for private individuals, hoteliers, community representatives, and us students—yet the lively discussions allowed everyone to gain new insights. Thanks to seamless translation, the event also demonstrated how language barriers need not hinder cross-border project success. We look forward to more TinyGreen project initiatives!”

Authors: Fenja Stieler, Amelie Nordheim-Perera, and Dr. Andrea Vityi