Student-designed tiny homes win big

Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) student Steve Pettitt wowed judges in Small Home Big Life with his 100 sq ft tiny home design.
In summary
- Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) student Steve Pettitt won first prize in the Small Family Home category at this year’s Small Home Big Life design competition, while classmate Corey Black came runner up
- Small Home Big Life is a competition for architecture and building design students, and celebrates the tiny home design movement
- The competition gives students the opportunity to work to a real brief, to create innovative, functional, energy-efficient and buildable housing solutions.
Steve Pettitt, an Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) student, came first for his design in the Small Family Home category, while classmate Corey Black placed runner up in the same category.
Small Home Big Life is an annual competition for Victorian architecture and building design students, which celebrates and promotes the many positive aspects of the tiny home design movement
The competition aims to promote the idea that a big life is possible in a small home, and is also about incorporating affordability and sustainability into housing design. The competition is industry-led and sponsored by Industry Association ‘Design Matters’ magazine. Barry Du Bois, co-host of Network 10's lifestyle program ‘The Living Room’ was a judge this year, alongside respected designers, architects, manufacturers.
Swinburne Pathway and Vocational Education (PAVE) building and construction teacher, Jane Clancy has had students take part in the competition for the last six years and says it’s a fantastic challenge for students to tackle.
“It’s a great way for students to showcase their design skills and 3D drawings, as well as getting the chance to work with new construction materials and meeting all the building codes and regulations” say Ms Clancy.
The competition gives budding designers the chance to showcase their best work, with the winning submissions displayed at the annual HIA Home Show in Melbourne. This year, due to the COVID-19 situation, the showcase has been postponed.
Winning student, Steve Pettitt says his passion for sustainability inspired him to enter the contest, and that he enjoyed the challenge of designing small-scale for the competition.
”Designing my entry for the competition was really fun. I found it really refreshing to have to think about scaling down designs, rather than being asked to scale up! I’m really proud to have this design in my portfolio, I think it really showcases my sustainable design skills and ability to create livable homes within limited space” says Steve.
Related articles
-
- Design
- Technology
- Engineering
Engineering student races into motorsport career
Engineering student Tom McCausland is one of four Swinburne interns at motorsport team, Walkinshaw Andretti United. Discover what he's doing in pitstop design and analysis.
Wednesday 17 February 2021 -
- Design
Swinburne 2020 Design Graduate folios online
Swinburne’s 2020 Design Graduate showcase is now available online.
Tuesday 15 December 2020 -
- Design
Swinburne’s Daniel Huppatz on Design: The Key Concepts
Associate Professor Daniel Huppatz discusses the fundamental issues that challenge and inform the work of designers today in his book Design: The Key Concepts.
Friday 27 November 2020 -
- Design
Design Thinking in Higher Education
Associate Professor of Sustainability and Social Innovation at the Swinburne School of Design, Dr Gavin Melles, addresses developments and concerns about design thinking in higher education.
Wednesday 11 November 2020 -
- Design
Swinburne Design Alumnus wins prestigious Good Design Gold Award
Swinburne Design Alumnus James Chapman has been recognised by the 2020 Good Design Awards for the design of his ‘Kami’ chair.
Friday 18 December 2020