Two motivated and capable young entrepreneurs decided to design and build their own version of a tiny family home in 2018. It was the start of a new life for this family of four living in France, as well as a new business. Their first home was soon followed by other unique and extravagant projects built for their clients, and over time, it has become iconic due to its bold dimensions and highly creative style.
Six years ago, Alice and Noe built their own house on wheels. They had no previous experience, but were both skilled at design and craftsmanship. It all started with a dream of renovating an old French villa, but as soon as they discovered the tiny living movement, they were fascinated and decided to build a tiny home from scratch. The big challenge was that they had two small children; also, their idea of a huge, oversized mobile home was unusual at the time and difficult to build.
That’s how the tiny house Viva was born. The name was a combination of Alice and Noe’s surnames (Villeneuve and Vallet), and it also became the name of their brand new business. Their house became their first completed project, followed by several others built and delivered under the Viva Tiny House brand. The two young parents went from building one house for their family of four to building several more houses at their facility in Couesmes (an hour away from Angers), with a small team and using modern, sustainable processes (including green energy).
Photo: Viva Tiny House
The Viva Tiny has been aptly described as a “mini-mansion.” A far cry from typical tiny homes, even those specifically designed for families, the Viva is nearly 14 meters (46 feet) long and arrives on a semi-trailer. The single-level configuration boasts a total of 38 square meters (409 square feet), dwarfing other family-sized tiny homes. The uncompromising length and resulting interior volume are the main things that make this mobile home so unique.
And that’s not all. The Viva Tiny is also completely original and bold when it comes to style. Unlike most minimalist designs today that look a lot alike, this French mini-villa is as eccentric as can be without compromising functionality. It feels more like an antique shop because of the sheer number of recycled and repurposed items and materials inside. It’s full of life and every nook and cranny is like a treasure map of unique features and objects waiting to be explored.
At the start of the project, Alice and Noe obviously wanted to keep costs to a minimum, which is why they handled most of the construction themselves and incorporated so many reused objects. However, it was also a reflection of their eco-conscious mindset based on sustainability, which would later also show itself in their clients' projects. Even today, these French houses on wheels are built with wooden frames and natural insulation, while most of the natural materials are locally sourced and combined with recycled objects.
Photo: Viva Tiny House
Old and heavy furniture, mismatched objects and colorful accents are all part of the big and bold personality of this home. The exterior also combines traditional wood with metal siding: in addition to the practical benefits, it gives Viva a contemporary and eclectic look. The large terrace is a welcome addition for spending more quality time outdoors. It also boasts one of the most beautiful and unique railings that enhances the raw and natural charm of wood in its purest form.
Viva’s unique style also includes large hexagonal windows that look like honeycombs. The one in the living room/bedroom area of the home takes center stage as the most striking piece of furniture, further highlighted by the dark-toned feature wall and arched ceiling.
The room itself is spectacular for its elevated position and unusual, sophisticated design. The heavy furniture provides ample storage and blends into the feature walls for added visual depth. The sofa is tucked neatly into a cozy corner for added privacy and is convertible so the room can easily be transformed into a comfortable bedroom.
Photo: Viva Tiny House
The overall feel of the living room is truly reminiscent of old French homes, while the bohemian hexagonal window and rustic fireplace add to the magical feel. A spacious dining area sits between the living room and kitchen, and is large enough for the whole family and for dining with friends. A large kitchen and a proper dining area are what many people associate with a traditional family lifestyle, and that is indeed what Viva Tiny offers.
The bathroom inside this oversized tiny house is also tailored to the needs of a family of four. Instead of a basic shower, it features a vintage-style bathtub, and the toilet section (with an eco-friendly dry toilet) is discreetly separated from the bathtub section for added privacy. A hatch has also been added under the toilet to make composting easier—it’s all in keeping with a sustainable lifestyle. There’s enough room for a full-size washing machine, as well as plenty of storage in the form of shelves, drawers, and quirky cabinets.
The Viva Tiny also focuses heavily on color. While the exterior focuses on the natural and pure simplicity of wood without artificial additions, the interior is a true explosion of color, texture and geometry. Bright yellow transforms the children's room into a sunny and cheerful paradise, filled with beautiful furniture and whimsical accents such as the hexagonal window.
Photo: Viva Tiny House
This iconic family home took ten months to build, and the total cost at the time was €125,000 ($138,500). Alice and Noe would go on to build a similarly bold and unusual tiny family home a few years later for another young family. They have successfully proven that it is perfectly possible to dream big when it comes to tiny home living, while still staying on the path to sustainability.