The MINIHOME (2007) was the flagship project of Sustain Design Studio, Ltd. – a Toronto- based practice dedicated to radical green design. Founded by Andy Thomson, M.Arch (CEO and Principal Designer from 2004 to 2009)  Sustain Design Studio later partnered with Altius Architecture, Inc. These small, portable green dwellings were built as ‘travel trailers  for adverse climatic conditions.

 The world’s first off-grid, Travel Trailer (CSA certified). Featured extensively on TV, Radio and print media including Oprah’s O at Home Magazine. Winner of DX award for interior design and flagship modern design at the forefront of the Tiny Home craze. 

The miniHome was an 8’ wide, 36’ long, completely self contained dwelling unit that basically put a code-compliant condo-style dwelling on a steel chassis with wheels. The miniHome SOLO contained its own power production system that consisted of PV panels and a proposed Stirling Engine that could be run on biodiesel. Water and wastewater systems were also onboard. Healthy materials were selected to reach indoor air quality goals. A sleeping loft was accessed by a sloped bookcase that doubled as a ladder. This first project led to a series of sequel projects, such as the miniHome DUO, TRIO and eventually an extensive range of Sustain Design Studio prefab projects that continued after Andy sold his shares of the company he founded in 2005 to Altius Architecture, Inc in 2009.