The gap closers

"I want a house, only smaller, please." For many looking for alternative forms of housing, this core idea behind a Tiny House sounds tantalisingly simple. But like most "simple" ideas, it turns out to be highly complex once it comes into contact with legal reality. Nevertheless, more and more of the tiny houses are gradually appearing, either turning legal grey areas into living space or presenting decision-makers and building regulations with a fait accompli in village centres. While they are unlikely to be a solution to the housing problem in Luxembourg, as all interviewees point out, they can take on many smaller roles. Be it as permanent housing for motivated minimalists, overnight accommodation for tourists or temporary accommodation for people who urgently need a transitional solution.

The three small houses in the centre of Schifflange are part of the latter group: They will house fleeing families from Ukraine. The completely prefabricated buildings, each 35 square metres in size, were placed on their site in Rue de Drusenheim by crane, where they form a small community of houses. As they do not need a foundation, they only had to be connected to the already existing water and electricity lines. Later, if necessary, they can simply be removed and replanted elsewhere.