Le Workshop - building stunning Tiny Homes
Francois of Le Workshop based in Napier grew up in France. At the age of 15, He was selected to attend Le Compagnon du Devoir du Tour de France -a French organization of craftsmen and artisans dating from the Middle Ages. Their traditional, technical education includes taking a tour around France and participating in apprenticeships with masters. The seven year syllabus covers everything from traditional French carpentry, Chateau restoration to boat-fitting.Sarah-Lee grew up in New Zealand and has a BA in Art/Design. She has a background in Fashion Design and sustainability. They met thirteen years ago in Auckland and found an immediate connection in living a meaningful, engaged and creative life. They complement and complete each other with their skillsets, interests and background influences.They live in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with their three children; Poppy (11), LouLou (8) and Francis (6)Francois tells us how their Tiny Home business got started.
Getting started
“We never set out to build Tiny houses commercially. We built our tiny house for ourselves three years ago. At that time, we wanted to move out of the rental market, but didn’t want to bite off a million dollar mortgage -that would entail a different lifestyle, and for us, this season is prioritised for family.
We love the concept of simplicity and beauty, so we put those together alongside practicality and designed our first tiny house. There was an immediate interest which led us to branch out our cabinet-making business into Tiny House design.”
“We believe tiny housing complements the current housing market. It is not necessarily for every person or for every season, but for many, offers a freedom, financially, physically and emotionally, to spend our time developing meaningful relationships and pursuing personal projects, rather than spending 1/3-1/2 our time on Earth paying off a mortgage.”
“We love designing to our clients’ needs; helping clarify and reflect the relationship they have with their home.”
“My wife Sarah-Lee and I own the business. We work together through the design process. We have recently subcontracted a local business to build our Tiny houses to meet the growing demand.”
What materials do you like to use?
“Our tiny homes are built predominantly using locally sourced materials and using local businesses. They are built on a steel frame with a galvanized metal trailer.
The exterior cladding is a New Zealand grown cedar, It is a sustainable fast-growing timber that there is an abundance of.”
“Our interiors are lined with a light ply lining. Keeping the interior materials light in colour helps to open up the space and reflect light. “
“We use an insulation made of a recycled sheep wool blend made from carpet waste.”
“Our windows are all double-glazed, low E, argon-filled with timber cedar frames - these help hugely with heat sealing and transfer in comparison with aluminium frames.”
“Flooring is typically timber.”
What is your general price range?
“Our Tiny houses range from $80,000+GST to $110,000+GST”
What is the process once a customer contacts you? encounter on the way?
“Our order process typically involves clients contacting us via the expression of interest form on our website. From there, we discuss the individual needs of the user. It is important to spend time observing how you use your home space; where do you spend most of your time? What flexibilities do you need to create a space which is functional as well as a sense of belonging in reflected values.”
How long does it usually take to build your tiny homes?
“From start of build to completion, around eight weeks.”
What are the hurdles people building tiny homes should be aware of?
“Finance, lending criteria from banks are not the same as a regular housing loan. Land, where do you intend on living in your tiny house?”
What else do you think people looking to purchase a tiny home should know?
"Tiny houses are not a magic bullet to an easier life. Living anywhere provides challenges; physical, emotional or financial, It is important that you weigh up those challenges each season to find what works for you.Small space living ideally, should reflect the values of slow-living: simplifying our lives to cultivate community and redeem time for what matters most to you."
Contact Details
Le Workshop Ltd
Napier
www.leworkshop.co.nz
Phone 02777 46 131
