Live in the narrow, pledge of simplicity

Photo Agence QMI, Daniel Mallard
The business Cabin offers tiny houses of 180 square feet. The originality of these homes has piqued the curiosity of many visitors in the Living room of the home.

Arnaud Koenig-Soutière

Saturday, 14 October, 2017 23:23

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Saturday, 14 October, 2017 23:23

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It is possible to live in a space of only 180 square feet. This is the bet of Simon Chalifour and his girlfriend Catherine Tessier-Baillargeon, who launch an assault on the market effervescent of mini-houses.

Working in the financial sector for the past six years, Simon Chalifour decided to leave everything aside 18 months ago to start a business.

Unknown a few years ago, the miniature houses are gaining followers year after year.

“It has taken birth on the american West coast. In 2008, during the housing crisis, people were looking for inexpensive alternatives for their home, ” says Mr. Chalifour, owner of the business Cabin and met in the Living room of the habitation of Quebec. It manufactures tiny houses of about 180 ft2.

Photo Agence QMI, Daniel Mallard

If the first argument is financial, with units key-in-hand of approximately $ 50,000, it is also a guarantee of simplicity and minimalism, which fits in with the current trends.

“This is a purchase that is as much rational as emotional. People find it cute, but at the same time, it is very convenient and it has a lot of sense financially. “

Customer wide

The possible uses are multiple. Whether for camping, a primary residence, secondary, or a hunting camp, the interest is real.

Some of the television shows produced in the american West allow the general public to become familiar with this type of housing. The curiosity of many visitors was bitten on the occasion of the Salon of the house.

“I have friends who have a big house and who say that rather than go into a ltc facility, there would be a plot for several houses like that,” says one of the many visitors who did not hide their interest.

The house is manufactured according to the standards of Transport Quebec to make the move easily.

It is, however, the laws of the vast majority of cities in quebec that are the problem. Currently, only 16 municipalities tolerate this type of housing. “It is the desire of the general public, which change municipal regulations,” says Simon Chalifour, which is the number of the half-dozen companies offering mini-houses.