Whare Iti: Geometry of Design
Big living in small spaces
Ako | Learning Intentions
- Know: The formulas for area and perimeter of composite shapes.
- Do: Create a scale floor plan for a tiny home that maximizes utility within a fixed area.
- Understand: How geometry is used to solve design problems like housing affordability.
He Kōrero Timatanga - Introduction
Housing is expensive. One solution gaining popularity in Aotearoa is the "Tiny Home" movement. But designing a small space requires clever mathematics. Every square centimeter counts.
Discussion Starter
"What is the minimum space a person needs to live comfortably? Why?"
Consider: Sleeping, cooking, washing, relaxing.
Part 1: The Design Challenge
Your Client: A young couple looking for their first home.
Constraints:
- Maximum Floor Area: 30m² (excluding loft).
- Must include: Kitchen, Bathroom, Living Area, Sleeping Area (can be loft).
- Max Trailer Width: 2.5m (Legal road limit).
Part 2: Geometry in Action
Students draw a floor plan on grid paper (Scale 1:50).
📐 Calculation Station
Calculate the Area of each "zone" in your house.
Bathroom Area = 1.2m x 2.0m = 2.4m²
Total Footprint = Length x Width
Must be ≤ 30m²
Part 3: Cost Estimation (Surface Area)
To estimate the cost of cladding, we need the Surface Area of the exterior walls.
Task: Calculate the total wall area (minus windows/doors) to determine how many timber-boards are needed.
Kaiako Notes
Encourage students to research real Tiny House plans online for inspiration. This connects abstract geometry to tangible, desirable outcomes.