South Valley students compete in Tiny House competition

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A south Valley school is jumping in on the latest housing trend, they're part of a state-wide building competition creating a cozy living space -- a tiny house.

The College of Sequoia building program is hard at work, creating something they've never built before. "Have you ever heard of a tiny house?" an Action News reporter asked. "No," student Vivi Hernandez said. "I've never heard of it, I've never ever heard of it."

Hernandez was one of the first students to learn about the project. The tiny house they're building is part of a statewide contest sponsored by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. The competition includes other colleges and universities across the state.

Instructor John Rector think's their house will do well. "We'll spend a lot of time and detail with the interiors," Rector said. "We'll build our own doors."

A full week of competition will be in Sacramento next fall and each tiny house has to be completely self-sustaining. "We're going to use solar panels," student Jose Ramos said.

During the competition they'll be given only 65 gallons of water to last all week and if the competition doesn't add enough pressure, their tiny house will also be someone's home when it's over. "What if something happens and it's gonna be our fault," Hernandez said. "So yeah, there's big pressure."

Rector says there is pressure but also excitement to be part of the latest housing trend. "It has been interesting and it has been fun, students have loved it."

The community has taken an interest in the project too. "There's people that come by on regular basis and look at our tiny house," Rector said.

When it's done there will be a living room, kitchen, bathroom and a loft upstairs for sleeping. A cozy less than 600 square feet of living, making a home wherever you need it.