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You Can Try Small-Space Living on for Size at This Tiny Home Village in Florida
Krsna Jivani Balynas and Govinda Carol, a couple with minimal prior construction experience, embarked on a DIY project to build their first tiny home, named Shanti, in Alachua, Florida. Their learning process involved YouTube videos and consulting friends, with a significant focus on sourcing materials secondhand from resale shops and Facebook Marketplace for elements like the trailer, windows, sinks, door, and shower. Upon completing Shanti, they listed it as a vacation rental on Airbnb, which quickly became fully booked, demonstrating a high demand for tiny home experiences.
Following this unexpected success, the couple decided to construct more tiny homes for rental. The positive reception and consistent bookings eventually allowed Govinda to leave his IT job and dedicate himself full-time to building tiny houses. They established their own design-build company, Simplify Further Tiny Homes, and currently manage a village of 12 tiny home Airbnbs in Alachua. Of these, five are owned by Krsna and Govinda, while the remaining seven are owned by friends, family, and neighbors, with the couple managing them for a profit share.
The tiny homes are situated in northern Florida, near Gainesville, an area known for its warm climate and proximity to freshwater springs, attracting tourists. The couple's design philosophy emphasizes creating each home as a "tiny oasis," integrating natural surroundings into the living experience. For example, the Raja home's patio transforms into a tropical paradise when the banana trees grow in summer. The homes range in size from 176 square feet with one sleeping loft to 296 square feet with two lofts. A key design objective is to foster an "open feel" through features like open shelving, high ceilings, and abundant windows.
Material choices evolve across their builds; earlier designs feature LP Smart siding and T1-11 siding, while newer ones utilize board-and-batten cement board. Interiors consistently feature tongue-and-groove pine ceilings, with flooring made from laminate and tile, and walls incorporating beadboard, plywood, drywall, and shiplap. Baltic birch butcherblock is preferred for kitchen counters due to its natural wood aesthetic and ease of customization. Connectivity with the outdoors is a priority, achieved through elements like sliding glass doors, outdoor tubs, and showers. The Shiva tiny home even includes a rooftop deck. Some homes, like Raja and Goa, feature outdoor clawfoot tubs, enhancing the experience of bathing under the stars.
The couple also incorporates cultural influences, particularly from Indian culture, reflecting Govinda's upbringing. They offer customized experiences, including herbal outdoor baths and activities aligned with the Ahimsa lifestyle. Guests can rent these tiny homes for $100 to $120 per night, and for those interested in ownership, tiny homes on wheels are available for purchase at prices ranging from $31,000 to $45,000. Many guests rent to test out tiny living before committing to a purchase.
Krsna highlights the importance of comfortable sleeping spaces—whether lofts or crawl-in beds—and spacious bathrooms in their design, aiming to make guests feel at home. She notes that generous bathrooms allow for additional storage. The couple previously lived in a tiny home themselves, finding it fostered closeness, encouraged minimalist living, and provided financial freedom. Their desire to return to tiny living after moving into a larger family home motivated the expansion of their tiny home village.
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