Tiny home built by school students sells for $65,000
They have spent the last nine months learning the tricks of the building trade, but this was one hammer that still made them nervous.
The first tiny home built by year 9 and 10 students from Lismore High, in northern NSW, went to auction on Thursday.
The tension in the room was obvious, but cheers broke out when the auctioneer’s hammer dropped with the price at $65,000.
Year 10 student Tom Cooper was left almost lost for words after the flurry of bids.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said.
“We didn’t know what it would go for, we’re so glad it sold.
“It was fun to work on it, I wish I could do it again.”
The interior of the tiny home, styled and ready for auction. (Supplied: Lifestyle Group Lismore)
The buyer, Lauren Flint, lives across the road from the school which two of her children attend.
With a family of eight, the tiny home seemed like the answer to their prayers for more space.
“When I saw it I just knew it would be perfect for us,” Ms Flint said.
“It sounds cliched, but it’s surreal.
“I honestly thought it would go for much higher. They’ve done such an amazing job.”
Year 10 student Harrison Brown said it was overwhelming to see so many people show an interest in their project.
“It was really nice to meet them,” he said.
“It’s pretty cool knowing that what we worked on for last year for is going to good hands and they were really happy to buy it.”
A project with a cause
The 12 students were part of a pilot program designed to give them a hands-on experience with professional builders, electricians and plumbers.
Students learned construction skills on the tiny homes project. (Supplied: Lismore High School)
Lismore High principal Chris Williams said the loss of hundreds of Northern Rivers homes in the 2022 floods sparked the idea for the project.
“We were looking to do something different and creative with kids to help them look at alternative pathways post high school,” Mr Williams said.
“We thought the tiny home could be a really creative way of getting students engaged with local tradespeople to build a tangible project that would actually benefit someone in the community.
“They are finding the real relevance in their learning.”
The living area of the tiny home with feature walls and floors. (Supplied: Lifestyle Group Lismore )
Matthew Smith was keen to enter the building industry and said the project helped him hone in on electrical work as his preferred trade.
“We got a view into plumbing, electrical, all of it,” he said.
“It’s more than just doing work experience.“
Two participants have already begun a career in the trades — one has started a trade, and one has started a school-based apprenticeship.
A home with a history
The one-bedroom tiny home comes with all the usual additions, but the students used some unique materials in the build.
“The timber has been sourced out of old ship, the HMAS Hawk,” he said.
“There are bullet holes that have been bogged up.
“It’s quite significant, and quite unique.”
The HMAS Hawk, was a coastal minesweeper in the Australian Navy in the 1960s. (Supplied: Department of Defence)
The HMAS Hawk was commissioned into the Australian Navy in 1962 as a coastal minesweeper.
The bullet holes in the floorboards were likely caused during an infamous incident when a crewman from the HMAS Hawk attacked his own boat with its sub machine gun in 1966.
The timber for the parquetry flooring came from the HMAS Hawk. (Supplied: Lifestyle Group Lismore)
For sale
Mr Williams said the project had achieved its goal.
“We want them to leave this school and be contributing members to our local community. So that’s what this project has fostered — a sense of community,” he said.
The tiny home has a feature wall made from reclaimed timber. (ABC North Coast: Cathy Adams)
Proceeds of the sale will allow the next cohort of students to construct another tiny home and Mr Williams said there was already a list of students ready to take on the challenge.
