This Okanagan company is re-imagining Airstream trailers

In today’s ultra expensive real estate market, living in a 250 square foot home doesn’t sound quite as outrageous as it may have decades ago.

Coincidentally, Airstream trailers with their stylish and compact nature are enjoying a renaissance in popularity among those looking for quality over quantity.

The concept of "better not bigger" is well understood by Martin Readman and Annie Jomphe, who recently moved to Penticton to open their new design and construction business Sitka Concept.

“My husband and I lived in a sailboat for two years traveling the world and came out of it filled with ideas on how to do big things in a small space,” said Jomphe.

“Now we can take a 250 square foot Airstream trailer, completely gut it and fill it with a master bed, bathroom, kitchen and dining room with everything fully functional and winterized.”

The design and construction duo also repurposes trailers originally intended for sleeping into something a bit more outside the box like a wine tasting station or a portable salon.

Sitka Concept is bringing their unique design methods to the increasingly popular market for tiny homes, where a 500 to 1000 square feet can be transformed into a sustainable sanctuary.

European nations, along with Japan, have been mastering the art of living tiny for decades, where the motivation to reduce overall living costs initially influenced the movement.

As housing costs continue to rise in B.C., tiny homes quickly gaining popularity for economic value and sustainability practices.

“When you decide to live a simpler life in a smaller house, the goal is to design & build respecting our planet resources," explained Jomphe.

"When we design a tiny house, we think of the energy from the sun, the lights coming from the windows, the passive cooling within the air circulation, all the energy needed to live comfortably depending on the climate."

Using surrounding elements to increase a home's efficiency leads to spending less on maintenance and utilities, meaning one of the hidden bonuses is also spending less time at work and more time with loved ones.

To learn more about the Sitka Concept team, click here!