Tiny House On Show at Community Church

The “Tiny House” built by Healdsburg High School students this spring will be on display this weekend,  at Healdsburg Community Church.  The public is invited to come and see the house built by Healdsburg High School's CASA (Construction And Sustainability Academy). The 89-square foot  living structure will be on display on the church campus, at 1100 University Ave., from 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13 until 7 p.m. Sunday, July 14, including the overnight hours.  

The house was built as a project by HHS students under the direction of CASA instructor Glen Schaezlein. The students used plans donated by the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company and modified by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects.

The tiny house had its first outing during the Future Farmers Twilight Parade in May. Now the community can get up close, walk around and look inside this charming little residence, complete with a tiny kitchen, bathroom, sleeping loft and more.  This is a chance for the community to visit a local example of living small.

In a fund-raising drive led by the Healdsburg Education Foundation and CASA supporter Ray Holley, businesses and families in Healdsburg donated materials and expertise to aid the students. Significant donors included the John Jordan Foundation, Healdsburg Kiwanis, the Carrubba family, the Lloyd family, Wine Country Group Realtors and Eddinger Enterprises, as well as dozens of local builders.  

"This was truly a community effort," said Schaezlein. "Local companies donated or discounted materials and offered their expertise. The students got to meet local builders and learn from them firsthand."  

Holley noted that this is one of the first tiny houses in the country to be built as part of a high school's regular curriculum. "Local foundations, organizations and families were very generous and visionary in supporting this effort. Now, we can sell the tiny house and make enough money to build another one next year."  

The tiny house will be for sale this summer and details will be available at the open house July 13 and 14, or by emailing healdsburgshop@gmail.com.  

Community Church Pastor Dennis Tarr is enthusiastic about the opportunity to support Healdsburg High School students. "As part of HCC's Community Outreach, we are delighted to help as many people as possible see the house," he said.

"While it is in our care, we will give new meaning to the term 'housesit,' with church and community members watching over it for 36 hours!"  

Also participating in the weekend showcase will be two local agencies which help with housing: Habitat for Humanity and North County Community Services. Both will have literature and volunteers at the site to answer questions about their services.