Imagine giant puzzle pieces, cut from plywood. Traditional jigsaw-shaped connections link them together, forming walls.
Except this giant “puzzle” under construction is actually a tiny home.
Workers are measuring, cutting and assembling half a dozen of the trendy little homes inside an Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, warehouse. It’s a partnership between three businesses: Tiny Estates, Endeavor and ATOMIC Homes.
“All the pieces are cut on the CNC machine,” says Abby Shank, CEO of Tiny Estates and Endeavor. She’s pointing to those jigsaw puzzle-like connections. “Unlike a 2x4, where you’re measuring and cutting with so much waste—you don’t have that. Instead, they figure out exactly how to cut and fit the pieces to have the least waste.”
That’s just one of many benefits of tiny home builds versus traditional home construction. CNC machines are “computer numerical control” devices that optimize design to minimize waste.
The construction is done by ATOMIC Homes, an offshoot of live event producer ATOMIC, based at Rock Lititz. When the pandemic halted concerts, set design and production, ATOMIC pivoted and poured their creativity into tiny homes instead.
“Tiny homes” are really what they’re called—defined as homes with about 500 square feet or less.
ATOMIC creates the miniature homes for Tiny Estates, a growing Elizabethtown community currently composed of 58 tiny homes, with space for 100. And Endeavor is the sales company that connects tiny homebuyers to ATOMIC’s homes, whether they want to reside in Tiny Estates or elsewhere.
Shank was hooked by the tiny home movement when it first launched 10 years ago. She’s sold hundreds of tiny homes since then—and the trend continues to rise.
“It provides an asset and sense of ownership that otherwise wouldn’t be attainable,” Shank says.
1 of 4
2 of 4
3 of 4
4 of 4
Affordability is a major benefit. Prices of ATOMIC’s two primary homes range from $70,000 to $170,000. Both floor plans can be customized, providing more than 40 different layout options, including one- and two-bedroom options, teeny kitchens—yet with all the essential appliances—bathrooms hidden behind space-saving sliding barn doors, lofts and built-in storage. Even patios can be added.
Tiny homeowners-to-be can dream big. Thanks to online tools on ATOMIC’s website, visitors can customize their tiny dream homes virtually. Buyers can choose between standard, modern and farmhouse finishes. Completed homes measure between 24 and 40 feet long.
“Minimalism appeals to many tiny home dwellers, and many opt for natural maple finishes” says James Kelly, ATOMIC’s director of marketing.
“It’s a lifestyle, and we’re building true to what people are looking for,” Kelly says. “There’s a focus on sustainability, and we use best practices, including large windows to maximize light.”
Tiny homes utilize small amounts of electricity for heating, cooling and all appliances, minimizing their carbon footprint.
Lots of people are “living small,” from Gen Z to Millennials, Gen X to Boomer retirees. The portability of tiny homes—built on wheels—makes them ideal housing options for military personnel. The affordability appeals to groups implementing housing for veterans and low-income families. Others operate tiny homes as vacation Airbnbs for supplemental income.
“There’s such a large need in the housing world, and this is something that makes an impact,” Shank says.
Mini home communities are multiplying. Tiny Estates’ original Elizabethtown community is being replicated in Florida, and Shank’s goal is to develop additional tiny home communities across the country.
1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
Navigating local and state tiny home zoning laws can be challenging, although Shank says it’s getting easier as mini houses go mainstream. Many towns and cities, struggling with housing issues, recognize the mighty benefits mini houses can bring to their communities.
“Over 50% of the population requires a one-bedroom house,” Shank says, “but only 12% of housing facilitates that, because the housing market continues to build large homes” across the U.S.
Tiny homes offer a solution to that problem. And many tiny home makers share their industry knowledge because they recognize the greater good it can do.
“I come from a business background where everything is normally proprietary,” Shank says. “But what’s been amazing is how open and collaborative the tiny home market is. The only way housing can become something attainable is through collaboration, and I’ve seen how willing people are to share best practices for tiny homes.”
Even though they’re tiny, these homes often create big emotional responses—like giant puzzle pieces falling into place within the lives of their homeowners.
“When you’re sitting at the settlement table,” Shank explains, “and people are crying because they’re finally able to own their own home … it’s so cool to see the impact tiny homes have on people’s lives.”
- There are about 10,000 tiny homes in the U.S.
- The tiny home industry is projected to grow to a $5.8 billion industry by 2025.
- The average American home cost $417,700 during the last quarter of 2023, while the average tiny home was $67,000.
- A traditional 2,000-sq-ft home produces 87 tons of carbon dioxide annually, compared to a tiny home’s two tons.
For more information, see tiny-estates.com and atomictinyhomes.com
