Behind the scenes at the workshop:
a visit to Tiny House Diekmann

A Tiny House usually comprises around 20 to 25 square metres of space – and everything needs to fit inside. In just this small area, the occupants need to be able to cook, sleep, shower and work. “That in itself is no mean feat,” says Stefan Diekmann. “But that’s possible.”

Listening to Stefan Diekmann speak, it soon becomes clear that he isn’t just passionate about the minimalist Tiny Houses – he has also transformed them into a successful business model. His carpentry workshop, a family-run business dating back over 70 years, now focuses almost solely on manufacturing these small houses on wheels.

When he first came across this way of living in Canada, he was fascinated by the idea that less can in fact be so much more. He enjoys reducing a house to only what is absolutely essential and making the most out of what little space is available. "If you have such small rooms, you have to find intelligent space solutions," says Stefan Diekmann. The Tiny Houses produced by his company are between 12 and 25 square metres in size and are built onto trailers. This means that they need to be completely roadworthy, and they must also not exceed the legally permissible maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes. In order to fulfil these requirements, it is vital that the exact size and features of the house are established right from the design phase.

Tiny House Diekmann – Stefan Diekmann
Das Rückgrat des Unternehmens sind der erfahrene Schreinermeister Sören Otto und sein Team.

Design software can then be used to calculate the quantities of the required materials, as well as the final weight of the Tiny House once it is complete. The size is also subject to strict requirements, as Stefan Diekmann explains. “We aren’t allowed to build any higher than 4 metres or any wider than 2.55 metres. In terms of length, we can’t go beyond 7 to 8 metres, otherwise we can’t keep the weight low enough.” Experienced master carpenter Sören Otto and his team form the backbone of the company. In the production hall, it is immediately clear that things run like clockwork here – and a good thing too, given that the carpenters are always working on multiple houses at the same time. The sound of saws and sanding machines accompanies you as you make your way through the hall, and the smell of fresh wood lingers in the air. Eight Tiny Houses are in different stages of production, ranging from a construction comprising little more than wooden frames right through to a finished house complete with fittings that is soon to be shipped to the Netherlands.

The pride of workmanship is clearly seen in the attention to detail starting from the exacting exterior to every piece of the multipurpose furniture. As Diekmann and his team are well aware, when it comes to building Tiny Houses, the skills of both construction carpenters and furniture makers are in equally high demand. It is only when everyone gives their all and dedicates their full attention to every detail that houses of extraordinary quality can be produced. “We’re very lucky to have excellent employees who love what they do,” explains owner Stefan Diekmann.

“We simply need to create a clever living space”

(Stefan Diekmann, manufacturer of Tiny Houses, in conversation with STABILA)

Work begins with a trailer that has been developed especially for the company. This serves as the basis for the Tiny House. An insulated wooden subfloor is first fixed onto the trailer, forming the foundation of the house and protecting the future inhabitants against cold, damp and insects. The trailer is raised using a jack and levelled with the help of a laser. Once the trailer is precisely level, it is carefully supported so that the jack can be removed. After this point, work on the assembly can get properly under way. It is extremely important that all the construction elements are correctly levelled both vertically and horizontally right from the start, as any levelling mistakes made at this stage cannot be corrected later down the line. Measurements are constantly taken throughout the entire construction process to ensure that each component fits into the space provided with millimetre accuracy. Avoiding mistakes is absolutely crucial, as these would result not only in wasted material costs, but also in countless man hours lost. And of course that would be particularly annoying when the order books are full and several houses are under construction at the same time.

That’s why, in Stefan Diekmann’s view, a skilled workforce and quality measuring tools are the perfect combination to guarantee an end product of exceptional craftsmanship. Since precise measuring plays such a fundamental role in the success of his company, Stefan and his team rely on measuring tools from STABILA for every Tiny House that they build. Ultimately, it is precisely this fusion of skilled craftsmanship and innovative technology that transforms humble timber into a Tiny House.

Tiny Houses: The end result is impressive – minimalistic, functional and mobile

Are you also enthusiastic about Tiny Houses? Find out more here:

Website: www.tiny-house-diekmann.de
Facebook: @tinyhousediekmann