Paulien created a tiny house during her last year of school. She noticed many students struggling to find affordable homes, which sparked her interest in tiny houses.
Paulien wanted to escape the trap of needing a full-time job just to pay rent. She named her project ‘Verkas,’ and it became like a big example of her work.
Her tiny house is very small, only 48 square meters, but she made it feel bigger by designing it smartly. She reused a lot of materials like windows, doors, kitchen parts, beams, and steel from a greenhouse. For a new touch, she chose calm colors and materials that make the inside peaceful.

Paulien described her house as ‘Japandi,’ a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian styles. It’s a place where she can unwind because of all the natural light and serene design.

She didn’t spend much money building it because her family and friends helped out. While building, Paulien learned a lot about construction and design. She hopes to use these skills to design more tiny homes in the future, using materials wisely and sustainably.
However, building the house wasn’t easy. Reusing old materials and learning everything on her own took a lot of time and effort. Sometimes, she had to stop working to rest because it was so intense.

The greenhouse around the house is her favorite part. It helps her live independently and sustainably, which makes her very happy. Being surrounded by greenery is a big bonus for her.
