In Between

"In Between" rethinks the tiny home as more than a minimum enclosure, asking how a small footprint can still provide dignity, privacy, and a sense of belonging. Compact individual units are organized around a shared porch and garden, forming a gradual threshold between private retreat and communal life. A distinctive sloping canopy unifies the cluster, extending the living space outdoors while offering shade, shelter, daylight, and a framework for planting and rainwater collection. Built from simple, repeatable components and low-carbon materials, the project directs limited resources toward what matters most — minimum enclosure, maximum dwelling. Submitted to AIA Chicago's Tiny Homes design competition, part of the inaugural Tiny Homes Summit addressing young adult homelessness in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.