As the housing market in the Nashville area continues approaching never-before-seen levels of growth, potential home buyers are considering alternatives to the traditional view of home ownership. And that includes extreme downsizing.

Some, like Mitch Wetherington, are doing so for idealistic reasons, rather than as a financial imperative. Wetherington, a touring musician, is building his dream “tiny home.”

“I just wanted to see if I could make something like this,” he said.

Currently there isn’t a set definition of what constitutes a tiny house; however, a residential structure less than 500 square feet is an acceptable benchmark.

While the definition is vague, the term often describes an architectural and social movement that advocates for living simply in small houses.

David Latimer, creator of New Frontier Tiny Homes, is a major player in the tiny house movement. After being featured on several television shows, his homes have gained international attention. Last week his tiny homes were featured at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.

Environmental and financial concerns and wanting more time and freedom are reasons tiny houses are becoming popular, according to Latimer.

“From the outside the homes draw you in, and from the inside they draw you out,” Latimer said. “It speaks to anyone who wants something cost-effective and different than the traditional, expensive home.”

As their popularity continues to grow, local governments may have to revamp zoning laws to promote uniformity and consistency in zoning for city planners, code officials and developers. Currently, a tiny house can be placed on properties that are zoned for Detached Accessory Dwelling Units or in a historic overlay.

For Wetherington, the home has been more about the construction process and collaborating with like-minded individuals than about adding to a movement.

“I saw and learned from other people who shared their blueprints online,” he said. “It’s a labor of love for these people.” Wetherington now wants to start his own blog to help others through the process.

Admittedly, he has a lot more to do. Wetherington is in the early stages of putting the walls together on a wooden building situated behind a house he currently rents. It’s nestled behind several old homes, in a big backyard.

“I don’t want to upset anyone that may have a problem with a project of this scale,” he said.

Once his tiny house is finished, he will live there when he’s not touring. Or rent it out using Air BnB, the popular short-term rental service. Most likely, he says, he will try a mixture of both options.

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