Minimaliste Inc.'s tiny houses are becoming increasingly popular. With their modern design, these Quebec builders continue to innovate in the housing industry. With high demand for their products, they quickly turned to Merlo telehandlers for the construction of their houses!
We spoke with Minimaliste to learn more about the construction of their micro homes, the company's mission, and why they trust Merlo for their heavy machinery needs!
Can you explain what Minimalist is, what you do, and who you sell to?
Minimalist is a breath of fresh air in the housing industry. With an authentic, customer-focused approach, we design high-end tiny homes for customers across Canada and the United States.
Our clientele consists mainly of retired or semi-retired people and young professional couples. The lifestyle and values associated with the product are what primarily motivate our customers in their decision-making.
We want to democratize and promote tiny houses here and internationally by co-creating sustainable and thoughtful living spaces.
You often talk about incorporating innovation into your homes. What are some of these innovations?
One of our first homes, the Laurier, is 100% self-sufficient in terms of electricity thanks to eight solar panels and 2 kW of batteries. In addition, it includes propane-powered glycol floor heating.
We were the first in the industry to include this technology in a tiny house on wheels. From custom-made furniture for pets to multifunctional tables, we are constantly innovating to meet the needs of our customers.
How is Minimaliste changing people's perceptions of housing?
I think the most appropriate expression is difficult to translate, but Minimalist is about “downsizing without downgrading.” We offer people the opportunity to reduce their ecological footprint while maximizing comfort and a sense of freedom.
In your opinion, what is driving this trend toward micro-cottages or mobile homes? How big is this market, and how fast is it growing?
This market is booming, and consumers are motivated by two factors: economic and environmental. Most of the time, it's a combination of both. The mobile aspect is mainly to allow people to settle in places where new construction on a foundation would not be appropriate, or simply because they want to relocate in the future.
What is people's reaction when they see your homes for the first time?
It's pretty unanimous: they fall in love with them every time! Even the most skeptical realize that all the amenities are there and that the effect of spaciousness is astonishing. The feeling is very different from when you visit a recreational vehicle. People often compare it to a small open-plan apartment.
What are some of the tasks your Merlo performs and how important is it on your construction site?
We use a Merlo P40.13 with 8-foot forks. We use the basket and an attachment for lifting. Luigi (the name we gave our Merlo) is useful for unloading framing materials, finishing wood, and roofing materials, but its main use is for assembling insulated structural panels for building the shells of our tiny houses.
In order to deliver a product that meets our standards, it is important not only to use high-quality materials, but also to have the right tools and machinery to achieve our goals. In addition, both our employees and our equipment must be versatile and reliable.
Can you talk about the reasons why you chose a Merlo telehandler for your operations? Can you quantify your productivity gains thanks to this machine?
The choice of machine was based on its lifting capacity, stability, and above all, precision. We have significantly increased efficiency during installation and also safety with the platform for securing roof panels without having to climb onto the roof.
There is a very avant-garde aspect to your minimalist houses. Did you also look for machinery that reflected this modernity?
Absolutely. Just as we work with the latest technologies in terms of building envelopes, it is important to work with modern tools and machinery that are adapted to our needs.