Tiny house going up at high school

A group of students at Hot Springs County High School is currently working on a "tiny house" as part of the school's new Trades class.

Teacher Britton Van Heule explained an Industrial Arts teacher could not be found, so Principal, Breez Longwell Daniels, asked him what he could do. Thus the Trades class was created this past fall.

In preparing to build the tiny house, students looked at various examples and did some research as to costs of building the house on skids compared to building it on a trailer. Using the skids was noticeably less expensive, by about $3,000. They also were able to visit with and bounce ideas off an actual contractor.

The school district has helped fund the first part of the project, and the class has applied for additional funding.

The house is something of a "brainchild" of all the students' input. Work began in September and they're looking to have it finished by the end of the school year. While still deciding on whether they will plumb it, they are definitely looking to wire it. Plans for the interior currently include a loft bed with a ladder, a stove and possibly a sink.

In additional to learning skills such as framing and using contractors' tools, the students are also learning to work with others whose opinions might differ from their own. The general feeling is that they all enjoy their time in the class.

Van Heule noted they hope to sell the house, and concept-wise, they are looking at building something someone could use as a cabin in the mountains.