Leonardo Di Chiara, an architect and engineer from Pesaro, Italy, embarked on a truly unique life journey. At only 26, fresh out of university, he asked himself how he could make a difference in the world with his profession. The answer? Building houses on wheels to spread a new concept of home.

Driven by a desire to live in a mobile home that would allow him to travel while keeping the comfort and coziness of a real home, Leonardo set out on this personal mission. This journey led him to create a 9 m² tiny house named aVOID—a marvel of design that brings mobility and sustainability together. Once complete, his tiny home hit the road, touring various European cities and capturing attention with its revolutionary take on housing.

The Design of the aVOID Tiny House

aVOID is mounted on a steel trailer with a wooden frame. Leonardo opted for a design that balances aesthetics and functionality, using a balloon frame system to ensure stability even while moving. The house is fully insulated with wood fiber and wrapped in breathable membranes, making it impressively energy efficient.

At only 9 square meters, 1.98 meters wide, and 5 meters long, Leonardo’s tiny house somehow feels spacious. Clever foldaway furniture and multifunctional elements create a space that adapts to different uses and can even host up to six people! This compact space is cozy and functional, proving that great things really can come in small packages.

aVOID: Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability

aVOID is more than a house; it’s a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. Equipped with solar panels, a greywater purification system, and a compost toilet, it’s designed to have minimal environmental impact. To achieve energy independence, the mini-home incorporates bioclimatic principles: absorbing heat in winter and reflecting sunlight in summer.

This design allows Leonardo to live in sync with nature’s rhythms, significantly reducing resource consumption and showing that sustainability and comfort can thrive together, even in the smallest of spaces.

Pros and Cons of Tiny House Living

Like any housing solution, living in a tiny house has its pros and cons. On the plus side, there’s simplicity: living with less means less stress and more freedom. Since building aVOID, Leonardo has embraced minimalism, discovering that reducing space and possessions makes life easier and creates more room for meaningful experiences and relationships.

Another pros is mobility. Living in a mobile tiny house allows you to move your home wherever and whenever you like—a dream come true for nomads at heart. Plus, the chance to live self-sufficiently minimizes environmental impact and significantly cuts running costs, making for substantial long-term savings.

However, limited space can be challenging if you have bulky belongings or hobbies. Organization is key: every item needs a designated spot, and every space must be maximized, which can be a challenge especially for larger families.

Legal Standards of Living in a Tiny House

Living in a tiny house requires some knowledge of legal regulations. Since aVOID is considered a vehicle, it must comply with vehicle and urban planning laws. Leonardo encountered challenges registering and licensing the tiny house, as Italian law treats structures as fixed dwellings if they stay in one spot for more than 180 days.

After years of experience, Leonardo emphasizes the importance of planning relocations, carefully choosing where to stay, and working with experts to ensure the tiny house meets safety and legal standards.

Building Your Own Tiny House

In addition to living in his masterpiece on wheels, the aVOID tiny house, Leonardo Di Chiara offers his design and consulting expertise to anyone dreaming of their own custom tiny house. With passion and skill, he works on unique projects for individuals, businesses, and even public institutions, focusing on micro-living: from tiny houses to micro-apartments, tiny food trucks, and community spaces. If you’re ready to create an innovative space, Leonardo is there to help you bring your vision to life.

In a Nutshell

Leonardo Di Chiara, the young architect behind the aVOID tiny house, has crafted not only a home but a minimalist and self-sufficient lifestyle. His 9 m² tiny home, with its intelligent design and innovative technology, leaves a minimal environmental footprint while allowing him to live on the go, guided by nature’s rhythms. Leonardo’s journey shows us that sustainability, comfort, and freedom can coexist beautifully—even in the smallest spaces.