Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Nick Hughes is 6’5″, so a standard tiny house was never going to work for him. Instead, he designed and built his own 30-foot tiny house on wheels in Calgary, Alberta, with a lot of help from his parents, who both have construction experience. Six years later he’s still living in it. The 255-square-foot home is tall-man friendly, packed with storage, and, according to Tiny House Expedition, it’s the only legal tiny house on wheels in Calgary.
Watch the Video Tour
Designed for a Tall Owner
Most tiny houses are built for average heights, with low lofts and tight doorways. Nick custom-designed his so he could move around comfortably, and the result is a home that feels roomy for someone his size while still fitting on a 30-by-8.5-foot trailer and staying within a 13-foot height.
A Storage-Packed Kitchen
The kitchen is built to make the most of every inch, with a sink, a full refrigerator, and dark cabinetry. The video spends a good few minutes on how Nick worked storage into the space, one of the home’s standout features.
A Tiny Bathroom (and a Toilet-Trained Cat)
The bathroom has a toilet, a sink, and a small window. In the tour, Nick also shows off something you don’t see every day: his toilet-trained cat.
Two Lofts
The home has two lofts, one used as Nick’s bedroom and the other as a flex space with a comfy chair, a window, and carpet, perfect for reading or guests.
Going Legal in Calgary
Nick wanted to do everything the right way, so he went through the long process of getting his home permitted. In the video he talks about that journey, along with heating and moisture management, what the build cost, how DIY compares to buying from a builder, and what it’s like living in a mobile home community.
Design Details
- Owner and builder: Nick Hughes, with help from his parents
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in a mobile home community
- Type: DIY tiny house on wheels
- Size: 30′ x 8.5′ x 13′ (9.1 x 2.6 x 4.1 m); 255 sq ft (23.7 m²)
- Layout: living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom loft, flex loft
- Lived in: about 6 years at the time of filming
- Status: permitted; described by Tiny House Expedition as the only legal tiny house on wheels in Calgary
What Makes This Build Special
- A custom layout built around a 6’5″ owner.
- Smart storage throughout, especially in the kitchen.
- A family DIY build with experienced help.
- Proof that permitting a tiny house on wheels is possible, even if it takes patience.
For more from Tiny House Expedition, see Sarah’s 205 sq ft Avion renovation and Denise and Mike’s renovated 1970s geodesic dome. For other Alberta homes, see Teacup’s road-legal 30-foot Ruby.
Learn More
Nick Hughes’ Tiny House on Wheels
Video tour: Tiny House Expedition on YouTube
Nick’s work: @nickhughesmedia
Tiny House Expedition: tinyhouseexpedition.com · @tiny_house_expedition
Images: stills from Tiny House Expedition.
Highlights
- 255 sq ft DIY tiny house on wheels in Calgary
- Designed for a 6’5″ owner
- Storage-packed kitchen and two lofts
- Built with help from his parents
- Permitted after a long process
Explore More
- Sarah’s 1973 Avion La Grande: A 205 Sq Ft Renovation
- A 1970s Geodesic Dome, Renovated by Denise and Mike
- Teacup’s 2026 Ruby: A 30-Foot Road-Legal THOW
- Stan’s Shed Conversion on Family Land
- THOWs
What do you think?
Would you go through the permitting process to make your tiny house fully legal?
If you enjoyed this you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more!
You can also join our Small House Newsletter!
Also, try our Tiny Houses For Sale Newsletter! Thank you!
More Like This: Tiny Houses | Video Tours | Tours & Features | Tiny House Interiors | Tiny House Living | Tiny Houses on Wheels
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Alex
Latest posts by Alex (see all)
- Studio Home Laurel: A One-Bedroom Backyard ADU in Four Architectural Styles - October 10, 2026
- A 6’5″ Man’s DIY Tiny House on Wheels, Permitted in Calgary - October 10, 2026
- A Long House: A Designer’s 603 Sq Ft Seoul Apartment Opened Up Around Morning Rituals - October 10, 2026
