Exclusive adventure
Anna Moldenhauer: What was the idea behind the limited edition ‘Golden Houses’?
Andreas Tiik: Our goal was to push the boundaries in a way and develop an extraordinary offering for the guest houses that is not yet available on the market.
Jaak Tiik: Our ‘Mirror Houses’ are already exclusive, but we wanted to go one better. The result is very high-quality units that are manufactured in a standardised way, which represents a new approach.
79 is the atomic number of the chemical element gold; each house is also 7.9 metres long. How do the houses differ from your other mirror cabins?
Andreas Tiik: The size is similar to the Mirror Houses, but everything else is different, both in terms of interior design and the type of glass used for the outer shell. For the interior design, we used elements such as brass fittings and brass-coated lights to ensure that the systems match the product and fit in with the theme of the entire house. The interior design is intended to be unusual without being overly ostentatious.
The interior design is kept quite minimalistic and focuses on selected highlights, uch as the faucet from the "AXOR Citterio M" collection for the kitchen.
Andreas Tiik: Exactly, the focus is on the materials – the fittings and worktops should be as elegant and sophisticated as possible.
Why did you choose the "AXOR Citterio M 220" in brushed brass?
Jaak Tiik: The option of choosing individual finishes for the fittings was great for matching them to the project, as brushed brass fits perfectly with the aesthetic of our Golden Houses. AXOR fittings are also very high-quality products that are characterised by their long service life, which is an important factor for us.
The "AXOR One collection" by Barber Osgerby sets the tone in the bathroom and offers water-saving Select technology. Was it a selection criterion for you that the fittings contribute to the responsible use of resources?
Andreas Tiik: Yes, that was definitely important to us, because the hot water supply at our locations in the countryside is not unlimited. We use a water heater that only holds a certain amount – so it's important to use it efficiently. That's why it's important to us that the shower heads and taps help to keep water consumption low.
You founded your company in 2016, and one of your goals is to enable guests to live in harmony with nature. That's not something you immediately associate with a luxurious stay – how does that fit together for you?
Jaak Tiik: I have travelled extensively throughout my life, but it always bothered me to spend the night in a tent, which is basically a plastic bag, even in the most beautiful places in the world. Our tiny homes open up nature to travellers who are looking for more comfort. How does that work in harmony with nature? I think there are several aspects to it. The house can be moved to a different location at any time. We also strive to disturb nature as little as possible by integrating the buildings visually into the overall environment and leaving the location virtually unchanged. It is definitely not an urban product, because we want to appeal to a new target group that is not necessarily outdoor-oriented, but is looking for the comfort of a five-star hotel room. Guests get that thanks to the Golden Houses in the middle of nature.
How are the ÖÖD mirror houses made of glass, steel and aluminium constructed so that they can be erected anywhere in the world?
Jaak Tiik: There are building regulations for most of the places where we want to erect our houses. We have to comply with these, including wind and snow loads, structural integrity and earthquake safety. This cannot be achieved with super-light materials. Basically, the Mirror Homes are built like standard houses; the construction is very stable. The 20-square-metre house weighs ten tonnes. This is also necessary because they are shipped worldwide, to Mexico and Canada, for example, and then transported to their location by truck.
At the same time, you opted for a 180-degree glass façade: three walls of the house are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows. Are these also shipped or manufactured specifically in the country where the tiny homes are to be placed?
Andreas Tiik: The ‘Golden House’ is created with custom-made window surfaces in a gold look and a carefully designed, minimalist interior. The cabin is therefore delivered from Estonia as a turnkey unit. We can even install a bed in advance. Once the foundation is ready and the supply lines are in place, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour to connect everything. And then you have a house that is ready to move into. We call it a turnkey product because all that's missing are the connections. That was a big challenge at the beginning, but we managed it and have had very few complications with shipping the buildings so far.
Are guests self-catering?
Jaak Tiik: We provide a small kitchenette and barbecue facilities in the Tiny Homes, and there are also locations with a main house nearby that offers catering. However, most guests bring their own ingredients and cook for themselves.
You are both business partners and brothers. How did you divide up the tasks?
Andreas Tiik: We have different professional backgrounds, so Jaak is more involved in the design. My responsibilities lie in the area of production and logistics organisation. A month ago, we won the ‘EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year’ award in Estonia. This has reinforced our belief that we are on the right track.
There's a term for your hospitality concept: ‘glamping’, or glamorous camping. What mindset would you like to see in your customers who choose this type of getaway?
Andreas Tiik: That's a good question. I think you're the first person to ask us that.
Jaak Tiik: What they definitely bring with them is curiosity. This goes well with a little thirst for adventure, an appreciation of high-quality design and, in general, an open mind for the extraordinary break that we offer them with our Tiny Homes.
