- Oliva Purba and Dirkjan Tijs wanted to live a simpler and more sustainable life in Bali, Indonesia.
- So, they swapped their three-bedroom villa near Canggu for tiny living in Ubud.
- Rather than constructing just a single small dwelling, the couple erected two — all for $30,000.
After two years of living in a three-bedroom villa near Bali's popular Canggu tourist district, Olivia Purba and her husband, Dirkjan Tijs, decided it was time to downsize.
Purba, originally from North Sumatra , moved south from Indonesia's northern province in 2017 to work for a non-governmental organization in Bali as a partnerships officer, where she worked closely with small farmers in the coffee, cacao, rice, cinnamon, and seaweed sectors.
Tijs, a software engineer from the Netherlands , arrived in Bali in 2018 as a digital nomad. Initially, his intention was to remain on the island for a month — however, after meeting Purba, they became enamored with each other.
Although the couple traveled extensively, both for work and leisure, Bali always felt like home.
Their initial joint residence was this villa. It featured a personal swimming pool and offered ample space exceeding their requirements.
"Purba, at 36 years old, mentioned that they considered having their friends or relatives visit. Eventually, they decided to lease out the additional spaces to their friends as well,” says Purba, who currently works as a sustainability consultant and also manages an additional business. travel business with her husband, told Business Insider.
However, as time passed, they recognized their desire for greater seclusion.
Without kids, it didn't make sense for them to live in such a big house either. Moreover, their neighborhood was getting crowded, and all those factors got them thinking about a move.
"We thought, 'Let's head to Ubud since it has fewer people compared to Canggu "And in Pererenan, let's create something that’s simple, sustainable, and just right for the both of us," she stated.
Ubud sits at the heart of Bali Island and is famous for its lush rainforests and picturesque terraced rice fields.
From tourist-central Canggu to the lush forests of Ubud
They were drawn to tiny houses because they liked the idea of living minimally, but they also wanted enough space to start a permaculture farm where they could grow their own food.
Purba mentioned that since they have a background in sustainability, they've always felt compelled to lead by example.
In February 2024, they discovered an ideal piece of land in Ubud for their building project.
The area of the property totaled approximately 3,230 square feet and boasted an excellent setting: Surrounded by trees and rice paddies, shops and eateries were just under ten minutes away.
And unlike in Canggu, the traffic there isn't as bad, Purba said.
Although Purba hails from Indonesia — allowing her to purchase property in Bali — the pair opted to rent the parcel for a period of 25 years. The cost was 325 million Indonesian rupiah, equivalent to around $19,800.
It's cheaper to lease the land instead of buying it, Tijs, 36, told BI.
"It also means that my name can also be on the property as well, and the lease aligns with the time that it'll probably take for a wooden house to stay good," he said.
There's also an ethical reason behind their decision, Purba said: "A lot of land in Bali is being taken from the Balinese. This way, after 25 years, they can have their land back."
Instead of building one tiny house The pair decided on choosing two.
Tijs mentioned that constructing two houses on the same piece of land seemed more economical because they could share the expenses for material transportation, construction resources, and tools.
He mentioned that the contractors could also undertake the house renovations nearly at the same time.
Even though the pair opted against staying together in their home, they wished to have an area where they could accommodate visitors.
"If we have friends or family visiting, they can still stay with us on the same land. Otherwise, we can rent it out," he said.
Even without any professional architectural background, Purba drew the plans she envisioned for both homes on paper. The pair subsequently collaborated with nearby contractors to make those concepts a reality.
Save for some furniture assembly, the rest of the building work was done by their contractors.
At the beginning of October, the couple finished their first small dwelling, which serves as their main home.
The building had a T-like shape made out of wood, blending elements from both Japanese and Scandinavian design styles.
A month afterward, the second miniature dwelling with a loft-style layout was completed.
Each of the small dwellings costs 492.5 million Indonesian rupiah, which is approximately $30,000, to construct.
The most significant obstacle during the building process was hauling raw materials to the location. The sole route available was a narrow path barely wider than three feet leading to the site.
Purba mentioned that the only way to reach it is by bicycle. Additionally, even when using a bicycle, you might have to halt occasionally, particularly if your bike is large, to allow others to go by.
She mentioned that the pair had to lease a more compact piece of land close by for keeping their construction supplies until the workers they employed moved all items to the location via bicycles and three-wheeled carts.
Living authentically close to nature
Purba and Tijs are part of a growing trend of people who are interested in living tiny .
As housing costs continue to rise globally , small homes provide a significantly cheaper option compared to conventional property markets.
Six individuals residing in small homes formerly informed Business Insider that this arrangement allowed them to reduce their housing expenses And become more aware of the items they purchase.
Similarly, living in a small house has allowed the pair to lead a simpler existence .
"In light of the space's dimensions, it isn’t overly crowded. We make an effort to keep our belongings to a minimum," Tijs mentioned.
Their fascination with minimalism has led them to embrace life in a tiny house, which has further encouraged them to dispose of superfluous items and streamline their possessions.
Purba stated, 'You understand that if there are items you don't require, you should not simply hold onto them,' he mentioned.
These days, the couple has been tending to their permaculture garden, where they've been growing mostly herbs, such as lemongrass and parsley, as well as fruit, like pineapples and bananas.
Even though dining out is quite affordable in Bali, They aim to produce more of their own sustenance.
Purba chuckled as he mentioned his fish pond, adding, 'I do have some fish there, but we'll find out if I'm inclined to dine on them.'
Looking back, Purba says their tiny house journey has been fulfilling because she feels she's able to live more authentically.
Being close to nature has made a huge difference to her mental health. They even fall asleep to the sounds of nature at night, like the frogs croaking in the field and the water flowing in their pond, she said.
"Every day I'll go check on my plants. I'm kind of like, earthing. My feet touch the earth, and it makes me feel peaceful," she added.
Are you interested in sharing your experiences of living in tiny houses? Reach out to this journalist at agoh@Pawonation.com .
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