Tiny Houses: uma reflexão sobre a habitação mínima no contexto português

Abstract

This thesis proposes a critical analysis of the phenomenon of tiny houses in the Portuguese housing context, seeking to assess their viability as a response to the housing crisis, the rigidity of the legal framework, and the social and environmental transformations underway. The study is part of a broader discussion on minimal housing, establishing a dialogue with historical movements such as Existenzminimum, which reinforces the relevance of reflecting on compact and affordable solutions in times of need. The research adopted a three-part methodological approach: a review of the scarce academic literature on the subject, a comparative analysis of legal integration models in an international context, and, at the core, a case study of the Portuguese company Madeiguincho. The analysis shows that, although there is no consensus on the definition of tiny houses, they represent a promising alternative. However, their implementation in Portugal is limited by a significant legal vacuum and the absence of regulations that recognize them as more than temporary structures or vehicles. In short, the thesis concludes that tiny houses can be a relevant housing alternative in Portugal, capable of diversifying supply and promoting greater sustainability. However, their full implementation depends on the creation of a regulatory framework and public policies that formally integrate them. The most significant contribution of this work lies in filling a gap in the portuguese written academic literature on this subject, linking theory with a case study and offering an integrated perspective for future debate.