Building A Future: The Inspiring Story Of A Middle Schooler Who Constructed His Own Dream Home
Come one, come all for an interesting story about 13-year-old Luke Thill from Iowa. While other kids played baseball and football during summers, he wanted to do something worthwhile and productive while spending time in the great outdoors.
As a result, he accomplished a feat that proved to be impossible for many adults. He single-handedly, with perhaps some guidance and encouragement from his family and friends, built a tiny home in one summer. Now, he is the proud owner of something he created from start to finish and has a new hangout as well as a living space he gets to call his own.
To understand why and how he did this, continue reading on. You will surely be fascinated by his incredible innovation and craftsmanship.
An Idea Born Out of Summer Boredom
Most kids who are still in middle school look forward to being carefree and doing nothing during summer breaks. They prefer to ride their bikes, play video games, and meet up with friends. But young Luke Thill is not your average kid.
Although he was just thirteen, he wanted to do something productive during his vacation, something that would make him feel accomplished. This desire led him to browse around Youtube for DIY projects that he could do outside in the open air.
The Fascinating Tiny House Movement
Among the thousands of videos on Youtube, he stumbled upon a couple of videos that featured “Tiny House” tutorials. For those who are not sure what a “Tiny House” is, it is a movement across the globe that encourages people to create versatile and mobile tiny homes.
The incentives brought by these tiny houses are freedom from mortgages, a constant space, and sustainability. Due to all these perks, then 12-year-old Luke was enticed to join the movement and make his own tiny home by watching Youtube video tutorials closely.
Can He Do It?
It is understandable to question the kid’s capabilities as a home builder because he was 12, right? But Luke is no ordinary kid. He is strong-willed, and when he sets his mind on performing a task, he stops at nothing to achieve his goal.
And this is precisely what he did after watching all those Youtube videos. He decided to build his own tiny house in his family’s backyard. He was an inquisitive kid that performed any action that he set his mind to.
Parental Consent
When Luke came to his parents with his brand new idea, they responded to it positively. They supported it because they thought that it was a good way for Luke to have some exercise outside rather than playing video games and staying on the couch all day.
However, they did not plan on giving Luke anything to begin the project. They wanted him to earn things by working in order to understand what adults go through. Some kids might have been turned off by this, but not Luke. He began to mow the neighbor’s lawn and clean their garage for cash.
Staying Authentic to the Values of the Tiny House Movement
While he was cleaning garages and mowing, an idea came to him. H decided to use as many recycled materials in his construction as possible to stay true to the sustainability value of the tiny house movement. He really understood the real belief system behind it all.
He also realized that by doing so, the cost of his project would be significantly lower than he originally budgeted. It seems like Luke cares about the environment deeply and decides to stick to the sustainable path. He walks the walk!
Win-Win Situation with a Neighbor
Handling the electrical work without prior knowledge could only result in a catastrophe, and Luke did not want to risk that for his beloved project. This is why he sought the help of his neighbor, who was an electrician. In exchange, he promised to clean his garage.
The neighbor agreed as he saw the determination in the child. His neighbor was pretty handy with setting up the home entertainment system, and Luke was happy to receive help from him. Now he could watch all the shows he could possibly want!
Gaining People’s Interest
Many became fascinated with Luke when they heard about his project. A 12-year-old building his own home? This is not a common occurrence. However, although he appreciated people’s interest in what he was doing, he got tired of people repeatedly asking him the same questions throughout the day.
As a solution, he decided to put up his own Youtube channel. There, he posted updates on the current status of his home. Instead of having to explain to people one by one about his project, he would just ask them to check out his channel. He then quickly gained loyal subscribers.
Luke’s Visit to the Principal Office
Luke was a good kid, but he got worried when he was called to the principal’s office. He racked his brain to figure out what he could have done wrong. However, the reason behind the request for his presence was that the media had caught the news about his project and wanted to interview him.
Apparently, his principal was a close friend of a local news reporter. He decided to call the news so they could share Luke’s story with the world. It was then that the young boy realized that he was officially a local celebrity.
The Actual Beginning of Construction
At this point, Luke had saved $1,500 from doing odd jobs for his neighbors, and he finally had sufficient materials gathered to begin building his tiny house. He did face a lot of setbacks from the get-go, but that didn’t bother him. The media attention pumped him up to work harder.
In the end, Luke managed to reap its benefits, but he also managed to inspire people around him. Some things didn’t go exactly as he had originally planned, but the boy was mature enough to understand that everyone makes mistakes.
Learning From Failures
Luke wanted to make his house unique, so he decided that he would create his countertop. He found a Youtube tutorial that gave step-by-step instructions on how to turn broken shards of colored glasses into a countertop. Things did not go as expected, but Luke considered it as a learning curve.
Luke was a determined person and didn’t mind learning a few tricks, even if he came across struggles in his pursuit of building his own tiny home. He knew that these small errors would benefit him in the long run as he’d get to improve his problem-solving skills.
TinyFest Recognition and Public Speaking
Luke felt like he had finally been welcomed into the tiny house movement even before his house was finished. While the project was ongoing, it gained the attention of multiple national media outlets. Due to this, TinyFest Midwest sent a representative to reach him and ask if he could give a speech at the festivals.
TinyFest is a festival that promotes the movement, and during this event, many people who are interested and who own tiny houses get together to share tips and ideas. Luke accepted the invite, and he proved that he deserved his recently earned “Boy Scout” public speaking badge!
Almost Finished
Luke had a lot of exercises while he was building the project. All of it paid off because he was now close to the finish line. However, the setbacks never stopped coming. He wanted the house to have its comfort room, but it was too much for him to do on his own.
This is why he decided to compromise on the idea. Besides, his tiny home is in his parent’s backyard, so he could quickly go to their house to use the toilet or shower. Aside from the bathroom compromise, he also did not have an AC.
An Answer to Iowa’s Brutal Summer Heat
When he was finishing the exterior and testing out the house, he did not see the AC thing as a problem. However, Iowa is known to be extremely hot during the summer. As a precaution, he decided to make his own AC since the standard equipment was not compatible with his electrical system.
He did this by buying a furnace filter that cost $2. He then sprayed it with water and placed it in front of a fan. The air that goes through the filters creates a cooling effect due to water evaporation. You can say that Luke was a resourceful and cool kid!
Experiencing the House
The day that Luke had been waiting finally arrived. He was ecstatic to see if everything was fully functional and what minor changes he could make before completing the house. He was worried about the insulation of his house and whether it could withstand the peak of winter.
He then realized that he worried for nothing. He used enough insulation that the upper loft was warm and cozy at night. At one point, Luke even had to open the window a bit because it was getting too warm.
Time to Hang up The Boots
By the time he was 13, his tiny house was finally complete, and Luke was excited to share this milestone with his by-then 16,000 Youtube subscribers. This was why he immediately made a house tour video and posted it. To his shock, the video went viral and reached more than 7 million views.
Many people were impressed with the level of craftsmanship he had. People just couldn’t believe that he was only 13 and he had done so much already. He also inspired a lot of individuals to take on productive projects across various age levels and start building their own tiny homes.
The Story Wages On
The orange and white exterior provided Luke’s tiny house with a quaint cabin vibe. When you enter inside, you will be impressed by how beautifully made it is. The interior is composed of a separate bedroom, dining area, living room, and kitchen. One hundred percent livable, right?
It is innovative, too, because due to space constraints, the living room and dining area are in one space. How is that possible? By making multipurpose furniture that can be dismantled when not in use. It goes to show the amount of planning and creativity that Luke put into the construction.
Everything That He Needs and Wants
In the end, Luke’s tiny home measured 87 sq ft., which is enough for a single person to feel at home. It also has a fully decked kitchen equipped with bottled water, an electric stovetop, and a small fridge. It is a kitchen where he can comfortably make a full meal for his family.
The young boy also went the extra mile on the walls to achieve the rustic vibe as he laid down linoleum floors. Also, he managed to repurpose his failed countertop mold into storage. Talk about turning failures into an advantage, right?
A Safe Haven
Luke is living the dream in his small but practical living space. It has a TV and a couch, and all the basic amenities he needs. The house has everything a person needs to survive except a bathroom, but then again, Luke is only 13, so he is not moving out any soon.
However, his parents do let him sleep in his tiny home a couple of times a week, and they expressed that they would want to stay in it as well. However, they’re concerned that the house is not big enough to fit both of them, even if just for a night.
Smack Center on the Front Page!
As mentioned, Luke was already very popular by now. However, that didn’t end there. The attention kept growing and growing until he eventually landed on the front page of the Telegraph Herald and the Des Moines Register. He was also on TV speaking about his house.
Luke climbed the celebrity ladder by simply following his own dream. His story is an inspiration for everyone who wants to start their own initiative, and it’s also a great idea for parents who want to teach their kids about the worth of money.
An Adult in a Child’s Body
Most 13 years old are all about fun and games, but young Luke was asked by a TV show why he decided to build his own tiny house, and his response blew them away. He said that he did not want to deal with a mortgage. What an adult thing to say, right?
Luke is an example of a determined young kid with an adult mindset. His parents certainly raised him to be a smart and independent boy, and if he’s doing such amazing things at this young age, can you imagine what he’s going to do when he grows up?
The Goal to Achieve Sustainability
In the same interview, Luke also elaborated that his home is ¾ made from reclaimed materials. So, he was economical and environmentally friendly at the same time. It goes to show that downsizing will significantly help us save more money and mitigate our carbon footprints.
He also said that he did this because he wanted to stay true to the fundamental value of the tiny house movement, which is sustainability. Reuse, reduce, and recycle are words that Luke lives by. Recycling is imperative in this day and age, where climate change is rapidly affecting the state of our planet.
The Negative Publicity
Although Luke’s hard work and dedication inspired many people, some cannot help but spread negativity to others. Among the comments on his Youtube channel are some people downplaying his achievement as he was not the one who built his tiny home entirely. They accused him of letting adults do all the untrue work.
However, out of this wave of bad comments came massive support from Luke’s followers, who defended him. Every action comes with an effect, and sometimes, this can come across as negative. Luke nonetheless kept his cool and remained strong despite adversity.
A Budding Builder with Entrepreneurial Potential
Luke was fully aware of his popularity, and his business side started to speak louder. He thought he could capitalize on this attention by branching into retail. With thousands of subscribers and followers, he decided to release his T-shirt and sweatshirt merchandise. His items have his name printed on them.
He thought that this was an excellent way to gather funds for his next venture and to educate people about the tiny house movement. So, this means that we can expect more projects from him in the future. And we’re happy to see he made some profit from his fame as well.
The Benefits of Living in a Tiny House
Each year, more and more people are being convinced to join the tiny house movement. Their decisions have a lot to do with practicality. Most tiny homes are mobile, so you can bring them anywhere with you. You could park them somewhere that you have permission to do so. It is also easy to maintain.
Smaller space means smaller mess as well. However, contrary to popular belief, downsizing does not mean that you have to sacrifice your home amenities. You can still get a spacious bedroom, living room, and kitchen. You can even have a bathtub! All it takes is creativity and innovation.
Big Brother Joins the Tiny House Movement
From the get-go, you might have already been thinking that Luke’s parents are very cool for allowing him to take on the project, right? Well, they are, and because of Luke’s accomplishments, his brother, Cole, also followed suit. He decided to build his teardrop camper, which he also documented on his own Youtube channel.
Just like Luke, their parents did not help him with the finances and asked him to save up for the project. So he also took odd jobs to achieve his goal. Luke and Cole’s parents seem like hardworking people, and they certainly raised their sons right.
Momma Thill Joins Her Sons’ DIY Craze!
Aside from Cole, Momma Thill was also inspired by Luke to join the family’s DIY craze. However, she was not planning on making her own tiny house. Instead, she bought a camper that needed some attention. Her son, who is now a certified celebrity, intends to help his mom with her project.
Luke also helps her document the progress on his Youtube channel. It seems that being creative, hardworking, and innovative runs in the family. It’s beautiful to see a family working together to achieve their goals, and after one person initiates a goal, the rest follow suit.
Looking Back
Luke admitted that there were a few things he wanted to do differently with his tiny home. The results were far from perfect — one of those is light fixtures that can be bumped by people who are standing up.
However, as a first-time builder, these types of things are typical. Also, he is only 13 years old, so he still has a lot of time to do other projects and improve his building skills. We’re excited to see his skills develop as he grows up.
A True Inspiration For All
Luke has accomplished a feat that even some adults spend their whole lives accomplishing. His story has been spread throughout the entire world and inspired hundreds of people. If a 13-year-old boy can do it, then what is your excuse?
Luke once again reminded us that all it takes to achieve a goal is vision and hard work and that excuses lead to nowhere. His story inspires everyone who reads about it, and Luke knows this, which is why he always tries to say some encouraging words to his followers.
What’s Next?
According to Luke, this house was on a trial run. He wanted to know what he could do and how he could turn the ideas into reality. He said that he learned valuable life lessons from this experience. He also stated that he was planning to have another go at building another house.
The next time he does this, he wants to build a bigger and more efficient tiny house when he has enough money and knowledge. He said that he plans to move into the next tiny house fully, and he would document his progress the same way he did with his first build.
Wrapping Things Up
Who would have thought that an ordinary child who was bored during his summer break would end up like Luke Thill? When you think about everything that he did, it is remarkable to know that he is only 13, and there is more for us to see.
The young boy has endless potential to become a builder, entrepreneur, and sustainability advocate, which is really impressive for his age. We hope that Luke Thill continues on his path and gains knowledge and values along the way to becoming the best possible version of himself.