It’s important for teenagers to have some space.

Of course, the teen years are often when they want a little too much distance from their parents, but according to development experts, giving them a place and some time to enjoy their privacy is healthy for everyone and helps them become autonomous adults.

At just 13 years old, Luke Thill of Dubuque, Iowa decided he needed some space – but his parent’s backyard would do just fine. So he set out to build a tiny house for himself.

Thill might be young (it’s been a few years since he embarked on the project though) but his creativity and adventurous spirit were things his parents were clearly willing to encourage, within reason. His YouTube page is full of updates on the house as well as newer projects like a camper.

The tour of his home has earned 11 million views since he posted it in the summer of 2017 – no doubt many by kids who would love to be able to do the same.

But Thill worked hard for this privilege.

First, he earned most of the money required to get the supplies and sourced the rest of the materials, beginning when he was just 12. It took him roughly a year and a half to get the tiny house built, with plenty of supervision to make sure it was safe, of course.

Thill’s 89-square-foot house is 10 feet long, 5 and a half feet wide, and the tallest part of the house is 10 feet tall.

He got started on his project when he was bored during his summer vacation. After becoming fascinated by the current tiny house movement and watching YouTube videos, he began cutting lawns to raise money for his own.

He also did some bartering in which he agreed to big chores so people like electricians could come to show him some of the finer skills he would need and started a GoFundMe page.

He says his total cost was just $1,500.

It’s clear that this is no kids treehouse! Thill picked up skills like framing and woodworking from videos and friends of his dad’s.

Luckily, working with his dad over the years out in the garage meant he already had experience with power tools and their safe usage. He also says that building the tiny house was a great bonding experience for the duo.

Because he documented the process on his YouTube channel, you’ll see where the youngster ran into some difficulties (framing the house, for example, was a challenge with a steep learning curve), but overall you’ll be stunned by his ambition.

Thill’s time in the house is spent hanging out and doing homework, but he also sleeps there a few days a week (his parents won’t let him move in full time). He just enjoys getting some private time – even away from his twin brother.

As the teen gives a tour of his tiny home, he points out that he’s even done some landscaping on the outside!

He tells viewers which materials were reclaimed (such as vinyl siding from his grandmother’s house and windows) – but the finished project is very well-put-together and doesn’t look like a mish-mash of random things at all.

As we see the inside, it’s surprisingly well-designed for a teen, though the kitchen is definitely all a teen boy needs (some cutlery, a mini-fridge, some seasoning, and a countertop that holds a hot plate).

There’s no sink (or plumbing at all) in the house, but he’s found a creative way to make a little sink when needed.

He even has a loft with a cushion to get some rest – and he thinks it’s more comfortable than his own bedroom!

A cushy seating area and a TV make it teen-friendly, but there’s also a fold-down table that allows him to have a meal or a place to do his homework.

In a few years, the teen hopes to build another house he can live in full time in his parent’s yard. It’ll still be a tiny house but will give him more space than he currently has (and hopefully a bathroom).

As he works towards that goal, he’s spending his spare time inspiring others both through his YouTube channel and by speaking at tiny house festivals.

Be sure to scroll down below to see an interview with Luke Thill about his project and a tour of his tiny house!

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Source: Child Development Institute, Luke Thill via Facebook, Luke Thill via YouTube