This Dad From Baguio Transformed an Old Water Tank Structure Into a Cozy Tiny House

When you put together an old water tank and a bodega what do you get? Dad and real estate owner Ronald “Tonton” Tan said you get a tiny house.

 “‘Yung Tank House talaga is a story to tell,” he said in a Summit OG exclusive interview.

“Dahil nga sa pandemic na ito, nalungkot ako for my kids,” he explained. “‘Yung mga bata, even kami hindi kami makalabas, hindi maka-explore. So, nalilimit yung happiness and lifestyle ng family.”

What started out as a dream to build his kids a treehouse, turned into a big project wrapped in a tiny packaging.

“Walang masyadong tree dito sa area. So why not use the tank house as the treehouse? Kaya siya naging tank house,” he said.

In an exclusive tour he granted Summit OG, he showed how a 5.4sqm space can be as functional as your typical standard house. 

The two-storey tiny house comes complete with a kitchen, a dining area, a toilet and bath, a bedroom, and even a receiving area. Tonton made sure every corner is functional. “Dito sa taas, sa loft area of the house, pwedeng maglagay dito ng dalawang beds,” he said as he walked the team around the house.

It also has enough storage for clothes and essentials. “Yung mga sofa namin nabubuksan. Sa ilalim ng kitchen it's a cabinet,” he said.

If you’re thinking of building your own tiny home, Tonton said you can start with P60,000 to P80,000. “Nandyan na ‘yung pader, finished na siya, pwede na siyang tulugan,” he explained. At that price, you can also add a bed and a few essential items. “Pero ‘yung finishing niya, yung mga important parts yung mga lightings hindi pa kasama doon,” he pointed out. 

“For the construction of this tank house, ang nagastos ko is around P200,000,” he said. That includes plenty of electrical outlets, lighting, huge windows, and a cozy nook where the family can relax—plus the pieces of furniture that double as storage.

Tonton hopes that the Tank House would serve as an inspiration. “Naisip natin na maging inspiration ang building ng Tank House, not just for the family and the kids na para sumaya, but also to give inspiration sa mga nagtitipid ngayong pandemic,” he said.

After all, big dreams can start even in the tiniest spaces.

Watch the full video:

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OG is Summit Media's flagship video-first brand. And like all Summit Media brands, OG is all about top-notch storytelling that aims to entertain, inspire, and connect with today’s audiences. Expect extraordinary subjects, surprising revelations, and outstanding visuals coming together to create impactful and uplifting stories you won’t find anywhere else.