Open day: Saturday 26 September 2026, 1:00–5:00 pm
Berkenbos – Heideven – Denekamp
Fifteen places to live, one remarkable site:
Tiny Houses Dinkelland opens its doors
Denekamp, 15 August 2026 – Fifteen plots, currently home to thirteen different houses, and one shared green space at the centre. A remarkable residential neighbourhood has taken shape in Denekamp, combining compact living, individual initiative and opportunities to connect. On Saturday 26 September 2026, the residents of Tiny Houses Dinkelland will open their doors for an open day. Visitors are welcome from 1:00 to 5:00 pm to explore the neighbourhood and talk to its residents.
From an idea to a real neighbourhood
The idea for Tiny Houses Dinkelland arose in late 2018 from a need for more affordable housing options in Denekamp. The municipality of Dinkelland looked for a way to create homes without requiring future residents to purchase their own building plots.
The result is a small-scale development with fifteen rental plots of approximately 150 m². Residents own their tiny houses and rent the land on which they stand. Within a set of shared principles, they were free to design and build their own homes. Consequently, every house is different.
The tiny houses have a maximum living area of 50 m² and are connected to the standard utilities provided in new residential developments. They comply with current building regulations and are intended for permanent residence.
Five years of working together on a plan
The development was preceded by a process lasting approximately five years. The municipality of Dinkelland sat down with local residents and other interested parties to explore what was possible and which principles would be needed.
The process considered not only the homes themselves, but also the layout of the neighbourhood. Odin Landschapsbeheer played an important role by asking questions, developing ideas and visualising the plans. Step by step, the project evolved into the neighbourhood that stands there today.
Once the plans had been finalised, the fifteen plots were allocated by lottery. People who had been actively involved in the process were given the first opportunity to choose a plot, followed by residents of Denekamp and then applicants from outside the village. The result is a diverse group of residents, ranging from committed Denekamp locals and people from elsewhere in Twente to newcomers to the area.
Living independently and sharing responsibility
Although the residents share part of the site, Tiny Houses Dinkelland is explicitly not an intentional community or housing cooperative. Each resident has their own rented plot, their own home and garden, and their own responsibilities. At the same time, they share a green central area, which they manage and maintain together.
This shared outdoor space forms the heart of the neighbourhood. It offers room for both nature and social interaction, while allowing residents to retain their own way of life. The project shows that independent living and sharing a living environment can go hand in hand.
A peek inside the homes
The neighbourhood has attracted considerable interest. People regularly stop by to have a look, and residents receive many questions about their homes, the building process and everyday life in a tiny house.
During the open day, visitors can experience compact living for themselves. Every resident made their own choices concerning design, layout, materials, interior and garden. It is precisely these differences that make the neighbourhood so special.
Visitors can stroll through the neighbourhood at their own pace and decide which homes they would like to see. Residents will be happy to share their experiences and explain the choices they made during the design and building process.
A pilot project for the future
Tiny Houses Dinkelland is a pilot project with a temporary environmental and planning permit valid for ten years. During this period, the residents and the municipality of Dinkelland are examining how compact, sustainable and affordable living works in practice. The lessons learned may offer valuable insights for future housing initiatives.
All fifteen plots are now occupied. The open day is therefore not an opportunity to apply for a plot, but a chance to see an existing housing experiment up close.
Tiny Houses Dinkelland open day
Visitors are asked to come on foot or by bicycle wherever possible. The neighbourhood is located within a regular new residential development and parking is limited. Cars may be parked along the road where permitted.
Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available at the corner plot in exchange for a voluntary contribution.
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