10/04/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | APR 10, 2025

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Big demand for tiny houses

F OR retiree Mat Zin Ali, 64, nothing brings greater joy than celebrating Aidilfitri with his large family of 12. However, the house he built five years ago struggled to accommodate everyone comfortably. With only four bedrooms and three bathrooms, space was limited. To ensure his children, in-laws and grandchildren could still gather in one place while enjoying more comfort and privacy, he decided to build two tiny houses next to his main home in 2022. Mat Zin explained the concept is affordable and practical, offering a modern design while maximising space. He said the cost ranges from RM15,000 to RM25,000, depending on size. “What parent would not be happy to have all their children, in-laws and grandchildren celebrating together? It is wonderful, but I felt sorry seeing them struggle for space – competing for bedrooms and bathrooms and lacking privacy, especially the women,” Mat Zin said. Despite embracing a modern o Trending concept becomes opportunity for side income

concept, Mat Zin, fondly known as Pok Suzin, incorporated traditional Malay village house elements into his two compact homes. One unit is slightly larger, accommodating three to four people, while the other is designed for two adults. Both tiny houses are thoughtfully equipped with essential amenities, including beds, fans and chairs, ensuring comfort for family members of all ages. “I also took the opportunity to turn these tiny houses into roomstays for visitors looking for a unique lodging experience. This not only benefits guests searching for alternative accommodations but also provides me with a source of side income,” said Mat Zin, who hails from Terengganu. This tiny house trend is gaining popularity among those looking for cost-effective housing options or additional space for large family gatherings. Additionally, these houses have become favourite spots for capturing picturesque OOTD (outfit of the day) photos during festive seasons. Yuslan Ibrahim, 46, owner of Cottagehomespd, said demand for tiny houses spikes during festive seasons. His units follow a modern cottage concept, blending English country home aesthetics with minimalism and natural beauty. “I have two tiny house units and

Demand for accommodation in tiny houses spikes during festive seasons. – PICS FROM FACEBOOK @YUSLAN IBRAHIM

my inspiration to build them came from my fascination with small home designs on Pinterest, particularly Nordic, cottage and cabin styles. So far, we receive many bookings, especially during festive seasons such as Aidilfitri. “Most of our guests are families wanting to spend time together, and they also love taking pictures around the cottage due to its charming design and scenic surroundings,” said Yuslan, who has been in the business since 2019. Architect Kahar Ambok Lalek, 25, said the tiny house movement began in the early 2000s in US as a response to limited land availability, with homes often built on trailer frames. Over time, tiny houses have gained popularity among those seeking a minimalist dream home. “In Malaysia, demand for tiny houses is mainly concentrated in orchard and farm areas, where they are used as vacation homes or guesthouses. Despite requiring only a small plot of land, these homes can feel surprisingly spacious inside,” he said. He added that there are no fixed size limits – it all depends on the owner’s needs. “The architectural principle of ‘less is more’ ensures the space feels open and functional.

Tiny houses can feel surprisingly spacious inside.

Some Malaysians are renting out tiny houses to earn side income. “Living areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and lounge work just like in a regular home, but some spaces are designed for dual purposes and ceilings are lowered to maximise the area,” he explained. – Bernama How music can spark our most precious memories

Tiny houses provide additional space for large family gatherings.

YOU may already have noticed a few notes can be enough to take you right back to a distant memory. One song and suddenly, you find yourself at a wild party in a friend’s garage or on the vacation highway, windows wide open, singing at the top of your voice. This unique power of music has been deciphered in a new study published in the journal Human Brain Mapping . Researchers at the Brain and Creativity Institute at USC Dornsife in California sought to understand which neural mechanisms allow music to revive personal memories. To do this, they used functional MRI to analyse the brain activity of some 60

disease. Some care facilities now use approaches based on sound familiarity. For example, a familiar sung melody can facilitate the ritualisation of the moment of washing or dressing a resident. Other establishments are installing devices that play specific music in each activity room to help patients find their bearings in space and time, reported the French National Centre for Scientific Research. It is an approach that is creative and scientifically sound, helping to revive fragments of the self that were thought to be lost. – ETX Studio

our sense of identity and personal history. What we are seeing is that nostalgic songs do not just bring back memories – they activate the brain in ways that could support emotional well-being and cognitive function, especially in individuals living with memory impairments,” explained study co-author USC Dornsife associate professor Assal Habibi, who was quoted in a news release. Beyond its emotional significance, this discovery opens up promising therapeutic prospects. A simple playlist could become a valuable tool for people with memory disorders, particularly those with Alzheimer’s

participants, aged 18 and over, while they listened to songs that were significant in their lives. The scientists observed a specific neural signature is activated when music awakens autobiographical memories. This phenomenon involves two major brain networks: the “default mode network”, associated with memory and self-reflection, and the reward circuitry, responsible for the experience of pleasure. In other words, listening to a significant song is like activating our most intimate memories and our reward system. “Music is deeply intertwined with

A specific neural signature is activated when music awakens autobiographical memories. – PEXELSPIC