This told essay is based on a conversation between Simone Sollazzo, 31, a former technical worker from Italy, and Ann Lydeckers, 32, a Dutch arts entrepreneur. In 2025, the couple built a house and transported it to Minitopia, a small village in Valkenswaard, Netherlands. This piece has been edited for length and clarity.
Anne: When we decided to build a tiny house in late 2024, we had no prior building experience. Simone had never even painted on a wall before.
Thankfully, ChatGPT came along at the perfect time.
We spent the night asking about just about everything. While AI was really helpful in the build process, we quickly learned that we couldn’t rely on it alone.
I dreamed of a different way of life
Anne: I’ve known about tiny houses for a long time. One of my best friends is an architect and he built his own building about 10 years ago. At the time, a tiny house was a new concept to me, and I always dreamed of a different life. I never saw myself moving into a traditional, boring Dutch house.
Simone: Tiny houses were a foreign concept to me until recently. When Ann and I moved to the Netherlands from Germany three years ago, I was working in the technology industry and earning a decent salary.
I felt that society was pushing the idea that you should buy a house now, but I never thought it was a good idea to take out a mortgage and work for 20 years to repay it.
Simone Solazzo (left) and Anne Leijdekkers (right) built a tiny house with the help of ChatGPT. Joshua Nelken Zitzer/BI
When I visited Ann’s friend’s small house, I found it very small and didn’t like the idea. Then we went to see tiny houses for sale in Rotterdam. Because it’s big and bright, I realized that a small house doesn’t have to be so small. I was sold.
Anne: We won the house, and it was a beautiful and defining moment. The disappointment of not getting it changed our mindset instantly. We decided to build it ourselves.
ChatGPT helped me figure out what to buy, when to buy it, and how to split the cost
Anne: After pitching the idea to my parents in late 2024, we spent the first two months of 2025 planning and designing the house. An architect friend of mine helped with the drawings and the more conceptual side of things.
After we started construction in February 2025, we constantly asked ChatGPT questions about specific tasks, like how to build a roof, rather than using YouTube.
Simone: We asked ChatGPT a very specific question and used it to consider what would happen if you deviated from your plan and did something a little different. It mainly helped clarify our thoughts.
The small house was built inside a greenhouse. Provided by Anne Lydeckers
Anne: Building a house requires a lot of mental work: summing, measuring, and counting. It helped that Simone had a background in technology, but so did ChatGPT.
Simone: About 250 items had to be purchased to build the house. With so much material to keep track of, ChatGPT helped us determine quantities and purchase order. It was also useful for managing household finances. Since we were splitting the cost, we also used that to calculate it.
ChatGPT will give you incorrect information if you don’t get an answer right away.
The couple had no experience in construction before building their tiny home. Provided by Anne Lydeckers
Simone: During the five months we were building, we had to make many decisions every day. It’s important to trust the guidance you follow.
At ChatGPT, we often wondered if the guidance was accurate. After talking with an architect friend, I found out that the answer is often wrong. Sometimes, if you don’t get an answer right away, you may simply tell them the wrong thing.
The couple received guidance from Lydeckers’ father, an architect friend. Provided by Anne Lydeckers
It was helpful, but I didn’t feel comfortable relying on it alone. Ann’s father also helped set up electricity and water. Thankfully, an architect friend helped me with things like ventilation and insulation. Having someone who could put everything into context for us was fundamental.
Using just ChatGPT would have taken more time to build
Tiny house living room and kitchen interior. Joshua Nelken Zitzer/BI
Anne: It was possible to build a house using just ChatGPT without any outside help, but I don’t think our house would have been as good as it is now. I also think it would have taken more time, as my friend’s guidance saved me a lot of time.
Simone: I agree. It’s doable, but you’ll feel more confident in what you’re doing if you have someone who can put things into context and has experience building homes before. And it is very important when building a small house for the first time.
