Kim Bernard continues as UNE’s artist-in-residence, building a tiny amphibious house

UNE is pleased to announce that Kim Bernard, who served as the university’s inaugural artist-in-residence during the fall semester, will continue in her role for the 2017 spring semester.

Thanks to the generosity and support of the Ellis-Beauregard foundation, based in Rockland, Maine, Bernard will focus her full attention on working with students to build an amphibious tiny house, a miniature home that can be used on land or water. Bernard and students designed the tiny house this past semester, and she is looking forward to turning the plans into a reality this spring.  

According to Bernard, the 8-foot by 16-foot tiny house, which will have two 24-foot pontoons, will float on a mooring and will be capable of being trailered and parked. It will incorporate a multitude of environmentally friendly features, including solar panels to supply 100 percent of its energy; a rain collection and filtration system; a composting toilet; a sun shower; and an aquaponics system.

The tiny house, said Bernard, will be well designed with a multifunctional interior that efficiently uses space and offers full functionality, complete with a galley containing a sink, stove top and refrigeration. It will also be aesthetically pleasing, with a deck on the bow and the stern and even a see-through portal in the floor.

The multidisciplinary project relies on the expertise of many different UNE departments and programs, including marine sciences, ocean studies, aquaculture and aquarium science, environmental science, business, communications, math, physics, animal behavior, boat building creative writing, education, social work, and art.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be back at UNE for another semester,” said Bernard. “I’m looking forward not only to getting individual students involved in the project and hope that clubs and classes will take ‘ownership’ of certain components like the competing toilet, water filtration, aquaponics and solar panels.  There are so many facets, there’s likely to be something for everyone who’s interested."   

Bernard will lead the construction of the tiny house at 1075 Forest Avenue in Portland and welcomes UNE students, staff and faculty to participate.

To learn more about the Amphibious Tiny House project and to read weekly updates, visit www.amphibioustinyhouse.org. To get involved, contact Bernard at info@kimbernard.com.

To learn more about the College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.une.edu/cas

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions