The "Not So Little" "Not So Big House"
I’ve been looking for ideas to shrink the spaces I “think” I must have in my next house. Sarah Susanka is the famed author of “The Not So Big House” and its companion publications. To be honest, I wasn’t able to get much useful content out of her book. It has only served as a conversation starter as it sits pristinely on the coffee table.
I decided I’d look to see what else I could find on the Internet and I came across a number of sites, including Sarah’s that talks about the 2005 show house they created. I finally clicked thru to find the floor plans and the description - OUCH !!!!
I would not call a 2900 sq. ft. house “not so big”. I spent the past 15 years in a very functional 4 bedroom 3 bath home that was 1800 sq ft.
For the sake of full disclosure, there is one point often made about building smaller homes - the cost per square foot is definitely greater. This is partly for some of the space efficiency design elements like more built-ins, and compact efficient appliances. It is also due to the nature of custom homes having high quality woods and design elements. But, in the end, if the to built-ins eliminate furniture, and the smaller space still accommodates all that you want, then, the “price per occupant” will be about the same.
I’m sorry but I don’t think the “Not So Big House” book got the concept. It definitely has good marketing. And, I will agree there are a few smatterings of thought in the book; but it would all fit into a nice magazine article - not two 200-page books costing $20+ each.
If you are looking for ideas on designing a smaller, more efficient house that still gives you all the space you need for the things you want to do, search the Internet, read magazine articles and blogs, etc. If you are compelled to check out the book, do so at the library.
You can go on-line to see the floor plans and a cut-away rendering of the 2005 show house.
