Let me just start out by saying that holy moly are we dependent on the internet. I fiiiiinally got internet installed in my new apartment after spending two entire weeks without it...and to put it mildly, I never want to have to do that again. I felt like I lived in the stone age. And, I even had internet at school (not to mention a smartphone). Pathetic, I know. But alas, internet is back and life will go back to normal, which means no more blog slacking..cross my heart hope to die.
Anywho. So, I'm taking this real estate development class this semester (which, by the way, I'm really curious to see how it unfolds) and my professor said something the first night of class that really caught my attention. He said, "Homes are getting smaller. We are no longer building McMansions." Interesting. From an architect's standpoint, that makes sense. From a sustainability standpoint, that makes sense. From every form of education I've had up to this point, that makes sense. But coming from the mouth of a developer? Now that's just outright strange.
From my experience, developers build cookie-cutter, suburban monstrosities as quickly and inexpensively as possible while trying to make the house "look luxurious". Example number one? "Let's pretend to make this house look expensive by putting brick on the front side of it, but oh, just kidding, we're actually going to put cheap, nasty, go-kill-the-planet vinyl on the remaining three sides of your home." MY. PET. PEEVE.
Maybe I'm being a bit too hard on developers. After all, they can't all be bad if they are now saying that small is the new big...and, I do happen to actually like my professor and he's a developer. Either way, like I said, his comment shocked me, and then really got me thinking. Is it true that small really is the new big? With the whole housing market debacle plus all the reasons I listed before, it would definitely make sense. So, I made a mental note that once I got internet, I would do a little internet browsing and figure out what I could learn about the topic.
Well, as it turns out, I go to studio later that week and find out for the semester, we will be designing a multifamily building of 4-6 small and efficient units. Cha-ching! 1. You all know how I feel about designing houses. Happiest girl ever! 2. What was going to be procrastination (drooling over adorable small houses), has now become my homework. Yahtzee!
So, in my search for precedents, here are some fabulous small spaces I have stumbled upon. Enjoy!
#1: A 344 SF Hong Kong Apartment that can be transformed into 24 different rooms...ah-mazing. (and thank you Pattie for sharing this with me!)
#2: Denver, CO - This home, known as "GREEN Cube" (wonder why), was designed by Urban Green Development and is on the Denver Parade of Homes, which I will most definitely be attending tomorrow. It's 1,875 SF, 3 bedrooms/3 baths and the best part? It's pursuing LEED Platinum certification. How cool.
3. Two Houses on Borneo: Parcel 18 designed by MVRDV
I think this house is simply amazing in section...so many fun spaces!
And here are just some interior nooks and cranny's - yet another reason I love small, cozy spaces.
Anywho. So, I'm taking this real estate development class this semester (which, by the way, I'm really curious to see how it unfolds) and my professor said something the first night of class that really caught my attention. He said, "Homes are getting smaller. We are no longer building McMansions." Interesting. From an architect's standpoint, that makes sense. From a sustainability standpoint, that makes sense. From every form of education I've had up to this point, that makes sense. But coming from the mouth of a developer? Now that's just outright strange.
Just beautiful, isn't it? Thank you, developers, thank you.
From my experience, developers build cookie-cutter, suburban monstrosities as quickly and inexpensively as possible while trying to make the house "look luxurious". Example number one? "Let's pretend to make this house look expensive by putting brick on the front side of it, but oh, just kidding, we're actually going to put cheap, nasty, go-kill-the-planet vinyl on the remaining three sides of your home." MY. PET. PEEVE.
Look at that lovely brick house...
PSYCHE!
Maybe I'm being a bit too hard on developers. After all, they can't all be bad if they are now saying that small is the new big...and, I do happen to actually like my professor and he's a developer. Either way, like I said, his comment shocked me, and then really got me thinking. Is it true that small really is the new big? With the whole housing market debacle plus all the reasons I listed before, it would definitely make sense. So, I made a mental note that once I got internet, I would do a little internet browsing and figure out what I could learn about the topic.
Well, as it turns out, I go to studio later that week and find out for the semester, we will be designing a multifamily building of 4-6 small and efficient units. Cha-ching! 1. You all know how I feel about designing houses. Happiest girl ever! 2. What was going to be procrastination (drooling over adorable small houses), has now become my homework. Yahtzee!
So, in my search for precedents, here are some fabulous small spaces I have stumbled upon. Enjoy!
#1: A 344 SF Hong Kong Apartment that can be transformed into 24 different rooms...ah-mazing. (and thank you Pattie for sharing this with me!)
#2: Denver, CO - This home, known as "GREEN Cube" (wonder why), was designed by Urban Green Development and is on the Denver Parade of Homes, which I will most definitely be attending tomorrow. It's 1,875 SF, 3 bedrooms/3 baths and the best part? It's pursuing LEED Platinum certification. How cool.
3. Two Houses on Borneo: Parcel 18 designed by MVRDV
And here are just some interior nooks and cranny's - yet another reason I love small, cozy spaces.
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