Since 1960, the average American home has increased in size from about 1,400 s.f. to over 2,200 s.f. while the average family decreased in size from 3.6 to 2.7. In fact, a third of U.S. households consist of just one person. Simultaneously, the average debt-load and the rate of bankruptcies has increased (Tolpin).
We are all familiar with the endless list of environmental challenges the world faces. Architectural and environmental issues are intertwined, and an environmental consciousness is simply built in to a smaller home. Smaller homes require fewer materials and less energy. Compact design is at the very core of creating more resource and energy efficient homes.
Smaller homes require more thought during the design process, and demand greater attention to detail during the construction process. Since more value is compressed into less footprint, smaller homes can cost more per square foot than larger homes!
Smaller homes offer the budget-conscious owner to invest in deep green materials and methods instead of more volume: resource efficient foundation systems, high performance windows, super-insulated envelope systems, local-milled rough sawn timbers for exposed post and beam framing, and energy efficient heating systems.
The project featured on this page is a 1500 s.f. home using an insulated concrete formwork for the foundation system, local-milled rough-sawn roof timbers, structural insulated panels (SIPs), fiberglass-wood composite windows, salvaged doors, and a masonry heater located in the center of the house.
This page…this entire website and the work I pursue as and architect and builder, is really all about the pursuit of a smaller, compact home that increases our quality of life. Less is more!
Tolpin, Jim, The New Cottage Home, Taunton Press, 2000.
Architect and Builder: Rathmann Design, Inc. and 3LP Builders, Inc.
