Is Good Design Possible when Building Small?

There’s a reason small houses are all the rage, not only do they reduce that build cost, but of course the cost of running is significantly reduced also. This minor dwelling in Oratia above was a 65sqm replica of the main house. Small need not mean inferior, in fact it could be argued that engaging an architect to ensure good design can apply for any size. There’s always compromise with house design, and admittedly small may require more compromises. However there are ways of reducing the perception of small.

Spacial Flexibility

However spaces can be shared, an open plan kitchen dining living will always feel more spacious, than those three rooms of the same size. Couches that fold out to beds or modular furniture that can be multi-functional can give one space shared uses.

There are other tricks such as using, volume, light or colour to increase the perception of how big rooms are.

Indoor/Outdoor Connection

Simple doesn’t need to mean boring either, as a strategically placed exterior window can make or break a room. It can simply draw you to the outside, or conversely make you feel like the outside is truly coming in. Removing the distinction between the indoors and the outdoors helps smaller houses provide the perception of space despite their compactness.

Windows do allow heat to escape, so weighing up what they add to a room is important. Strategic placement can set up good ventilation and help reduce heat build up. There’s nothing like capturing the prevailing wind to harness cross ventilation in warm climates.

Material Efficiency

Even if you aren’t doing a small house, simplicity in footprint means the following savings;

1. Less external surface area for a simple shape, so proportionally less exterior cladding costs.
2. Less internal corners mean less time on installation of detailed junctions.
3. Better thermal efficiency again due to reduced external envelope.

Building to reduce cost means designing homes efficiently whether they be defined as small homes or not. The design input with using an architect at the early stages may cost a bit more, but the benefits of good design don’t need to result in increased build cost, and down the track are both in longer term life cycle savings as well great occupier experience.