[GBlist] monster houses (swelling/shrinking)

[Brenda Norman <bnorman@ceiarchitecture.com>]

"Yes, it is possible and noble (in some ways) to reduce the average size of 
our dwellings but most people who live in small dwellings do so because 
they have to not because they want to."

People now accept long commutes to work so that they can live in a larger 
house, we work longer hours to acquire more things (our "wants" being 
dictated by social and commercial forces) that we must then store in our 
larger houses out in the suburbs but there's a limit to the number of hours 
in a day one can travel and work.  The North American attitude towards 
what's an acceptable size of dwelling will change because it will have to, 
it won't have anything to do with being noble.
I don't think the solution is to 'pare down and pretty up' our homes, if 
quality of life is the issue give me a "200 sqft" urban apartment within 
walking distance of the galleries, libraries, theatres and corner stores, I 
can do without the second set of china, the summer and winter linens, the 
second vehicle (maybe even the first as well).  I'm pretty sure I won't be 
on my death bed regretting that I didn't buy that bigger house instead of 
spending time with the people I love.


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