RE: [GBlist] Re Monster Buildings, wasted space

[Brenda Norman <bnorman@ceiarchitecture.com>]

This is where I believe we need a change in how we think.  In Europe, there 
are tool 'libraries', where you borrow the tools you need when you need 
them, which means you don't have to own or store them, same with bicycles 
and cars.  In Canada we are just starting to see vehicle co-ops, less 
expensive by far and less wasteful than everyone owning and storing their 
own vehicle.  Many of our community centres have work rooms, and the 
colleges have music isolation rooms where you can go and play the piano 
(they supply) or any instrument of your choice in complete privacy.  The 
city libraries have rooms that you can book where you can meet or study, 
and these are free (as are the books, of course).
Obviously all these solutions aren't for everyone, but re-thinking what we 
actually need, or what we can share so that what is 'rarely' used becomes 
well used can take us a long way.

Brenda


Space that is "rarely" used is not the same thing as unnecessary. Single 
use space is not necessarily bad.
Until it snowed yesterday (NYC) I haven't been in my tool shed since I put 
away my lawn mower. (Yes there is grass in NYC ) in October. Still this 
space is necessary. Some single use space is desireable. I don't like 
playing the piano with anyone around, including my wife. My wife doesn't 
like to do yoga with anyone around. Personal meditation space is desired by 
both of us. Maybe if we lived in the country (we're in the process of doing 
so) we would need less space, but after going from home to subway to work 
to subway to home we both need personal space.
Rarely used but necessary space:
tool/garden shed
work room (wood working/ car repair, etc...)
Single use space includes
study
exercise room -- example: currently I go to gym. I might not own the 
building but the building material, HVAC, etc... is there for my use.)
laundry room
the list can go on and on and change per individual needs.
This is not to say that some people aren't incredibly wasteful, only that  
 less in not necessarily better. What ever you have, no matter how much, 
if you use it, it's not wasted. No matter how little you have, if you don't 
use it, it is wasted.
I have a ton of books -- I use them ALL, not each one all the time, but all 
of them some of the time. There are people I know who have 10 books and 
never look at them. My 1000+ books are used, their 10+ are wasted. At the 
same time others have 1000+ of records and use them. I have a few and I 
don't. Mine are being wasted.
-- glm
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Ann Lynch [mailto:m.lynch21@gte.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2002 12:05 PM
To: greenbuilding@crest.org
Subject: [GBlist] Re Monster Buildings

I have been following this discussion and am also acquainted with the "Not 
So Big House" book. I am planning to sell my "overly big" suburban house 
and build a "not so big" energy efficient home and have been thinking about 
size and design issues a lot. I agree that there seems to be a tendency to 
build a monster house, if you can afford it. I think some of that has to do 
with our culture in which one of the ways that affluence and power is 
measured is by the size of one's house. The bigger it looks, the better it 
is. I live in a Dallas suburb and that has certainly shaped the way houses 
are built here. Also, we fall prey to the dictum that for a house to be 
marketable it must have certain features, namely formal living rooms and 
dining rooms, rooms that are rarely if ever used but occupy a large amount 
of space and decorating dollars. I have heard this over and over again. In 
the past, I have accepted it and allowed it to shape my choices in housing. 
A final thought - As one's financial means grow, it becomes more affordable 
to have more single use rooms and appliances. Stories I have read about 
monster houses describe rooms dedicated to such purposes as wrapping gifts. 
(Another sign of wealth, not only can they afford to have a room used only 
for gift wrapping, but the implication is that they are so wealthy and 
generous, they can afford to do a lot more gift giving (and wrapping) than 
most of us do.) Gourmet food magazines offer us specialized food 
preparation tools, items that will rarely be used but will need to be 
stored (...more space requirements generated).
My personal experience tells me that Susanka is right. Sole purpose rooms, 
especially if off the beaten track, will rarely be used. Most activity will 
take place in a few areas of the house, even if that wasn't the original 
design plan. So, while I am not a fan of very large houses, I think the 
real issue has to do with how the house is designed. Space that is rarely 
if ever used is a bad investment for the owner and the environment. Space 
that is not comfortable for use or that doesn't meet the owner's needs may 
also be a poor investment in that it won't be enjoyed and will probably be 
stimulate the owner to move or add more space onto the house in an attempt 
to make it more comfortable. Ironically, while additions often times do 
create more useable space, I think what often really happens as a 
consequence is that use patterns shift and the original space in the house 
becomes unused. Such an interesting topic... Meanwhile, I continue to 
strive to optimize the design of my "not so big" house to be. Thanks for an 
interesting and thought provoking discussion.
Mary Ann


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