To Fight Monster Homes, Think Small

Following a growing backlash against "McMansions," some developers across the nation are discovering that smaller-scale houses such as 1,000-sqare-foot cottages are not only visually attractive and socially responsible but also marketable.

1 minute read

October 22, 2001, 5:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

"Can you build an attractive and livable house in the same amount of space some suburbanites use to garage their cars? ...[D]etached dwellings of 1,000 square feet or less can be aesthetically appealing and highly marketable... smaller-scale homes are more livable, enjoyable, and socially more responsible...The greatest resistance...often comes from neighbors, who are concerned that cottage-style housing will lessen the value of their larger single-family homes... Cottages of less than 1,000 square feet offer an appealing alternative to today's bigger homes."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

FULL STORY: Living large in tight quarters

Wednesday, October 17, 2001 in The Christian Science Monitor

Housing United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.