The Not So Big House

When Susanka’s book first came out in the 90s, I felt like she had hit on something that many architects were being challenged by—the expanding popularity of the McMansion. Now with Tiny Houses bookmarking her work at the other end, and with all the at-home needs and complications that came with the pandemic, I still think she has got the formula right: Build better, not bigger. Her chapters include many principles on how to build smaller eloquent, gem houses, and to get away from the clunky, gaudy costume jewelry architecture ruining the American suburbs.

When I realized Alexander’s Pattern Language… show more.

There is a reason this book was a best-seller when it came out in 1998: It is full of wisdom about how to create a deeply personal home that is right-sized to your life. The interiors in The Not So Big House feel a little dated nearly 25 years later (and are not to my personal tastes, which skew more modern), but I still consider this book a must-read for anyone building or renovating a small home. I also love Sara’s book for its quality over quantity message that helped shift the conversation about homes when it debuted. I own… show more.