Vermont Home Owner Downsizes to 425 Square Feet

WCAX in Vermont has posted an video about Vermont resident Norman Wells who is in the process of building a 425 square foot house.

http://www.wcax.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=4050423&at1=News&h1=From McMansions to Micro-Houses?&flvUri=

The reporter stresses that this will be his full time home, not a vacation cabin, as if to highlight how extreme a choice he is making. I found that a little funny considering the number of people embracing tiny houses and not just small houses. Anyway, the feature has some great footage of the little gem of a house and Mr. Wells has clearly decided to have some custom work done inside. The timber features and tree branch style railings are just beautiful.

The reporter also interviews a spokesperson from the local builders' association who asserts that while Vermont residents already buck the national trend (i.e. the average house size is 2000 square feet instead of 2500), she expresses doubt that the average size will drop below 1600 square feet, suggesting that house of 400 - 600 square feet are too extreme an example of downsizing for most people.

Personally, I think it is really a matter of personal priorities. As I read the stories of people who have opted to build smaller homes, I see a recurring theme: resource allocation. Some opt for smaller houses to reduce their carbon footprint. Others want to have more time and money for their friends, familes, hobbies and interests. For some it is an economical housing choice while they finish school. And others want more freedom from the work-a-day world and having fewer shelter expenses enables them to have that.

I agree that the 2000 square foot house is in no danger of extinction at the moment as house size is still very much connected with our culture's definition of "success." However, as more people begin to redefine what success in life means to them, they will also look more critically at the housing options available to them. Some smart and successful builders and architects have already acknowledged this growing trend and have small house options on their website. And a growing number of people are taking matters into their own hands and building their own version of a small or tiny home with the help of websites like Country Home Plans, Andrew Sheldon and Jay Schafer (see my website list for the urls).

Tiny and small houses are a part of North American history. I, for one, am glad to see them increasing in popularity once again.