Smaller spaces require efficient planning, just ask anyone with a sailboat. There is a sense of order that prevails in a small space that can be very comforting. As housing costs increase, the demand for smaller homes has grown, and with them innovative ideas for layout and design has flourished.
Featuring examples from around the world, this book gives a tour of 30 residences that range in size from 258 square feet to 958 square feet. There are many homes chosen from Japan, and their clean lines show a well thought out approach. Common themes appear as you look through the photographs. The importance of large windows, multiple levels while maximizing storage space, uncluttered shelves and the use of natural woods all enhance the interiors.
Most of the properties are shown with multiple photographs and a floor plan, along with a brief introduction. Many of them exist within the crush of urban centres, but there are also examples of smaller buildings located in more rural settings. In the buildings that enjoy more natural surroundings massive sliding glass doors are used to open the interior to the outside in good weather.
While there is little information about the details of the layouts and the utilization of the space, the colour photographs provide plenty of inspiration for anyone interested in a smaller living space.
TERRY PETERS, [email protected]
