Industry Insider: Sarah Susanka Shares Her Thoughts

Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sarah Susanka. In addition to being an eight-time bestselling author, architect and cultural visionary, Sarah Susanka is redefining the American home with her approach to every day living and thoughts on maximizing square footage.

Her “build better, not bigger” approach to residential design has been embraced across the country and her “Not so Big” philosophy has sparked international dialogue.

Leading up to the NAHB Green Building Conference this weekend, we wanted to whet your appetite with insights from one of the most influential figures responsible for promoting a more sustainable approach to building.

Below is the transcript from our interview.

What inspired the “Not So Big” concept?

Years ago, I polled my clients and found that over 85% of people said that they never use their formal living areas but insisted on keeping them for resale. 

While people assumed that these spaces were necessary for resale, the reality is that very few potential buyers actual look for formal spaces when they shop for a new home. That said, I set out to help people get the most house for the least amount of money and redefine views on how much square footage is really needed.

Simply put, what is the point of your “Not so Big” philosophy?

 ”Not so Big” is all about making the best use of the dollars you have available and making your home fit your lifestyle to a tee so that it lives larger than it really is.

The idea is to experience the quality of spaciousness without having to spend all of the money on the square footage.

Do you find that people are embracing this way of living more today given the current state of the economy?

Since 9/11, there has been a surge of interest in returning to home, friends and family. With all of the uncertainty in recent years, consumers are not approaching life with the same “bigger is always better” philosophy. Instead, people are looking to “right-size” their lives and their homes.

In terms of housing, homeowners are cutting back to what feels right, not oversized. People are finding that they are feeling more comfortable and safe in homes that are smaller and more reasonably sized.

Beyond the economy and peoples’ need to downsize, what has driven the success of “Not so Big?”

In the past, people thought that a bigger home was a better home, but they found themselves underutilizing the space and longing for something more. The “Not so Big” approach really points toward the thing that we long for - the feeling of home - that we cannot put our finger on with square footage alone.

Second of all, there is a segment of the population called “cultural creatives” that have emerged and reshaped what we care about today. Now, people want smaller, better-designed houses that are sustainable and live in harmony with the planet.

What other trends are you noticing in the home industry?

One trend that is very apparent today is energy efficiency. A lot of people have a hard time determining how they can make their homes more energy efficient, so I encourage readers to hire an energy auditor.

Another trend is that people are tailoring their homes so that they actually feel better inside them. By playing with ceiling heights, for example, people are crafting a space so that it evokes a sense of intimacy.

What is on the horizon for you?

I have several things in the works. Many large-scale builders are looking to downsize best-selling home plans to try and fit into the “not so big” space, so I am trying to put some designs into the marketplace that will allow developers to build smaller homes that people really want.

I am also looking to upgrade my current housing plans through better explanation and sell them online, which I have been quietly doing for a number of years. My goal is to help people design houses that will last centuries, not decades. 

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Tags: American Home, NAHB Green Building Conference, Not So Big Remodeling, Remodeling, Sarah Susanka