What 2020 taught us about small home living

2020 was a special and challenging year that taught us how to take care for each other and be more sympathetic. It was a year that taught us a lot about our homes by making us stay inside more than we wished for. But above all, it showed us the importance of enjoying nature and spending time outside as much as possible.

So in this context, the idea of building a house makes more sense today than it did the year
before. But before making that decision, one should consider how is home life developing today in the post pandemic era. Is the today’s home the same as the last year’s or the year’s before it? Of course not: today’s home has to adapt to today’s reality and tomorrow’s uncertainties by not avoiding them but embracing them. Today’s home will manage to be more economic, durable and reliable than ever.

Embracing minimalism
Unnecessary embellishments which increase cost and energy consumption but not the time
between repairs are not fashionable anymore. Today, beautiful means considerate simplicity, careful minimalism, observant relation with nature and respect for resources.

It might not be for everyone but its teachings can be live saving. In doing so, the minimalist
concept helps with having a simpler and meaningful life that contains only what is necessary and brings happy and calm thoughts.

On the other side of the spectrum, the tiny house movement is not minimalism, it is not healthy — occupying a caravan is not living.

What is then? What is the perfect house at this present moment?

Small home living
Well: when we write, the pencil sits precisely between our thumb and pointer and relies on them to be exactly where is needed: not higher, not lower, just where is needed to deliver the message. Likewise, the perfect home will cover its user’s needs, all of them, not more, not less: exactly all its user needs minding its surroundings and its user resources. And in doing that it consumes the minimum amount of energy, it pretends just the right amount of attention it does not compromise security.

So: big is wrong and so is tiny; what is right then? Well: you now have both the thumb and the pointer, you have the means to place your mark. Don’t worry, all humans are equipped with complex senses to perceive the reality around them and the other humans but not themselves …

so all you have to do is to use other humans you can trust for knowing yourself, your needs, for defining your exactly right house and then build it and take care of it like you want it to take care of you.

Like always, you can be sure that less is more. You don't need palaces to live a meaningful and peaceful life. All you need can be found in a small house designed with care.
It will be open to the nature so you can enjoy it and closed to its whims so you are protected. It will be big enough to accommodate your loved-ones together with your belongings and small enough so you can afford it. It will keep you cool and keep you warm when you need it minding the bill at the end of the month, every month for years to come. It will be happy to see you leave for it means you have some money left for a vacation.
Sounds complicated? Yes: it is a complex subject. So it is life. But you have science to rely on, knowledge to make the right choices, wisdom and your architect as a close friend who comes with real help when you really need it.