Small Is Beautiful
Tiny house Interior (credit: Wikicommons)
The British economist E.F. Schumacher was famous for saying that 'small is beautiful' in 1973. He championed the use of small, appropriate technologies to empower people more, in contrast to the philosophy that "bigger is better" with consumption of more stuff. The idea was to live in a sustainable and less resource intensive way. Unfortunately, Schumacker's ideas seems to have been forgotten.
Recently some of this thinking on living sustainably has become a part of contemporary living that allows for more freedom than many imagine. It is being pioneered by diverse people, facing unsettled economic times, and in the form of the tiny house movement.
Australian designer and architect Lara Nobel, has leaned towards problem solving and is focused on sustainability. When she and her partner found themselves in one of the world’s least affordable housing markets in Australia, they knew it wouldn't be possible to get started without going deeply into debt. Lara began investigating tangible alternatives which led her to 'tiny houses'. She has now traveled the world studying urban design from Berlin, to Tokyo, and alternative housing projects in Portland. Her compact house designs are driven by an individuals needs rather than market expectations.
Lara is became the co-founder of The Tiny House Company that produces affordable ‘tiny houses’ for Australia and elsewhere. She describers her journey of discovery in living more simply. WHB