News and WorldReport dubbed her an “innovator in American culture.”
In 2009Builder Magazinerecognized Susanka asone of the 30 most notable innovatorsin the housing industry over the past 30 years.
Despite a 2004 addition the home, Susanka assures, is indeed a “Not So Big House.”
The people who are attracted to Not So Big houses come from all age ranges.
Some younger people are designing homes with a phased construction plan.
You have what youneed, not what you rarely use.
Not So Big living is about reapportioning money and resources out of square footage and into quality and character.
It’s not about less.
Rather, it’s about making what you do have become more functional and inspiring.
So many people long for that.
It’s such a simple idea: Make less square footage fit you to a tee.
It’s not complicated but it does involve an understanding of how to shape space.
I compare the process to what a tailor does trimming a piece of clothing to fit a particular body.
I do that with space.
People who are over age 50 are always asking me, Why arent there more single-story houses?
Very clearly we need more.
In addition, there is more surface area to a single-story house than there is to a two-story one.
So in cold climate zones builders tend to favor two-story houses to contain construction costs.
How do Not So Big Houses impact neighborhoods and the community-at-large?
Very often Not So Big Houses inspire others to build the same kind of house.
In many cities around the country, abominations occur in otherwise lovely older neighborhoods.
I advise people to create a house that’s a good neighbor.
Design a new home based on the surrounding context the character, shape and style of the existing houses.
The same is true for a remodel or addition.
It’s important for property owners to check credentials before simply believing what theyre told.
What specific features would you recommend in a Not So Big House for older adults?
I always recommend putting the master bedroom on the main level.
I recommend that doorways be made wide enough for wheelchair access, in case thats ever a need.
I also recommend housing designs that avoid steps.
Ideally, people planning on aging in place should have a zero-threshold entry.
It’s amazing to me how few houses have entries with no steps!
Even small steps are terribly dangerous for elderly residents or visitors.
What features have you noticed that clients over 50 are interested in incorporating into their homes when they can?
Many are interested in building a sustainable house and making it energy efficient.
I often find that my clients like older houses.
They like the quirks.
Another thing is that communities are a really big issue for the 50-plus market.
As people age they like to have a cohesive community to live in.
So many great new communities are being built today.
People don’t realize that these communities, which are for people of all ages, do exist.
It’s impossible to put a value on having neighbors who watch out for you.
There’s magic in these kinds of communities.
They’re what we long for as we age.
She is also the author of the best-selling books Safari and Ocean, both produced by Workman Publishing.
