Today on USA Today the Associated Press announced that New York City is requesting developers to design studio apartments 300 square feet or smaller.
The city believes these tiny homes could be a solution to growing population and the need for affordable housing, especially for singles and two-person households, according to the article.
The mayor, Michael Bloomberg, invited developers to transform a Manhattan lot into a building of micro apartments with kitchenettes, a bathroom, and a dual purpose living room that also serves as a bedroom with a fold-out bed.
Right now there is a requirement in this area that new apartments must be at least 400 square feet but if this is a success the rule will be changed.
The article also states, “City planners envision a future in which the young, the cash-poor and empty nesters flock to such small dwellings — each not much bigger than a dorm room. In a pricey real estate market where about one-third of renter households spend more than half their income on rent, it could make housing more affordable.”
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Sources:
- http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-09/nyc-small-apartments/56117852/1
Alex
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I think it’s a great idea.. I only use a about 200 sq. ft. to live in my small 812 sq. house. (That I bought over 25 years ago). The rest seems to be wasted space , I might use once in a while. Before moving here , I had the pleasure to live in 3 different studio apartments and a one bedroom.. And loved every second of it.. I love the concept of less is really more, It makes one to be come more organized, with less clutter, That’s all.. cheers Dominick
Love this Dominick glad that you shared. So true that life is often more enjoyed in small spaces. I hear a lot of people looking back saying that. Even in my 600 sq ft apartment I noticed how I could be even happier with less, there’s just not many readily available. That’s changing though as we’re all demanding smaller spaces. I believe this nation will thrive again with more affordable, well designed spaces readily available.
Wanted to show you NPR’s post on this too right here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=156518677
Hi Alex. Have only recently discovered web sites on tiny/small houses/homes. With neat photos and great descriptions,yours is by far the best site. With average new Australian/American/Canadian homes averagng 2,000 feet plus your site is a revelation.Wonderful design examples of small is best are found in each article.With huge older housing stocks ranging from 1,000 feet plus ,please add a couple of articles on renovated older homes,divided into two or more houses with (possibly) shared garden space? Maybe your viewers could contact you with examples. Ciao, David.
Hey David thank you so much for that such an honor that you say that. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for that kind of stuff as I haven’t gotten to cover it much at all before and I think it’s a great idea especially since it makes use of spaces that already exist. Thanks again David!
Wow, loved the house boat, but I’d have to move far far south, I’d freeze in winter, but loved it an thought it great all the same. Also really loved the fake stained glass windows instructions, I think this would also be beautiful with the actual colored cut glass plates you see once in a while from the 50s an 60s era, an I may actually try this one my self, I love to take existing things an recycle, repourpose, an make them into other great things an make them still useable.. Keep up the interesting an fun videos an ideas . I for one of many really appreciate them !
Thanks Dixie I’m so glad you enjoyed the last few posts!
I’m definately a Tiny House convert, but I’m wary of the profit-minded exploitation of this concept–Remember, the Progressive movement got it’s start in reaction to the many flop-houses and tenements that existed in NY in the late 1800s and early 1900s. If unscrupulous people can see a profit to turn in cramming more housing into less space, it could devolve into another social blight and send the Tiny House movement off its course. Remember, too, that many building codes were inacted to exclude unsightly low-income solutions to housing problems…
Great point, Cal, thanks for bringing it up.