Small Living Innovative Dwellings for Affordability and Sustainability

Small Living Innovative Dwellings for Affordability and Sustainability

In recent decades demographic shifts have significantly influenced young peoples’ residential preference. Due to the rise of single-person households, smaller family sizes, and the desire for lower maintenance and utility costs, many young individuals are choosing to live in smaller, efficient spaces in proximity to work and urban amenities. These changes have led to an increase demand for multi-functional, space-efficient designs. Furthermore the awareness of protecting our living environment increases, the choice of smaller homes is becoming a more common and environmentally responsible decision. This shift is driven by the need to reduce resource consumption, as smaller homes require fewer materials for construction, maintenance, and repairs. Moreover, smaller homes are inherently more energy-efficient due to their reduced space, which requires less energy for heating and cooling. Additionally, the smaller footprint means using less land per dwelling unit.

About the author

Avi Friedman received his Bachelor’s degree in architecture and town planning from the Israel Institute of Technology, his Master’s degree from McGill University, and his Doctorate from the University of Montréal. At McGill, where he is a full professor, he cofounded the Affordable Homes Program. He also holds a visiting professor position in Lancaster University in the UK. He is the author of 25 books, the principal of Avi Friedman Consultants Inc. and the recipient of numerous awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from Sustainable Buildings Canada and the World Habitat Award. In 2000 he was selected by Wallpaper magazine as one of ten people from around the world »most likely to change the way we live«.