How to Stay Involved with the Small House Movement!
Five hundred designers, builders, planners, realtors, students and homeowners gathered in early November to learn how powerful and important it is to build small. The day was packed with people looking for new ideas for homes that match the needs of our current population: homes that can be flexible as families grow and change, homes that allow new ways to live together in communities of all sizes, and homes that are safe, legal and affordable. Here's how to keep that momentum going.
Introducing Keynote Speaker Alan Durning
Alan Durning, a long-time sustainability leader in the Northwest, is newly fired up—and for good reason. Since founding Sightline Institute in 1993, he has written more than ten books on issues that connect sustainability to home, transportation and city design, and he has even lectured at The White House. But Alan’s recent work on a Seattle housing and livability committee convened by the mayor is particularly timely as Northwest cities like Seattle and Portland enter development booms. And one of his key messages is that building small is one of the best ways to create affordable, livable housing in the cities we love.
Sponsor Spotlight: PAD Tiny Houses
PAD was founded by Dee Williams, tiny home pioneer and author of The Big Tiny, and is co-owned by Joan Grimm, who knows small building from multiple angles. As a tiny house host, ADU owner, and creator of a pocket community in her own (shared) backyard, Joan is an active participant and leader in Portland’s small housing community. We asked her why PAD is sponsoring Build Small Live Large 2015.
Who’s Using Tiny Houses to Aid Homeless Populations?
Little houses have piqued America’s interest as an antidote to the McMansion-style housing boom, but they’ve also become an intriguing option for providing affordable temporary and transitional housing for the homeless. One true expert on this trend is Andrew Heben, Build Small Live Large speaker and author of Tent City Urbanism: From Self Organized Camps to Tiny House Villages.