Microhouses: A Small Solution for Big Problems

The recent launching of Kodasema's microhouse project in the UK stirred up a debate surrounding the viability of the structures. While not a new concept, the typology is still a niche architectural trend and one that is creating controversy in the industry.

The microhouse  trend is dated back to 1990's Japan; when the structures first appeared as a solution to Tokyo's high real estate prices, which led the younger population to reconsider life in suburban settings. "Kyosho Jutaku" or "micro homes" became increasingly popular, as the population-and prices-continued to grow.

That, paired with the idea of "no space gone to waste"-which promotes a slower growth rate in terms of urban area-made microhouses an appealing solution to tackle urban cities' shortage of buildable space.

Part of the debate surrounding the trend centers around the level of comfort a user might experience in such a dwelling. Many space efficient housing solutions, such as micro apartments, operate under "optimal space" guides. These guides determine the minimum amount of space a human being needs in order to move comfortably around their livable space, forsaking its habitable quality.

Often the greatest challenge when building a microhome is utilizing the maximum amount of livable space within a small surface, mixing leisure, comfort, and space efficiency.

Different Microhouses for Different Problems

While all microhouses are tiny, they come in unique qualities and shapes, depending on the setting they are inserted in. Microhousing can be used as a solution to utilize infill spaces that might otherwise be empty in crowded cities with high density and expensive plots of land. Not everyone is a fan of the trend, though. Some argue that the structures aren't solving this problem but actually contribute to the uncontrolled densification of urban spaces.

In urban spaces without a density problem, Microhouses can be viewed as an environmentally friendly way to build. Smaller houses consume less energy from construction to habitation, by using fewer materials and requiring less energy to be kept warm or lighted. Smaller houses also occupy smaller plots, which means the city won't expand to occupy agricultural lands. Instead, the smaller plot area they occupy allows for more green spaces and the creation of green lungs across the city.

Microhousing is also commonly used to promote environmentally friendly and cheap vacation spaces in natural settings, including tree houses and small cabins. Additionally, their small size also allows them to be prefabricated, which reduces construction costs and makes them budget friendly- and even more appealing.

Designing a Microhouse

How can you make a microhouse that's not only space efficient, but also comfortable and aesthetically pleasing? When designing these tiny structures, every detail counts.

One of the keys to achieving a well-designed microhome is the use of light, as a tiny house with plenty of illumination will feel less crowded. The use of reflective surfaces and light reflective colors can also help with the illusion of open spaces, especially when compared to a monochrome palette. Light can be used as an element of design by creating "fractures" in the project's shell, creating the impression of lightness and expanding the line of view.

Adding green spaces into the design can create the illusion of open spaces and add richness to the layout, especially in dense urban settings with a scarcity of nature.

Keeping storage spaces out of sight by making them a part of the structure helps to keep the house uncluttered, as visual clutter contributes to making a room look smaller than it is.

Whether you find yourself wanting to live in an expensive city, are in need of a cheap and fast solution to building a vacation home, or want to live in an energy-efficient and budget friendly house, microhouses are worth considering. Cheap, comfortable, fast to build and easy to maintain: these houses are here to stay.

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