Saturday, November 10, 2007

McMansion backlash?

Is the small house-trend in the USA a backlash of the McMansions? I've been told that the Katrina cottages sold by Lowe's, originally thought as replacements for FEMA trailers in New Orleans, are selling very well in the whole country. Here is an interesting article from NPR on houses on the other end of the scale (i.e very big) and the psychology behind them.

/O.K.

Edit: Just realized I was listening to "Jazz på Stampen - Limehouse blues" while posting...

6 comments:

PP said...

Despite a few high profile examples and books about smaller houses I really, really, really, don't think there is a "small house trend" in the US. Show me ONE example anywhere near where we live. They are bigger and bigger.

I HATE THEM.

LS said...

PP means that he hates McMansions I think, not small houses.

O.K. said...

So there is no MicroMansion-trend and therefore no backlash in NJ?

EH said...

PP, do you remember what I said about houses in your neighbourhood that couldn´t stick to one type of architecture? I still think the americans, at least in NJ area have a Disney-complex, I get the feel of Disneymovies when I see houses with stones on the walls as well as bricks and wooden railing. It´s just too much of everything, hence Disney!

O.K. said...

I think architectural diversity is a good thing. Remember the photo you took in Budapest(?) of a medieval church reflected in a glass clad, modern building? That is so cool in my opinion.

"It´s just too much of everything, hence Disney!"

Based on what I've heard, maybe you should not visit Las Vegas. ;)

PP said...

It's funny (and sad) that the Disney reference has become what it is. There was a time, when Walt himself was alive, that the "Disney" approach was to re-create an authentic version of "real" architecture. It was in fact, well done and true to various styles of architecture. A "real" Disney movie(and to me a real one is one from at least 15-20 years ago) used to be an authentic and true to life portrayal. I don't really know where these horrible multi syle buildings come from, but I wish they would go away!

I don't see any evidence of the "downsizing" trend around here.