Not So Big Showhouses:
Orlando Not So Big Showhouse
Build Better Not Bigger
Sarah Susanka’s design concepts were exemplified in this hands-on display of Build Better Not Bigger principles from her bestselling books, The Not So Big House, Not So Big Solutions for Your Home, and Home by Design: Transforming Your House into Home.
Orlando Not So Big Showhouse Plans
First Floor
Second Floor
Elements of the Orlando Not So Big Showhouse
Design
The Orlando Not So Big Showhouse is a home in every sense of the word. By its very nature, it asks you to dwell there a while and to take in all that it offers. The qualities we long for come to be by our taking time, building for the long term, crafting and paying attention to who we are, what we care about, and how we affect our world. The house of the future will be designed so that unpredictable, changing technology can be integrated into the building without affecting the aesthetics. By designing our homes to be good custodians of our natural resources, and by engineering them to allow for ease of maintenance and future modification, we will be serving both ourselves and our planet well.
–Sarah Susanka, FAIA
Building Science
The Orlando Not So Big Showhouse was built as a practical learning center to exhibit best-practice home design and construction techniques that will perform optimally in the southeastern U.S. The high heat and humidity of the hurricane-racked southeast create an aggressive climate for houses, so we paid particular attention to detailing the exterior walls to control the entry of moisture. With a highly energy-efficient and tightly sealed building envelope and state-of-the-art cooling and ventilation appliances to control the flow and temperature of air inside the home, all of the worst moisture and air problems were eliminated.
–Steve Easley, Building Science Expert
Sustainability
With the Orlando Not So Big Showhouse, Sarah Susanka has provided a concrete example of how to merge quality design and sustainable building practice in a package that not only provides owners with the sense of home they crave in a house, but also has excellent resale value. Builders wishing to commit themselves to providing the best quality homes in today’s marketplace will have to immerse themselves and their crew in industry knowledge. They need to learn what works, what doesn’t, and have a sufficient grasp on green building issues to discuss them with discerning customers.
–Ron Jones, Green Builder Media