WHY BUY RECYLED HOMES?

Houses have doubled in size over the past 50 years. Households averaged 4 people living in a 1200 square foot home with 2 bedrooms, one bathroom and a one car garage in 1950. By 2003 the average household had declined to 2.6 people but the house had expanded to 2000 square feet with 4 bedrooms and two baths as well as a 2 car garage. The dishwasher no longer had two hands and the house consumed twice as much energy as homes built during the previous three decades.
Smaller spaces can be more livable than large ones and still feel spacious. Recycling old housing saves not only resources but energy and money. Even if you have to replace a roof or flooring, you can use recycled and non toxic or less toxic materials to do so. You can use paint and floor coverings that do not outgas toxic fumes, replace outdated, inefficient doors and windows with energy efficient ones and/or ones made from recycled materials. You can add solar systems and take advantage of energy efficient heating and cooling systems tool. If you start with sound "bones" -a solid foundation and basic structure- beautifying the "skin" is a simple matter.
Americans seem to have fallen in love with the idea the bigger is better. Frank Lloyd Wright is perhaps the best known American architect for most people. His Usonian Houses and the humble American bungalow are perfect examples of the kind of living this page is about. It is meant to be a tribute to those who are trying not only to salvage those homes and bring them back to life by living in them but also to inspire others to give some thought to the ideas they embody.