The bumper-sticker slogan, “Live Simply That Others May Simply Live,” speaks to the design aspects of an affordable house. To increase the cost of a house, all you need to do is complicate its design. Affordable housing is, by nature, small and simple. The same formula that makes for a safe house in earthquake country—small, low, and light—makes for an affordable house anywhere in the country.
The houses featured throughout this book are some of the most cost-efficient designs you can build (see the photo on the facing page). This single-story structure has a simple gable roof
Practice building with a scale model. By assembling a scale model of your house, you can troubleshoot the building process, solving problems before you begin full-scale construction. You can buy balsa wood in different dimensions and other model-making supplies from a well — stocked hobby shop or craft supply store.
