An Interesting Perspective...
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In 1959, newlyweds John and Barbara Walsh built a riverfront house in Manotick, Ont., using architect-designed plans they bought from the Central Mortgage and Housing Corp. for $10.
"It was a lovely home," recalls Mrs. Walsh, 78. "It was really well-planned. It didn't feel small."
They were among thousands of Canadians who bought blueprints for small house designs from the federal agency, now called Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
The CMHC published catalogues of designs by Canadian architects from 1947 to 1974. It sold the plans cheaply in an effort to address the postwar housing shortage and improve standards.
"A lot of Canadians live in them," says Ottawa architect and architectural historian Ioana Teodorescu. "Canadians were pretty down-to-earth people in those days. They bought as much as they could afford and expanded later if they could afford it. These designs offered the flexibility to do so."
In a time of global recession triggered by the U.S. housing market crash, Teodorescu says the designs offer an example of graceful living within one's means.
"Especially in times of crisis, you should buy a home that meets your needs rather than your wants," agrees Bill Teron, former head of CMHC.
"We've got to go back to adequacy and affordability," Teron says. "In this economic climate what we're being penalized for is waste and decadence."
He says he has been in talks with CMHC and the Conference Board of Canada about the federal government stimulus package. He believes the government should have programs that promote smaller, affordable and well-designed housing.
The CMHC would do well to resurrect the catalogues and add new designs, he adds. "It was a marvellous service, particularly for smaller communities."
The CMHC designs featured stand-alone houses -- bungalows, split-level and two-storey. The average three-bedroom was about 1,000 square feet (compared to at least twice that size today). They were modern, simple and functional and ranged in cost from about $10,000 to $22,000.
The catalogues reflect an evolution in Canadian living standards, says Teodorescu. The late 1940s designs were for minimal houses; a living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The attic was usually advertised as a zone for potential expansion.
By the late 1950s, the three-bedroom house became the popular choice. Powder rooms were added and family rooms near the kitchen begin to appear. The carport was typical in the 1950s, before garages came on the scene in the 1960s.
CMHC paid architects for their designs and gave them royalties from sales.
Well-known architects who took part included Ray Affleck of Montreal, Henry Fliess of Toronto and Gustavo DaRoza of Winnipeg.
"Almost every firm in Canada designing homes produced at least one small house design for the CMHC," says Parks Canada architectural historian Andrew Waldron.
"They were more common in smaller cities and rural towns because there were no major developers."
Avi Friedman, director of the affordable homes program at the McGill University School of Architecture, says that economic and demographic trends will drive interest in smaller houses.
"What commonly happens during bad times is there is a rise in interest in affordable housing," Friedman says. "People psychologically are reluctant to commit themselves to large mortgages.
"The retirement of the baby boom generation, the trend to have fewer children, the divorce rate and postponing ages of marriage and having kids means that some of these people will search for a smaller home."
The rising cost of fuel and energy is another factor, he says.
"Small houses are known to consume less energy."
He predicts an interest in "micro-lots" or very small lots. "We've seen this already in B.C."
Should the CMHC decide to repeat the small house program, energy efficiency and sustainable design should play a big role, he says.
A spokeswoman for CMHC says there are no plans to bring back the small house program.
However, the agency provides online information on how to choose housing that is in keeping with lifestyle and finances.
MARIA COOK - CREDIT