Rating: 
Summary: Good for the consumer, but probably rehash for the architect
Review: At first I thought this was just a coffee table book but it is actually quite informative for any resident. Seems great for educating a client and getting him/her to understand his/her own desires for their home. While not new or hardcore architectural theory, the images could help the architecture student understand some of the ideas behind the arts and crafts movement and its implementation. But an architect/grad should already be familiar with these ideas.
Rating:
Summary: Home Quality
Review: The main theme for this book is quality not quantity. It's not about cheap ways to build a house, instead it focuses on how to use space efficiently and aesthetically. Yet there are ideas that can be used by those of us who are building "not-so-big" houses for economical reasons. If you use the same home space for multiple purposes, it's bound to save money!There are lots of pictures that illustrate the author's ideas about what makes a house a home, using features like the "away room," and details like round windows. It's not a building book, but a design book and is best read while still in the house planning stages, but is probably of interest to anyone who likes architecture or interior design. The only negative comment I have is that I would like a way to connect the pictures together. I wish there was an index that had all of the pictures of each house so I could see how the outside of the houses compare with the rooms themselves and also how rooms relate to each other.
Rating: 
Summary: Not So Big, but Not So Inexpensive Either
Review: You'd think a "not so big" house would be not so expensive, but this book isn't about building small, budget-conscious homes. It's really directed at the group of wealthy people who usually build 3,000+ square foot homes. The author shows these people how they can build a home with more character and better materials by forgoing rooms like the much-unused dining rooms of yesteryear, large foyers and hallways and creating floor plans where rooms open to each other and their characters are determined by the placement of furniture. It's good advice for anyone building a home, no matter what his or her budget may be. Just don't be fooled by the photos if what you really can afford is something under $250,000. You aren't likely to be able to build one of these homes for that. (...)
Rating: 
Summary: And yet...
Review: Well, darlings, I've read all 87 reviews here and NOT ONE defends mcmansions. Isn't there anything to be said for them? Let me think. I think the main point, beyond the basic defense of ego-pleasuring one might want to make ("I want to be thought of as a big person, and therefore I want to have a big house."), is that if you're rich and materialistic and therefore have an absolute TON of stuff - big stuff - you've got to put it somewhere. Let me offer an example. Let's say that you don't read books, but you do watch a huge amount of tv, as do all of your children. You're going to need a lot of widescreen, jumbo tv/vcrs scattered throughout the house. Only an enormous house will accommodate them. Or let's say that although no one in your family plays the piano, you have begun to gather that having a grand piano in your living room is a very impressive class marker. So you buy a grand - and where are you going to put it? You're obviously going to need a living room large enough to contain the thing (they are massive). I also think you can defend blockbuster mcmansions - huge houses built to loom over an area of much smaller ones - by recalling Gore Vidal's famous statement: "It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail." The ideal setting for a mcmansion, then, would be a not-so-big-house neighborhood, in which you can spend every free moment contemplating your sense of having attained greater worldly success than the people immediately around you. This is great for the ego. And the final, and of course strongest, most unanswerable, most American defense of the mcmansion: Nobody gets to tell me what I can do! If I want the biggest SUV on the market, I'm gonna damn well get it! Same for my house! Free country.
Rating:
Summary: A great idea book for the coffee table, but not the workshop
Review: The Not So Big House is terrific for those who are thinking of building a new home for vacation, retirement, etc. and need ideas on design and layout. From a philosophical perspective, the author does a great service by laying out her argument that bigger is not necessarily better. She provides a number of great tips in house design (cornerboards instead of mitered corners save A LOT of money, panalized design, etc.) and provides numerous examples of interesting designs. However, if you're looking for details on actually building such a house, this is not a do-it-yourself guide. Lots of good ideas, but the book sits on our coffee table, not in my workshop
Rating:
Summary: Required reading and the best book . . .
Review: for General Remodeling and New Home Building. This prerequisite will save you time and money before and after the design phase. Ms. Susanka's mind provoking approach to home design tackles some of the toughest aspects: storage, lighting and home character. These challenges are adapted for DINKs, SINKs, Empty Nesters and Kids. Our home is not going to be 'NOT SO BIG' and we have found ways to integrate her discussions on: ceiling heights, soffits, storage, hearths and alcoves. Attempting to make our home intimately and interetingly grand.
Rating: 
Summary: Too big to be small.
Review: Compared to a 5000 sq ft home, 2500 sq ft isn't big. But is 2500 sq ft really a "not so big house"? I don't think so. A well thought out floor plan of 1500 sq ft or less (preferably less) can provide for everything a family needs and help people stay connected to each other. While the book did spark some ideas around the use of space and built-ins, overall I was very disappointed with the less costs more therory as presented in this book. It promotes a spending level that is beyond the average american's grasp.
Rating:
Summary: BIG ideas for Not So Big House
Review: This book should probably be required reading for any and all of us contemplating buying, moving, building or re-modeling a house. Descriptions are to the point. Illustrations are excellent, and information is interesting reading. This architect has answered many of the vague questions that I had not been able to even verbalize, most especially the one about why our current home designs and plans "just don't work." She may not be especially popular with builders, but I am now excited about building. Thanks Ms. Susanka
Rating:
Summary: Just in time... before we signed on the blueprints
Review: We're in the midst of designing our dream house on the golf course, getting caught up in the excitement... good thing we discovered the Not So Big House, because we would have had a very impressive, over-sized house, and not come close to really meeting our complex needs for home offices, family gatherings, intimate private places, respect for the environment, and thoroughly beautiful surroundings. This book is full of wisdom, good ideas, and simple principles that are very easy to apply. Good photos illustrate the points. I've done a lot of remodeling, and have a dusty old degree in design, so I thought I was ready for the big BUILD. Good thing I got this practical and beautiful guide before it was too late.
Rating:
Summary: A great guide for our own home.
Review: We live in a Not So Big House (900 sq. feet on 1 and 1/2 floors). According to some of the houses in this book, that is considered a garden shed (I'm kidding). This book has helped us maximize the space we have, rethink and redesign some wasted space and decorate some small rooms so they look a lot bigger. The book is a tresure chest of ideas and innovations that you will love if you are building or already own a small home.
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