mghcoach4Focus's Profile

I *love* small spaces if they function and they're cozy, not cramped and cluttered. Susanka is one of my favorite architects, and I'd be an excellent candidate for a well designed small-footprint efficiency - which this really isn't.

This is a perfect example of an amazing vision, best of intentions, enthusiastic follow-through and project commitment, $200K development costs - and so much that doesn't work, I doubt you'd ever recoup your investment. I think you probably need a woman on the project from the get-go - at least 35 and not in grad school. She'd focus on different elements of that Airstream and you'd get a MUCH more efficient design.

It's not the small size of the living space, it's about utilization space planning. The *look* or the material choices will impress no one if the design doesn't FUNCTION. Unless one is a graduate student with an offsite carrel for books, etc., this is not "a machine for living" - and it needs to be.

Version 1.0 is seriously missing storage - or so it seems from your video. Even if they live simply, most people have at least SOME stuff - and in a small space it has to be cleverly hidden for *easy* put-away and *easy* access, or the space looks cluttered if you put down your coat. Enlarge the plan by 3' along the longest walls and put in floor to ceiling CLOSETS (hire a female space planner who specializes in closets for WOMEN if you hope to appeal to them, or you'll bump into the same expensive walls you hit before)

Hiding my toaster oven, etc? Great idea, but you need to go MUCH further with it. How about my purse, and maybe a pair of slippers and more than a couple of shoe choices, a change of sheets, extra pillows, and some blankets? And I'm probably not the only person who wants storage for at least one box of Christmas decorations and/or seasonal items like coats, etc. If you live mostly OUTSIDE your space, you need a wardrobe - or at least you want to have the option - so space-planned closets really are KEY.

Interestingly enough, you didn't miss the need for suitcase storage! GREAT idea, but methinks you have spent way too much time in business hotels and not enough in a HOME. Maybe you have already handled all the above, but that's not what you featured in the video - how the plan would LIVE - and that's what your buyers will be thinking. Somebody already commented, in response to the problem of a wet bathroom floor turning into mud that will get tracked all over, "Why wear shoes in the bathroom?" Well, where are you going to put them if you take them off -- without creating clutter?

Bathroom storage - is there any? For example: How would I put on make-up in that bathroom? How would I wash & condition long hair (or color it - or even blow it dry)? Shave my legs? Where's my robe? Do I drip dry or use Sham Wows (because a couple of towels would fill up one of those truly clever rolling storage goodies all by themselves)?

Where do my bathroom supplies live? Do I keep a bucket under my bed like a college student for shampoo, curling iron, etc that I truck with me to the bath? (oops, no "under the bed") What if I wanted to take a bath? If all I needed was to CLEAN my body, I could limp along with daily PTAs, baby wipes and the trusty Sham Wows. See what I mean?

Speaking of clean - it comes with maid service, right? Because there appears to be NO space for cleaning supplies - even if all you use is a broom, a dustpan, a mop and a bucket and ONE single-use cleaning product. Oh yeah - and a superintendent with a tool closet and light bulb storage.

Moving right along to the kitchen. Nobody cooks? You are planning to sell out a high rise of efficiencies where EVERYBODY has toast for breakfast (on paper plates, because, as you figured out AFTER you spent a fortune, you can't wash dishes in that sink), eats out or nukes leftovers otherwise? I COOK. That means I have cooking implements and dishes. Oh yeah, and food. Where will I put it? Maybe in my locker outside my front door? I don't want to have to shop for every meal - I have too much else I want to do with my life.

Well, at least my two (?) friends and I can clear off the bench and eat at the table. Or I could invite ONE celibate friend and my date? Another GREAT idea, but the table really MUST seat at least FOUR.

BACK to the drawing board -- unless you want to lose your shirt on these units, which would be a SHAME because the idea is a great one. I really don't think there will be enough of a market for this iteration. I wouldn't be happy staying there for more than a weekend for FREE - but I'd consider *buying* a unit that solved problems like the ones above.

ALSO, get somebody old enough to have a real life to beta test it next time. I lived VERY differently when I was a graduate student, too - but that's not how I've lived since, or how I'd ever choose to live again. If you want to attract older buyers, get the input of an older person while you're in the testing phase.

Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing Phase 2!

Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, SCAC, MCC - (blogging at ADDandSoMuchMore and on ADDerWorld - dot com!)
"It takes a village to transform a world!"