Minimalism: Why residents are downsizing their homes.

For much of the 20th century, a large suburban house was the ultimate material aspiration. As the most tangible aspect of the “American dream,” millions of people associated these homes with prosperity and success.

The world is waking up to urgent environmental issues due to the threat of climate change. Many booming urban centers are facing a housing crisis. Economic and political systems are constantly evolving, as are people’s aspirations and needs for space.

The last two decades in particular have seen the unstoppable rise of minimalism. In architecture, it has been one of the most significant paradigms of this century so far.

What is minimalism?

Minimalism is a movement characterized by making use of the smallest possible spaces. Especially as rising real estate prices and rampant urbanization strain budgets, from New York to Shanghai, more and more people are moving toward what are called “micro-homes.”

Generally ranging in size from 22 to 40 square meters, micro-homes often push the boundaries of creativity in interior design. They are usually one-bedroom apartments or studios optimized for functionality and sustainability. Modern designs boast a more refined sense of style.

Minimalism has quickly established itself in the psyche of global popular culture as well: hit shows like Tiny House Nation on Netflix or Never Too Small on YouTube have been watched by millions of people worldwide.

Minimalism is also an architectural approach favored by millennials for their love of minimalism and technology. There are currently nearly 1.5 million posts on the visual networking platform Instagram tagged #tinyhouse. The ease with which minimalism is already taking hold in a global conversation is an indicator of a cultural shift.

How will micro-living affect construction?

Minimalism is therefore not a micro-trend or a new buzzword in real estate.

With accelerating environmental concerns and population explosion, millions of people around the world especially need spacious and creative solutions to make the most of their resources. The growing affection for minimalism is one of the manifestations of this global tide.

Some urban planners hail minimalism as the future of city living, as a sustainable, connected, and people-centered solution.

Particularly in dense and expensive urban centers like Hong Kong or San Francisco, demand for micro-apartments is skyrocketing. In some parts of the world, supply does not meet demand.

Living a big life in a space of up to 40 square meters could meet everyone’s housing needs. However, micro-housing has firmly established itself as an emerging real estate market.

The growing demand for micro-apartments will likely be part of an ecosystem of solutions that urban centers need to effectively accommodate growing populations.