"Living in a small space with no garden is rarely a deliberate choice" say commenters

Readers are debating architect Alison Brooks' claims that coronavirus will lead to a "value shift" in housing design and sharing their thoughts on other top stories in this week's comments update.

In a live interview with Dezeen, Brooks rejected the trend for micro-homes saying "I don't know anybody who needs less space, or wants less space. Everybody wants more space."

"Living small has been the best decision we ever made" 

But Dezeen commenters are divided. Katy SB believes her family's decision to choose location over size "has been the best we ever made".

"Rather than struggle it made us realise how much unnecessary stuff we had in our lives," she explains. "Living small forces us to live minimally and to carefully consider every purchase."

"Living in a small space without a balcony or garden is rarely a deliberate choice," replied Zea Newland. "Hardly anybody would reject a balcony or a little bit of extra space."

Apsco Radiales agreed: "Economics play the biggest part in how large our homes, apartments or condominiums are. Most young people cannot afford to buy a house that's equal to the one that their parents had."

"Micro homes and tiny houses were never an architectural idea," added Troels Steenholdt Heiredal. "The best architects will find more space where there isn't, make value out of overlooked corners."

Does everybody want more space? Join the discussion ›

Christophe Gernigon's concept for Plex'eat hoods dismissed as "defeating the purpose of dining out"

French designer Christophe Gernigon has proposed a concept for suspended plexiglass hoods intended to help diners to return safely to restaurants after the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. But readers are saddened.

"Besides the good food, going to a restaurant is very much about meeting up with friends and to socialise. This solution would probably have the effect of talking with a bucket over your head," said Martijn Hoogendijk. "You'd go crazy hearing yourself talk. It defeats the purpose of hospitality – and that is a very sad idea."

Michael Taylor agreed: "We are definitely going to experience a huge rise in home-cooked dinners and dinner parties, bringing friends and family together again. No one will want to go through this kind of nonsense at a public restaurant."

"This concept screams 'takeaway!' to me," concluded Chris Becket.

Would you sit under a hood to dine in a restaurant? Join the discussion ›

Walk-Street House in California is "architecture at its best"

Ras-A Studio has been praised for its design for a boxy house belonging to a photographer and his family in Hermosa Beach, California.

"Wow," said Chris. "Fantastically arranged interior spaces that pull your eye from one area to the next. Simple and robust material palette, I love the nod to 70s era funky wood beach boxes, but a much more refined take on it. Kudos."

Wil Worthington agreed: "A masterful assembly of materials and form. This is architecture at its best."

"Please register it on Airbnb!" added J Ander.

Would you like to stay in Walk-Street House? Join the discussion ›

PriestmanGoode's proposal for expanding bike storage on trains branded "yucky"

Commenters aren't convinced by PriestmanGoode's revised design for its Island Bay train seating which aims to make it easier for Londoners to socially distance during their commute.

"Disgusting," said JP. "All the dirt and dog poop on the wheel now can land on the seating upholstery. Shoes and bikes are filthy. Yuck."

"I like the way they have the front chainring resting on the upholstered seat," added Mitch Brooklyn sarcastically. "That's a very nice detail."

Benny was also unimpressed: "So two bikes displace four seated passengers and leave dirt or dripping dirty water to fall onto the seats below the front tires?"

Are readers being harsh? Join the discussion ›

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Dezeen is the world's most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page.

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