Size does matter, especially when it comes to conserving energy. Having recently retired and living on her own, Trish was keen to do more with less. She wanted a small but not tiny home that maximised views over the adjacent bushland reserve. We designed the house as a simple rectangle and oriented it so that each room possesses bushland views and receives maximum solar gain. This simple design shape also makes construction more economical. Fewer rooms to build also means less space to heat and cool, thereby bringing Trish’s future energy bills down. Whilst Trish’s budget only extended to one bedroom, she was keen to have a space in which family and friends could sleep over. We designed the main living area with a modular section that could be closed off to accommodate overnight visitors or to provide a quiet workspace if required.