Small Home Design
Based in Eugene, Oregon, Aligned Architecture designs small homes throughout Oregon and is open to projects in other states. Our small-footprint work has been recognized by Fine Homebuilding and Oregon Home magazine.
What is a Small Home?
A small home refers to its size rather than a legal or zoning definition. It includes intentionally compact primary residences, coastal and vacation cottages, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as granny flats. What unites them is their modest footprint.
Our Approach to Small Home Design
Small homes succeed or fail on how thoughtfully every square foot is used. Our founder, Nir Pearlson, developed a set of small-footprint design principles (mix, fun, illuminate, stretch, curl, and flow) that guide how we incorporate light, storage, and flexible spaces. Open interiors, windows, ceiling height, and sightlines make compact homes feel larger, and our designs respond to their setting, whether a tight urban lot, a hillside, or a coastal site.
Many of our designs use standard framing and modular construction to simplify building and keep costs down. Durable materials, passive design strategies, and solar-ready orientation keep long-term utility and maintenance costs low.
Services Included
- Custom small home design, including standalone cottages and primary residences
- Tiny home and ADU design
- Site planning for compact and constrained lots
- Renderings for permitting and homeowner decision-making
- Interior design services
- Construction administration
- Sustainable, Eco-friendly design
Our Track Record
Visit our Small Homes page to see examples of our work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a small home and a tiny home?
The terms overlap significantly. “Tiny home” typically refers to homes at the very small end of the spectrum, often under 400 square feet, while “small home” is a broader term covering any intentionally compact home, whether that’s 300 square feet or closer to 1,000.
What is the difference between a small home and an ADU?
A small home describes a design approach focused on compact, efficient living space. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) describes a specific legal category: a secondary unit added to a lot that already has a primary home, subject to state and local regulations. Our small homes include standalone primary residences and vacation cottages along with ADUs.
Can I purchase plans for these homes?
Yes, for select designs. River Road, Coastal Tiny Home, and Summer Lake Residence and others are available as house plans through our green building house plans site, green-building.com, which offers plans for larger homes, small homes, tiny homes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Does Aligned Architecture design small homes outside Eugene?
Yes. While our firm is based in Eugene, we’ve designed small homes throughout Oregon, including coastal properties. We are open to working anywhere. Reach out if you’d like to discuss a project in another location.