Build a collection of houses

One option I thought about for a while was to build a bunch of tiny buildings. For example:

• A kitchen, eating space.
• A shower, sink, toilet, drying chair, washer, dryer.
• Bed for parents.
• Beds for kids.
• Play space for kids.
• TV and sofa.
• Study.
• Workshop.
• Sauna.

Each could have a composting toilet and foot-pump handwashing station in the corner with a wall or curtain.

It would be easy to build the most important ones, move in, and then add more over time to match our ongoing needs. Some could be arranged in a circle, close together, making an "outdoor room" in between. Some could be nestled off in the woods on their own, for solitude. Framing and foundations get simple for small buildings. If we don't build the right thing, it's not a big deal. It's easier to be resourceful and thrifty on the small scale. If you don't have savings, you can get started without taking a loan, and grow as money allows. Many of the small buildings won't count as dwelling space for taxing. You can live in a finished space while working on the next one, instead of living in a house under construction.

I could experiment with different styles: One could be in the best sun spot, with solar panels on the roof. One could be round. One could have a living roof. 

We can even tear down one if it's really wrong without losing much.

However, there are some reasons not to do this:

Each one needs its own heating infrastructure. If there's a lot of thermal mass, then heating one up for just 1/2 an hour doesn't make sense. To get all the space of a full-sized house I'd need to build a whole lot of exterior walls, which means lots of materials, time, and money. Walking outside every time you go between rooms in the middle of winter is unpleasant. In the end, they'll take up much more space on the land. We're already a family of 5, not a couple getting ready to start a family. 

For now, we've tabled this idea. (In the U.S., to "table" means to set aside, to reject for a time; in the U.K. it means to open a discussion. I mean the first one.)

However, I'm still considering a full house with some outbuildings to be added over time.