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On my most recent trip through the North Cascades, I asked the local brewer for recommendations for one night’s accommodation. He tossed out a few ideas for fairly pricey hotels, and based on my unvoiced response, he redirected his pitch and suggested 鈥渢he tepee up the road.鈥� I was out the door with my backpack before he could invite me back for a pint.

I was thrilled to learn that this small canvas dwelling was all mine for just $30 per night.聽 Granted, I shared bath facilities with the , but hey 鈥� this little 100-square-foot tepee came fully equipped with Wi-Fi. Loaded up with work, I lifted the laptop screen, poured a glass of local cider and began to work on a project 400 miles away.

Then I got to thinking. As we fall (fast) into the terabyte age, the shrinking life in the wireless 鈥渃loud鈥� could play a role in our overall home size. Here I am in what I believe to be one of America鈥檚 original housing forms (juiced up with a little 21^st century flare); I was comfortable, connected and complete. would have been proud.

In addition to our tech-ready lifestyles, I also know it to be true that demographics are changing, and fast. Married couples without children (including empty nesters) are the fastest-growing household types in North America.聽 Households are getting smaller, yet our interest in staying socially connected will become increasingly important.

If you鈥檙e following me on this, then you know I鈥檓 not talking about a revolution of web developers and graphic designers blogging from yurts in central Mongolia (though that has the makings for a web-based reality show). I鈥檓 writing about a housing revolution that is taking place, one that will be virtually connected and one that is happening literally in your backyard.

Your chance to learn more about how our fastest growing households are financing, designing, adapting and living comfortably in accessory dwelling units is approaching Portland this month. The will toss what you think you know about housing out the window. It will challenge the good ol’ boy mentality with some of the Northwest鈥檚 hippest designers and most successful developers. This housing summit will be the first of its kind but certainly not the last. Portland is at the forefront of this housing revolution; be sure that you are too.