In the mid-1800's an American social reformer Orson Squire Fowler praised octagonal homes over rectangular and square structures in his book, The Octagon House: A Home For All, or A New, Cheap, Convenient, and Superior Mode of Building.  As a result a few thousand ocatagonal homes were built in North America, including Canada. Fowler argues that the plan provided more living space, and got more natural light, was easier to heat, and remained cooler in the summer.  Victorian builders were used to building 135° corners, as in the typical bay window, and could easily adapt to an octagonal plan.

In 1855, Captain George Anderson, a mariner and shipbuilder, built an Octagonal House in Sackville, New Brunswick.  The house is now part of the Boultenhouse Heritage Centre.  Although it is no longer used as a residence, I was inspired to recreate the building as a house for Sims 3.  Whether the benefits that Fowler claimed will please Sims residents remains to be seen.