Cruel, isn't it? :-P
You might be interested in the "Clear start chunks" mod setting added in 0.6.5. It lets you clear an area around the player start location. It'll clear resources too, so I would advise maybe 1-4 chunks. It makes it so you can build more of a traditional base around the start area where the water is and there may be more ways into the maze as it clears away some walls.
Besides this, the intended way to make a larger space is terraforming. The maze terraforming project is very expensive and quite difficult: it's designed to be a late game challenge like advanced science packs and rocket launching. But the reward is you can break free of the limits of the maze!
