Sketchup massing model- in progress

Ok, so this post contains some images of my playing around both with the massing of the house, as well as my first real attempt to create anything in Google Sketchup. 

In regards to the design itself, I am quite happy with the overall layout and massing (despite the fact that I have yet to draw up a 2nd floor, which I’m sure must seem counterproductive to some!) While I’m not close to finished playing with the the design, this give a pretty fair representation of what was in my head 3D wise.

You'll note that the massing changed somewhat from the sketch. I've gabled the left side of the house instead of a hip with the dormer- it just seems to be better balanced in that configuration. I also went from a hip dormer over the Library to a shed dormer- again, it seemed to work better.

There are still some areas that need to be finished (the model's not complete). Particularly at the back and the sides, where window configurations have yet to be determined. I'm also trying to figure out what to do with the roof at the Casual Dining bay- I had considered a Gable or a shed, neither of which seems to look good. I think the best option may be a simple hip roof, or possibly eliminating the bay altogether.

One concern that was raised (or at least I interpreted it as a concern) was the inefficiency of the overlay between the 1st and second floor (the 2nd floor in fact being comprised of much attic space.) Indeed, in this configuration, probably the entire master suite and garage would be unfinished attic.

In reality, I’m not sure that this posses a problem for me. I see this sort of thing quite often here in Texas. And, with proper planning, it does allow for the house to “grow” without negatively impacting the exterior (unfinished attic becoming future bedrooms or game rooms).

However, I have also thought of an alternate configuration which might place more balance between the 1st and 2nd floor (well, a bit more anyways.) I’m still giving thought as to whether or not I will pursue that though as there are several issues to be resolved in this new configuration. More on that to come later, AFTER I post a 2nd floor layout.

Original post Dec 30th 2008- Front Concept

Here’s the concept for the Front Elevation. I have to give some credit for the inspiration for the front of the house to a book by Marianne Cusato and Ben Pentreath called “Get Your House Right”. It’s a wonderfully illustrated book showing may classical details and proportion guidelines. While this works very well for classical and renaissance architecture, it does not help (in general) with more medieval inspired designs, such as Tudor Revival or French Eclectic, which is the bulk of my work.

However, on page 33, there is a wonderful sketch of a nicely balanced Tudor styled house (in contrast to a modern “Old World” conglomeration) that I’ve been taken with for a while now. This elevation is not done with the exact same detailing or massing (and indeed, it will probably continue to morph over time as the design progresses.) But I wanted to show where the kernel of the idea came from.

Proportion wise, there are some issues here. The dormer over the library windows feels large to me (I am of course trying to balance this with egress capable windows). I may go back to a single window. I’m not sure of the design and scale of the chimney yet (although it’s placement works well I think). I’ll probably try several different versions until I have it as I like.

Original post Dec 30th 2008- 1st Floor Plan Concept

Here is the 1st floor plan. It’s still a freehand sketch, although it is done to scale. Square footage wise, this version has the 1st floor just under 2000 s.f.. Upstairs, over the Game Room and the Formal Dining, I am planning on 2 bedrooms and a single bath (hopefully under 500 s.f.). I should be able to tweak things here and there to make the house fit under my 2400 s.f. mark, although I may give myself an extra 50 s.f. “rounding” if it needs it.

I see the front “Library” space being very flexible in this plan. It could easily be an entertaining area, such as a Game Room, Study or Library if open to the foyer. Or, it could be a downstairs Theater room if open to the Family Room (windows become an issue then). Another possibility is a downstairs guest bedroom, with the access off the “Mud” room, with a dedicated bath next to the Garage (a closet might get tricky here, but not undoable).

I have been thinking that if this is going to be a “mainstream” house, then the plan probably needs to have some flexibility to it to serve the purposes of different living conditions.

Original Post on Dec 20th 2008- Stylistic Intentions

Stylistically, my strength lies in traditional and historically inspired designs. “Tudor Revival” seems to be fairly well accepted across a large part of the country. I’ll probably go a bit cleaner on the exterior detailing though, something more reminiscent of an english country home. I’d like to see some fine, simple detailing on the exterior masonry (the vast majority of homes down here have a masonry exterior in contrast to the northern half of the country.)

One of the main problems lately with homes in this area has been that the market is super-saturated with lots of (what we call) “Old World” designs. Homes that are based on old stock plans with the same exterior detailing done over and over, very eclectic stylistically (some gothic windows here, some classical columns there, a low pitched roof in some areas and steep pitched in others, rough cedar slat false shutters- yeah, you start to get the idea).

Now, the builders are trying to get creative and experiment with the detailing, but it winds up being simply more and more decoration to make up for the lack of a well balanced, well proportioned design. My plan is to design something that, in one sense, is the opposite in terms of it’s detailing and balance, and yet will not look totally out of place next to other homes being built. Superior, yes, but not out of place.

More to come later.

Original Post on Dec 20th 2008- Parameters defined

I’ve been giving some thought as to what the typical house is here for just under the $500 mark. Most lots in the Dallas/ Fort worth metroplex (depending on the area) are going to be going for 150k to 250k per half acre, roughly. Of course, this drops significantly as you move further from the city centers.

I’m thinking a house this size is probably going to be on a 1/3 of an acre (possibly a bit smaller). Since I don’t do a lot of estimating in my line of work, I’m trying to deduce the house cost minus the typical lot price. Let’s say the lot cost is about 160K, plus the 472K for the project, brings the price up to 622k.

For 622k, I am designing homes that are 3500 to 3800 s.f.. 4 bedrooms, 2 dining areas, single living, 3 car garage, with a flex Game Room/ Study/ 5th bedroom sometimes.

However, I think at this price point, it puts the design well out of the reach of the masses in the area, and I was really wanting something more “entry” level. So, for this area, I am going to revise some of the parameters.

I’d like to keep the design under 2500 s.f. . Construction costs here should be closer to the 125/ s.f. mark, which leaves room for a fairly nice finish out (marble or granite countertops, wood clad windows, perhaps some cast stone one the exterior). That still puts the house cost at 300k, plus the lot, but it’s probably more in line with someone’s 2nd house, if not their first.

Now, I have to resolve what should fit in a 2500 s.f. house. I’m thinking single living room, single dining (possibly an “eat in” island in the kitchen, or a very small nook). I’d like to have a flex space downstairs that could be a study or a guest bedroom, 2 car garage. Master bedroom downstairs, with 2 bedrooms and a single bath upstairs. Master bath and a guest/powder bath down. Rooms will be a bit smaller, but this all should fit in 2500 s.f., I think. I’ll start some sketching later today perhaps.

The real question is, though, can a smaller house (at 2500 s.f.) with a better finish out and finer details, that is well designed and thought out REALLY sell better than a house that is 500 s.f. larger and at the same price point? WIll people only look at the cost/s.f. and simply move on to the larger home? I think that is what MANY people wind up doing, and why the market is in the shape it’s in now, sadly.

Original post Dec 18th 2008- Blog Beginning

CORA, the Congress of Residential Architecture, is a group of residential designer and architects working together to improve the quailty of residential architecture.

One of it’s members (David Andreozzi) recently posted the idea of designing a simple, smaller house for the middle class. While this project began as a chance to explore more mainstream housing for him, the challenge of designing a simple, yet efficient home was eventually opened to everyone. So, I thought I would design my own version and use this tumbler blog to post my design process. David’s blog for his process can be seen here:

http://andreozziarchitects.blogspot.com/

The original parameters set for were for the design:

To be at 2100 s.f.

expected cost of about $225/s.f. (exclusive of land costs)

I will try and begin my design this weekend at the latest, and post the process here.