house plan feedback

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

In a previous post, I requested feedback for modications I made to the home plan Covington by Mascord. [https://www.houzz.com/discussions/floor-plan-layout-review-dsvw-vd~4848450?n=12[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/floor-plan-layout-review-dsvw-vd~4848450?n=12) Since then I have made more modifications and now the plan has a few similarities to the orignal. I plan on hiring a local architect/building designer in Augusta, GA who has a specialty in residential designs. However, I want to be able to present the architect with a preliminary layout of what I want and have them come up with a similiar or better design.

I would like all the bathrooms to have an opening window. With that said, I do not know where the best location for the downstairs half bathroom should be. If you have any constructive thoughts, ideas, tweaks on this layout, I would really appreicate the feedback. My focus, at this time, is on the home plan. Thanks in advanced.

Featured Answer

cpartist

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

If you are hiring an architect who is talented, you don't need to give him a plan because then you're already boxing him/her in. You present ideas as to what you want, what rooms you need near one another and styles you like, but what's the point of hiring an architect if you're already set on a plan?

Or as a former architect here used to like to say, "Why would you bring a baloney sandwich to a five star banquet?"

And honestly what your measurements show is that you really don't have a good concept of spatial sizes.

For example, a 12' x 20' bedroom will be like a narrow tunnel.

Your kitchen has all your cooking in one small area with lots of wasted space.

That's just two things. I could go on and on.

Do yourself a favor. If you like the look of the house, then yes show the architect, but let them create a layout that actually works well. This isn't it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

PRO
Summit Studio Architects
7 years ago
I think it's great you're going to work with an architect. Rather than get attached to a particular floor plan, I suggest you take this to him or her as an idea, have a lengthy conversation about what you like and don't like about this plan. Have a much longer conversation about your lot, your lifestyle, what you like and don't like about where you live now. Think of how your home will interact with it's environment. Then, let your architect do their job of making all these pieces fit together into three dimensional solution that responds beautifully to your particular place on this planet.
Related Discussions
Preliminary house plan feedback
Q
Comments (18)
The dining room entry from the hallway adjacent to the kitchen is too large. I realize that you tried to align it with the front window size, but you will want more usable wall in the dining room. I suggest shrinking the opening to align with the kitchen door. I wouldn't bump out the dining room window. Save some money on the framing. It's a useless bump out. Seating five in a row in the kitchen won't work. Three is the max. Redesign the island so one can be seated at each end. I would reduce the size of the triple window in the kitchen to a double and extend the cabinetry farther along the wall. In the guest room and bath, I would try to reconfigure in order to create access without having to go into the hallway. In the master bath, extend the cabinet and counter to abut against the tub. That open space is just a space that will collect dirt and be a pain to clean. One thing that I really, really like about this plan is the number of linen, storage and coat closets in the plan. Good idea to plan for a future elevator. I can't read the dimensions, so be sure your doorways are wide enough for aging in place. It's never too early to plan for it. I would add some reach in closets in the Common room upstairs. And, I would see about an additional single window on one of the walls in each of the upstairs bedrooms for more light. You do realize that the kids will be able to sneak out when they are teenagers and you won't be able to hear them. Send the kitchen plan to the Kitchen Forum for review. Understand that you will have to answer questions a second time.
...See More
ARG House Plan Feedback
Q
Comments (43)
I love the idea of a sweet little window seat by your entrance or even a nice entry table. Not sure of the dimensions, but when you're guests arrive, is there enough space to step to the side if you have the seat? I do wonder if you have guests, where will they hang a jacket? Possibly wall hooks? The pantry I think would be personal preference and how much storage you need for both areas. You're making the same amount of turns from your kitchen regardless. If the opening is off the drop zone, the wall to the left could be utilized with peg board. I've seen it mentioned here actually and it would be a great way to hang extra utensils, a broom/dust pan, step stool, etc. Yet, when you come in with the kids and groceries both, would this area get too congested? Also, possibly more dirt tracked into pantry? Where would you miss the storage most? On the storage note, I would certainly make use of any space under the stairs. And just to reiterate, I would really work to get the bathroom/closet right. I had a girlfriend who broke her foot in several places and had to use one of those wheeled scooter things for three very long months. She had a heck of a time even maneuvering with just the toilet, which wasn't even in a closet. Hope we get to see your process and decisions! I love seeing these plans and learning from them :)
...See More
ARG House Plan Feedback pt 2
Q
Comments (21)
For the door placement, it kind of depends how your family lives.. Do you have frequent gatherings? Like to grill or dine outside? Is cooking and being in the kitchen where most of your time is spent? Kids regularly play outside?...Run in for drinks from faucet or frig? A snack? A container for the caught frog? Quick hand washing, etc? A door in the kitchen does provide closer access for these things. If choosing this route, I would opt for the sliding door. No need than to worry about clearance issues or a door hitting anyone while carrying the iced tea or barbecue sauce. :/ If your goal is to try and keep traffic to the minimum from your kitchen zone, than having one in your living room might be the better decision. This also gives you a straighter shot to the powder room. But, I would definitely measure and account for your furniture layout, even on your patio. Consider door swings as well. Maybe the answer is both? You could lock the one to make everyone use the other. Or you could lock all when you want no one in! :D Another quick idea- if just having windows in your kitchen, a pass through with counter outside... -Off the topic, I do agree your master bath could be better arranged to function for you :)
...See More
House Plan feedback request
Q
Comments (28)
Office is small but it is the size I want/same as my current home (I work from home in an IT job using laptop only). With everything going digital, unless you have special needs -- like lots of materials or the need to see clients -- an office this size is going to work fine for you. With windows on both sides, it'll be a nice room. A couple things I'd do to the office: - Reverse the office door swing. Or, if you think you'll keep the door open most of the time, consider a pocket door. Yes, the door will conflict with the closet door, but that was happening anyway. - Don't skimp on electrical outlets on both exterior walls -- either one could be your desk-wall. I disagree that most people hate clustered bedrooms. Yeah, clustered bedrooms vs. split bedrooms aren't good or bad -- it's just opinion. What matters more is how the bedrooms are arranged /what that placement does to the rest of the house; for example, split bedrooms often push the living spaces to the middle of the house, depriving them of light. That's not happening in this house -- it's just an example. What's not opinion is that the hallway leading to your bedrooms is going to belong, dark and rather uninviting. Consider, too, bringing large bedroom furniture down that hallway /past the 90 degree turn. I can't see the dimensions for the bedrooms, but why is the master bedroom so large? You could literally put another bed at the foot of the bed you're showing. What I'd like to see added to the master bedroom is an exterior door; the master (and all the bedrooms) are a long way from any exterior door, and an exterior door would be good for fire-safety. I don't love the master bath. The second sink squeezed between the shower and the toilet closet is tiny -- you won't have any space for drawer storage at that sink, which is going to be uncomfortable. The bathroom will also be rather dark. Note that once you're standing in the toilet-closet, you won't be able to close the inswing door (without squeezing between the toilet and the wall). Where will you hang towels near the shower? I would want a closet near the front door, too. How would you use a coat closet? Guests never really put coats into closets -- but family members need closets to store coats, and I personally would rather have that in the mudroom area. What I'd also like to see is a cleaning closet, which would hold the vacuum, extra light bulbs, bulk-purchased paper products, etc. Your mud room is huge. Yes, and -- like the master bedroom -- it looks like walk-through space. Not functional. What are the dimensions of the half bath? It looks rather cramped. A window would make this bathroom much more pleasant. We have two kids, and a hall bath with two sinks. They never, ever use the sink nearest the door, it just gets dusty. What they really could have used was one sink but more counterspace and storage drawers below. And they are boys! Yes, storage at the vanity always trumps a duplicate sink.
...See More
Related Professionals
Rocky Point Architects & Building Designers · Syracuse Architects & Building Designers · Clearfield Home Builders · Lodi Home Builders · Saint Peters Home Builders · Bowling Green General Contractors · Goldenrod General Contractors · Henderson General Contractors · Keene General Contractors · Kettering General Contractors · Los Lunas General Contractors · Norristown General Contractors · Point Pleasant General Contractors · Tamarac General Contractors · Valley Stream General Contractors
PRO
Summit Studio Architects
7 years ago
cpartist beat me to it! :)
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
7 years ago
You are crippling yourself and your architect by starting with a floor plan and trying to change it to meet your needs. Go out and find a good architect, show them your site, tell them how you want to live (perhaps with a list of rooms/spaces you want), tell them how much you can afford, and answer their questions. They will come back in a few weeks with floor plans and exterior elevations that will meet your needs and fit the site better than any other design you will find in plan books or on the internet. You do not have to bring them plans, they will bring you plans.

Over the next several weeks you will be refining the design with your architect. I normally occurs in three phases: Schematic design, design development, and construction documents (drawings and specifications).
0
PRO
Summit Studio Architects
7 years ago
I couldn't agree more with Mark. While I don't mind a client bringing me a floor plan as a starting point I don't want to be locked into it if there's a better solution. FYI- there always is.
0
rockybird
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I personally would not waste time on this. I’d maybe get an idea of what home styles you like and have pics of the lot to show the architect. I wouldnt want to constrain or limit his vision or expertise. I personally would want to see an architect and not a drafter. Also, I have a 12x24 foot master bedroom. I love it so much that I am putting a similar size bedrooms in the new master addition. But, it is so narrow you cannot add anything in front of the bed. This is okay by me because I want no dressers or credenzas in the master, but just a heads up.
0
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Old teaching comment to freshman architectural students, "Your first idea (or even your second) is seldom the best idea. Design is a patient search (from LeCorbusier)".
0
wishiwereintheup
7 years ago
1. The closet backing up to the study is pretty big for a guest coat closet. Perhaps carve out a section for a linen closet for the powder room and master bed/bath.

2. I don't care for toilet closets, with or without a window, but that's me.

3. Try planning furniture arrangement in the Great Room. The french doors take more room than sliders plus you've got the unusual location for the stairs and will have to allow space for the traffic. It might make the Great Room smaller than you think (once the traffic space is taken out) and/or make furniture arrangement difficult.

4. I don't care for closets you get to from the bathroom.

5. The master is long and narrow. Make sure you'll use a sitting area on one end and try planning furniture arrangement now.

6. The middle dormer has a 'plant shelf' - for what, an artificial plant/dust catcher? You'd need a ladder to water a real plant.

7. Take out the door to the boy's bathroom from the playroom.

8. I'd rather make the 2 upstairs bedrooms bigger and scrap the 2 story foyer.

9. The 2 upstairs bathrooms are tunnel like and with all the fixtures in a row. Take some attic space for the bathrooms/rearrange.
0

house plan feedback

cpartist

Comments (8)

Summit Studio Architects

Related Discussions

Related Professionals

Summit Studio Architects

Mark Bischak, Architect

Summit Studio Architects

rockybird

Virgil Carter Fine Art

wishiwereintheup

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US