When designing a new look it is important to break the pattern of seeing things as you see them every day. Don’t lock yourself in a box. Ask the most improbable questions of yourself.
Give yourself permission to transform your accurate survey drawings into sketches, go outside the lines; ignore the realities of bearing walls and the like to find a fresh idea. Later you can re-impose structural requirements.
You may find inspiration by overlaying floor plans of Mediterranean style houses searching for a courtyard, or force feeding a focal point (a signature element you would like to incorporate into your design) such as a front porch or widow's walk or Victorian "turret."
Let these “foreign elements” lead you to a design approach, then the design process becomes making a series of revisions and refinements to create a seamless plan. The test for a successful renovation is that the final solution does not reveal the sharp line between old and new.
When Working With The Existing Architectural Style
When designing an addition to fit the original architectural style of the house, the first task is to identify the most classic features of that style, go back in history, take cues from the existing home but be determined to “scale up” the design by paying more attention to detail.
Find your inspiration in “pattern books” which can be found at the public library or fine millwork catalogs available at your local lumberyard. The final solution should be elegant and timeless.
Common Task for Both Design Approaches
Use questions to lead you to a design solution;
- Does my existing house contain enough square footage to accomplish my goals? Calculate the floor area of your house, then search pre-drawn house plans of similar square footage. If so, do any of these plans trigger an idea of how you might rearrange the spaces in your home?
- Am I happy with how my house relates to the site; views, privacy, “curb appeal”?
- Does the layout of my house function the way my family lives? Is there a place the family can congregate, is there a private place to read a book? When was the last time we ate in the dining room or entertained in the living room? If these rooms could serve a different function, are they in the proper location?
- What is the maximum dollars you can invest in this house and expect to get back a return on your investment?
Brian J. Pilling - Brian J. Pilling, AIA has designed over 200 custom homes and renovations for primary and vacation home buyers. He graduated from ...
