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fxfoley
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:36 am Post subject: Ranch Renovation and Addition |
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We recently purchased a 1952 Ranch house that has not been modified in any way. The back of the house faces East over a large level wooded lot overlooking a stream with a park beyond. We are moving ahead with a new larger kitchen (removing the dining room) and adding a family room. We want to take advantage of the view and capture as much sunlight as we can. We would like to add a mudroom and move the washer dryer up from the basement and put it in the main floor as well. We have three kids - 2, 4 and 6 and they are a mess. My wife loves to cook, has many cooking tools and we do have parties that center around the kitchen. We're looking for something that opens the house up, has clean lines and allows easier living.
Any feedback on the architect's proposal (see attachment) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Fran
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 488
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:18 am Post subject: |
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I am not a big fan of folks posting their designs here for crits.
http://www.designcommunity.com/forums/topic-19773.html
You have hired an "architect" and you are paying him for his advice and service. You really need to look at the plan and ask yourself if it addresses the issues you asked your architect to resolve.
Any comments we have are really personal and might be counter to the direction you gave your architect. For example - I would not provide the exterior door to the mud room - you already have the entrance from the garage. You say you want to open up the view but there isn't a lot of glass to the rear of the house...... is that due to your budget? Why move the kitchen - do you really gain anything by flipping the nook and the kitchen? The View does not change. Kitchens cost a lot of money. Is the addition in the right place? I don't have photos and a site plan to comment.
These are questions you need to ask your architect. Otherwise, you are just going to get a lot of opinions that aren't based on the criteria you have outlined to your architect. Do you know what I mean?
In general - there is nothing wrong with the plan you have shown and there are things some people would change. So focus on yourself and how you feel about the house. We are not going to live there -
I can tell you that I am never happy to hear my clients are talking to everyone and their brother about the design. I am the one who has to make sure the project mets your expectations and I can't read minds. So PLEASE - communicate with your architect in an honest and open manner. Then you will be happy. And if you are not going to listen to your architect..... whats the point of hiring them. Its the same as going to your doctor for an illness and not following his prescription to get better. Who is to blame if your still sick two weeks from now or the design does not meet your needs after it is built?
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fxfoley
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:51 am Post subject: Architect |
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phansford,
I do communicate open and honestly with my architect and I do trust my judgment and his expertise. I am aware that the changes and addition are my responsibility as in the end I will help create, build, pay and live there. I simply asked for feedback on the design since there are smarter people with better ideas than my architect and I. It is obviously my decision on how to respond to that feedback - either ignore it or use it. Why limit ideas to the two of us? I feel a forum such as this is a perfect place for such feedback and idea generation. Is not that why the internet is so great?
Thanks.
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 488
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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I don't want to think I am giving you a hard time..... I not. And you will get a few ideas here.
My point is there is a lot information missing from your question such as exterior elevations, photos, and so on. So comments will be made without full knowledge of your design challenge.
Just looking at the floor plan, the addition looks to have been just attached and not necessarily designed to flow with the rest of the house. The transitions between new and old are awkward. Why not open the stairs to the upper level. (or this just to an attic? - again not enough information) If they are just stairs to an attic - is there a better way to access the attic and open the Foyer. It would make the Foyer more gracious.
Why keep the double doors and the cased opening on the existing Living Room? I am not sure what is gained by maintaining the corridor between the Kitchen and the existing Living Room. Push back the door to the bedroom wing and open the cooridor into the Kitchen - that will open the Kitchen and Dining Nook up. When you need to add the extra leaf in the table - it just extends into the circulation path and is not bound by walls/half-walls.
Are you going to make the Kitchen island a counter to eat at.... if so WHY - you have a place to eat 5 feet away. Take the money and upgrade your lighting package in the dining area. What is the island doing anyway? Why not a u-shaped kitchen then the counter acts as buffet. The work triangle is interupted by the island. Not a good design. Islands are not necessarily a good idea in small houses like yours.
I ask all of my clients to read The Not So Big House . You should get a copy from the library. It might give you some insight how to take advantage of your houses size.
Just a few thoughts.
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csintexas
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 1309
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:02 am Post subject: |
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Yes I agree with phansford,
It is very difficult to get a good quality of discussion on any particular design because it is hard to communicate the level of detail we would need to contribute valid suggestions.
Is that three fireplaces in one room?
_________________
Chris Stewart
Modern Texas Home Project |
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