Week 3
After the plans were drawn up of the actual space I started the simplification process, which had already begun formulating in my head from the moment I stepped into the house. The design intent was to visually increase the size of the house by opening it up.
You can see from the demolition plans below where we eliminated walls, added windows & doors and relocated rooms which in turn increased the square footage to other areas in the house.
The process is like lining up dominos and knocking them down one by one, in working with renovations one change brings the next step to vision. I knew this was the beginning of a long process but one that was starting to gel in my mind. The next process was running the plans by the client.
Presenting to clients plans of an altered space is a tricky process, as all they can see in their minds is what exists. I first start by explaining what I saw as problems in the space then what our intent for the design of the house is. Then I like to cut up a print of the plan by the different areas, i.e. foyer, living, dining room and so on. I start presenting from the entrance of the house and with glue tape attach the next space and then the next to follow in the natural progression as one would walk through the space.
It is a puzzle that I have created piecing together the house room by room. The purpose of this is for the clients to focus on what I am presenting and not have them distracted by looking at other areas which I am not ready to discuss. I use this approach when I am showing new plans or decorative plans.
First Floor Demolition Plan
First Floor Proposed Floor Plan
Second Floor Demolition Plan
Second Floor Proposed Floor Plan
*** If you would like to see all the posts together you can click on ” Behind The Scenes” under categories***
#1 by Jose Camacho on October 1, 2010 - 12:35 am
Estimado Vicente; por lo que pude ver la re-organización del espacio y los cambios que sugiere son exelentes. Me gusta mucho como fluye el espacio y como limpiaron el mismo para crear formas puras. Muy acertada la reubicación del “laundry”. Hablando de este yo ubicaría la puerta de entrada en eje con la ventana; de esta manera habría más lugar para el almacenaje. Otra sugerencia es la colocación de una ventana en el “powder room” de esta manera se aprovecharía mas la luz solar. No puedo esperar para ver cual será la reacción de sus clientes y la culminación del mismo. Saludos
Attentamente ; Jose Camacho
#2 by Karie on October 1, 2010 - 5:09 am
Wow, very nice! How did your clients respond?
#3 by scone on October 1, 2010 - 12:53 pm
I use computer simulation for this part. Seeing things in 3-D and being able to show any vantage point is a huge help.
#4 by Maribel Duran on October 1, 2010 - 3:13 pm
The following comments were written yesterday before I saw that you had redesigned the floor plan. Your Floor Plan is functional and works efficiently with the existing space. Your Laundry Room is great: windows, storage, counter space, sink, however I personally do not think it’s a good idea to have to carry dirty laundry through the kitchen. It would be more convenient and sanitary if you can bring the laundry directly down the stairs through a passage (by creating a hallway through the powder room and reconfiguring that space) or by creating a shut from upstairs. The old Laundry Room had access to the Outdoor which is convenient if you want to hang something to dry in the fresh air.
I have done several total gut job renovations including an 1895 Vic and an 1917 Bungalow. To bring an old house up to maximum efficiency both for energy and functionality, I find it’s best to tear it down to the exterior skeleton providing a clean slate. Not only did I find this to be economical, but it revealed original construction methods and botched renovations which compromised the integrity of the structure. With renovations I always try to Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Reinvent what I can.
I viewed the Floor Plan too quickly to have any constructive input, however, I did studied the layout of the downstairs bedroom. What a great space for a guest bedroom! It has what I personally, as a guest, would like for accommodations: my own bathroom, my own private entrance, my own private access to the backyard, my own private courtyard (would be nice) and best of all, a short distance to the kitchen without having to disturb anyone during the night. And not bad having the laundry room just a short distance away, although there should be a laundry room upstairs where most laundry is located (the bedrooms).
No doubt your Creative Genius will make this house a Gem. I am looking forward to following the process. Thank you for sharing and for giving us the platform to give our opinions. – mari
#5 by Gary Nelling on October 1, 2010 - 4:12 pm
Vicente – These are beautifully proportioned plans with great flow between spaces and efficient structural re-framing. And you’ve solved the bathroom and storage issues gracefully and economically. I still see the low sloping roof above the living and dining rooms, and was going to suggest removing it and installing a walkout roof deck from the master bedroom with a low parapet and painted wood railing, but I see in the second floor demo plan that you are thinking along those lines. I hope you publish your exterior elevations showing how you handle that area.
I hope you have published some before-and-after plans in your new book, and will do more here as well. I think the architectural community could learn a great deal by studying your graceful interventions. – Gary
PS Mari has a point, but I don’t think the spaces you would sacrifice are worth a direct path to the laundry room.
#6 by Rowaida Flayhan on October 1, 2010 - 5:43 pm
Dear Vincent,
Love the open space area on the first flloor, the path of circulation is amazing on both floors. You are such an inspiration!
#7 by Roberta DAvis on October 4, 2010 - 2:44 pm
I like it! I would have put the rooms just where you did. The dining room is really big now- what was your thought about that, Vicente?