Architectural Articles
What is Custom Home Design?
The word, custom, is so overused in describing house design that the word has lost its meaning. In advertisements for new tract homes, some builders claim that their stock floor plans can be customized with upgraded carpeting. In advertisements for vacant lots, plans are sometimes included that you can customize. But a generic floor plan may require more work and dollars to properly adapt to the buyer or site than starting from scratch.
To a licensed architect, custom means something quite different. It means an unique home, specially designed for particular clients, expressing their personal dreams on a set budget on a specific piece of property. Every homeowner brings their own desires for a new or remodeled house and images of the ideal home are often deeply rooted in life experiences. When I think of a cozy living room, for example, I recall childhood memories of heated floors in a contemporary house built by my grandparents in Michigan in the 40's. We have all been inside buildings or outside in public spaces that seem indescribably comfortable, pleasant, and interesting. Architects are trained in the language of architecture to create beautiful and functional spaces. The language of design includes scale, proportion, rhythm, repetition and structure all brought together in an optimal solution to a particular set of challenges.
A major component of custom design is the site. Each piece of property has characteristics that will have a direct bearing on the design of a home, such as the path of the sun, existing vegetation, topography, soil, water, wind and views. An urban site may respectfully mirror its neighboring buildings, whereas a rural site may require a plan to mitigate wind and exploit views and sun orientation. After walking and photographing the site with the owners, the architect will explore several design concepts in sketches and models. On a sloped site a home could be cut into the hillside and follow the topographical contours of the hill. The house could angle between existing trees, sheltering the courtyard from the prevailing winds. The living and dining areas could be oriented toward favorite views.
Homeowners should try to think beyond exterior fashion or style. If you have a preference toward the "Mediterranean" style for example, try to define what that means. The history of the Mediterranean tradition may vary from Italian Renaissance to Spanish adobe. The desirable characteristics of the style can be interpreted, such as sunny rooms opening to landscaped courtyards. The architect will use these stylistic elements for each client and site with contemporary materials and construction technology.
Because of the amount of time spent inside the home, interiors demand careful attention. A hierarchy of interior space can be created by varying ceiling heights and room volumes, giving the larger living spaces more significance. Great rooms for the family can be defined by fireplaces, furniture, or low partitions under high ceilings to give a more gracious feeling of flowing space. A corner fireplace, a balcony, or an intimate window seat can personalize any room. Instead of dark halls, corridors can be light-filled passages wide enough for desks, chairs or shelves, with views into gardens. Sunny bathrooms can expand into dressing and exercise rooms with personalized storage.
The client's construction budget will be a strong determinant of the size and shape of new construction. Of particular significance is the homeowner's selection of materials. Tens of thousands of dollars will be added or subtracted by the choice of roofing or flooring products, for example. The architect will help you make economical choices.
An obvious factor in determining the design of your new home or renovations for your present house is the Architect's experience and talent. Five or six years of design training in college, three years or more of internship with a registered architect, plus nine national exams and state tests are required to be licensed. All of this plus the architect's living and travel experiences will mold an architect's personal philosophy of design. Select an architect that is trustworthy and pleasant to work with. The architect will create the design and administrate the construction of the truly custom home where you just might choose to spend the rest of your life.
Published in The Californian
