Lifestyle Improvement
Design for the way we liveArchive for Culture or something else ?
Going up?
I have never understood the desire to have a staircase in the formal entry into a home. I have yet to visit anyone and the first place they direct me is upstairs (especially considering bedrooms of the occupants are the only rooms on the second floor). Ok – yes a split-level where the formal entry is between levels or high rise living like condo’s – but this isn’t to what I refer.
In much of Europe, staircases were your first point of entry because the living quarters were on the second floor. This was a result of security and in times gone by, livestock, carriages, and safety concerns forced this issue. It was only natural to define the staircase as social status for those who resided inside.
Today staircases are one of the few crafted elements found in most homes, so it is only natural to place this for all to see. Consider for a moment placing a higher degree of design and detail into a design element unique to the home. Interior fountains, gardens, art display, or other element that signals to a guest your individual quality. The possibilities are endless and it just might result in a better location for a staircase that should be kept private for family members.
For more information please visit my website www.architechstlyes .com
Why would I go there?
Over the years, I have reviewed many floor plans and the #1 pet peeve I have with design is all of the dead end conditions. In many applications, codes define this as path of travel and during the event of fire you are not allowed to design a path that creates a condition where people may be trapped by fire.
I will further add to this by saying that dead end conditions can be created visually as well. While in architecture school, we were taught the value of a visual objective. Something by means of a landmark to see in the distance and upon arrival, see the next destination or have a visual reference for where you are.
Homes should do this as well. A statue, artwork or window at the end of a hall, for example, accomplishes this end. Lighting is important, to not just light the path, but define the destination. Homes that incorporate this are inviting because they draw interest and create opportunity for individual expression.
Lifestyle improvement includes an attachment to the environment and the emotions which make us human – so it only makes sense to take advantage of opportunities through design.
For more information please visit my website www.architectstyles.com
Research?
Many of my clients have come to me and asked how do I make my home unique ? They will at this point show me all of the magazines and books of images they like. In many respects, their mind is already made up and the only task in front of me is putting together all of the pieces.
This is 180 degrees from having any opportunity to answer the question. When I was in school my professor asked us if we new the definition to the term research ? The majority of us immediately thought of the library and waited for the assignment to be given. Once we learned of the topic, I began to think of where I was going to start and it was at this point she pulled the rug out from under our feet and said the library was off limits. Like some fool, I raised my hand and asked why and she said that if she wanted a book report she would have also given us a book list.
Research is about experiment and you have to know failure is part of the equation. The further irony is that failure (more often than not) leads to a breakthrough or invention. Architecture and Design is an experiment and when clients come to me, I am more interested in who they are, how they understand and interact with their environment than what picture they show me in a book.
When it comes time to design your lifestyle improvement, forget the books and a find an architect that will assist you in defining who you are, not who you want to imitate.
For more information see my website www.architechstyles.com
Community Center ?
Scattered across the endless subdivisions exist what is perhaps the biggest selling feature to draw sales toward any given development:
The community center or clubhouse!
They offer a swimming pool, hot tub, restrooms, a large great room, perhaps even a large screen viewing room, exercise area or perhaps even a bar. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in an up-scale development, they will add golf, gourmet kitchens, a cigar room, library, and significant upgrades to the before mentioned areas.
