more than energy solutions
Givens:
People like the suburbs, people want to move there, and people don’t have a problem with the iconic image of a house, gables, siding and garages.
But just because they tend not to be at war with the basic form of the suburban home (in the way that architects and the design-minded often are after prolonged exposure to modern lines and the industrial aesthetic) — just because the average homeowner is at peace with the typology, doesn’t mean that there aren’t some major features in suburban housing that they might well be willing to modify or sacrifice.
A number of real estate trend websites indicate that affordability and flexible living spaces are the foremost desires of homebuyers. The living room is almost extinct, in favor of the family room with entertainment systems, and the number one home remodel is kitchens–bigger, more livable, more beautiful, better lit, more accommodating to a variety of activities, and with more work space. Kitchens and family rooms are blending and mushing, with a preference for open lines of sight, or even a completely open plan between those two spaces.
However, concurrent with the desire for an open layout, spaces that can become home offices and “bonus” rooms are also in demand. A master suite with a large bathroom is expected in new homes, and popular features include walk-in closets, separate bathtubs (preferably with whirlpool) and roomy showers. Laundry features near the bedroom or kitchen (no longer in the basement) are also much in demand.
Finally, ever-escalating allergy and illness problems make indoor environmental quality issues a top priority, paving the way for low VOC finishes and natural materials, or reused materials cured by age.
In my opinion, three things become clear:
1. There is room for improvement in the design of the suburban home from the point of view of providing flexible and useful space to the homeowner–
2. Which makes energy-efficient renovation an easier sell; not only are homeowners more interested in so-called “green” products and design than ever before, but good passive and energy efficient design is completely grounded in improved livability, and thus–
3. Maybe it all adds up to a new way of thinking about the layout of a house. Instead of pre-labled bedroom, living room, bonus room, and all the other lingo, why not just the family room/kitchen, surrounded by enough rooms, to be slept in or otherwise used as each family sees fit? As long as a room has good sound insulation, light and some storage space, it is truly flexible. A family of four might need five or so rooms of varying sizes, for bedrooms, office space, convertible guest space or play space.
Need:
-to figure out modifications to a North, South, East or West facing wall to meet performance needs
-to figure out how an N/S/E/W modification would work depending on the room it intrudes upon
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