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Expert: - 12/8/2009


Question

Floor Plan
Hi Nazim

Thanks so much for taking my question.  We are about to build a house, using a builder that is a friend of ours.  The past couple of years he has begun to draw plans, and we decided to let him draw us a plan.  We have given alot of input and showed him pictures of houses we like.  He has come up with this plan (attached), that has a front porch.  However, the porch isn't centered on front of the house itself and I'm worrying how it will look.  He isn't an architect, but he says it will like fine.  He apparently needed to make the porch that way because of the roof lines.

I have attached our floor plan (I know its very hard to read, it was faxed and then my scanner doesn't pick up the detail that well), as well as a picture house that we think gives us an idea of what the exterior will look like.  The builder hasn't done any exterior elevations yet. http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx186/JeffReynold/House.jpg  Will this look completely off, or will it not really matter since the windows/front door will be centered in respect to the porch?

Also, a design question.  We've seen lately alot of new homes (traditional, craftsman, etc.) that have the cedar post/beams front entry.  We really like that and would like to incorporate it into this house.  Our builder says it will look good, but I also wanted a professional architect's opinion as well?

I'll also welcome any other comments about the floorplan in general that you have!  Thanks very much!

Answer
Hi Jeff,

Regarding the front porch, I think that will look okay as long as the front porch is symmetrical around the front door, which I think is what your builder is trying to do.  Overall, the plan looks okay to me.  Here are some general comments about the plan:

1.  No front entry closet?
2. Define the entry better from the living room. Perhaps there is another framed opening at the transition between entry and living room.
3. Living room looks challenging for TV placement unless it's above the fireplace.
4. Pantry?

Regarding the photo you sent, my biggest issue is that the two pieces (house & garage) don't seem to be 'speaking' to each other.  One has a hip roof, the other has two gables.  That's not to say they have to be the same, but right now they kind of look like two separate houses that happen to be connected.  

Regarding the Cedar posts/beams or transforming this house to more of a craftsman style, I think you need to go all the way when changing the style of the home, not just adding some beams and posts.  That would mean looking at things like the roof form (gable ends were more common than hips), the rafter tails (which were often decorative and exposed), window proportions and divided lites, and whether or not to have shutters (probably not in a craftsman).  

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
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Nazim Nice

Expertise

I am a Seattle Architect and can answer architecture and design related questions. Ask me about material suggestions or usage. Ask me about design options - what is good design and what is bad. Ask me about choosing exterior house colors and furniture layout options. Ask me about detailing and assembling houses or components in the home. Ask me about green design or materials. Ask me about choosing an architect, the architectural services, basement remodels, second story additions, and whole house remodels. Ask me about garage design, bathroom remodels, laundry and mudroom design, family room additions, and roof deck additions.

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Over 12 years of practice in the Architectural field including three years of internship plus 5 years of school. I have taught at the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University and lectured at Carnegie Mellon University. I currently own and run the Seattle Architecture Firm, Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC.

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