AboutPaul S. Brown, AIA Expertise How to work with an Architect. What to expect for design fees. What services are normally
included; what are not included? How do I find an Architect in my area? Why do I need an
Architect? How to be clear about your space needs. Why time must be managed properly.
Experience 24 years involvement in the practice of Architecture, including some teaching experience. Most of my work has been within the employment of various firms, but I have also done some small-scale projects on my own.
Particular interests include Environmental Design, "Green" Design, and Appropriate Technologies. LEED (TM) Accredited Professional.
I have some specific experience with Historic Preservation, Medical Facilities, Commercial Interiors, and Public School projects.
Education: Bachelor of Environmental Design Degree (Architecture), 1978, Miami University in Ohio. I am registered to practice professionally in the states of Massachusetts and Maine.
Question QUESTION: we planning on building a new home and are looking for plans online. When the plan says total living area, does this include the garage?
ANSWER: Hi Mike:
The garage should not be included in the "Total Living Area" calculations for a new home; but should be included in the "Total Area" or "Total Building Area" or "Total Gross Square Feet". Beware though, some plan companies will make mistakes, or may try to mislead. Things like outside decks and porches can also cloud the issue: is this 'living space'? Perhaps, perhaps not. What about the basement? Is this 'living space'? The best thing is to see if you can get a sample floor plan for each level with room dimension on it; before you buy the full set of construction drawings; that way you can check the area calculations yourself.
Good luck!
PB
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: but when i do the math on the size of the rooms and find the area, its no where near the area the plan states
Answer Mike:
Are you doing math on printed room dimension? Or are you scaling the plans yourself, and then doing the math? The plans you have may not be at-scale; plan companies often won't send out preliminary drawings at a particular commonly accepted scale, because they don't want you to use them without paying.
If 'yes - using printed dimensions'; then: A) it is possible that the information they are giving you is deceptive, or B) it is possible that they are calculating 'living area' to include the floor space taken up by the thickness of the walls themselves, but only giving you 'net' interior finish-to-finish wall dimensions. Although confusing, this is not deceptive, and is actually the right way to do it. Thickness of walls adds up quickly; a 10' long wall 6" wide, is 5 s.f. of floor area. What about closets? Do the 'net' floor area dimensions include all the 'nooks' and 'jogs' left over next to closets, etc.? Net to gross floor ratios are often on the order of 1:1.3 .
Does this help?
- PB
