Chapter 7 Designing Livable Homes

Four Factors that influence housing needs: Economic conditions Economic conditions Lifestyle changes Lifestyle changes Physical needs Physical needs Advances in Technology Advances in Technology

How have these factors changed today’s homes? Society became less agricultural and more industrial. Society became less agricultural and more industrial. Suburbs grew to fill needs for housing, but new houses were built for nuclear, not extended, families. Suburbs grew to fill needs for housing, but new houses were built for nuclear, not extended, families.

How have these factors changed today’s homes? Refrigerators and freezers replaced the need for cellars Refrigerators and freezers replaced the need for cellars Interiors became less formal Interiors became less formal More functional space & multipurpose rooms More functional space & multipurpose rooms

How have these factors changed today’s homes? Early homes had two or more stories, separated family activities Early homes had two or more stories, separated family activities Today’s homes usually have one level or have split levels Today’s homes usually have one level or have split levels If two-storied, have bathrooms and some sleeping space on both floors If two-storied, have bathrooms and some sleeping space on both floors

The Purpose of a floor plan… To show the size & layout of rooms To show the size & layout of rooms Easiest way to illustrate how space is used in a home Easiest way to illustrate how space is used in a home

Two Factors to keep in mind when evaluating a floor plan: Traffic Patterns – the paths people take as they walk from room to room during everyday activities. Traffic Patterns – the paths people take as they walk from room to room during everyday activities. Economy of Construction – for example, place rooms needing plumbing near one another to reduce plumbing problems. Economy of Construction – for example, place rooms needing plumbing near one another to reduce plumbing problems.

Homes are divided into Zones/Areas to minimize conflict between different activities. Private Zone Private Zone Comfortable areas for sleeping and relaxing Comfortable areas for sleeping and relaxing Privacy for bathing and dressing Privacy for bathing and dressing Bedrooms and Bathrooms Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Homes are divided into Zones/Areas to minimize conflict between different activities. Service Zone Service Zone Where household work is done Where household work is done Kitchen, laundry room, workshop, and garage Kitchen, laundry room, workshop, and garage

Homes are divided into Zones/Areas to minimize conflict between different activities. Social Zone Social Zone The part of the home used for activities and entertainment The part of the home used for activities and entertainment Living room, dining room, family room Living room, dining room, family room Recreation room, entrance hall, patio, decks Recreation room, entrance hall, patio, decks

Open Plan Has few dividing walls separating rooms Has few dividing walls separating rooms

Closed Plan Rooms are separated and self- contained Rooms are separated and self- contained

Floor Plan Options… One-Level Home Home that is all on one-level Home that is all on one-level All parts of the living area are easily accessible without going up or down stairs. All parts of the living area are easily accessible without going up or down stairs. No stairways = increase usable space in home No stairways = increase usable space in home Exterior maintenance ( painting, cleaning gutters) = easier Exterior maintenance ( painting, cleaning gutters) = easier Ranch houses, apartments Ranch houses, apartments

Floor Plan Options… Two-Level Home Two levels of living space Two levels of living space Social and service floors on the first floor Social and service floors on the first floor Bedrooms on the second floor Bedrooms on the second floor Single-Family homes and multifamily units Single-Family homes and multifamily units

Floor Plan Options… Split-Level Home Two or more levels of living space, each separated by a short flight of stairs Two or more levels of living space, each separated by a short flight of stairs The entrance, living room, dining area, and kitchen are all at ground level The entrance, living room, dining area, and kitchen are all at ground level The bedrooms are a short flight above The bedrooms are a short flight above The garage, laundry room, utility area, family room, are a short flight below The garage, laundry room, utility area, family room, are a short flight below

Floor Plan Options… Split-Entry Home Has two levels of living space, with the lower level partially under ground Has two levels of living space, with the lower level partially under ground The entrance to the home is located midway between the two main levels The entrance to the home is located midway between the two main levels Upper level = living room, kitchen, dining area, bedrooms Upper level = living room, kitchen, dining area, bedrooms Lower level = laundry, utility area, family room, perhaps a bathroom, and often another bedroom Lower level = laundry, utility area, family room, perhaps a bathroom, and often another bedroom

Design A Floor Plan—The Gavlinski Family This family consists of a man, a woman, and three children, boys, ages 9 and 12, and a girl, age 16. The man and woman are both employed outside the home. Mornings are hectic in this household as the whole family gets ready for work and school. Breakfast often takes place in shifts, with the children preparing it for themselves. Evenings are busy too, as the family tries to juggle activities involving the different family members. The Gavlinskis frequently invite groups of family or friends over to share a meal and spend some time together. This family consists of a man, a woman, and three children, boys, ages 9 and 12, and a girl, age 16. The man and woman are both employed outside the home. Mornings are hectic in this household as the whole family gets ready for work and school. Breakfast often takes place in shifts, with the children preparing it for themselves. Evenings are busy too, as the family tries to juggle activities involving the different family members. The Gavlinskis frequently invite groups of family or friends over to share a meal and spend some time together.

Design A Floor Plan—The Campbell Family The Campbell family consists of a married couple, both with careers. One career requires that paperwork often be brought home at night. Both people love to cook and enjoy trying out new and unusual recipes on their friends. As a result, they entertain often, in both small and large groups. Sometimes their guests are clients or others associated with work. Since both friends and relatives live out of town, visitors often spend the night. The Campbell family consists of a married couple, both with careers. One career requires that paperwork often be brought home at night. Both people love to cook and enjoy trying out new and unusual recipes on their friends. As a result, they entertain often, in both small and large groups. Sometimes their guests are clients or others associated with work. Since both friends and relatives live out of town, visitors often spend the night.