Reasonableness, Restraint and Value

Architects frequently get accused of pushing for design uniqueness at the expense of reasonableness or cost control. While I am certain that happens, I would justify it, sometimes, as seeing opportunities and benefits that are worth the additional costs. Some energy efficiency details, or special windows or doors, taking advantage of a great view or some built-ins are like that. Doing a 2-story stone-faced fireplace in a budget family room is not.

I prefer to look at my designs as if I had to pay for them and live in them, and ask, is the value there? And conversely, is it not there? Meaning, you are spending all this money for fees and construction, it had better be special in some way!

This is why close interaction and communication, and your preparation before had, is so crucial. We get one chance to do this, let's do it right!

Which brings me to my hint:

One of the most helpful activities you can do while considering or beginning a project is to collect images of things and places that inspire you. There are a host of influences that we are all subject too, from early memories to a great vacation place, which set the stage for the character we are after in our design.

Collecting images, and even objects, helps bring all this out. It is especially helpful where there are two people involved, since this stage can bring out the differences as well as the similarities, and helps find common ground before the big decisions have to be made. The end result should tell an over-arching story, as well as giving us details to fill in that story. For instance, are you looking at just an enhanced kitchen, or a family room, or master suite, or new kid space, a better connection to the outside, a great porch, a cozy nook for winter, a grand façade to tell the world you are here?

Keep in mind that the design should start with the big picture, and the details fill in later. A good design is a work in progress that evolves as we go along, and you may find that the initial pre-conceptions fall away as we progress! So, start with a gathering of influences and let the ideas develop naturally.

Fixer-uppers, renovations and old houses

I was reading an article in the Inquirer the other day (Dec. 9, section E (business)) about fixer-uppers being where you will find value in this market. A couple of points rang very true. First off, we should realize that in this mature area, we are more likely to be in an older home than new, but the points should be considered if shopping for a new home or considering renovations.

First, you can often buy "more home" since it should be priced to sell for less than a corresponding new or freshly renovated house, and can put your personal stamp on it more easily. Actually, you will probably have to put your own stamp on it, since there is always work to be done! This may not be a pro, depending on how handy you are.

The character issue: the styles are often historic or common to a community, ie, the bungalow styles common to our area, Victorian, older colonial and even the split levels so endemic to the region. With a 4th floor, there is tons of room for familys in the splits. Older homes often have more interesting windows, rooms, trim, porches etc, than cookie-cutter production homes. You can often buy a smaller home on the bigger lots (parts of Rydal and Roslyn are like this), letting you add on at ground level. And you will be part of an established community, sometimes with several generations of families still there. And best yet, you may be closer to a town center and all the amenities than out in the boonies.

With all that said, you still have to weigh the amount of work requried with the benefits. Look carefully at the electrical and other utilities service, condition of the HVAC, windows, water damage, roof, and other critical components. Just run-down or older can often be fixed up with a new kitchen counter or coat of paint, or light fixtures, where the big stuff is what will be expensive.

Lastly, live in a place for more than a year before you add on, just to really understand the flow of the house and what the real needs and opportunities are. It may surprise you,and end up putting its stamp on you!

New Years Resolutions and Accessibility

Happy New Year! Let's hope this is a better one, which signs seem to indicate it will be.

One of my resolutions is to pay more attention to accessibility. I ended up getting glasses when the ADA came out, trying to read all the fine print, but as is often the case, it remained a technical abstract, radii and reaches to be complied with, but not fully understood.

Until my back went out. I had hurt my back before, but this time it siezed up totally, then progressed into severe sciatica. I could barely walk, sit, or get back up and getting into or out of a car was torture. I was becoming the poster child for wizened. One day I stood up and it had all re-centered, and I am back to regular mobility, but more careful now.

This wake-up call has led to a greater understanding and compassion for folks who have to live with physical conditions, permanantly or not, since some day we will all need help. Provisions have to be built in at the start of a project to allow adaptation as time goes on, especially if you see yourself aging in place or having older relatives live with you. These could be as simple as putting plywoood blocking behind the walls in the shower or next to the toilet for grab bars and wider space to allow for the bars, wider doorways for future wheelchair or walkers, watching out for thresholds, lower thermostats or switches, or more in-depth such as adaptable counters and cabinets, sloped walkways, direct access from a garage, or a wider stair to allow for a mechanized climber.

Some provisions are general and can be simply built in without fanfare. Others are specific and need to be discussed early in the project. Whatever your needs, give it a lot of thought before you design and build, and let us help you make your castle work right for you.