Comments on: Usonian Inspired Home by Joseph Sandy

By: Bobb

Bobb — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:06:47 +0000

I agree with Downs as well overall. I think with the addition of more footage it is a very interesting floor plan. Windows are greatly needed to help with ventilation. the double wide doors are needed to get furniture in. However the width of the living room needs to be widened to the seating area. The dining table can be replaced with a banquet the is oriented horizontally. A wall can be placed where the single chair is located to enlarge the bedroom space.
The desk in the bedroom can be placed where the headboard for the bed is. and the closet can be placed alongside to the bathroom wall. I think that adding four feet overall will greatly improve the livable space in this plan. The only confusing thing that I immediately notice is that there is no REFRIDGERATOR!
I like the overall concept that needs more width and depth to work better.
Bobbi

By: harryrag

harryrag — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:31:04 +0000

needs to move the bath door to the wall by the desk. Better privacy from the Kitchen /couch area and better access from the bedroom area

By: Dakotamundi

Dakotamundi — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:23:18 +0000

A few changes to make this workable/livable. move the desk to the bed headboard wall, add a window, put the bed where the closet is and reconfigure the closet to open toward the new bedroom, and pull out the bedroom wall to make it wide enough for two people to access from either side (and make the bed). These changes would allow for a second bedroom nook to be added and would drastically improve the sightlines through the house.

The procession is still a bit awkward and SOME kind of entryway is needed unles that is being done through a courtyard outside the front door.

I like the concept though, and could see it used as an efficiency or ADU near a property line.

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:34:10 +0000

Great comment Downs. Here’s a link to the book he suggested which should be the first book any serious designer (in any field) should own or at least read.

http://bit.ly/3VnECd

I do think that some of the common patterns can be adapted and downsized though… but as Downs indirectly points out… when molds are broken care should be taken with the potential fall-out like moisture in the house, spills, etc.

By: downs

downs — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:53:49 +0000

Hate to say it, but I don’t like this much.

Everybody who is interested in housing designs should read ‘A Pattern Language’. It’s an amazing book that explains much of why this design specifically doesn’t work well, and why houses in general work on both a physical and psychological level (among other levels).

A house this small is going to be for at most two people, so there is no need to hide the bed away. And this bed is next impossible to “make”.

This design makes poor use of space too. it would feel very small for it’s sq. footage. Especially if you actually invite as many people over as there is available seating. I live in a smallish place and found that I had to get rid of much of my seating (kitchen chairs and the Lazy Boy) so I would have more usable floor space.

Personally, I have always thought that bathrooms and kitchens belong in an altogether different building (think Michael’s dogtrot designs here). A small house will get very humid with a bathroom installed and will likely have fungal problems. Also, kitchens and baths attract bugs. Roaches need moisture, ants are looking for that spilled sugar, etc.

My two….

By: DJ

DJ — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:52:48 +0000

On further thought: I’d put a window in the sleeping nook and maybe a small built in storage nook at the head of the bed for alarm clock, tissues, book, etc. And maybe a drawer under the bed nook for additional storage.

And where would the utilities go? Water heater, etc.

By: Mike E

Mike E — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:39:19 +0000

This is great starting point, however let’s take it to a two bedroom, allow for a wood stove,a usable kitchen design and windows in the sleeping areas and for cross ventilation

By: ej

ej — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:08:54 +0000

Nice plan, will be interesting to see roof lines.

If your going to heat with wood you need an indoor wood box and a summer cook stove (could maybe be outside).

I would put at least a small window in the sleeping nook.

And my usual question – where do you hang wet coats and winter jackets?

But perhaps this is a southern California design in which case no need for winter considerations.

By: Rickles

Rickles — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:46:45 +0000

WOW!

The only thing I see missing is a way to heat it, but replace the stove with an old woodburner and you’re set.

By: Dj

Dj — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:47:17 +0000

Fabulous! What a perfect, compact use of space. Yet there’s room for everything, including a dedicated workspace, that doesn’t need to be tidied away.

I’ve always had a soft spot for sleeping nooks.