http://www.habitat15.com/unit4.html Mid America Mom
Habitat 15
Winner of the AIA Design Honor Award (LA chapter).
Architects Hadrian Predock and John Frane
1322 Detroit Street, Los Angeles, CA
Completed in 2009.
Inner city townhome. Note parking in underground garage is not directly accessible from inside the unit.
Unit 4 is an end unit.
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3 North and East (had to dig for this information OUTSIDE the site)
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2 Very little in way of hallway. The stair placement has flow going UP at Entry which assists greatly. Second floor hall is basically a landing and no wasted space.
ENTRY: 0 No closet nearby. I estimate the nearest one- if a closet, is at least 14 feet away.
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 . I am giving them the point. I suspect we have sliders
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1 Looks like bedroom baths have a slider for the toilet area. 1/2 bath is large.
STUDY: 1 NA
LAUNDRY: 0 In a small closet with nowhere to put a basket as in the circulation pattern.
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 18
http://www.tlofts.com/plan2.pdf Mid America Mom
TLOFTS.
Third Floor Unit 2AR. Note underground parking not accessible from inside unit.
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3 North/West facing Tenn. Ave. Shading on balconies.
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 0. Issue with dining area and living.. traffic to stair
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 Great terrace space on the 1st floor.
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 0. they try but the table placement is tight and what is the center? This is an open stair.
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1 NA
LAUNDRY: 0 I like it is off the main hallway but there is no place to put basket(is a stackable unit).
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 16
Mid America Mom
Margo- I also have a unit to put on the site from exposition development. They do have parking listed see this page- http://www.expositionwestla.com/
Mid America Mom
http://www.expositionwestla.com/unit402.php Mid America Mom
Exposition
Kanner Architects.
Unit 402. Note they say 2 parking though I do not know where it is on the property.
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 0 South and West with little shading (not on site plan so I tried to look at street directions and then placing the building on that lot- I may be off).
ORGANIZATION: 2 Living on TOP level and sleeping on lower. You may debate me on the angles but they do not seem to get in the way as on the outside wall and not these extreme 45′s.
CIRCULATION: 2 Traffic flow is minimal
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 0 One wall YUCK.
DINING: 0 Looks like the table would be IN the kitchen area but where to center?
BEDROOMS: 1 I would have the bed flipped to the other wall in the second bedroom.
The best part about this one is the workshop/office space on the main floor facing the street. The worst part(s) about this one is the strange lack of closets in either bedroom, and the complete lack of privacy for the mezzanine bedroom.
Also, I think that the living room needs to be moved over toward the wall with the stair, and the dining table moved away from the island for some more room.
- A
http://928croft.com/unit102.php Mid America Mom
Luminaire
Holtz Architecture
928 Croft, LA
Unit 102. Note parking underground and not accessible by unit.
LOCATION: 3 Walkscore is 85
ORIENTATION: 3 North and East (had to do legwork on finding this using mapquest and site plan
ORGANIZATION: 0. Too many living areas, huge stair which the space can handle but not necessary.
CIRCULATION: 2 Good flow
ENTRY: 0. Has own space and I can see an entry table could go there but no closet.
LIVING: 0. Too much footage to living spaces.
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1.
KITCHEN: 1 a G shape (U with penisula). Large window facing N.
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 0. The master has a curved wall in it next to the toilet (kneww space?) and then the secondary bedroom bath vanity has a corner that just seems to be odd.
STUDY: 1 (NA- but this plan COULD handle one where the “family room is”)
http://www.intracorpcompanies.com/html/Alicante/floorplans/floorplan_5.shtml Mid America Mom
Alicante in LA (westside)
8620 South Belford Avenue Los Angeles
Intracorp Developer. Infill development
Again I used an end unit (more light).
No site plan was included. With some digging on this site http://delhi.craigslist.co.in/reo/1550961533.html, mapquest help, and observation of the plans I am about 90% certain on the floorplan and orientation. Entry faces WEST and fronts Belford, other side is North toward Manchester. The unit is the bright red on the far right of the picture. It is floorplan #5
LOCATION: 3 (walk is 71. Note transit, grocery, some retail, restaurants are under third of mile)
ORIENTATION: 3 West windows have some shading provided (enough? I am not an architect)
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 1 Shared with back entry. We have a closet tucked in.
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0 I am afraid that deck looks shallow.
KITCHEN: 1 A U shape!
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 0 I am having serious doubts about bed placement in bedroom 2. That window just throws me off. And bed three needs a larger window.
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1 NA
LAUNDRY: 1 shared in 1/2 bath but looks like space in front.
PARKING: 0 The garage is this narrow area for two. I just do not see that working out.
Note: you need to scroll down the choice menu to see the three floors’ plans.
Vistas at Indian Oaks
This one is pretty fast. It’s located north and west of LA proper in Chatsworth. The complex boasts of having views of LA with parks nearby, including right at the entrance. I rated the Cesaro Elite model, 2585SF
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0 (walkscore = 2) It’s a 5-minute walk to train station & 45-min commute to LA by train, 40-min drive to Burbank, CA)
ORIENTATION: 0 Most units have bad exposure to sun, only a quarter of the units are okay.
ORGANIZATION: 2 The bedrooms are upstairs, living on main, recreation in basement. (Although the floorplans don’t show it, there are glass doors to the outdoors–I found this by doing the virtual tour.)
CIRCULATION: 0 There is a major conflict with circulation in living room because of its cramped corner location; you have to navigate around the kitchen island to get into the kitchen from the main hall; too much hall area on main and upper floors.
ENTRY: 1 There is an entry, though there’s no closet (typical of LA).
LIVING: 0 I had to give this one a zero because of the corner fireplace. It wouldn’t allow a good focal point–would fight with the view window; also traffic problems between kitchen and living.
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 The outdoors is accessible through glass doors (not shown on plan).
KITCHEN: 0 access is difficult from hall; not enough counter space or cupboards
DINING: 1 Two dining areas–overkill?
BEDROOMS: 1 There’s lots of closet area; the master has an odd layout & the optional fireplace would make it difficult to navigate.
BATHROOMS: 1 Bathrooms are pretty well organized (though the Master shower is a little small); the powder room is quite private.
STUDY: 0 This would have to be the “Tech Area” as labelled on the plan–not private, basically a cubby at the top of the stairs.
LAUNDRY: 1 Good space, well located.
PARKING: 1 Good parking with access to main floor.
This is for Floorplan TH01 of the Hancock Lofts
Architects: Koning Eizenberg
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 0
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 0
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 17
Not too sure about the bowling-alley master bedroom or the openness of the kitchen (it’s missing an island so it has a heck of a lot of wasted space), but it did pretty well, I think. Love the size of the two patios and the fact that they both face east.
http://www.olsonhomes.com/find/community/floorplans/floorplans.aspx?codeTitle=willowwalk&planNo=wiplan1a# Doug Roberts
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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Plan 1A, Willow Walk — 1172 sqft townhome in Compton CA, by Olson Homes
LOCATION: 3 — Walkscore rating of 62
ORIENTATION: 3 — Plan 1A appears to be available with various orientations, of which the only undesirable one would be S&W
ORGANIZATION: 2 — Rooms appear to be well laid out
CIRCULATION: 2 — Flow seems good, with compact stairs and not much hallway or wasted space
ENTRY: 1 — Front and back entries open into shared space with a small closet and a window for natural light.
LIVING: 1 — Nice size and shape with large windows on adjacent walls. Would be nice if it was more connected to the dining room and terrace, but I guess they felt they needed to put that divider between the living and dining rooms (in the virtual tour you can see that the divider does not go all the way to the ceiling) to have a place to put the TV
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0 — Too small and not connected well enough to the living room — also appears to face the street — would be nicer to face greenspace
KITCHEN: 1 — Well located and efficient layout, reasonable access to natural light through dining room
DINING: 1 — Well located relative to kitchen and living room, lots of natural light
BEDROOMS: 1 — Decent bedrooms with decent closets, although would be better if master closet did not have to be accessed through the master bathroom
BATHROOMS: 1 — Powder room is private yet very accessible, master and family baths are fine, although master toilet room has door conflict and some wasted space
STUDY: 1 — None
LAUNDRY: 0 — No place to put laundry basket or pile of dirty laundry without blocking access to kitchen — would have been better to make room for an upstairs laundry (eg. by going with one shared bathroom instead of 2 separate bathrooms upstairs)
PARKING: 1 — Going with tandem double garages is an interesting way of giving street access to both Plan 1A and Plan 1B, even though the rest of Plan 1B does not extend to the street — tandem arrangement would be fine for 1 car + loads of storage, but could be irritating for 2 cars unless you are always willing to take whichever car is parked nearest to the door
TOTAL: 18 out of 20
http://360southbay.com/ orangeopolis
Here’s another:
ThreeSixty at South Bay – The Court Plan 1
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0
ORIENTATION: 0
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 12
http://www.riverranchtownhomes.com/unit_floorplan_details.html?floorplan_id=299 Laura K
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0
ORIENTATION:
ORGANIZATION:0
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 0
STUDY:
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 8
http://www.riverranchtownhomes.com/unit_floorplan_details.html?floorplan_id=299 Laura K
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0
ORIENTATION:
ORGANIZATION: 0
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 0
STUDY:
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 8
http://www.thedorianatplayavista.com/residence_c.html Louis Pereira
The Dorian – Residence C
by Standard Pacific Homes
6241 Crescent Park West
Playa Vista, CA 90094
1,808 sq. ft. 2 Bedroom / 2 Bath
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 0
DINING: 0
BEDROOMS: 0
BATHROOMS: 0
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 9 (FAST)
==================
Summary:
This development panders to the wealthy and ‘star’ wannabes of Hollywood who feel they should live like royalty. Its emphasis is on luxury and exclusivity, which is an incessant ploy that pervades most realtor and housing development marketing strategies.
The floor plan layout for this particular unit however is a complete blunder due to the contrived 30 / 60 deg. The developer’s website states that this unit is, ‘…highlighted by a cool angeld entry’, but seem oblivious to the end result as the angle is forced throughout the floor plan. If the designer had stuck with an orthoganol layout relative to the exterior walls, this may have turned into a much more efficient plan – with perhaps an additional Bedroom or Study – It is afterall over 1800 sq.ft.. Instead the result is awkwardly configurated spaces including a super-sized Master Bedroom, Ensuite and Walk-in Closet; an isolated Kitchen with a copious work triangle and a gratuitous main entry complete with Gallery – a good spot to display your modeling portfolio to invited film ‘executives’.
Walk Score for this location is 65 / 100, but considering that the most critical amenities such as work, school and grocery shopping are outside the important .25 mile radius – which likely means you’ll choose a vehicle over walking – I give it a score of “0″. The primary rooms however, face nicely developed streets and parks. They each have abundant glass with views and therefore should have a decent amount of natural albeit indirect light.
http://www.1200sweetzer.com/ Eunice
1200 Sweetzer, Unit 08
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 19
This one is really good. The only reason I didn’t give it full marks was because the entry opens rather bluntly into the living space. There is a closet though, I just think that it could have been better.
Mid America Mom
Doug- I like the willow walk plan!
The upstairs use of space looks great.
That garage. I know I had to think through the alicante in LA. I guess we can assume tandem is fine for slow if can open a car door and some storage? Anyone?
It is really nice to have you back and commenting on the site! I really enjoyed reading your description of the project that go beyond the slow home test scores – particularly as it relates in this project to the sense of “opulence” and “star wannabes”! Design is secondary to status in this unit. Again, it strikes me dead why anyone would add that terrible geometry to another wise really workable floor area – it just wrecks the whole place and creates problems in almost every space. In my opinion, the dining room suffers most acutely from the nasty angles – any attempt to furnish this room will feel brutally awkward.
http://www.tollbrothers.com/models/cesaro_1558_/floorplans/cesaro.pdf Claudette N.
The Vistas at Indian Oaks
Chatsworth, CA
“Convenient to the 118 freeway, this community showcases spectacular views of Los Angeles’ city lights while creating a luxurious haven just beyond the metropolitan movement.”
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 0
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 0
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 0
DINING:
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 0
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 7
Matthew North
Eunice,
John Brown and I have been to that project on Sweetzer! I thought it sounded familiar – they were just finishing up the construction when we were in Los Angeles last June (and we kind of snuck in to have a look around). It is really a great project and I would agree with your assessment. You should look at some of the other units as there are some really interesting design features – I would be curious to see how the other units scored – some have really interesting outdoor spaces that I thought made great use of the site. Good find – thanks for posting!
Matthew North
I think 19 is our highest score yet….too bad about the entry! I wish the designers could figure this out!
http://www.findyoursouthbayhome.com/Cities/Manhattan-Village-Townhome-Plan-5.htm Matt KB
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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PROJECT – Manhattan Village
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 3
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 16
http://www.ancientsandsresort.com/plans/floor-plans/2-bedroom-townhouse Matt KB
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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PROJECT – Ancient Sands
LOCATION: 0
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 3
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 0
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 0
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY:
PARKING: 1
TOTAL:13
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/12/rock-row-townhouses.php Matt KB
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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PROJECT – Rock Row floor plan A
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 3
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 0
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL:19
http://ebrochure.sheahomes.com/sheahomes/index.html?community=994&plan=plan1 Wayne
THE SLOW HOME TEST SheaHomes: Plan 1: The Huettner Residence
==================
LOCATION: 0 Only scored 66 on walk ability
ORIENTATION:0 Main street facing North
ORGANIZATION: 0 Are the outdoors important in the living room, or the
fireplace? I’m so confused where is the focal point.
CIRCULATION: 0 Why does the master bedroom need an alcove?
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 0
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 0 Why doesn’t the master bedroom utilize all the space
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 6
This place has lots of space but I just do not like the overall use of the space.
I assumed north is up. For Orientation – Most of the windows are west facing but the deck on 2nd floor, attached to main bedroom is south facing – hence the the reason for the points.
As for Entry – the back entry doesn’t have a closet and the front seems to spill into the living room/dining room without having its defined space. Although it does have closet space, and a covered porch, it didn’t get the points.
http://www.lennar.com/New-Homes/California/Orange-County/La-Casella/Plan-1 Wayne
THE SLOW HOME TEST La Casella 228 great Lawn, CA
==================
LOCATION: 0 Walk ability score 34
ORIENTATION: 0
ORGANIZATION: 0
CIRCULATION: 0 This townhouse has no logical circulation pattern
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 0
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 This is the best space in the house but is not
used as a focal point
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 0
BEDROOMS: 0 The location of the garage to the master bedroom says
says it all
BATHROOMS: 1 or 0
I do realize this is in Orange County, which is said to be it’s ‘own center’, but I had to include this. This floor plan (and the use of the 45 degree angle) is… interesting.
LOCATION: scored 91% — 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 0
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 0
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 0
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: (I have no idea how washer AND dryer would fit here? should have been the closet) 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 13
Bedrooms – I didn’t find having the entry of the master bedroom into living room to be ideal, please correct me if I’m wrong? Also going through the bathroom to get to the closet – and the shape of it creates a lot of wasted space.
http://www.americanhomeguides.com/floorplans/details/HPC-147095/9400547.html Wayne
THE SLOW HOME TEST Almaden Walk, Floor Plan #3
==================
LOCATION: 0
ORIENTATION: 0
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0 There is space for an entry and a closet but the space
is not utilized to create the entry
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 1 Kitchen is okay, but could use and island
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 12
http://sienavillagepasadena.com/Unit3-5.pdf Mid America Mom
Siena Village
66 N Allen Pasadena CA
Infill Development. Have fun looking sideways at the PDF’s folks! No site plan or Idea on where North is.
LOCATION: 3 Pleasant surprise. Walk score is 77. Transit, grocery, coffee, and restaurant nearby.
ORIENTATION: 0 unknown
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2 Except for living room
ENTRY: 0 Split entry – up or down stairs and no closet.
LIVING: 0. Corner fireplace and the huge slider to terrace just sank this room. Nice size though.
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 We can fit at least a pair of chairs out there.
KITCHEN: 0 Way to tight -7′ 10″ wide on a place with this much footage. No more than one person can work. Cannot get past Refridge door if open. A breakfast bar for 1 hurts with entrance and on top of it looks to be facing a wall. Can we do negative points ;)
DINING: 1 This room was the only one in living that turned out right.
BEDROOMS: 1 Though bed 3 could be better without the door to the hall bath.
BATHROOMS: 1 Not supersized
STUDY: 1 NA
LAUNDRY: 0 Laundry in garage! What is this 1950?
PARKING: 0 Alot of space.
(Unit 10 is not that great either).
TOTAL: 12
http://www.villabellacondo.com/fp205.html Jodi J
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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Villa Bella
Townhouse 205
16123 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, 90272
LOCATION: 0 – Walk Score of 54
ORIENTATION: 0 – NW Facing
ORGANIZATION: 2 – Public spaces on main level, privates spaces on second floor. 2nd floor divided into two – master bedroom suite on one side, remaining bedrooms on other.
CIRCULATION: 0 – only access to 2nd floor unit is directly through the living space –> enter the second floor directly in the bedroom space (no upper hallway)
ENTRY: 0 – front door opens dirctly into living area. closet in awkward location. no defined entry.
LIVING: 1 – short of the circulation issues, living space was window to exterior and a fireplace focal point.
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0 – terrace only accessible through bedrooms. Space is long and narrow –> difficult funiture placement.
KITCHEN: 1 – lots of counterspace.
DINING: 0 – small, any furniture placement would interfere with access to kitchen.
BEDROOMS: 0 – master bedroom closet too large. Lots of wasted space. Bedroom 3 closet is too small.
BATHROOMS: 0 – master en suite double sink too close to one another, no counter space. lots of wasted space next to toilet and awkward shower/tub arrangement. Jack and Jill washroom has wasted space on right and left side of vanity. Powder room has excess wasted floor space in front of vanity and toilet. Long hallway leading to powder room is also wasted.
STUDY: 0 – N/A
LAUNDRY: 0 – located in dining room. no work space, interferes with dining space.
http://www.intracorpcompanies.com/html/Alicante/img/floorplans/floorplan_5.pdf Paul Peters
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 0
ORGANIZATION: 0
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 0
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 9
http://www.lennar.com/New-Homes/California/Orange-County/La-Casella/Plan-1 Sarah Williams
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0 (low walkability)
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 0
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 12
I think if I knew the area, the location score may have been better, but it is apparently “car-dependent”… I also wasn’t sure what the “casita” and “courtyard” actually were – a bedroom and another living space?
Hi Paul – we are way off from one another on same plan. Anyone else want to score the alicente #5?
Dominique that plan is harsh.
http://www.tollbrothers.com/homesearch/servlet/HomeSearch?app=model_floorplans&plan_id=40500 Sarah Williams
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 1 (I’m assuming there’s a door between the coat closet and the powder room…)
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 0
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 18
This is listed as a townhome, but the rendering on the website looks like single-family… There are no windows on one side so I’m assuming it’s attached. I ranked the kitchen low because it seems like there isn’t much convenient counter space for a house of this size.
http://www.sabinesouthlake.com/residences/floorplans Mid America Mom
More in Pasadena.
Sabine south lake. From URL choose floorplan and do drop down to UNIT 2.
LOCATION: 3 Walkable is 83
ORIENTATION: 0 unknown no site plan
ORGANIZATION: 0
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 0 entry closet behind the wall niche area? No closet for back entry in garage though plenty of room.
LIVING: 0 Too narrow. says 23 by 10- thinking if add walk way that means really 7 by 23!
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 0 A wide galley? Too much walk pattern across room. Why have a peninsula and there?
DINING: 0 Dining room is too small, is the peninsula to have stools on teh landing? Then nook area in kitchen and hall to butler traffic all over the place.
BEDROOMS: 0. Bed 2 to small and window as well. Master flow around bed may be too tight.
BATHROOMS: 0 Second bath storage wall. Not needed and makes it feel tight.
STUDY: 1 NA
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 0. All the storage space but maybe too tight to open car door.
TOTAL: 6
http://ebrochure.sheahomes.com/sheahomes/index.html?community=96&plan=plan5 Sarah Williams
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0 (0 walkability score!)
ORIENTATION: 3 (unknown)
ORGANIZATION: 0
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 0
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 13
This plan is okay; I would not like to have my master bedroom opening directly onto the great room, and there is no clear place for the dining table (perhaps in the “retreat”?). The area also appears to be in the middle of nowhere..
http://www.barham-villas.com/floor_plans.htm Mid America Mom
I have this weeks fastest home. They are large units. It should be featured in a class of how NOT to design a home. These are listed for 700k. You could not pay me to live here.
Barham Villas
3300 Barham Boulevard Unit: 101 Los Angeles, CA 90068
(Universal City area) Only Two units on this lot.
LOCATION: 0 (69 walkable)
ORIENTATION: 0 Coverage on three sides. But looks like shading from surrounding properties and itself make it too dark.
ORGANIZATION: 0 Windows in back too small. What is with this breakfast bar on the top floor? Hallways run long.
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 0 No true entry into the unit. No closet. One off garage has NO space to move. You would slam the door into someone coming down the stair to the garage.
LIVING: 0 Too large in great room and the fireplace cannot be a focal. the window is too small. Family room. Too narrow in part, odd shape, and I see per photos this strange space carved out under the switchback to the family room. What are we supposed to do with that? Where do I put a sofa and two chairs?
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0 balcony looks decorative. Nothing off of great room on back (but an entry!).
KITCHEN: 0 How can you make a G shape bad? Here you go. Angle does not help. Too narrow. The door of the stove could hit the one to the dishwasher. Spacing from sink to dishwasher to stove where are you to stand? Then the fridge is far away. From photos: I suspect they put a warming drawer which we don’t need. Then the stove is almost under the window with its hood and where I am from that is a NO NO on code.
DINING: 0 Fireplace cannot be a focal due to location. Odd window placement. The back door is really an entry and not an outdoor space. Where do we put the table?
BEDROOMS: 0 Maid Quarter in Basement area- not enough light, too many doors, and awkward shape. Master is narrow but lots of footage. Where bad would be in relation to doorway- could you clear it with a king size in front of it? How can I place the bed to the fireplace focal? Is that niche necessary in the princess suite? Looks like placing a closet in there was hard due to windows so make it up with this?
BATHROOMS: 1 these actually seem OK.
STUDY: NA but this space COULD handle one! 1
LAUNDRY: 0 per plan normal placement is in the basement area OFF of garage. Horrible.
PARKING: 0 HUGE. Two in front and a tandem in back which looks too narrow for comfort on the third car.
TOTAL: 2 and would be a 1 if I could say 0 on study.
http://www.newbloomfieldtownhomes.com/ Mid America Mom
Bloomfield Townhomes in Studio City.
You need click on property info and then scroll down on the page and click on the floor. Look at unit 103.
LOCATION: 3 (walk is 74)
ORIENTATION: 0 Mainly West.
ORGANIZATION: 0 Living room – that large half bath
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0 No closet near by
LIVING: 0 too large and what is the focal?
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0. Balcony cannot hold anything and the view is horrible.
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1 though it really seems too small compared to the huge living room.
BEDROOMS: 0 closets are bad in the secondary bedrooms due to placement. One of the bedrooms has strange niche area and where is the bed to go? Master I have a hard time placing a bed with two nightstands.
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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Alicante
8670 Belford Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Residence 5
1575 sq ft
LOCATION: 3 – 69 Walk Score
ORIENTATION: 0 – NA
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1 (considered the 3rd bedroom as the study)
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 15 – Moderately Slow – given a postive orientation, the property could be bumped up into the slow category.
Mid America Mom
Thanks Jodi J for adding your take on Alicante!
Louis Pereira
Mid America Mom,
When I reviewed the Bloomfield floor plans I noticed the Living Rooms had a corner fireplace, yet the photos did not. Although, I like the exterior appearance and interior finishes of the Bloomfield Townhomes in Studio City, I suspect the developer has used this same floor plan layout in more than one location. i.e. there is no consideration for site, context, orientation etc. – just as long as it fits on the site.
Note the floor plan (more traditional details – ex. rounded stairs at base; ornate courtyard water feature, rounded countertops in kitchen) compared with the photos (Modern) and you can see the differences…
It informs us that the developer preferred using the same floor plan rather than making the effort to come up with a different design that would best suit a specific site condition and context – a total cop-out in my books and as cheesy as the music on the website!… ;)
http://www.r1living.com/?detectflash=false& Liz James
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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Interesting underground parking access on a sloping site – go to overall site plan
LOCATION: 3 (Scored a 92 on the walkscore test)
ORIENTATION: 3 (has both north east and southwest sides)
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0 (no closet)
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0 (very private – up a spiral stair not really accessible)
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
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