Residences at Wilson – Unit 6, 91-101 N Wilson Ave., Pasadena CA
LOCATION: 3 – surprising 97 walk score, Pasadena location
ORIENTATION: 0 – building on north-south axis with additional west exposure, given the site, the architect did not have much choice.
ORGANIZATION: 2 – although laundry is awkwardly located on a mezzanine floor above the bedroom
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 – roof deck plus courtyard
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1 – powder room is awkward but master bath is very nice
STUDY: 1 – on mezzanine floor
LAUNDRY: 1 – par for the course
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 17 – but for orientation this building has a lot going for it
Sander Architects (http://www.sander-architects.com/residential/multifamily/wilson/wilson.html) are responsible for the design and additional images of the project are provided at this link. Whitney Sander is notable for the hybrid house concept where prefab components and custom finishes are combined to achieve high design at reasonable cost. Also check out the Sander project called Glass Townhouses (http://www.sander-architects.com/residential/multifamily/dell/dell.html). This 2-unit complex is located on Dell Ave. in the Venice beach area. It is distinguished by the use of a translucent glass wall along an exterior elevation. The units do not share a common wall. I would post this project but I cannot locate a floor plan. Certainly it would score very well and I could easily live there.
http://www.spaceb.net/ BradW
SpaceB – Venice Beach area
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3 – courtyards provide light from all directions, the building faces south
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0 – a nice courtyard entry but sadly no closet or washroom close by
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 – multiple courtyards
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1 – could be better
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 19
A unique use of interior courtyards and a location above retail space on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice distinguish these units. This a re-post from last week as the project fits better in the townhouse category.
I especially like the fact that in both plans you can open up the windows facing the courtyard and completely open that space up so that the outdoor living space seamlessly connects to the dining, kitchen and interior living rooms. The only major issue that I have with this one is the fact that the front door is quite strange: first it’s hidden by the garage, sandwiched between it and a guest parking stall (???), and second, because the door just leads you into the courtyard – where would you go from there (especially if it was one of those rare rainy days in LA)? So really, the front door is either a fence gate or it’s the door from the garage into the house… really odd considering the quality of the rest of this design.
http://www.cvar.com/pagelaunch/amberwdcedarwood368.pdf Sarah Williams
STUDY: 0 (could use a bedroom for study if it wasn’t needed…)
LAUNDRY: 0 (in the garage)
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 12
Not bad; I don’t like the corner fireplace, and have never been a huge fan of the “great room” thing – most of the time I feel it just takes away space from the second floor.
http://www.carolsimonson.com/f-dash.asp?Page=192112.html Sarah Williams
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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Terrace Townhomes – Westlake Village
LOCATION: 0 (38 walkability)
ORIENTATION: 0 (unknown)
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 0 (the family room is lacking in natural light & it is directly connected to the garage)
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0 (unknown)
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 0 (looking at plan 2D-4, I think it would be better to get rid of bedroom 2 or 4 so that the master is not so awkwardly-shaped.. not bad otherwise, though – there is some wasted hallway space as well.)
BATHROOMS: 1 (no tub in the master, but otherwise okay)
STUDY: 1 (one of the bedrooms, perhaps?)
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 9
My first impression of this townhome was that it seems to be fairly well organized, but a little bit too complicated – the area could likely have been better used if the circulation patterns and division of spaces had been simplified and refined, in my opinion.
http://www.thegatsbyhollywood.com/index2.php?page=homes_plans Rita H.
The Gatsby Hollywood — Unit 13 — Chaplin
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 0
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 17
It’s kind of strange to think of brownstones and Los Angeles in the same instance, and then to top it all off with the project being “LA’s first all-solar and all-green powered urban community”. I also find it kind-of silly to live in a unit called “Chaplin” — what’s Chaplinesque about it?? Anyways, the design seems to pull through so that beyond the facile literary references is actually a pretty decent place to live.
http://www.thegatsbyhollywood.com/index2.php?page=homes_plans Rita H.
The Gatsby Hollywood — Unit 13 — Astaire
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: 0
BATHROOMS: 0
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 15
Not as good as ol’Charlie there, but still in the moderately slow category.
http://www.thegatsbyhollywood.com/index2.php?page=homes_plans Rita H.
oop’s
The Astaire is unit 27 if you are looking on the site plan for the orientation.
http://olsonhomes.com/find/community/floorplans/floorplansmore.aspx?codetitle=Lotuswalk# Matt KB
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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PROJECT – Lotus Walk Plan 6
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 3
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN:0
DINING: 0
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS:0
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL:12
Matt KB
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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PROJECT – Ruxton Place
LOCATION: 3 or 0
ORIENTATION: 3 or 0
ORGANIZATION: 2 or 0
CIRCULATION: 2 or 0
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 3
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 0
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL:16
http://olsonhomes.com/find/community/floorplans/floorplans.aspx?codeTitle=Willowwalk&planNo=wiplan1a Matt KB
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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PROJECT – Willow Walk Plan 1a
LOCATION: 3
ORIENTATION: 3
ORGANIZATION: 3
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS:0
STUDY: 0
LAUNDRY: 0
PARKING: 1
TOTAL:14
http://www.carolsimonson.com/f-dash.asp?Page=192112.html Sarah Williams
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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Traditions Townhomes – Moorpark (“Legacy” plan)
(I just noticed the URL is the same as the last one I posted – they are both on the website of the self-titled “Condo Queen” – the list of developments is on the left-hand side; you will have to go down the list and find the community for the plans. Sorry!)
LOCATION: 3 (57 walkability – benefit of the doubt…)
The wasted space in this plan bothers me, especially in the kitchen, master bedroom and master bath.
http://www.pardeehomes.com/carmel-country-highlands/highlands-village/floorplans/plan-2/ Wayne
THE SLOW HOME TEST Highlands Village
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LOCATION:0 Walkability score: 8
ORIENTATION: 0
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 0 Why is the master bath the same size as the bedroom?
BATHROOMS: 0 Same as above
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL:
http://www.leangreenlivingmachine.com/ Jodi J
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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Rock Row
Unit 7C
1546 Yosimite Drive, Eagle Rock, CA
2167 sq ft
built 2009
LOCATION: 3 – Walk Score of 77
ORIENTATION: 3, southern exposure
ORGANIZATION: 2 – principle living space on 2nd floor, bedroom on third
CIRCULATION: 2 – clean circulation corrridor in centre of unit on all three levels
ENTRY: 0 – entry corridor is long and narrow. no apparent closet. more of a circulation corridor than a devoted entry space.
LIVING: 1 – large windows, rectangular space, large space.
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 – four seperate outdoor spaces plus a green roof. generous space to accomodate a table set in two of the four spaces. Good public and private access.
KITCHEN: 1 – ample counter space
DINING: 1 – generous size
BEDROOMS: 1 – lots of windows, ample closets
BATHROOMS: 1 – efficient use of space, good size vanities not overcrowded by double sinks
STUDY: 0 – NA
LAUNDRY: 1 – assume the washer dryer are in the closet next to the garage/entry. pulled slightly off the main corridor thus does not interfere with traffic circulation in hall. a little tight for space.
PARKING: 1 – below living spaces.
TOTAL: 18 – SLOW – also LEED certified, which is an interesting bonus.
http://www.pardeehomes.com/carmel-country-highlands/highlands-village/floorplans/plan-3/ Wayne
THE SLOW HOME TEST Highlands Village
LOCATION: 0 Walk ability score: 8
ORIENTATION: 0
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 14
I picked two different plans from the same development which demonstrates the improvement in the slow home score with 2 different floor plans with similar square footage. In the end the location of the community stops the layout of plan #3 from becoming a slow home.
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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The Colony Townhomes
St. Tropez Floor Plan
Unit #27203
27614 N Spencer Ct, Santa Clarita, CA
1154 sq ft
LOCATION: 0 – Walk Score of 9
ORIENTATION: 0 – NW exposure
ORGANIZATION: 2 – public spaces in 2nd floor, private (bedroom/bathroom) space all on 3rd level (each having respective half of the 3rd level)
CIRCULATION: 0 – poor. living room arrangement is difficult due to entrances/acess corridors on three of the four sides (entry, stairs, kitchen). Access to kitchen difficult with dining room placement.
ENTRY: 0 – door should swing in opposite direction. no real definition. enter directly into living room space.
LIVING: 0 – focal point (fireplace) in corner. Placement of fireplace, patio doors, entry, staircase and circulation paths make for difficult furniture arrangement (only one wall to place couch on, doesn’t take advantage of teh focal point).
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 – two seperate spaces – one public, one private. proportions of private slightly better for funiture arrangement, but public could fit small table and two chairs.
KITCHEN: 1 – decent counterspace. easily manouverable once in.
DINING: 1 – a little tight, slightly blocks access to kitchen. large window.
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1 – very tight between toilet and vanity in all three bathrooms. powder room door swing is very intrusive.
STUDY: 0 – NA
LAUNDRY: 1 – good size area in front of laundry closet.
PARKING: 1 – below living space.
TOTAL: 8 – Moderately Fast
http://www.drhorton.com/corp/GetFloorPlan.do?dv=30&pr=44262&pl=1162100 Wayne
THE SLOW HOME TEST Griffith Park
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LOCATION: 0
ORIENTATION: 0
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 0
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 0 Why are all the Master bathrooms bigger than the
bedrooms?
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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7917 Willoughby
Vertical Residence 01
7917 Willoughby Ave
West Hollywood, CA
LOCATION: 3 – Walk Score of 92
ORIENTATION: 3 – SW facing. Exposure on three of four sides (end unit)
ORGANIZATION: 2 – third level devoted to private space, 2nd smei-private, 1st is public spaces
CIRCULATION: 0 – circulation path from entry to second level is dircetly through the living room and kitchen. Large amount of space on mezzanine level wasted for hallways.
ENTRY: 1 – defined by shape of living room.
LIVING: 1 – large windows. large floor space.
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1 – large private exterior area off the back of the home one the 1st level. small exterior space off the master bedroom (proportions are condusive to small seating arrangement).
KITCHEN: 0 – continuous work surfaces, but all along just one wall. lost of wasted floor space in front of bank fo cabinets. limited unoccupied counter space.
DINING: 0 – no dining room. could tuck in kitchen.
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 0 – bathroom shower off master suite is excessive in size. sink in odd place on counter.
STUDY: 1 – considered as the mezzanine.
LAUNDRY: 0 – in the kitchen.
PARKING: 0 – no info available. no garage.
TOTAL: 13 – Moderately Fast. Disappointing space allocation given it’s “high end design” marketing.
I think Liz James did this one from this project yesterday, but I found a different unit from the same project that fared better on the test. Just thought that we’re looking for the slow ones so the slower the better no?
Unfortunately the link doesn’t take you directly to the floorplan. I chose to look at “typical townhouse” unit 5B. There are some weird things in this plan, like the regular height bathroom chunked into a double-height space (do you have to climb up onto the ‘roof’ of the bathroom to dust – or worse: is it the bathroom ceiling open to the double height space???) Oh! another funny/annoying/stupid thing is the way they dealt with wasted space in the master bedroom: just don’t build a floor there! Seriously. Otherwise I thought it was ok enough to stay out of the fast ranges.
http://www.colonytownhomes.com/unit_floorplan_details.html?floorplan_id=330 Laura K
Even though the entry is quite tight, there is a closet. I also think having a bathroom on the first floor would be advantageous, but the ones around the bedrooms are good. Also find the entry into the master bedroom to be obstructed by the corner but overall, still good.
CIRCULATION: 0 Sorry but the hike to the stairs is too much.
ENTRY: 1
LIVING: 1
OUTDOOR LIVING: 1
KITCHEN: 1
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 0. Look narrow in master. The second is that to be a loft or something? No wall to the hall for the second. Also a strange boxed area with no label and what function does it serve?
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1 (NA)
LAUNDRY: 1 I think we can put a basket on the side!
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 17
http://www.standardpacifichomes.com/new-homes-floor-plans/oxnard-ventura-pacific-the-avenue-plan-1.html Leo
Standard Pacific Homes: The Avenue Oxnard, Ca
THE SLOW HOME TEST
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LOCATION: 0 (32/100 Walkability Score)
ORIENTATION: 0 (Unknown)
ORGANIZATION: 2
CIRCULATION: 2
ENTRY: 0
LIVING: 1 or 0
OUTDOOR LIVING: 0
KITCHEN: 0
DINING: 1
BEDROOMS: 1
BATHROOMS: 1
STUDY: 1
LAUNDRY: 1
PARKING: 1
TOTAL: 11
http://www.standardpacifichomes.com/new-homes-floor-plans/oxnard-ventura-pacific-the-avenue-plan-1.html Leo
I know these are late, but I thought that they were worth posting because they both got 19/20. They’re pretty close to the Rock Row project, located in the Silverlake area. I think that they are a really interesting way of increasing density in an existing neighborhood, dealing with private space, and both providing parking space and handling the slope of the site. Also, I think that they also just look neat (but I know that’s not the point…)
TOTAL: 19 The entry main level entry needs better definition and some storage, and the back entry needs that wall dotted out in the plan in order to make the adjacent space usable and give the entry a space.
TOTAL: 19 Better entry than unit A, but the dining space is just an extension of the eating bar…not sure if that’d be a nice experience to have your friends or family over for dinner and to all sit in a row.
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