I like when complex ideas are distilled into edible phrases and I think John you say it most poignantly, for me at least, when you describe plan as choreography. “Slow” choreography is deliberate, graceful and enduring. So… well-choreographed Tara, Tiffany and BradW!

Denver
http://www.mostlivable.org/general/denver-city-home.html

Fort Worth
http://www.mostlivable.org/general/fort-worth-city-home.html

Be sure and tune in tomorrow for a special announcement about Miami !!

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As for FLATS 15. LOL Can I get independent verification since it was your submission Matthew ;) ? We do have over 200 fans on facebook these days so I am not surprised the comments may not match results.

Mid America Mom

I have been especially pleased to see so many female contributors this year, only because last summer I often felt like the lone female, and a poor representative at that–there were some pretty savvy (male) designers putting up plans–but now we have both sides on the Slow Home team! And that’s a good thing. ;)

I echo Murray’s comment regarding Flats 15. I didn’t notice that many standing up for it. Perhaps Matthew and John are gathering votes around the office? ;)

The irony here is that I probably won for being the least creative. I tried to do as little as possible but as anyone who has done a renovation knows these projects tend to expand. I simply applied some of the design lessons I have learned over the past year from some of the very talented people on this site – in particular, John, Matthew, Louis P and PaulC have been most influential – thanks. I also benefitted from being around the site long enough to have done the design exercies which focused on outdoor space so I knew how much John valued that indoor/outdoor connection. So you could say I cheated! :) Anyway, I was very inmpressed with the quality, creativity and thoughtfulness of all the designs – Slow Home must be doing something right…

In most cases I would agree with the idea that your architect friend had about seeing through the house from the front entry – particularly in a small house. It can give a feeling of openness to the experience, and thus to the whole space (and make a small house feel larger).

If this is either not possible or desirable then it is important to carefully consider what the view from the entry will be. A clear visual connection with the principal living space is usually essential because it helps establish where you are to go.

I like to think of the floor plan as a choreography of movement through the house.

1) I had a local architect comment on the issue of the view from the front entry to the rear of the house. He said that was a design technique he was attempting to follow on his plans. So I guess he was saying that when you walk in the front door you should have a clear view through the house and into the back yard. I noticed that your plan with the kitchen to the right had such a view. What is your take on this concept?

Which leads me to my second question:
2) In the past you have pointed out issues with certain “views” on a plan. For example, the view down a hallway or into a powder room from the kitchen. Could you expand on those comments…I think it would help me in my designs.

There must be a lot of stealth voters out there – re: the townhouse vote – the vast majority of commentators voted for Zuni, and yet Flats 15 was a “clear winner”.

It would be great to hear from a greater variety of people about their decision-making process; we can all learn from other points of view.

I think the images for Brad W’s design and Tara’s design were swithed. Who won?? Tara’s U shaped kitchen or Brad’s open plan with the back yard connection.

Cheers