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02/03/10 – Toronto – Small Single Family <2500 sqft
March 2nd, 2010  |  73 Comments

House 1

House 2

House 3

House 4

House 5

  • MollyK

    Good morning,
    I’ve glanced at the houses but not sure the assignment…is there a video included with this segment? Help!

  • BradW

    I cannot spend much time on here today so I will share the following site – http://www.newhomes.org/find_builder.asp – this provides a list of builder/developers operating in the GTA

    MollyK – select BrantHaven Homes (hint: current communities Bronte Creek) and see what you think

  • Murray

    Thoughts on entries …

    Entries are primarily functional spaces and should be dealt with as such. Regardless of climate the front entry should be a contained space separate from neighbouring rooms. A hallway and closet are features that can help to minimally define this space. Both hallway and closet should be as generous in dimension as is possible for ease of function. A bench/storage unit is a useful piece of furniture at any entry.

    Last week Jenny and MollyK had a conversation about airlocks. This addition of a walled-off space would especially define an entry, and may increase its functionality. As an example, I lived in the Arctic for a while. My house had a separate entry room that had a tiled floor, a sizeable bench, and lots of coat hooks – it was a space large enough to hold boots, parkas and other winter clothing, etc. One needed to go through another door to get into the rest of the house. The back entry was another separate, unheated, space that served as a freezer for game food storage. This is an extreme climate example, but my main point is functionality for any situation. (Other interesting features regard plumbing as it applies to perma-frost, but I digress)

    Is there a parallel need for a separate entry room in an extremely hot climate? Anyone?

    Other public points of entry/egress could be for access patios and terraces – often from dining or living rooms, so hopefully furniture doesn’t impede easy access.

    I think of a back entry as more functional for family members rather than guests, but again it should be a generously proportioned space with lots of storage. Ideally it should be near the kitchen, again for practical function.

    Garage entries should be isolated from primary living spaces for both health and aesthetic concerns.

    I don’t mind powder rooms near entries – this location usually mean they are away from public spaces and allow for privacy and ease of use by guests.

  • John Brown

    Molly K,

    Sorry for the confusion. The idea for today is to discuss what you think is important about the front and back entry. The video and selected house links are more for background.

  • Eunice

    Comment: Borderline Fast – Moderately Fast. Some things I don’t like are the family bathroom’s strange layout (open the door and the first thing you see is the toilet), that master closet that tries to make you think there’s more space than there is, the living/dining that can really only fit one of those uses, the bad back entry/stair landing, and that stupid ‘decorative column’. Also, the laundry room is really just a couple of machines stuck in the unfinished basement. I do, however, really like the kitchen. I wish that the living room put the fireplace on the side wall rather than blocking the view of the garden, but I guess I can forgive this one.

    Project Name: Boxgrove – Lindley

    Size: 1707 sq ft

    Project Address: 59-99 Lady Fern Dr Markham, ON

    Project URL: http://www.aristahomes.com/new-homes-markham/boxgrove/floorplans/lindley

    Slow Home Test Score: 7

  • Eunice

    Comment: Did a bit better. I assumed that media room on the second level would never be a bedroom 4.

    Project Name: Boxgrove – Champlain

    Size: 2343 sq ft

    Project Address: 59-99 Lady Fern Dr Markham, ON

    Project URL: http://www.aristahomes.com/new-homes-markham/boxgrove/floorplans/champlain

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Eunice

    Comment: One more (there’s a lot of plans on this site)

    Project Name: Boxgrove – Bedford

    Size: 2512 sq ft

    Project Address: 59-99 Lady Fern Dr Markham, ON

    Project URL: http://www.aristahomes.com/new-homes-markham/boxgrove/floorplans/bedford

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Tom E

    Hi, M.A.M and MollyK

    I tried to do the legwork at lunch time on 40 Spring Farm Rd. It is 5 minutes from work. The sales office did not open untill 1:00pm but I did manage to get a sale brochure but no site plan. 40 Spring Farm Rd faces south. The Brochure states, Balwin is on a 38′ lot.

    Hope that helps

    Cheers

  • John Brown

    Tom E,
    That is above and beyond the call of duty and a first for the Slow Home Project.

    Thank you.

  • Terri

    We had a very good discussion about entries some time ago, with lots of ideas on what makes a good entry. Check out Room by Room in the archives.

  • Alejandro

    Comment: No siteplan. Nice try on the name – this “bungalow” has a loft!

    Project Name: Strawberry Fields @ South Fields: Apple Blossom Bungalow

    Size: 1962 sq ft

    Project Address: 12515 Kennedy Rd Caledon, ON

    Project URL: http://www.monarchgroup.net/398,20-new-homes-CA-L7C-2G8-ON-Strawberry-Fields-at-South-Fields-Community.aspx

    Slow Home Test Score: 6

  • Alejandro

    Comment: Pretty speedy!

    Project Name: Strawberry Fields @ South Fields: Silver Creek

    Size: 2477 sq ft

    Project Address: 12515 Kennedy Rd Caledon, ON

    Project URL: http://www.monarchgroup.net/398,20-new-homes-CA-L7C-2G8-ON-Strawberry-Fields-at-South-Fields-Community.aspx

    Slow Home Test Score: 4

  • John Brown

    Terri,
    Thanks for the reference to the earlier work. I thought that we should revisit the discussion and fine tune it to the small house condition that we are currently looking at. I was hoping it wouldn’t be too repetitive.

    If it is, we can develop another kind of exercise for Tuesdays.

  • Terri

    John,
    I didn’t mean to imply that there’s no point in discussing entries again. think the repetition is fitting since there seems to be a new set of regular Slow Homers who were not participating during that earlier discussion. I just thought some of these ones might like to see what kinds of ideas we all had then. I remember there being a lot of participation and specifics discussed.
    (Note: for a couple of good entry examples, see the post I put in yesterday’s segment–I should have posted it here, I realized later.)

  • Lucas

    Comment: Good afternoon! Here’s an example of design sloppiness. On the main floor, the separation of the ‘great room’ from the ‘dinette’ and kitchen is wholly unnecessary. The corner fireplace on the opposite wall of the windows makes you either position the furniture to ignore the view or the fireplace (not to mention the desire to rotate everything to line up with the angle). On the upper floor, it is just plain laziness that leads to the bathroom getting a street facing window and bedroom 2 left with a sideyard window. There is clearly enough room to put the bedroom at the front and move the bathroom and laundry over to the middle/side of the plan.

    Project Name: Ravines of Dufferin – The Deerfield

    Size: 2050 sq ft

    Project Address: Ivy Glen Dr Vaughan, ON

    Project URL: http://www.newinhomes.com/ontario/maple-development-2371/floorplans-18250.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Mid America Mom

    @DISCUSSION for today:
    ENTRIES
    -
    What is wrong, what is right, what are the essential characteristics for the front and back (service or garage) entries in a home under 2500 sq feet?

    **********************************************************************

    Of course I have Toronto, a cold climate on the brain, but even for warmer climates I think the following would apply.

    What is wrong with many entries? A front or back entry that has someone enter directly into a principle room is not really an entry. An entry without easy and close access to closet is also not slow.

    As in life, first impressions -the front entry, DO MATTER. Ask any real estate agent that it takes someone less than one minute to form an impression.

    Our exercises in the slow home project talk much about the function of a home via a floorplan but this space in the planning process needs more consideration than that.

    The front entry does not just start at the door but on the outside and continues in.

    First element is that there should be a defined and welcoming space in the front of the home. We would have a walkway to a space that is like a patio, stoop, or porch. Some natural landscaping should surround the area. This is letting everyone know this is where they enter the home. The stoop should be able to handle at least two people and in cold or rainy climates have an overhang from the elements. A light fixture should adequately light this space.

    Secondly the door should match the scale and size of the front of the home. A narrow home with a garage in front probably is best served with a single door and wide homes can think about a double door. If energy conservation is a concern you should stick to a single door and supplement with other elements such as a fixed window.

    Moving into the home. Here we should enter a space that is pleasant, well lit, and gives us a sense of what is to come. This is one place in the home that you can be a bit more creative with materials and style.

    It should at least be able to handle three people (the host and two guests) comfortably. So be mindful of door swings and furniture needs. Besides the use of at least one or more light fixtures there should be some natural light in the space. One simple way is with a sidelight to the door or windows in the door. This also can be from a nearby window or skylight.

    Be mindful of capturing the eye. A feature wall with art or photos, long view into a principle room, hanging chandelier, dramatic staircase design, a piece of heirloom furniture are some examples. Some play with ceiling height from short to soaring. This continues to the flooring. It should appropriate to the climate but there is no need to limit yourself to the ceramic 6 by 6. Inlays in wood, decorative tile, colorful rugs can work.

    In close proximity there should be a 4 or more foot closet to handle coats and other items your guests bring. Closets in general are not a work of beauty and so you should stay away from placing it somewhere that draws attention to itself. Shifting it behind the entry door when it swings or around a corner (closeby) are ways to achieve this. As you move from the entry to other rooms this is a natural hallway. In an open floor plan you may want to differentiate this space as well.

    Back entries are the true entries in today’s home. These usually are off the garage. Make sure there is plenty of space for a few people to stand at the same time. There should be no conflicting door swings or circulation. A slow way to design a back entry is by placing it in the same space as the front. Why should the family not enjoy that space? You get function and beauty.

    Either way there are three key points for the design.

    1. Durable materials on the floor and the walls. This will get alot of traffic. 2. Place for all the extra stuff the family has (backbacks, purses, keys, sunglasses, maybe their shoes…). Things to consider are freestanding furniture solutions, shelves or hooks, a closet with an organizer. 3. For a slow home there should be a place to sit down. A stool or bench is helpful for taking off shoes. It helps to extend the life or maintain the condition of your flooring and cleanliness of the home.

    Another popular design is to combine the back entry with a laundry space. This can work but there should be enough room for both functions.

    Mid America Mom

  • Mid America Mom

    ****THANK YOU TOM E******** that was fantastic you went over to Spring FARM!

    It is interesting that Minto does not have a siteplan either on the internet or the brochure.

  • John Brown

    M.A.M
    It is certainly interesting but not unexpected that there is no site plan. I continue to be amazed at how few developments actually provide this really critical piece of information.

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: A small town away from the city. Another home without duplicate spaces. But also another builder without a site plan or actual address.

    The U kitchen is fine (YEAH DW on the right) but the eating area needs to be a little bigger. Cannot figure out where the laundry is. The powder room is like 9 by 3 and the master vanity is huge. The great room has minimal circulation which is great. Here is a switchback return stair and it helps upstairs. All rooms face back or front and have plenty of closet space.

    Project Name: Milton Ridge

    Size: 1597

    Project Address: Milton ON

    Project URL: http://www.countryhomes.ca/milton/cypress.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Rita H.

    Comment: Not sure about this square footage, I think it looks much bigger than what they say it is.

    Project Name: East Gate – Cornell

    Size: 1263 sq ft

    Project Address: 61-149 Bonspiel Dr Toronto, ON

    Project URL: http://www.conservatorygroup.com/eastgate_cornellflp.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Rita H.

    Comment: Another one of these site-plan-less communities. Even if you were lucky enough (or willing to pay extra) for a well-oriented lot, the design of the house only coincidentally responds to the sun – obviously the design decisions are more about creating a sellable image of homeliness than making some nice interiors.

    Project Name: East Gate – Stanford

    Size: 1664 sq ft

    Project Address: 61-149 Bonspiel Dr Toronto, ON

    Project URL: http://www.conservatorygroup.com/eastgate_stanfordflp.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Mid America Mom

    MollyK and Brad W- I will be on that branthaven builder , if you do not or Someone else…, within the next 1.5 hours. Looking at blake and cezanne.

  • Alejandro

    Comment: All bedrooms get ‘the chamfer’! 3 decorative columns??? I wonder how would people respond if we called these ‘non-structural’ or ‘design elements’ or ‘faux’ or ‘inessential’… “Oh, they’re decorative are they? Sounds nice.”

    Project Name: Oakdale Village – Meadowbrook

    Size: 2046 sq ft

    Project Address: 2-98 Leila Jackson Terrace

    Project URL: http://www.conservatorygroup.com/oakdale_meadowbrookflp.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 5

  • MollyK

    Good afternoon everyone,
    My thoughts on entries are pretty simple. Overall, in my opinion, front entries are formal (not a dirty area). Back entries are more utilitarian (junky places). In a perfect world (MY perfect world), the back entry would share a common space with the laundry area ONLY if the two spaces didn’t overlap as they do in House 2. The garage entry in that example is an abomination on so many levels. I know this from personal experience…I am the queen of “functional conflict” (John’s description of that entry.) My laundry shares the dirty back entry into our home…it took less than a month of washing clothes in my new home to realize the design flaw. I’ve hated that space ever since.
    It probably comes as no surprise that I do not like the entries in House 4 or 5 because the garage entry shares the closet at the front of the house. Tracking dirt through the foyer to hang up a coat constitutes mutiny by the maid (Hint: me). At least in House 4 the dirt may not make it passed the long hallway, BUT in House 5 you step right into the foyer from the garage bringing in the dirt from your shoes (and clothes, depending on what you’ve been doing.) That is a terrible design in my opinion.
    I’m looking forward to submitting my comment so I can start reading yours. Here goes:

  • Terri

    Reposting earlier comments put on yesterday’s segment:
    Like Brad, I’ve been kind of shocked at how there are so many of these neo-traditional homes still being built around Toronto. I thought TO was the centre of Canada’s design community…looks like there’s been more progress out west to design more individualistic developments, often with more attention to so-called Green advances.

    Someone made a comment about the “great room” and wondered about the term. I may be wrong, but I think this is a term popularized in the US. Twenty years ago when I first bought houseplan books to peruse, the US ones were those that seemed to like this term for a large living room. I think the concept behind it was to stop having a “living” room and a “family” room and just have one “great” room.

  • MollyK

    Hey folks, I think I’ll address each person’s submission separately while my thoughts are fresh. First…
    Murray,
    WOW! What an awesome experience for you in the Artic. I can imagine the need for an airlock!
    I live in a hot humid climate on the coast of North Carolina and think an airlock would be great. Anything to keep heat and humidity from entering the conditioned living space would be nice. We also have mosquitoes and they can get in when you open any door for any reason. However, I haven’t run across many airlocks in this area.
    As for powder rooms at the front entrance…I’ve seen both good and bad designs. I think the notion of privacy overall is true.

  • Alejandro

    Comment: walkscore 26/100

    Project Name: Walnut Grove in Spring Valley

    Size: 2500 sq ft

    Project Address: 213-299 Valleyway Dr Brampton, ON

    Project URL: http://www.conservatorygroup.com/walnutv_howardflp.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 3

  • Braden

    Comment:

    Project Name: Upper Thornhill Estates – The Degas

    Size: 2100 sq ft

    Project Address: 1-99 Little Natalie Ct, Vaughan, ON

    Project URL: http://www.newinhomes.com/ontario/thornhill-development-2370/floorplans-18243.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • MollyK

    M.A.M.
    You certainly went above the call of duty with your comments on ‘entries’. A couple of offerings on my part…I totally forgot to mention the need for a covered stoop at the front entrance. And let’s make sure it is big enough to keep some of the rain off the guests! I agree that light in a front entry is a must. A transom over the door is another way for light to enter the foyer. One reason (among many) why I don’t like garages that jut out beyond the house front is because they obstruct light from entering the foyer.
    While reading your comments I remembered seeing a number of foyer closets in yesterday’s plans that were described as having “mirrored” sliders for doors. This conjures up some really gross images in my mind. Personally, I can’t stomach mirrors on closet doors in bedrooms (where you actually use them to view your outfit) much less in a formal foyer. Have you seen any foyers that incorporate this design feature? And if so, what did you think?

  • Lucas

    Comment: Sorry about the flash site. The plan I reviewed was a 45′ lot. I had to overlook some drawbacks in the room by room categories since some things were issues, but not big enough issues to revoke the point (or maybe I’m just a bit too nice!).

    Project Name: The Ravines of Countryside – Diamond 3

    Size: 1850 sq ft

    Project Address: Blue Iris Trail, Brampton, ON

    Project URL: http://www.centurygrovehomes.ca/core/index.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • MollyK

    Tom E.,
    What can I say but KUDOS to you for your tenacity with 40 Spring Farm Road!!! Your actions are a pleasant surprise in a world full of not-so-pleasant surprises. Thanks again.

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: Organization: the main areas are separated creating a long, snaking central hallway and a lot of wasted space – also, the loft is just a big waste of space itself! Dining: the breakfast nook and the dining room are directly next to eachother, save for the optional french doors! There is a siteplan, but it isn’t labelled or clear what is going on.

    Project Name: Rosedale Village – Juliet Rose

    Size: 1966 sq. ft.

    Project Address: Antilia St, Brampton

    Project URL: http://www.rosedalevillage.com/floorplans/julietrose.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 6

  • Murray

    I have had some free time over the past few days to participate in this house-hunting exercise in TO and area.

    Maybe my internet search skills are no better or worse than other SlowHomers, but we all seem to be finding the same projects – both in a literal sense of finding exactly the same site, same house, same floor plan, but also in a more general sense in that, regardless of the developer, all the houses look the same. They are all really prosaic, and the participants gave low scores to the overwhelming majority of these houses.

    Are there really architects involved in the design of these houses? This is not a rhetorical question. Where are these people trained, and what are they being taught? What are the constraints on their time and creative energy that their projects are so poorly considered? Why is it that they are all coming up with the same formula?

    Is this really what the average consumer wants? These communities seem to pander to a particular demographic that has some pre-conceived notion of what it is they want, or think they want. Are they seeking to replicate some suburban ideal brought to them through lived childhood experience and/or the TV set? I like Terri’s term “neo-traditional” but I don’t like what it describes.

    On the other hand, does the average consumer want this type of home because this is what is presented to them and they are offered no choice and don’t think there is anything else out there that they can afford.

    The best homes I found were one-off designs or renos. Most people will think that they cannot afford an architect, or they cannot afford the land on which to build. Choice becomes increasingly limited as developers buy up vast tracks of land for future development.

    Either scenario of implied or enforced desire points to a lack of education, and therefore a lack of imagination and the ability to consider what could be better in these suburban developments, again, both on the part of the consumer and on the part of the developer. Basic good, functional design does not depend on green technologies and these should not be used to gloss over inadequacies in design and/or used as a crutch to shore up bad architecture.

    This really points to the value of the work and ideals of SlowHome, and also illustrates the need to educate and to get the word out there to try to initiate change (for the good).

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: Organization: really really bad. It’s basically a collection of disconnected parts. The circulation route goes right through the kitchen work area! Living: I wonder if the “sunroon” will actually get sun…(it’s not that bad a space if it does). It makes no sense to see such a cramped garage and laundry room in a house with so much spare square footage. You think that they could have carved off some inches just so I could fit by the car with my groceries!

    Project Name: Rosedale Village – The Serenade Rose

    Size: 1580 sq. ft.

    Project Address: Antilia St, Brampton

    Project URL: http://www.rosedalevillage.com/floorplans/serenade.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 6

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Hi- this is the submission from BradW’s suggestion.

    For the first plan we have a 1900 foot 4 bed 2.5 bath – 1 car home. Notice that the garage does not overwhelm the facade. The front window and the entry overhang help to keep the focus on the living part of the plan.

    The organization looks good. Hallway on the first floor is confined around the garage. All bedrooms are on the second floor. To make this home more slow we decided to take the garage door into the front of the home for a shared entry. The closet can handle our things and that angled wall would be nice for a small table for keys and purses. The front also has a dining and or study space. As configured without doors I scored it as dining. The angle, while we do not care for them, does not place the footage at such a disadvantage where a table cannot fit. Living is tucked in back and open. No circulation through this space as exit is in the kitchen area. The kitchen, around 7 by 12, is a broken U. We have a window above the sink which is a nice touch but this kitchen fails. The refrigerator is next to circulation for stairs going down :( Upstairs we have reasonable sized bedrooms and baths. One bedroom faces a side yard. All baths have natural light. The master bath attempts to hide the toilet from public view with a knee wall. They also placed mirrored sliding closet doors right outside the bath- nice touch for those of us who like to look at our whole look for the day.

    While this is a nice plan it is not a walkable location and no mention of environment.

    Project Name: Bronte Creek

    Size: 1895

    Project Address: Bronte and Dundas Oakville ON

    Project URL: http://www.branthaven.com/pdf/bronte_blake.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 14

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Here is another slow floor plan from Bronte Creek. Again the issue is the non walkable location and no environment concerns or leed certification.

    The first floor is where they needed to do a little more work. This is an oversized one car garage (two cannot fit in this 15 by 20 space as you need at least 19 by 19). The front entry is great but the garage entry suffers from a lack of space. Too bad they did not turn the entry and share with the front.

    The living and dining space can handle both a table and living furniture with windows on two sides and a fireplace for focal. In the kitchen we would NOT choose the bar as it would take away from the nook. The nook can handle the exit and a table but not more. THe kitchen is a U and has a nice triangle. We would have loved a window here.

    Upstairs we have three decent sized bedrooms and closets. The master bath packs 4 fixtures and a large vanity. A door change and addition of a linen closet would have worked better here. The other two baths in the plan work. As shown this floor also has a family room space with optional media niche OR could be a bedroom. Being 12 by 14 with a generous front window either would work. Love that flexibility.

    Project Name: Bronte Creek

    Size: 2100

    Project Address: Bronte and Dundas Oakville ON

    Project URL: http://www.branthaven.com/pdf/bronte_cezanne.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 13

  • Mid America Mom

    Hi Murray thank you for the comments on entries and what you are seeing in TO.

    You are right! My eyes are getting tired looking at the same stuff. There does seem to be less variation with the builders here.

    I am still looking. I want to get into a map situation and see what else is in the suburbs of Richmond Hill, Vaughn, Brampton, and is there anything in Mississauga? These may have better walk scores.

    In my experience back at home, US midwest, I would look at the 60′s ranch- 1 story- homes for slowness. So I tried to find a ranch plan in this market that was slow but that has not happened :(

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: FAST ALERT!! Can we post a sign that says ” KEEP OUT! ”

    Project Name: Milton Trails

    Size: 2144

    Project Address: Derry and Tremaine Milton ON

    Project URL: http://www.fieldgatehomes.com/index.cgi?d=homeDetail&m=66331620&c=712639499

    Slow Home Test Score: 4

  • Joti Singh

    Comment:

    Project Name: Thornberry Woods, Sugarberry

    Size: 2385 sq ft

    Project Address: Maurier Blvd Vaughan, ON

    Project URL: http://www.tiffanyparkhomes.com/thornberry_sugarberry.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Joti Singh

    Comment: Best. Name. Ever.

    Project Name: Heritage Meadows – Golden Delicious

    Size: 1995 sq ft

    Project Address: Solace Rd Markham, ON

    Project URL: http://www.ballantryhomes.com/Public/HomeDetailInfo.aspx?ID=43

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: Organization: Wasted space on the upper level in the hall, lots of chamfers, dislocation of main spaces. Living: The oversize fireplace cuts off light and the view of the garden. Dining: It’s so removed from the kitchen to be used on a regular basis and the breakfast nook seems too big. The garage is too small. Bathrooms: the family one is kind of awkward, and the giant tub in the master clinched a NO from me.

    Project Name: Magnolia – Bayside

    Size: 1967 sq. ft.

    Project Address: 2501-2719 Mayfield Rd Brampton, ON

    Project URL: http://www.aristahomes.com/new-homes-brampton/magnolia/inventory-floorplans/%7B9cd20d42-650e-4dce-ba1e-6186f00543dd%7D

    Slow Home Test Score: 7

  • Claudette N.

    Comment:

    Project Name: Valleybrooke Estates – Cezanne

    Size: 2200 sq. ft.

    Project Address: Retreat Blvd, Vaughan, ON

    Project URL: http://www.tiffanyparkhomes.com/valley_410_cezanne.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 7

  • Claudette N.

    Comment: It’s disrespectful to use the names Manet and Cezanne anything, let alone these poorly designed ‘homes’.

    Project Name: Valleybrooke Estates – Manet

    Size: 2600 sq. ft.

    Project Address: Retreat Blvd, Vaughan, ON

    Project URL: http://www.tiffanyparkhomes.com/valley_403_manet.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 6

  • Richard J

    Comment: Garage is wayyyy too narrow for 2 cars, huuuuuge if there’s only 1.

    Project Name: Castlefields – Dorchester

    Size: 2005 sq ft

    Project Address: 2-98 Brackenbridge St Ajax, ON

    Project URL: http://www.medalliondevelopments.com/floorplan/cas_dorch37.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 6

  • MollyK

    Murray,
    You said a mouth-full! One thing that constantly haunts me is the lot layout in these developments. How do you design a house to fit these lots? Developers talk a good talk about designing the community with you (the buyer) in mind but no one in their right mind (and good conscience) would provide such crappy homesites. Pardon the pun but narrow lots box you in. In general, lot shape seems to dictate the floorplan of a home. And I believe the low SlowHome scores indicate that such plans are NOT livable, no matter how green they claim to be or how lavishly they are furnished. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I actually found a floorplan with the garage on the side of the house. I was so overjoyed it was pitiful.
    On occasion I cut through older neighborhoods in my area (brick ranches with small windows) and am thankful I don’t live in those old homes. But what I marvel at is the lot size and shape. I wonder how much it would cost to remove these homes little by little as they become vacant and rebuild more energy-efficient homes in their place. I’m sure it is more money than most local officials deem reasonable…so I just consider it a pipe-dream.
    One other catalyst in this saga is the home buyer…I think a large portion of them simply are uneducated about good homes. They are often enticed by photos of luxuriously furnished rooms and beautifully manicures lawns which may only be an artist’s rendering. They don’t know enough to distinguish between true high-quality materials and cheaper, more abundant substitutes. Many don’t do their homework…and with the internet there’s no reason not to be a smarter home buyer.
    O.K., I didn’t speak to the question of educated architects…I really have no idea what they are thinking sometimes. It would be interesting to interview various architects and ask them about some of their worst designing experiences in the industry. Maybe it would shed some light on their struggles and help us empathize with them.

  • Richard J

    Comment: Pretty fast indeed.

    Project Name: Castlefields – Ascot

    Size: 1462 sq ft

    Project Address: 2-98 Brackenbridge St Ajax, ON

    Project URL: http://www.medalliondevelopments.com/floorplan/cas_ascot30.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 5

  • Richard J

    Comment: Stair location is bad, route to main living space undermines living/dining room; there is a long hallway on the upper level; bad walkscore (2); bedrooms have lots of problems.

    Project Name: Castlefields – Heston

    Size: 2365 sq ft

    Project Address: 2-98 Brackenbridge St Ajax, ON

    Project URL: http://www.medalliondevelopments.com/floorplan/cas_heston37.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 5

  • Joti Singh

    Comment: 1/3

    Project Name: Somerset – Bronze

    Size: 1716 sq ft

    Project Address: 1757-1999 Salem Rd Ajax, ON

    Project URL: http://www.menkes.com/pdf/Plan341%20Bronze.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Joti Singh

    Comment: 2/3

    Project Name: Somerset – The Topaz

    Size: 2124 sq ft

    Project Address: 1757-1999 Salem Rd Ajax, ON

    Project URL: http://www.menkes.com/pdf/4207F.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • MollyK

    M.A.M
    I looked at Brad’s suggested website…BrantHaven Homes, particularly Bronte Creek. I was impressed with the consistently well-designed floorplans. None of them were perfect…but somehow they felt more thoughtfully rendered. One of my favorites was The Varley…not too surprising it was a slightly wider floorplan (no bowling lane feel). I can’t tell you how that helps make a floorplan more livable. My single FAVORITE element of all is the 2-way fireplace in The Sisley!!!! Talk about form and function. I don’t mind the use of walls to provide some separation of rooms and the fireplace is such a pleasant surprise. It is ohh-la-la!
    I haven’t scored any Bronte Creek floorplans. Frankly my eyes are worn out so kudos to you for scoring some.

  • Manolo

    Comment: Energy Star Spec 3.0 Community

    Project Name: Vellore Village – The Goldini

    Size: 2205 sq ft

    Project Address: Emily Anna St, Vaughan, ON

    Project URL: http://www.homebuyers.com/search/floor_plans.jsp?modelID=18287&cityIDs=null&modelIDs=null&searchback=/builder/builderproject.jsp&builderID=164&ext=1&projectID=2158&projectID=2158&ext=-1&backtomodel=/grandopening/grandopening.jsp&ext=1

    Slow Home Test Score: 5

  • Joti Singh

    Comment: 3/3 Whew! I tried and tried and I got little from Somerset.

    Project Name: Somerset – Alabaster, Corner

    Size: 2465 sq ft

    Project Address: 1757-1999 Salem Rd Ajax, ON

    Project URL: http://www.menkes.com/pdf/Plan426%20Alabaster.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Manolo

    Comment: Walkscore: 63/100
    I appreciate where this was going, being an infill and a taller, nearly townhome type, but it just didn’t have the skills to pay the bills.

    Project Name: Westown – 32 Series, 2458 sq ft

    Size: 2458 sq ft

    Project Address: 2277 Sheppard Ave. W Toronto, ON

    Project URL: http://www.hr-newhomes.com/%28rsekxb45znmnbh45be1nwi45%29/westown/ModelDetails.aspx?Community=19&Series=89&Model=298&ModelNo=2458

    Slow Home Test Score: 7

  • BradW

    I think everyone is being a little harsh on the location points. Like most major centers, Toronto and the surrounding area is geared towards using the car. There are many great walkable locations but they are just not new and they are certainly not affordable. There is much more to a location than whether a grocery store is within walking distance. What about nature, trails, parks? Most suburban areas have these amenities. Let’s not take ourselves so seriously and be somewhat more realistic. Yesterday when I complained about the state of housing design in the GTA I was not concerned at all about the suburban locations (well, except for Brampton :)).

  • Rita H.

    Comment:

    Project Name:

    Size:

    Project Address:

    Project URL:

    Slow Home Test Score: 0

  • Rita H.

    Comment:

    Project Name: Thornhill Valley – The Caymus

    Size: 1602 sq ft

    Project Address: 1600-1794 Rutherford Rd Vaughan, ON

    Project URL: http://www.newinhomes.com/ontario/thornhill-development-2851/floorplans-16244.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 4

  • Braden

    Comment: Perhaps one of the worst 45 degree rotated geometry master bathrooms I’ve ever seen.

    Project Name: The Mills of Highland Creek – The Kettleby

    Size: 2710 sq ft

    Project Address: 1-19 Cosens St Toronto, ON

    Project URL: http://www.newinhomes.com/ontario/toronto-development-2493/floorplans-13215.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 7

  • Mid America Mom

    HI Molly have I seen mirrored closets in the entry? no (where I grew up there is lots of traditional styling like we see here in Toronto) Would I want them in the entry? no

    I think they are ok in a bedroom as long as it is not directly facing the room. I saw one today in a Bronte plan I did for BradW and you and I. There is no need to visually expand a bedroom space. A bedroom should slow, not supersized ;)

  • Mid America Mom

    HI BradW.
    For all the plans I run them through the walk score internet site. My baseline is 70 for YES. Those green communities near Newmarket I scored- I think one had a 63 which was a big surprise for such a smaller town.

    Some locations we do not see access to transportation in the walk score. You will not find the TTC listed as I think walk score says not open source or something like that. (Side note- I have issues with TTC beyond that. You never know how long it takes on the subway from point A to B. I hardly take the street car or bus due to my location so not sure there). But I did notice the york region and the folks in Mississauga are listed in walk score (maybe even the GO).

    So I hear what you are saying… there are walkable smaller towns or places within these smaller towns that are walkable or have nice features like the nature trails. But seems like many of these developments are ahead of the services and stores.

  • Anonymous

    Mid America Mom

    The main public transit in Toronto is the TTC. Living in the subway line is very desirable as the subway offers very good service. If you live off the subway line but within Toronto and its boroughs you can connect using a TTC bus or streetcar. For those who live outside the 416 area code your public transit needs into Toronto are served by Government of Ontario (GO) trains and buses. Here again living on a GO train route is more desirable. If you have to take the GO train it is best if you work downtown in TO. Having to transfer onto the subway to go to midtown adds time and cost to the commute. To give you an idea of the costs of public transport in Toronto a one way subway ride is $3 and a one way GO train ride of approx. 1 hour is $8. Commuting from Milton to downtown Toronto takes 50 minutes each and costs $16 per day. Of course, you must drive to and from the GO station. Driving, on an accident free clear day, would take an average 70 minutes each way with parking costs of $15 per day.

  • BradW

    Correction – Living near the subway line is preferrable to living in the subway line. Subways tend to be noisy, dark and dirty as opposed to light and open…

  • Mid America Mom

    HI Brad- thanks for the info when not on the subway line..

    *Ayyone up for the task? If you are up to it I found a development with REAR garages in Markham. I am going to score at least two from the 9M lots.

    http://www.madisonhomes.ca/cornell/

  • Terri

    BradW,
    Your comment regarding Brampton interested me. I ended up there when some of the closer burbs wouldn’t come up with options on the website I used. The first place was a little cul de sac within established neighbourhood within walking distance of local services. The second was obviously once farm country–is this happening a lot around there now?

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Different. One thing you will notice is that these homes have rear garages. They do not share a backyard- looks like the good old days with alleys.

    Not a walkable location.

    If you like getting exercise going up and down stairs and kitchen as grand central station this plan is for you. Multilevel home. The garage is in the basement area along with the laundry (not so good- it is unfinished). The main floor houses a kitchen in the middle of the plan. It is a hub of circulation and the size listed is really not its real working footprint. It just is too cramped. Why is that stove there? The living and dining space though is sound. The family room has space though I wish we had more windows. Upstairs is three bedrooms, the master is long at 18 and another is to the sideyard :(. The baths look good.
    *Too bad we did not find this yesterday. A first for me and slow home?- A WALK IN CLOSET for the ENTRY. The back entry has its own closet and covered porch.

    Project Name: Cornell Rouge

    Size: 2023

    Project Address: 16th and Ressor Markham ON

    Project URL: http://www.madisonhomes.ca/cornell/floorplans/30_2023.htm

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Mid America Mom

    Terri- it is close to our major airport and growing.
    BradW :) I can think of a few homes here downtown that probably do feel that way.

    I have lived most of my life in the suburbs. After the initial “what? Don’t use the car and WALK??” shock , I actually like having things so close and accessible. Now I try to avoid using the car and the family is in better cardio shape.

  • Vickie

    a little though about the Entry…

    I think they need to address the outside space (porch) as well as the inside. In the inside entry space, there should be a closet in close distance, which does not obstruct the entry door and could also frame the space. Even in warmer climates, a closet is necessary!

    A floor detail – is for tiles to be far enough to reach the entry of closet (in some instances it is not, such as my current home, and creates a worn spot on the carpet).
    In the case of a garage, I find it effective when the entry is tiled from front door to back door (garage door), if organization allows. I also find it effective to have the laundry in the back entry but still needs a closet for the muddy boots!

  • Vickie

    oops. i mean THOUGHT about the Entry

  • Jenny

    Ok Slowhomers,

    I have a confession to make. I work for a developer!!! Ok so don’t hurt me too much. Another confession – I am an architect – registered and all. Please don’t hurt me again.

    This is why I am so frustrated in my job I guess. I just wanted to respond to a few comments made by a few people today on developers, architects and home buyers as this is my world.

    Firstly, developers develop land for people to build houses on. Yes, they also wish to make money from this – let’s be frank. However, not all developers are the spawn of satan and some do wish to actually build decent communities for people. Developers also work within regulatory frameworks and development agreements that mean that they need to provide a certain number of dwellings/hectare (i guess it’s per acre in your case) and a certain area of parks, retail, schools etc.,etc. Also there are efficiencies achieved by certain lot dimensions and proportions (not that I am suggesting every lot should be a cricket pitch). Developers do measure the areas of roads, saleable land, parks etc. obsessively to make sure they have the most efficient layout. Probably where I work a good efficiency is say 70% – that is 70% of the total land area can be sold. This varies depending on the layout. Believe it or not the company I work for does take orientation into account when designing our lots – this can affect the lot dimensions whether a lot is running north/south or east/west. Then of course you need to think about the pricepoint of the lot. While most people in Sydney would like to buy a 1/4 acre lot, the sad fact of the matter is that they couldn’t afford it. Our real estate is the second most expensive in the world after Vancouver. There is no real point in having large lots if people can’t afford to buy it. As well there are often developer contributions (paid by developers not to them) of about $50k per lot before you even start.

    I am not trying to say that all developers are saints and that all their work is good. There are some that I would not for a second consider working for. We also do have robust discussions in our office between the urban design team and the “beanies” (financial controllers) to get what is hopefully a happy medium.

    Now – Architects. In my experience most architects are not interested in the slightest in mass housing. Most want to only so bespoke houses in the posh parts of town. That is why I am so enthusiastic about Slowhome because here are architects willing to look at houses not designed by architects. Why am I interested in mass housing- I guess it’s because I grew up there. I lived in one of these houses that was too hot in summer and too cold in winter (it wasn’t on a narrow lot by the way, so you can still get poor design on a wide lot). My parents were/are a supermarket worker and a factory worker so they were never going to go to an architect.

    I think architects should get involved in mass housing to improve the overall standard of design for everyone.

    Now- home buyers. Most home buyers I meet are definitely uneducated in these things and don’t even understand why it is important to know where north is. In Sydney we have “homeworld” which is a display village with over 100 homes in it. The vast majority of people go there and are overwhelmed by the fancy kitchens and bathrooms. I go there and it does my head in. You can’t remember anything after you have been through 3 houses.

    I think home buyers need a lot more help understanding what is important for them and their families in a house that they want to live in comfortably. This is what I am trying to do in Sydney and am looking to develop further.

    There is also a broader philosophical question about how we live as a species (to broad for the slowhome test). If we all want to live in single storey houses on large lots then where do we grow our food, where are the forests and other natural wonders etc. I am not saying that we should all be crammed into poorly designed dark little houses. What I am saying is that we need to get smarter about how we live.

    Rant over. Thanks for your patience.

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: What I noticed about these plans so far is that side windows are on only one side of the plan. So in theory you would not be looking into the neighbors windows.

    This poor house is suffering from light deprivation and circulation problems on the first floor. The nook cannot handle a 4 seat table though you can have a fireplace.

    Moving onto other lot sizes.

    Project Name: Cornell Rouge

    Size: 2184

    Project Address: 16th and Ressor Markham ON

    Project URL: http://www.madisonhomes.ca/cornell/floorplans/30_2184.htm

    Slow Home Test Score: 7

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: This development continues to keep my interest.
    Looking to add an apartment to your home? Here we have a plan that looks to fit on a corner lot and has an optional apartment or loft above the two car garage (see – http://www.madisonhomes.ca/cornell/floorplans/coach_house.htm )

    The basic home is around 2500 sq feet. It holds some other unexpected surprises. Wrap around porch. We have a window in the switchback stair and also one in the second story hallway- do not see that much and how fantastic! You will notice from the front entry to the principle rooms we have a minimum of steps. The Den can be its own space and look at the windows. The dining spaces hold up. The nook looks to be in reality 9 by 10. The bedrooms are decent sized.

    Cannot forgive that master angled bath and the second bath either has a tight two bowls or a large one. The kitchen needs help- that island needs to move. I wonder where is the backyard to this place?

    Fun to look at and score- on the room by room I said no for 3 questions.

    Project Name: Cornell Rouge

    Size: 2565

    Project Address: 16th and Ressor Markham ON

    Project URL: http://www.madisonhomes.ca/cornell/floorplans/40_2565.htm

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Lacey

    [img]1_torontosmallfloorplan.jpg[/img]

    Here’s My Floor Plan Revision.
    Thanks!

  • Lacey

    [img]2_torontosmallfloorplan.jpg[/img]

    Oops, here it is.

  • Mary

    How exciting! I actually own the last home that he is talking about. It is the Ascot model at Castlefields in Ajax. I have to agree, I love my foyer. Furthermore what is not shown is there is a step up from the foyer into the living dining area..basically the foyer is a sunken foyer.

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