05/04/10 – Dallas/Fort Worth – Single Family

Comment: – Walkscore of 32
- no site or lot specific information
- actually, I like the layout of this house (all private spaces to the left, public/principle living spaces to the right)
- entry is really just a long hallway
- family room does have a fireplace, but not a defined space –> furniture placement would impede traffic circulation, also an off shape –> where would the sofa go so as to not hit the island?
- no information on exterior space, but good connection with a number of windows and door from the breakfast room
- no dining room per say, just a breakfast nook
- bedroom in the middle of the plan has a closet that’s way too small
- again, bathrooms are surprisingly laid out ok (relative to everything else)
-no study

-there’s something wonky with the scale I believe (or that fireplace is just huge!)
- plan looks really “juvenille” or unprofessional, both because of the hand rendering AND because of the poor space allocation/planning

Project Name: Plan 1600 – Villas at Fossil Creek

Size: 1600 sq ft

Project Address: N. Riverside Drive/Redwood Creek Ln

Project URL: http://www.palladiumcustomhomes.com/pdf/1600%20Plan%20-%20Fossil%20Creek.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 8

Comment: – Walkscore of 46
-no site or lot specific information
-nice organization to the floor plan, with all private spaces aligned to the far left
-well-defined entry space with large foyer
-no information on exterior space, but good connection with a number of windows and door from the breakfast room to a good sized terrace
-bedrooms are good for the most part, although the hallwau leading from the breakfast room to the master bedroom is a little strange
-study nicely transitions public-to-private spaces
- no laundry room (again, appliances are just in a circulation hallway from garage into house)

Project Name: Plan 2429 Front Entry – Avondale

Size: 2429 sq ft

Project Address: 1136 Lakeside Dr, Desoto, TX

Project URL: http://www.palladiumcustomhomes.com/pdf/brochure2429%20-AB-%20rev11-12-03.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: Walkscore–68/100. DART Line within .5 miles and direct access to White Rock Trail at south end of neighborhood.
House is certified LEED-H-Gold…view more features on the attachment.
For information on entire development go to the main page on the website and click on ‘HOA Development’ then click on ‘Design Guidelines’. You can access the PDF from ‘Launch New Window’.
Indoor Living scored No…redundant side-by-side Living & Entertaining spaces.
Bedrooms scored No…2 supersized Master closests unnecessary.
Bathrooms scored No…Masterbath oversized with empty area to right of the tub. Not sure its purpose…perhaps open shelves?

Project Name: Urban Reserve–Chris Craft House

Size: 3927 sf

Project Address: Urban Reserve, 22 Vanguard Way, Dallas TX 752243

Project URL: http://www.urbanreserve.net/siteManageFiles/plugins/homes_for_sale/images/1245185841_UR22%20Info%20Sheet.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 17

Comment: Walkscore…68/100. DART line within .5 miles and direct access to White Rock Trail from south end of neighborhood.
View specific features on attachment.
Full disclosure of development and its features…go to main website page and click on ‘HOA Documents’ and click on ‘Design Guidelines’. You can read the PDF file from ‘Launch New Window’. Everything you want to know (and I mean everything) is in that document.
Unusual design with living spaces on the west side and sleeping on the east side in the plan. Main circulation by stairs offset from the interior with one hallway traversing the north side from first to second floor. Definitely nontraditional circulation but it doesn’t impeded flow of rooms or views from windows.
Bedrooms scored No…2 oversized master closets.
Bathrooms scored No…master bath lost the battle with space to the master closets. It is very cramped.
Laundry scored No…in a terrible location in garage.
Study scored Yes, with reservations…not sure if the “largeness” is necessary but I like the location…private and with interesting view.

Project Name: Urban Reserve–Go-Go House

Size: 2800 sf

Project Address: Urban Reserve, 38 Vanguard Way, Dallas, TX 75243

Project URL: http://www.urbanreserve.net/siteManageFiles/plugins/homes_for_sale/images/1250180526_UR28%20Info%20Sheet.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 17

Comment: Walkscore 68/100. DART line within .5 miles and direct access to White Rock Trail from south end of development
For specifics on the house view the attachment.
For development specifics go to the main page of the website and click on ‘HOA Documents’ then click on ‘Design Guidelines’. You can view the PDF at ‘Launch New Window’ and learn everything about Urban Reserve and the houses.
This floorplan was difficult to decipher with respect to scale. In addtion, I could not tell if there was a sliding wall to the media/home office/guest bdrm location. I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt because it looked like there was at least a partial sliding wall between it and the kitchen/dining area. I liked the inclusion of several outdoor areas with easy access from inside the house.
Entry scored No…appears to be no defined space, just large open area. I believe there is a closet at the far end, but had difficulty determining that.
Indoor Living scored No…redundant seating areas in main living space. The artist’s rendering hints to a wall between the seating areas but none is indicated on the floorplan.
Laundry scored No…terrible location.
Dining scored Yes, with reservations…table looks awfully big but I can’t determine true scale so didn’t penalize. Also, with the house at 3000+ square feet a large dining table may be well proportioned to the space.

Project Name: Urban Reserve–See-through House

Size: 3070 sf

Project Address: Urban Reserve, 76 Vanguard Way, Dallas TX 75243

Project URL: http://www.urbanreserve.net/siteManageFiles/plugins/homes_for_sale/images/1250180594_UR76_Info_Sheet.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 17

Comment: Walkscore 68/100. DART line within .5 miles and direct access to White Rock Trail at south end of development.
Almost didn’t score this plan, but I thought it only fair since I have scored all the other homes that are available in Urban Reserve. There are many more homes that I could not access because they were sold…no access to their floorplans, but the photos were intriguing.
The concept for this home is small, livable with “aggressive” sale price. I measured the floorplan according to the scale provided by the architect and it is approximately 1176 sq ft. The house is organized into 2 sleeping areas each flanking the main living/dining space. The overall living/dining area is tight but still has good flow and capable of decent furnishings if kept on the small side (no oversized anything). The artist’s rendering shows a patio off the south side of the house, but is not present on the floorplans.
Entry scored No…2 separate doors: one for the patio and one to the right considered the main entrance…still both open directly into the living/dining area.
Kitchen scored No…frig is in the pantry. I can’t figure out why.
Bedrooms scored No…bedroom 2 measures @ 9′X 9’9″ and that includes circulation. Only 1 wall option for a bed within the small space.
Study scored No…small space with no door and no window.
I believe the issues with Bedroom 2 could have been solved with just 2-3 feet added to the floorplan. However, the footprint of the house on the site may not provide for additional space because of setback guidelines. But you could do a split level and put one bedroom upstairs.

Project Name: Urban Reserve–43 Vanguard

Size: @ 1176 sf

Project Address: Urban Reserve, 43 Vanguard Way, Dallas TX 75243

Project URL: http://www.urbanreserve.net/siteManageFiles/plugins/homes_for_sale/images/1266523038_UR43%20Sales%20Flyer.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 16

Comment: Environmental Performance scored 0 because while there were some enviro-features, they mostly addressed energy savings and in that case orientation is a big factor – and orientation isn’t given at all (no site plan, no north arrow). Siting: again, no site plan to tell just how close the neighbors are, which is very important given all of those sideyard windows. Overall, this unit suffers most from a) sideyarding, and b) poor organization – splitting up the bedrooms and giving too much space to circulation.

Project Name: Emory Place – 2130 Series

Size: 2137 sq ft

Project Address: 7065 Seton Hall Dr, Fort Worth TX

Project URL: http://www.historymaker.com/admin/documents/2135_Web_Brochure.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 6

Comment: Walk Score 8. While there is both a porch and patio, I would probably rarely use either. The master bedroom, or as the eloquently put it ‘owner’s retreat’, looks out into a side yard… The master bath is huge and the bedrooms both have awkward entries.

Project Name: Capella Park – Isaiah (2319)

Size: 1864 sqft

Project Address: 6961 Clay Academy Blvd Dallas, TX

Project URL: http://www.davidweekleyhomes.com/Site/Neighborhood.aspx?UID=F0701E16-AC79-45BB-ADA3-2AC593F031D9

Slow Home Test Score: 5

Comment: Walkscore 23/100 and no transit nearby. The home sits about midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, with the town of Colleyville close by.
The floorplan is split into 2 PDFs located on the “Features” page on the website. The lot is clearly indicated on Gooogle but the old home is pictured on Streetscape. (The old home was torn down and the Eco Home built on the existing footprint.)
This is a Large home obviously with an open floor plan with minimal hallways. The downstairs is the more adult area with several living spaces and the Master suite. The second floor has a “kids study” area and 3 bedrooms. Both floors have access to an outdoor living space. Some notable features include a nice pantry/utility room with W/D units and a window onto a porch. The office is in a private area with a window and nearby access to an outdoor porch. The garage is on the side of the house and has several doors leading to different areas, including a back porch…you don’t have to go inside to get to the backyard.
There are some wasted space issues though:
Indoor living scored No…wasted space in all living areas of the house.
Bedrooms scored No…which is unfortunate because the issue is supersized Master closet with its odd access from the bathroom. The other bedrooms are fine.
Bathrooms scored No…again, this is unfortunate because the issue is the supersized Master bath and having 2 powder rooms on the first floor. The second floor bathrooms are fine.
Oh, Location scored No.

Project Name: Colleyville Eco House

Size: 4800 sf

Project Address: Colleyville Eco House, 1708 Oak Knoll Dr., Dallas/Fort Worth, TX 76034

Project URL: http://www.colleyvilleecohouse.com/features.html

Slow Home Test Score: 14

Comment: Walk Score 8. Palladium Custom Homes has a energy efficient features section for each house. The features include insulation specs and special zoned heating/air conditioning unit. However, siting and orientation still hasn’t been taken into account with the community planning so environmental performance and siting get no score.

Another house that could have been so much better with almost no effort at all.. 45 angles everywhere. The kitchen in this one is way oversized and I find it extremely weird how they organized the plan with the private spaces surrounding the public spaces.

Project Name: Clark Ridge Community – Plan 1585

Size: 1585 sqft

Project Address: Merriweather Dr Duncanville, TX

Project URL: http://www.palladiumcustomhomes.com/pdf/1585.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 5

Comment: Decent location, Energy Star and Green Built. No site plan. Courtyard is interesting idea, not well executed here – no major spaces directly benefit from it. A lot of circulation space, kitchen has a lot of wasted floor area. Like the location of the study and guest suit. Master bathroom and the shared bathroom on the second floor are very strange with disconnected vanities, master has a lot of needless floor area.

Project Name: Creekwood Estates – Palladio

Size: 3650 sq ft

Project Address: 1004 Lost Valley Drive, Euless TX

Project URL: http://www.davidweekleyhomes.com/Site/Images/MCs/30181C72EBC04D66A6B951D16C03429F/MI_493D6CF190F24F2A9C2FA91A23C84A4D_ORIG.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: “Centex Energy Advantage” is on every new Centex home – aimed at energy consumption mostly. What makes this plan work so poorly is the way it’s organized. In putting the kitchen at the back, it makes the family room sideyarded, and leaves no room to put a dining table without disrupting circulation. Connection to the outdoors only exists for the master bedroom (facing the rear yard) and bedroom 3 (facing the front street). Even then, this connection is purely visual – no doors out in either. All other rooms have bad sideyard conditions that give very little light to the interior.

Project Name: Carriage Hills – The Hegel

Size: 1511 sq.ft.

Project Address: 7001 Sandshell Blvd, Fort Worth TX

Project URL: http://centexhomes.com/PopupFloorplan.aspx?plnid=400579&nbrid=46910&dir=TheHegel_400579&file=T50F_1511_fp_1.gif

Slow Home Test Score: 7

Comment: These houses are sprinkled throughout an existing neighborhood close to downtown Fort Worth (actually adjacent to Texas Christian University). Good location, efficient, and well-priced homes. This one is a corner lot, facing E-W with north side to street – a lot of west sunlight undermines the siting points. Don’t like the overall organization, it leads to lots of circulation on both floors. I think that the study/”flex room” would be too open to the entry without a wall and door for privacy, but that’s an issue easily remedied with a minor reno.

Project Name: Fort Worth Cultural District – 2515

Size: 2515 sq ft

Project Address: 2704 Merida Ave, Fort Worth TX

Project URL: http://hdhomestexas.com/prototypes/0100216_1477821_2515elevations.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: The good: a decent front entry space, connection to outside, and a non-duplicated well-located dining space. The bad: a study with no light, a humungous master bedroom and only one other bedroom in 2564 square feet, and a family room that looks great on paper but is actually quite small when space is made to move around and through to the dining room (what guest should walk through the kitchen to get to the dining table?).

Project Name: Villas at Waterchase – Hampshire

Size: 2564 sq ft

Project Address: 9025 Cottonwood Village, Fort Worth TX

Project URL: http://www.khov.com/Home/TX/232/QuickDeliveryHomes/K66A2/Floorplan01.htm

Slow Home Test Score: 4

Comment: Walkscore 35.
Marks off:
-Location–not walkable
-Environmental–no mention of efficiency except for air conditioning unit
-Organization–no entry, dining right there; huge central circular rotunda staircase causes tons of circulation hassle, especially on second floor
-Kitchen triangle interrupted by island; awkward corner pantry beside fridge
-Bedrooms–Supersized master bedroom; okay secondary bedrooms but tiny windows for such large rooms

Marks For:
Siting–looks like normally laid out lots in typical subdivision with north/south exposures.
Indoor Living–focal point and lots of windows
Dining–good size, adjacent to kitchen, though entry right beside with no separating wall, etc.
Study–front room labelled as possible study; good location
Laundry–good size, though machine would be better at the end of the room with sink where machines drawn in
Garage–typical 2-car unit with good access to house that doesn’t conflict with other rooms

Project Name: Grand Estates–Grand Artiste

Size: 3,449SF

Project Address: 10130 Mateo Tri, Irving, TX

Project URL: http://www.grandhomes.com/gh_comm_modeldetail.php?com=26&mod=244

Slow Home Test Score: 7

Comment: Walkscore 52, though it’s advertized as very close to downtown Dallas.
No environmental features mentioned.
This is another Grand Homes development in a “reclaimed” neighbourhood (like Bluffview in today’s video). This one has north/south orientation for the lots; however, one of the better sections with north-facing back yards appears to be just off a major highway. The street is not labelled on the site plan, but a general map shows highway there.

I wanted to rate it higher because they didn’t use unnecessary angles everywhere (Grand Homes has a propensity to the 45-degree angle!). But unfortunately, the bedrooms and bathrooms weren’t great. Double vanities with hardly any counter space in two bathrooms and two of the upstairs bedrooms have windows that face each other in the corners of the rooms–just weird.

The best rooms (again) are dining, living, study, laundry and garage. The kitchen was pretty good, but a little oversized with conflicting central island.

Project Name: Enclave on Midway–Tuscany

Size: 3,224 SF

Project Address: 9131 Cochran Bluff Lane, Dallas, TX

Project URL: http://www.grandhomes.com/gh_comm_modeldetail.php?com=49&mod=6

Slow Home Test Score: 8

Comment: So many hallways! The access to the master suite is at odds with the furniture layout in the living room. I really dislike the dining room – both it’s location and scale – because it really only seems to be there for show since the room that you enter right after it is the nook! The kitchen is super-sized, as is the family room. I like the little block of bedrooms at the front of the house. The master bathroom is awfully big (as big as the super-sizd kitchen) and is made awful by the corner fixtures.

Project Name: Bellaire Ridge – Dalhart

Size: 2121 sq.ft

Project Address: Lost Star Ln, Fort Worth TX

Project URL: http://www.newhomesource.com/homedetail/market-277/planid-661635

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: No site plan, no environmental features, poor location for a really poorly designed house. I don’t really understand the desire for a completely separate route to access the master suite. It’s almost as if these houses are designed for as much privacy for the homeowner as possible. I also really dislike the fact that to get to the master suite you have to walk through the living room – which means that the furniture layout there has to respect this need. I’d really want to steer clear of this house plan.

Project Name: Summer Creek Ranch – Waterford

Size: 2026 sqft

Project Address: Hulen & Risenger Fort Worth, TX 76123

Project URL: http://www.firsttexashomes.com/homeplans/Summer%20Creek%20Ranch/Waterford

Slow Home Test Score: 3

Comment: Walkscore 5/100, no environmental features, and good siting since all houses in this community have N-S orientation. Really messed up organization. The family room will be a heck of a lot smaller thanks to circulation space, and the side yard windows don’t add any light or good view at all. The kitchen opens dumbly onto the dining space, and the pantry/laundry in the corner just needlessly blocks light. Same goes for the walk-in closet for the master bedroom. I appreciate the way the bathrooms and utilities are combined in the center of the plan where there is little light anyways, but the rest of the plan is just bad.

Project Name: Kingspoint – Rosebud

Size: 1596 sq.ft

Project Address: 10321 Kingspoint Blvd. Fort Worth, TX

Project URL: http://www.newhomesource.com/homedetail/market-277/planid-817614

Slow Home Test Score: 6

Comment: Poor window exposure, bad entry/living room and lots of 45 degrees.

Project Name: Victoria

Size: 1334

Project Address: http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://w0.khov.com/NR/rdonlyres/edtvfa4tky7qpi3spd3iuwmyl6uw4oa4irnfihlytaecheba7l2hgp6qtkrmp76jlomi6ff5pouf3w3kmadu73xrxke/Dallas903.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.khov.com/Home/TX/ENF/ModelsAvailable/_Properties_AUTH.htm&usg=__pu9Tkrf3RtLS3WgZqZaGeBCWNmA=&h=792&w=612&sz=138&hl=en&start=14&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=inBkMDZTni9HPM:&tbnh=143&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3DDallas%2Btx%2BHouse%2BFloor%2Bplans%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-ca:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7TSHC%26tbs%3Disch:1

Project URL: http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://w0.khov.com/NR/rdonlyres/edtvfa4tky7qpi3spd3iuwmyl6uw4oa4irnfihlytaecheba7l2hgp6qtkrmp76jlomi6ff5pouf3w3kmadu73xrxke/Dallas903.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.khov.com/Home/TX/ENF/ModelsAvailable/_Properties_AUTH.htm&usg=__pu9Tkrf3RtLS3WgZqZaGeBCWNmA=&h=792&w=612&sz=138&hl=en&start=14&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=inBkMDZTni9HPM:&tbnh=143&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3DDallas%2Btx%2BHouse%2BFloor%2Bplans%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-ca:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7TSHC%26tbs%3Disch:1

Slow Home Test Score: 2

Comment: Walk Score 0!!

Lots of 45 degree angles.

Project Name: Colby

Size: 2,134 Sq.Ft

Project Address: 15312 Seventeen Lakes Boulevard, Roanoke, Texas 76262

Project URL: http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://image.americanhomeguides.com/metro/nho/community/Dallas/018165_f08.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.americanhomeguides.com/floorplans/HPC-18165.html&usg=__8DccUoX77oZtXtJjyokiDJUROSg=&h=673&w=350&sz=89&hl=en&start=70&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=o5PsXNIo3vhCHM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=72&prev=/images%3Fq%3DDallas%2Btx%2BHouse%2BFloor%2Bplans%26start%3D63%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-ca:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7TSHC%26ndsp%3D21%26tbs%3Disch:1

Slow Home Test Score: 8

Comment: “Green Built”, “Energy Star” home. Organization is ok though bed 3 gets a bit neglected. Modest bathrooms, good size closets for all bedrooms, although separated, the bedrooms have privacy from the rest of the house. Kitchen is a bit overlarge, corner pantry makes things a challenge since it separates the sink from the stove and fridge – but I think it’s workable enough to let it keep the point. The corner fireplace has to go. The entries combine to create a long, hallway type entry space that will be dark and uncomfortable – certainly not a nice space to come home to or to greet guests with!

Project Name: Ridgeview Farms – Plan 201

Size: 1533 sq ft

Project Address: 8616 Glenburne Drive, Fort Worth TX

Project URL: http://www.amlegendhomes.com/aml_comm_floorplandetail.php?com=RidgeviewFarms&mod=Plan201

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment: This house does have an entry but the closet is too far from the front door. The second bedroom seems a bit small. There is no dining room to speak of.

Project Name: Ridgeview Farms

Size: 1533 sqft

Project Address: 8616 Glenburne Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76131

Project URL: http://www.amlegendhomes.com/aml_comm_floorplandetail.php?com=RidgeviewFarms&mod=Plan201

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: I like the placement of the garage in this house because it leaves a lot of the front façade open. The organization is good except for the long corridor to the game room over the garage. I don’t think either are necessary. The combined laundry back entry is unfortunate and I think there are too many bathrooms upstairs.

Project Name: Riverside Village 62’ – Design 3332

Size: 3333 sq ft

Project Address: 7115 Comal Drive, Irving TX

Project URL: http://www.coventryhomes.com/plandetail.aspx/Dallas-FortWorth/RiversideVillage-62ft-Homesites/STND/3332

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment: I see that Anonymous already posted this plan, but I got a very different score. The addresses don’t match but it surely is the same plan. I thought that this house really suffers from the front attached garage. The two side yard bedrooms are really unfortunate. I think the overall organization is okay except for having to walk through the kitchen to get to the great room. That space feels too long to be easily furnished. The breakfast area feels wrong right beside the great room. Couldn’t this just be the main dining space instead? The formal front dining room seems really unnecessary. The laundry is a problem at the back entry. A lot of points for this one went toward its location (62/100 walkscore), environmental performance (Beazer has an extensive program), and good siting.

Project Name: Mountain Creek Lake: Silverado

Size: 1800 sq ft

Project Address: 1932 Hardy Rd Grand Prairie, TX

Project URL: http://www.beazer.com/new-homes-for-sale/Dallas-TX-Bello-Lago-Villas-new_home-SILVERADO-136589.aspx

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: This plan wastes a large amount of space. Both of the second bedrooms appear to be smaller than the dining room and the living room with the fireplace positioned to one side makes no sense. What ever score this house gets on the Slowhome test should have a two point deduction just for the wasted space.

Project Name: Creekside

Size: 1827 sqft

Project Address: 901 Oarlock Drive Crowley

Project URL: http://www.lennar.com/New-Homes/Texas/Dallas/Creekside/Mesquite-4021

Slow Home Test Score: 15

Comment: The living room in this house is not actually a living room, it is just a transition space between all of the other rooms. It would be very difficult to position furniture in a fashion which allows ease of movement from space to space. There is an entry space but I’m not sure where the closet is. What is with the curved ceiling that denotes the edge of the dinning space, the curve seems out of place with the rest of the walls in the building.

Project Name: Acadia Park

Size: 2930 sqft

Project Address: 8849 Night Wind Lane, Fort Worth

Project URL: http://www.horizonhomesdfw.com/website.nsf/HO/840-045.html

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: walk score of 62%
I like how they’ve separated the formal dining room from the kitchen, which is still accessible through pocket door.
Also like the void separating the private space to the public, allowing lots of natural light in the kitchen.

I looked on google to see what was around it as the site didn’t have any information. They are located on a fairly well established residential neighborhood and responds well to the surrounding homes.

Project Name: ArtHouse Homes /

Size: n/a

Project Address: 6210 Del Norte

Project URL: http://www.arthousehomes.com/home2.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 17

Comment: Really tough to make this plan work all on one level including a double garage. The major problems are that the master bedroom is located on a side yard and the overall organization requires a lot of internal hallways. The kitchen, living and dining spaces are really reasonable, but the “extra” bit of living/ dining space at the front entry is a real waste of space and is too small to have any significant function. The shared laundry/ back entry is poor and is seen too often in these house plans.

Project Name: Rosehill Meadows – The Columbia

Size: 1930 sq ft

Project Address: 4818 Snowdrop Drive, Garland TX

Project URL: http://www.newporthomebuilders.com/floorplans/1930FullBrochPrint.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 11

I`d like to take credit for the three anonymous postings. Not sure why my name isn`t being posted. Cheers!

Comment: The name says is all – I wish the “Hidden Forest” would stay hidden! This is a bad plan. Why are the rooms all labeled as “Grand” – what is “grand” about spaces that are poorly designed? The circular staircase is an opulent waste of space. The “grand” living and dining at the front of the home are chopped off from the rest of the house. The kitchen is a poorly designed super-sized mess with a double island and an angled counter top. The bathroom and closet designs seem to ramble and make no sense. The laundry and back entry are way too small for the size of the house. “Oh, but there’s environmental features!” (Energy Star)

Project Name: Hidden Forest – Appleton Platinum E

Size: 3902 sq ft

Project Address: 1801 Mahogany Trail, Garland TX

Project URL: http://grandhomes.com/gh_comm_homedetail.php?com=17&inv=261

Slow Home Test Score: 6

Comment: Fascinating use of a side courtyard to provide decent light to the middle of the house!

Project Name: Wexford Village

Size: 3838

Project Address: Frisco TX

Project URL: http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.darlinghomes.com/dhimages/plans%255Cfloorplans%255C7740.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.darlinghomes.com/Wexford-Village/plan/0/7740&usg=__jejGQdW3hbIP6xxTqI4uOKEUYe4=&h=606&w=675&sz=99&hl=en&start=161&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=wNHFgFynSp4SaM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=138&prev=/images%3Fq%3DDallas%2Btx%2BHouse%2BFloor%2Bplans%26start%3D147%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-ca:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7TSHC%26ndsp%3D21%26tbs%3Disch:1

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment:

Project Name:

Size:

Project Address:

Project URL:

Slow Home Test Score: 0

NEW SLOW HOMER?
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Welcome and as they say everything is bigger in Texas…If you are ready to help out the project and apply the slow home test to a single family home in Dallas/Ft. Worth – GREAT!
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We are looking on the internet for new construction in the area. I have some developments we have not yet touched and willing to pass on one of their URL’s to you. Just let me know via comments.
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We look forward to your new plan.

Mid America Mom

Comment: I gave it the living point despite the 45 degree fireplace…

Project Name: Highlands at Trophy Club

Size: 2898

Project Address: Trophy Club Drive, Trophy Club, TX

Project URL: http://www.newhomesource.com/homedetail/market-275/planid-818026

Slow Home Test Score: 10

Comment: 62 walk score.

Project Name: Mira Lagos

Size: 2630

Project Address: 2951 Montalbo Grand Prairie, TX

Project URL: http://www.newhomesource.com/homedetail/market-275/specid-742557

Slow Home Test Score: 8

Comment: As far as design functionality my favorite room in the house was the laundry room. This house got points for specific rooms but overall I found the curves of the windows and rooms clashed with the straight walls and spaces too much. Why does the kitchen have a 45 degree corner and the kitchen island a square corner?

Project Name: Enclave on Midway

Size: 3479 sqft

Project Address: 9131 Cochran Bluff Ln. Dallas, TX 75220

Project URL: http://www.grandhomes.com/gh_comm_modeldetail.php?com=49&mod=170

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: – walkscore of 8!
- no site or lot specific information
- kind of strange organization –> would make more sense if all bedrooms were kept within the left wing
- living room on a 45 degree limits furniture placement, lots of wasted space with the curved hallway (the outside of angle of the 45 degree bedroom wall opens up the floor plan but what would you place there?)
- no information on exterior space, but good connection with the “family centre”
- again, a lot of wasted floor space in the kitchen (expecially along the window exterior wall)
-bedroom 3 has the oddest entry….angle really limits floor space, while the tiny linen clost outside the room also cuts into the room’s square footage)
- no study
- laundry just a hall leading from the garage into the kitchen (not a useable work-space)

Project Name: Plan 1932 – Clark Ridge

Size: 1932 sq ft

Project Address: Merriweather Dr, Duncanville, TX

Project URL: http://www.palladiumcustomhomes.com/pdf/1932.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 5

Comment: A larger builder that is trying to go for some green. In general I like this plan.
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The circulation is quite good for a narrow lot, single story plan. Beds on one side and living on other. But I could not give YES on the organization due to side yard for 2/3 bedrooms.
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This is a 2 bath home and they are not bad. But I feel I have to say NO due to the one angle. (However I think personally it is fine. We have the sink divided from toilet and bath and that wall would be a great place to put a towel bar.) The laundry is too small to handle that and entry from garage. I think the kitchen and dining areas work. I would take the covered patio option off the back. The master bedroom is too big but the others are fine.
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More to come from this builder.
Mid America Mom

Project Name: Paloma Creek – Sheffield

Size: 1717

Project Address: 300 Oriole Drive Little Elm, TX 75068

Project URL: http://www.ashtonwoodshomes.com/popup.php?src=http://www.ashtonwoodshomes.com/images/FloorPlans/Dallas/5125-Sheffield-FP%28LG%29.jpg

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: Last one I will do from this builder. Anyone else want to do more here is the URL- http://www.ashtonwoodshomes.com/community.php?parentCity=3
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The game room is open to below :( That master vanity is so long. Family room is one large circulation space. Kitchen has the angled breakfast bar and the refrigerator is too far from the action.
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The entries are decent. The size of bedrooms work for this size home. Dining spaces Ok I take the front as a study.
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Mid America Mom

Project Name: Sloan Creek Estates- Riley

Size: 2998

Project Address: Sloan Creek Parkway Fairview TX

Project URL: http://www.ashtonwoodshomes.com/popup.php?src=http://www.ashtonwoodshomes.com/images/FloorPlans/Dallas/3250-RileySC-FP%28LG%29.jpg

Slow Home Test Score: 9

Comment: walk score of 60%

I like how the study is off to the side, separated by the stairs, and the living room in the front portion of the house.
There is a defined entry, but no closet – still gave the point, due to warm climate of Texas.
I like the way the Master bedroom has a view into the backyard, although i’m unsure if it’s ideal to have access to it from the living room.

Project Name: Windsor Crest / Lindberg

Size: 3143 sq. ft.

Project Address: 18231 Brighton Green

Project URL: http://www.davidweekleyhomes.com/Site/Images/MCs/8992E2CD5B85499E90CD119D21CBCB58/MI_66ACF72FCFDA41C5A20BE4F8EF13EFF3_ORIG.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 15

Comment: Another from Planation Homes. They are green but suffer from lack of community plan and siting information on the site (both NO).
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I like this floorplan and the many options. You can have bump outs all over, fireplace or tv niche wall in the family, and ON. For scoring I choose the “texas sized covered patio” and the second master bedroom upstairs.
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Dual front entry which I like. The utility is tucked nearby. The kitchen was the main offender. A corner pantry and the refrigerator is in the wrong spot- kind of out of the triangle. Bedrooms and baths reasonable. 2 car garage stuck out though.
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Mid America Mom

Project Name: Edgewood- Westlake

Size: 2505

Project Address: Treeline Drive Fort Worth, TX 76036

Project URL: http://www.plantationhomes.com/plandetail.aspx/Dallas-FortWorth/Edgewood-50ft-Homesites/STND/2510

Slow Home Test Score: 10

Comment: I couldn’t seem to access the second floor on this floor plan, but there was plenty to evaluate. The bathroom was unusual – as they often seem to be in htese large houses – with two walk in closest steming off of it, and a diaganle tub.

THe relationship between the different rooms is fragmented and fractured. There is a lot of wasted space resulting from the rounded staircase.

~Dominique

Project Name: Marbella

Size: 3289 sq/ ft

Project Address: 731 San Benito, Dallas

Project URL: http://www.khov.com/Home/TX/316/QuickDeliveryHomes/1638CAMINOLAGO/Floorplan01.htm

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: ~Dominique

Project Name: Rosewood

Size: 2214 sq/ft

Project Address: #2431 – 2340 Collin Drive , Grand Prairie,

Project URL: http://www.beazer.com/new-homes-for-sale/Dallas-TX-Lake-Parks-available_home-ROSEWOOD-16812.aspx

Slow Home Test Score: 7

Comment: There is a lot of wasted space between the Kitchen and the breakfast nook.

The service block has been jammed in around the rounded stair case –

~Dominique

Project Name: Telfair

Size: 3, 602

Project Address: 7527 Baldwin Crossing, Dallas

Project URL: http://www.darlinghomes.com/Telfair-Patio-Homes-Brilliance-Collection/plan/0/1277/N

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment: Holiday Builders.

Not walkable at all. In a golf course area. A Green Built Texas home. Issues. Walk in closets when there should not be, nook too small, gameroom with circulation in the middle. Kitchen and laundry are passable. I would take the back patio and not that angled study.

Mid America Mom

Project Name: Fairways Champions Circle- Parker B

Size: 2784

Project Address: 15724 Bent Rose Way Fort Worth, TX 76177

Project URL: http://www.holidaybuilders.com/docs/image.asp?ImageID=164524&ImageType=0

Slow Home Test Score: 11