09/04/10 – Dallas/Fort Worth – Single Family

Posted on: April 9th, 2010 | 27 Comments

This is Day 80 of the Slow Home Project, and we need you to join us in our quest to evaluate the design quality of houses in nine North American cities in nine months. This week we are analyzing single-family houses in the Dallas / Fort Worth metoplex and today we are going to be reviewing the work from the past week.

Slow Homer of the Week – April 09, 2010

RSVP to Slow Home in Toronto

  • John Brown

    [img]mollyk1.jpeg[/img][img]bradw1.jpeg[/img]

    Good morning from rainy Toronto.

    Matthew and I are off to our first interview this morning but I wanted to recognize MollyK and BradW for their design project submissions on Wednesday. This was a tough exercise but I think that both of these proposals made the most effective use of the available space.

    My only concern with Molly K’s plan is the rather awkward entry to the master bedroom. I like the addition of the wall to the required columns in order to create the study desk area. However, it would be even better if the wall was extended a little further so that it could be centered on the dining room table. It would probably mean relocating the small sofa in the study but that would be okay.

    BradW’s plan is also quite elegant. I like the double access to the back entry. My only small suggestion would be to relocate the fridge from the corner of the kitchen to make the work triangle more efficient.

  • MollyK

    Good morning,
    I can’t find a link to the redesign critiques/SlowHomer of the Week…but perhaps its not up yet. It’s only 6:30 AM in Calgary.
    ****
    Quick technical house keeping…the webpage says “Day 76″ but John says its Day 80, so Erik may want to check that.
    *****
    Matthew,
    Thank you for your late response to my redesign…when today’s link appears I’ll comment on your comments. :)
    *****
    John,
    I believe condensing the house “finding” into 3 weeks is great…I didn’t get burned out. Thank you.
    *****
    Lastly, I want to say how much I wish I could be in Toronto to visit with everyone. So far this journey at SlowHome has been wonderful and I cherish the shared camaradeire between “us SlowHomers”. Somebody put an empty glass on the table at the pub and tell everyone it’s for MollyK. Salute!

  • MollyK

    John,
    I know you’re out and about in Toronto, but you’ll need some light reading before bedtime tonight so I’m sending you a couple of questions about my redesign. If I don’t ask then I’ll never learn…right?
    I wasn’t pleased with my entry to the Master suite but honestly what do I do? Matthew suggested a sliding “barn door”. Wouldn’t that still leave the small hallway just inside the door? Am I trying to get rid of the interior hallway? Or do I just move the door further inside the hallway, nearer the bed? Heck, I’ll just re-work it and submit the altered design. (I’m sorta fixated on this project because I think it’s my best yet, and I want to tweek it if I can.)

  • MollyK

    [img]shdallassfr1ja.jpg[/img]

    Quick revision based on suggestions…extended study wall to center it with dining table and moved master bedroom door into interior hallway. I think new door arrangement works better but not sure what John had in mind.
    *****
    Haven’t attempted Matthew’s sliding barndoor. Don’t know where to put it since there are 3 possible sites: 1) exterior “shower” wall with right-hand slide to close; 2) study area wall with left-hand slide to close; or 3) interior hallway wall into master bedroom with right-hand slide to close. Is there a better choice?

  • BradW

    [img]mollykrev.jpeg[/img]

    MollyK – revised mbdr door, study and living room…most drastically I changed the middle rear wall and moved the exterior door…this could be one big space or, as shown, two spaces…I would further revise the kitchen windows and add a side entry from the laundry…just suggestions…

  • Terri

    Glad to hear you’ve made it to Toronto, John and Matthew. I do hope there’s a good turn-out to your pub date tomorrow. I’m looking forward to “meeting” all those Slow Homers who have shared posts here over the last year–not just the dependable BradW, James Scott and M.A.M. but also those that we haven’t seen as regularly of late but used to be around more often such as Grace, Tom, Paul C and Paul J, Jim A, Belle, et al. Cheers, guys!

  • MollyK

    BradW,
    I worked my redesign to stay within the parameters set by John on Wednesday: that’s why the door to the porch has the odd angle. I didn’t add or delete any windows either.
    Having said that, I agree that reconfiguring the exterior door to the porch is a no-brainer. Why anyone would think the angled door was a good thing is beyond me. I noticed the side door into the mudroom on your design…functional…love it. Thanks for your input as always.
    *****
    If you get to the pub on Saturday make sure John puts an empty glass on the table for me. No little umbrellas…just tell ‘em I’ll have a Crown and ginger with lime. (More Crown than ginger);)

  • Mid America Mom

    Terri and MollyK we will miss you. One thing we lack is pictures of ourselves, unless you are on facebook. I hope those who have not been on the site that much will be able to make it as well and buy a copy of the book that they helped bring to fruition.
    *
    TomE – I have high expectations that you will come since you did do reconnaissance on that green development in North GTA and I am thinking a free brew downtown may lure you ;)

    Mid America Mom

  • James Murray Scott

    Greetings from not-so-sunny St. Catharines.

    Sad to say I can’t make the beer fest tomorrow, my son’s hockey team is in a tournament in Milton. Was looking forward to putting faces to names.

    Enjoy Toronto and Mill Street. They have great beer, just picked up some Stock Ale yesterday.

    Maybe a big Slow Home party in Chicago. Moody’s Pub, best burgers.

    Have Fun!!!

  • Matthew North

    Say tuned everyone – the name of the Slow Homer of the week will be posted soon!

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: I know you are thinking- what is she still posting for? AH the lure of the hunt!
    *
    I came across a 131 acre development in Midlothian TX that won an award from the PLANNING side and will be all energy star or LEED, MidTowne. The non housing stock is LEED. The developer is Monte Anderson, a member of the local chapter of the congress for new urbanism ( http://www.cnu.org/ ).
    *
    I am not sure where it is at for development. Here is a two page piece about it – http://www.adamsonhomedesigns.com/Midtowne/MT.PDF.
    Here is their brochure- http://www.midtowneliving.com/brochure/Midtowne_Living.pdf It is from this brochure that I take the housing plans.
    *
    Midlothian in city center is at best 60 walk score. So this is not quite there (wait a few years!) Note the directions on the plot plan is missing. Cemetery road is NORTH. So of course I go for a N/S lot.
    *
    RETRO traditional styling. This does not have an attached garage (they will have detached but not on the plan). I really love this plan. Only thing I do not like is the entry. Which should be used for the front and why is the closet there? The bedrooms have a split closet with space in center for desk or dresser. A flex type space on the second floor near the stair. Baths are reasonable in size and configuration. U kitchen that is bumped out. The living and dining is one large space with wrap around porch.
    Just feels slow.
    Mid America Mom

    Project Name: Midtowne- Township Homes 2031

    Size: 2031

    Project Address: 14th and 9th Midlothian TX

    Project URL: http://www.midtowneliving.com/#/township/

    Slow Home Test Score: 16

  • TomE

    HI, M.A.M.

    I will be there tomorrow, figure, I will help John out and pick up the tab for MollyK’s empty glass of beer. ;)

    James, good idea, Chicago is on my bucket list , architectural river cruise and a night at Buddy Guy’s bar

    http://caf.architecture.org/Page.aspx?pid=592

    http://www.buddyguys.com/

    John can you move Chicago up in the schedule to a warm time of year.

  • John Brown

    We just finished our interviews with the Toronto slow home award winners. It was great to speak with the developers and architects for these projects . I am sure that everyone will enjoy watching them speak about their work.

    I look forward to meeting everyone who can make it down to the Mill St. Pub tomorrow. We will be sure to put out the empty glasses for all those who couldn’t attend.

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Hi another from MidTowne.

    This one has what I think is a widow’s walk, you can reach it from a circular stair on the second floor. I can see having chair or two up there.

    I like this plan. I suspect it has a bench near the kitchen. This is a double galley – one side is a nice eat at island. The study/guest room with full bath on the main floor that I favor- is here. Entries look good. Family is large and combined with dining. Only problem I have is that we have 4 full baths for 4 bedrooms.

    Mid America Mom

    Project Name: Midtowne- Estate Homes

    Size: 2906

    Project Address: 14th and 9th Midlothian TX

    Project URL: http://www.midtowneliving.com/#/estate/

    Slow Home Test Score: 16

  • Mid America Mom

    Looks like my first from midtown is missing :(
    **Webguru-
    Erik??**

  • MollyK

    TomE,
    Thanks for buying my drink. Mine will be a little pricey since I can’t have beer–no wheat for me :( It’s hard liquor and only top shelf will do ;) No umbrellas, please.
    Hope everyone has fun.

  • TomE

    While we are still in Texas and for those who enjoy non traditional housing
    http://reclaimedspace.com/
    See you tomorrow, Cheers

  • Mid America Mom

    Anyone else that wants to look at a builder in Midtowne- here is a custom one (includes floorplans): http://www.kentonhomes.com/midtowne.html .

    This home is there but I cannot seem to get a floorplan from any listing of it.
    http://www.mikehoustonrealestate.com/2410731_0-222-Skye-Lane-Midlothian-TX-76065-MLS-11353625-RES_Detail.aspx
    *******
    Wish I had more time and found this earlier this week :(
    Looks like a market for custom or semi custom in subdivision or lots – here is one list of websites for builders that do this in the metroplex area: http://www.adamsonhomedesigns.com/builders.htm Some look promising.

    Mid America Mom

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Found another development that is tied back to New Urbanism. Complete with narrow lots (and some not) and rear garages! They strove for narrow streets and being walkable ( http://www.tuckerhilltx.com/Vision/DesignChecklist.aspx ). There are 4 builders, the main one being the Southern Land Company and I think they are the developer.
    *
    Here is their home page – http://www.tuckerhilltx.com/Home.aspx Here we have parks all over the place, an activities director for the community, a town center, amenity center, dog park, firepit and on…
    *
    I choose a smaller home, it has no yard really. According to the site plan ( http://www.tuckerhilltx.com/Vision/Phase1Sitemap.aspx ) it is east/west orientation and close to all the action.
    *
    Most of the homes have front porches. The side porch really is a breezway to the oversized garage. The master bedroom is on the first floor and all the doors seem to be a problem (the closet is too much).
    *
    Mid America Mom

    Project Name: Tucker Hill- 2141 SLC

    Size: 2141

    Project Address: 2305 Grassmere Lane McKinney TX

    Project URL: http://www.slccommunities.com/mlsimages/hr2036-51250805.png

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Mid America Mom

    [img]singledallas2.jpg[/img]

    Well I basically redid the dallas single family plan. Inspired by the Eichler atrium -http://www.eichlerforsale.com/eichler_atriums_courtyards . This one is about 15*10 I was not sure about covering it or not. Part of the use was functional, providing ventilation in the home to reduce AC needs. I also liked providing a private and pleasant interior outdoor room for dining or a garden. It also gives light, a focal when you walk in the door, a view from every room in the public part of the home, and allows us to move the outside side windows higher.

    It could stand more work. I am unhappy about the the bath that services the side yard condition bedroom. Design and also location to that bedroom. And the 5*5 laundry room. Just gave up.

    *Webmaster- two posts of mine are still pending. Hope to see the PINS in the map of my later week posts as well.

    *
    WHEW.
    Mid America Mom

  • Terri

    [img]mamatrium.jpg[/img]

    M.A.M.,
    I know you’re at Mill St. Pub about now, along with all the others who make it, and I hope you’re having a great time.

    I hope you don’t mind, but I got inspired by your latest plan with the atrium and then got thinking about your comment about the smaller laundry…and well, you see what happened!

    Please excuse the mess–I hope you can make sense of it. What do you think of having the atrium more open to all the rooms that face it? And then using it as a sort of passageway to the master bedroom? I got to thinking that it’d be pretty nice to walk through a mini-garden space every morning.

  • Terri

    I see some of the numbers got whited out in my revisions. And I made your bathroom much smaller (the down side) so that the two bedrooms have a private access to that bathroom. Obviously that side bedroom would have a larger window too.

  • Terri

    John/Matthew;
    Now that your book is available, will you have it in bookstores or do we order off this website?

  • Mid America Mom

    Great time at Mill St in Toronto! Nice to meet everyone in person.

    Mid America Mom

  • Mid America Mom

    Hi Terri! I was telling everyone of all the cities we have left I look forward to seeing what is out in Denver. Are you in that area by chance?
    *
    As for the redesign of my redesign :) Go and play with it (I will probably do that as well). I redesign plans I come across on this project and otherwise. Feeling like Matthew (ah maybe some of that design savvy rubbed off on me today LOL) – I have to point out the new dining room would have to be adjusted in your plan, one of those support columns and overhead beams are there (the bookcase hid it all). And WINK WINK we would have to put the outside access back into the master bedroom. Like that you kept the U kitchen (sorry MollyK). But thinking to the dining dilemma it presents, well, you and I both would probably consider…
    the infamous dining booth.

    Mid America Mom

  • Terri

    M.A.M.,
    I’m relieved you’re not offended by my tinkering yesterday. Don’t know what came over me. I forgot all about those columns–nice disguise!
    I live on the west coast near Victoria, BC. I know nothing about Denver.

  • Elizabeth

    Terri,

    Not sure how I got the idea that you lived in Toronto. Wow, I was way off!

    Needless to say, no wonder you didn’t make it to Saturday’s event(!), though I was unreasonably hoping you’d make it! Ah well, it was fabulous to meet some of the gang, and John, Matthew and Carina.