Remy and Claude Sert, Georgia

Posted on: June 26th, 2009 | 9 Comments

Remy and Claude Sert, Georgia (PDF)

  • Leo

    Normally, I would say that a corner unit is always preferable. However, Unit B really doesn’t take advantage of its corner status and not much light comes in from the south side.

    Advantages of Unit A:
    Good third bedroom for grandma
    More open kitchen.
    Sunny for weekend breakfast, not so much for dinner

    Disadvantages:
    Smaller master bedroom
    Goofy master ensuite.

    Advantages of Unit B
    Bigger, nicer bedrooms
    Nicer master bath
    West facing sun for supper time

    Disadvantages:
    Closed kitchen.
    No guest access to shower/bath.

    Overall, I think that Unit A is a slightly better fit because of the guest bedroom and the nicer flow of the kitchen.

  • James Scott

    If property B had a full bath on the main floor it would have my vote because than Grandma wouldn’t have to make all of those trips up the stairs. Unfortunately it hasn’t so property A gets my vote.

    The open kitchen is a bonus as well.

    Beyond that both units have many quirks like weird bathrooms and hallways, and the narrow upper balconies.

  • Adam G

    The antique table is an interesting feature. I’ve seen pieces like that ruined by too much exposure to the sun, so my initial reaction was to keep it out of direct light. However in both plans the only reasonable place to put it is the dining room, which is in roughly the same place in each unit.

    I’m not as worried about the third bedroom for grandmother, since the study in B could double as a guest room. It’d be a different story if she were visiting more often, but three times a year doesn’t seem long enough for a dedicated guest bedroom – assuming of course that she’s the only frequent visitor. However there’s no shower/bath on the ground floor; toilet yes, and maybe some modification would solve a problem, but one of their criteria was no modification at the start.

    The en-suite in B might be very useful for a teenaged daughter.

    A is going to get sun in the morning, B in the evening. Given their schedule, evening light seems more useful. That, and morning light in the master bedroom might prove tiresome in the long term.

    The larger dining/living/kitchen area in A is, to my mind, its best feature. A also wants less work, as it’s already quite open; B might want to be modified, which isn’t what they’re looking for.

    It’s a tough call. B is tempting, mainly because of the better bedroom space and the evening light. However A wins largely on account of the bath/shower access for grandmother. Access to the shower will cause friction when she visits if she (or the daughter if she’s exiled to the study for the week) has to troop through someone’s bedroom to wash up. If B had similar on the ground floor (or if they were willing to consider building one), B’d be my choice.

  • Grace

    I’m going for A.

    Light: B doesn’t take advantage of it’s corner location–only the study has a window on the south side. Overall, morning light will be more useful than evening, because the family will all be there in the morning, perhaps not in the evening.

    B’s study impinges on the dining area and, thus, on space for the antique table, and generally squishes the living area.

    Three bedrooms up is better for a visiting grandmother. She’ll feel taken into account.

  • Jim Argeropoulos

    I think the only real deciding factor is how mobile is Gradnma. If she isn’t as mobile B has to be the call. If she has no problems with stairs, A.

    Both offer plenty of space for the table. The weekend morning breakfasts might be nicer in A with the greater connection of the kitchen to the rest of the living space, but that is pretty minor too. With a daughter that is 14, I’m guessing she is actively involved in the meal prep. I know my 10 and 13 year olds like to help make pancakes, waffles, and eggs.

  • Brad W

    Property B. The major weakness is the kitchen. With a reno this is easily corrected. Grandma can use the study during visits. Bedrooms better on a day by day basis. Only two bedrooms could affect resale. Better light.

    Property A. Meets needs as is. Open kitchen is good. Three bedrooms.

    Tough choice but I’ll pick B.

  • John Brown

    Hi everybody from sunny LA,

    Sorry I wasn’t on the site in the past two days but I was travelling and setting up things for the CA Boom presentations. Some of the exhibits look really interesting (the one just outside the front door is a company that uses shipping containers as the frame to make prefab rear garden rooms or suites.

    I am going to record a walk around and a few interviews and record Sunday’s slow home report from here. A new first step in slow home technology. Hopefully it will work.

    P.S. – Good start on the conversation about Property A and B. I like the way you are presenting the selection with some key provisos about her mom, the table, etc. I think that is a good way to help them make the best decision because it translates or connects these design decisions (which most people find obtuse) to real life choices and priorities.

  • Doug Roberts

    So, did anybody else get the feeling that they have seen Property B’s floorplan before? It is virtually identical to the Calgary townhouse renovation discussed in John’s June 9 City-TV interview (see link to the video on the Slow Home homepage). I guess we have a pretty good idea of what changes John might be inclined to suggest making to the main floor of Property B when it comes time to renovate ;-)

    I would recommend Property A over Property B for many of the same reasons previously given by others, with the primary factors being:
    1) Sunlight — Property A’s primary windows (living room and master bedroom) face east, with secondary windows facing west and south, so it will receive a lot of sun in the morning and some sun through the rest of the day. Property B’s primary windows face west with secondary windows facing east and north, so it will receive very little sun other than harsh, late afternoon/evening sun. Also, taking into account that these properties are located in Atlanta, which I understand has hot, humid summers, Property A’s deck faces east, which should be pleasant both in the sun in the morning sun and in the shade in the late afternoon/evening, while Property B’s deck faces west, which could be chilly in the shade in the morning and unbearably hot in the sun in the late afternoon/evening.
    2) Bedrooms/guest accommodation — Even if she only visits 3 times a year, Grandma should still be able to shower or bathe without having to use someone else’s ensuite. Also, in Property B the master bedroom is a bowling alley and the second bedroom is way too large — I am in favour of providing teenagers with relatively modest accommodations so as not to encourage “failure to launch” behaviour — a massive “suite” like this would likely dwarf the bedroom in any tiny apartment that the daughter could afford to rent when she starts looking to move out. Besides, I would think that Bedroom 3 in Property A should be reasonably appealing to the daughter, as it is furthest from the master bedroom, has a large closet, has windows on 2 walls, and has that wonderful little window seat in front of the south facing window.
    3) Kitchen/dining — Property A has an open kitchen and a larger dining area which would more easily accommodate the family’s large antique table and facilitate better family interaction during those family dinners and breakfasts.

  • Paul C

    Alright a little tougher!
    Before I get into it, the description of “remarkable” for “families who have dinner together 3 nights a week” is very interesting. Please, please, please, I am not attempting to make any judgmental statement whatsoever, I simply find it an interesting characterization which overtime may demonstrate itself in the homes in which we live. I would suggest that the homes of today are still reflective of a more “traditional” nature. Sorry I digressed.

    Ok back to the fun stuff and my apologizes if I repeat anything here. For me this is a discussion of form or function and truly about tradeoffs. I would recommend B.
    Rationale:
    End unit translates into a semi-attached home, quieter with possibly more natural light, an additional main floor space in the study which could double as guest room, a spot in the kitchen for a small bistro table, better laundry upstairs, daughter’s own bathroom, less hallway space upstairs, bigger bedrooms, a linen closet and late afternoon/evening west light. This was not an easy choice for one would have to tradeoff a better front entry, a slightly wider unit, a more open kitchen, and a little larger opening onto the rear deck in property A. The last two items could be fixed if need be in B. You would not be able however to renovate away one adjoining unit from property A.

    B it is.