Remodelling Townhomes in Philadelphia

Posted on: June 23rd, 2010 | 32 Comments

This is Day 155 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 townhomes in Philadelphia and for today’s design project we are redesigning a townhome.

It’s Wednesday on the Slow Home site and that means it is time for another Design Project!

We need your help to re-work the main floor plan of this 2,000 sq ft town home from the Philadelphia area. The plan we have chosen to work on is from the Fishtown district in central Philadelphia and is a four bedroom unit with detached parking.

The unit is not a terrible design, unlike many others that we have seen, but there is definitely some room for improvement.

The challenge for today is to redesign the space and incorporate the following changes:

  1. Better front and back entry spaces with a closet at the back entry.
  2. New location and design for the guest bathroom.
  3. New location and design for the kitchen – try to reduce the amount of floor space in the kitchen.
  4. New living room space with a focal point.
  5. New dining space with a natural place for the table.
  6. You will most likely have some left over space, so try to come up with an idea for a study space – remember it does not have to be a room – just a good place to work.

Good luck everyone. After you have tried the project and submitted your plans and comments to the site, you can click on the link below to see how John has designed this space. Remember, we love hand drawn plans and we also love to see posts from first timers!

Day 155 – Existing
Day 155 – Demo
Day 155 – PDF
Day 155 – Full Symbol Library

See John's final design

Join us tomorrow where we will be doing an “In Detail” segment focusing on parking in townhomes!

  • Kadoman

    [img]3_kariredesign.jpg[/img]

    In my floor plan I tried my first “open concept” design. Very minimal walls, and very accessible views of the outdoors from anywhere in the home.

    I imagined a lowered ceiling over the kitchen, but wasn’t sure how to illustrate that. I thought that would help to define the separate spaces.

    I left the staircase in tact but felt the entry closet was a bit over sized, so I reduced it to take advantage of that space.

    I found it was easier to claim space, horizontally rather than vertically. The vertical space seemed to be dominated by the purpose of circulation.

  • autobrad

    [img]wrobleski.jpg[/img]

    Here is my design. My kitchen sink needs some better placement and the lines are a little rough.

  • BradW

    [img]shdp701.jpg[/img]

    Grouped entries and services to the north. The desk and floor to ceiling bookcase at the front are optional but the idea is to make the dining area do double duty as a library/study.

  • Murray

    I got a couple of error messages when I attempted to upload my plan – hope it shows up.

    Nicole had the last word on yesterday’s blog, and I agree with what she said. You can have all the green technology and products you want, but if the basic design is bad there is a real disconnect between theory and practice. In addition to LEED certification, maybe there should be the SlowHome certification.

    Re: my townhouse design – the one aspect that may be a bit unusual is that I “elevated” the power room to make it accessible from the staircase landing. I think in Philadelphia the entrances need to be a bit separate because of winter weather conditions.

  • BradW

    John – like your redesign this week…

  • Athena

    I am also getting error messages when I try to load my plan. I guess I could describe it! I decided to do a floating wall on one side there’s the kitchen counter then the other is a closet and powder room. I found with the open concept I had huge amount of circulation and my powder room fit in the same spot as before. Hopefuly my plan can be uploaded so you all can visualize it much easier!

    Thanks,
    Athena

  • Murray

    [img]2_phillyth.jpg[/img]

    All – Eric saves the day! If you are having problems uploading with IE try using Firefox or Google Chrome (Eric’s advice).

    So, again, re: my townhouse design – the one aspect that may be a bit unusual is that I “elevated” the power room to make it accessible from the staircase landing. I think in Philadelphia the entrances need to be a bit separate because of winter weather conditions.

  • Eric S.

    Hi Everyone,

    I’m working to restore image upload functionality in IE7 and IE8. In the interim, using Firefox, Chrome, or Safari should work. Once this is fixed I’ll post an update in the comments.

    -Eric S.

  • Cnick

    [img]pol.jpg[/img]

    Placed kitchen between living and dining areas. Added a corner desk area.

  • Mid America Mom

    have to run but here is my first attempt…

    Mid America Mom

  • Mid America Mom

    OK- Eric I am on Firefox… not loading.

    Try later today…

  • JPHH

    [img]townhome.jpg[/img]

    So I placed the kitchen in the center and put dining room on one side and the living room on the other. I moved the bath to the front and added a closet and bench to the back entry.

  • hawerchuk#10

    [img]hawerchukwk6redesign.jpg[/img]

    So I had some fun with this one. First the front entry I placed a built in book case that will be about four to five feet high to determine the entry area. I then decided to put in a fireplace if the unit is situated on an outside wall (not a shared or communal wall. Thus creating a sitting room or family room to gather to read or converse or entertain. The kitchen is in the middle of the plan. On one side is a built in desk next to the aforementioned sitting area. The kitchen has a L shape with an island that has a breakfast/eating ledge. The fridge is on the end. The dining room is next. Then at the back of the house next to the French patio doors I will have installed the living area. Out the french doors is the patio/deck. The back entry has a closet to one side and a desk directly in front. The bathroom is situated near the back entry.
    Overall I think this design considers circulation, possess a study area, has defined entry areas and the kitchen is functional and doesn’t have wasted floor space.
    Let me know what you think.

  • SangeetaG

    [img]designweek6.2.jpg[/img]

    Here is my proposed design. I wanted to keep a continuity in the space from front entry to the back. In addition, I wanted the bathroom to be in a private location, the study to be located in a bright lit space and primarily maintain an open plan concept to allow light from both ends to filter through the spaces.

  • MarisaM

    [img]4_gnst301.jpg[/img]

    Here is my design I was unable to fit in a study area since I’ve been on a big time restraint today. But I think it gives better natural light to the dining and living area will more so closing in the front and back entrances more.

  • PeterB

    [img]3_peter.jpg[/img]

    I open concepted this bad boy. I may have too much circulation though. I thought the powder room was fine where it was, I just turned the orientation of it. I also added a wall to the front entry to seperate the space a little bit.

  • Paul C

    [img]8_phillyth.jpg[/img]

    I found there was allot of floor space with this one. The first element to deal with was the bathroom. By locating it off the landing freed up more possibilities. The glass by the stairs, locating the kitchen/dining across the entire home and breaking the home into blocks is an attempt to de-emphasize the narrow width. Similarly detailed millwork would continue from the living, to the study and into the kitchen. Just to note the distance from the dining banquet (I have been looking to try one) to the stairs is over 5ft and the banquet table itself is 8 ft long. It (table) could be reduced if it is felt more space is needed at the head of the stairs. The sliding panel at the front entry is the same length as the closet/half bath wall such that, when open, it would align.

    p.s. had to use firefox to upload image

  • Bell604

    [img]gnstfloorplan6.jpg[/img]

    A fairly basic plan, had lots of room to do everything needed. The biggest difference was my rotating of the bathroom, and removing the door for the down-stairs. This living room has good access to natural light and a focal point for where the TV is placed.
    I wanted to keep everything as open as possible, and think this plan has good organization and circulation.

  • Allie G

    [img]goodhouse.jpg[/img]

    I tried to keep a nice open design by incorporating half walls in the entrances and by the stairs. I really found a lot of potential with this space – you can rearrange things almost any way you want, it’s nice.

  • Mid America Mom

    Trying to post…

    I knew there was alot of space. I thought a private study space would be nice for the home but did not want to place it in the middle of the plan. I wanted open concept. I assume the back entrance is used more so I moved the study up front and since dining is not used as much as living I also placed the dining there.

    Since this is a 4 bed home I thought maybe 5/6 would be living here. So a table for 6 that can be 8 is accommodated. The living seating is for at least 6. The middle of the plan we have a stair that is half wall. The galley with island kitchen was a drop ceiling, island that can seat at least 5, and a pantry.

    The back entry has a bath, closet, bench, and shelves for stuff.

    Mid America Mom

  • nicole

    [img]4_pp1.jpg[/img]

    This plan stresses an open concept.
    Computer area is near the kitchen and adjacent to the stairs.
    Kitchen has lots of storage (including a full height pantry area) without being too large.

  • jim baer

    [img]100623slowhomedesign.jpg[/img]

    greetings all

    my congratulations to all who have had the energy and fortitude to carry on these past 155 days. i have lacked both.

    i have been impressed with the regulars. with their input, their output and their dedication.

    attached is my second design exercise in the last couple of weeks. i worked out mine before i looked at any others. this one took some head scratching.

    regards

  • Mid America Mom

    Hello Jim! Nice to see you back and a plan in hand. I do like that front study idea….

  • bbhorner

    [img]2_bbhornerdesign.jpg[/img]

    Here is my best effort. I have the kitchen in the centre of the space with the dinning room in the front space and the living room in the back. I also added a broom closet and pantry in the island for extra storage and to partition the kitchen from the dinning room. The one thing i don’t like is where i placed the powder room. I am not super happy with the door opening into the entry but i didn’t want the door to open into the dinning room.

  • Jessica

    [img]designprojecttownhomephiladelphiajcullenforjohn.jpg[/img]

    My intent here was to ensure the development of an open space plan. Although there was to, theoretically, be an excess of space for a study, I found it difficult to position it with satisfaction. I’ve located it opposite the kitchen; I suppose it might be useful for parents overseeing homework completion while preparing a meal?

  • D.Eng

    [img]phillytownhome.jpg[/img]

    Is this townhome a design problem or a interior design problem? I find that I add very little to open concept plans expect when I place the furniture.
    My entry opens up to a sitting area. The dining room is placed in front of the stairs and between the kitchen and sitting area. I placed a 6 person table being that it is a 4 bedroom house and >2000 sq.ft. This space is perfect for the dining room in my opinion. The Kitchen has view of the entire floor.
    I added a study nook rather than an entire room… I wanted to keep the open concept idea.

  • Dan M

    [img]dantownhomephiladelphia.jpg[/img]

    This was a challenge I felt particularly due to the length of the town home, it leads to an awkward area in the middle, definitely a design challenge.

  • Grace Coulter

    [img]designprojecttownhomephiladelphiastudents1layout1.jpg[/img]

    such a late post again! sorry everyone! lol once again I tried to look for a very creative solution as some of the most logical showed up early in the day. I think there are some successes but some disasters in my plan this week. let me know what you think,
    cheers

  • Hilda

    [img]4_week6finaldesign.jpg[/img]

    Okay, here’s my take on the redesign. (Took me longer than usual, since my eyes went blind and missed the announcement about IE, silly me :D )
    Don’t know why people like putting a door for the stairway, decided that can go. Erected two walls for the front and the back entrance, both used to break up the view a bit. That way when people come in, they won’t see the living or dining spaces right a way. TV goes to that wall in the front.
    Debated a bit with where to put the study, till I realize that the front of the house looks to be better off where lighting is concerned, so a wall is used to sort of separate the living and kitchen space. A bookshelf goes there too, that spot just seems like a good place to curl up with a good book:)…Not sure if that corner works out, someone please let me know what they think!!
    Cheers!

  • frazer

    Well uploading images doesn’t seem to work but I really wanted to post this one despite how late it is…..check it out at this link

    http://frazervanroekel.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/slow-home-design-challenge/

    So I added a plant and a bench with a small section of wall to create an entrance. The powder room was an ideal divider which allowed a large opening to connect the the primary spaces. I wanted to include the study close to the kitchen so a small wall improved the other entrance while providing a backer for the desk. Overall lots of space to work with on this one, it was fun!

  • Neogi

    [img]2_phillytownhouse.jpg[/img]

    I wanted my unit to feel open and airy, and with an abundance of entertainment space. when designing the interior i imagined a young family who loves to entertain and cook and utilize the kitchen as the hub of the house. This is essentially why i decided to include lots of seating areas around the prep space in the kitchen. There is the are devoted to the breakfast bar and also in the island. Across from the kitchen is the second sink with more counter space, this space can be used for more prep work or a wet bar. I tried to make both entrances in to the house feel seperate from the principle living spaces, by adding the open shelving mill work in the front entry it creates a specific foyer area. Also in the back, by having a entry table it helps to distinguish it from the dining space. I decided to place the study area at the back of the house, i think it works well with all of the natural light and it is surrounded by custom mill work and shelving.

  • Alison G

    [img]3_phillytownhouse.jpg[/img]

    Here is my late-night attempt. The long, narrow, space was challenging. I ended up breaking up the main space with the power room, not ideal with the limited window/daylighting but perhaps unavoidable.