Week In Review For Single Family Houses In Denver

Posted on: May 7th, 2010 | 27 Comments

This is Day 108 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 Denver and today we are going to be reviewing the work from the past week.

We have made it through another week! Thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy of the “What’s Wrong With This House?” book – we have almost sold out of our first run. We appreciate your support of the Slow Home cause!

Because its Friday, we like to reveal the name of the Slow Homer of the Week – please click on the link below to find out who we would like to recognize and why.

We also like to review the Design Project submissions every Friday. This week, we had a particularly active Design Project day with lots of new
people posting designs for the first time as well as a lot of great discussion on the site. Thanks to everyone who participated!

A couple of notable projects that were submitted that we didn’t have time to review in the today’s episode – as we had so many entries – include:

This is a project by Terri – who made a segmented bathroom with two separate entries and three pocket doors. Note how the main entry for guests would be onto the sink – which is a sensitive way to detail this space.

This is a project submitted by Jessica – her first contribution to the Design Project! It is notable how the kitchen peninsula lines up with the
storage wall to create a nice linear effect – I would have switched the location of the dining table and living room furniture in this plan.

Manolo submitted a great and well resolved plan – note the location of his washer and dryer – very clever. The bathroom is also really simple – which
we like a lot.

Andrew – another first time contribution – turned the back entry towards the main space of the house which is an interesting idea – I would have detailed the kitchen a little differently – perhaps with an island.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their plans! We will see you on Monday as we vote for the best apartment/loft project in Denver and look at some statistics!

  • Frances Grant-Feriancek

    Thank you for the Slow Homer of the week title, it dovetails nicely with Mother’s Day this weekend. I think I should make myself a sash!

    I almost did not post my late design so again thank you, but in the spirit of full disclosure I should come clean. I post from Halifax, therefore if it was 7:30am in Calgary it was 10:30am on the East Coast. Sorry Matthew, not such a remarkable feat now.

    For those of you who still can, call your mother it’s all she really wants.

    Have a great weekend.

  • Murray

    Frances,

    I am in Antigonish – maybe we should start a Maritimes chapter.

  • MollyK

    Good morning,
    A couple of thoughts before I start my day.

    John,
    I actually thought about a door from the Master suite into the bathroom but I felt it was outside the parameters of the project. It is very doable (IMHO) because the bedroom has so much space.

    Speaking of parameters, it was clear that certain floorplans were more “spacious” because space from the Master bedroom was re-allocated for the K/L/D area. In all fairness, it is more challenging to leave that space alone (i.e., stay within Matthew’s parameters) and redesign using the existing square footage. I think everyone should submit their first design based soley on the parameters. Afterwards, they can do whatever they want……pretend the homeowner has handed them a blank check. Knock down all the walls and put on an addition. Get creative. (That is my humble opinion.)

  • BradW

    John,

    As I said late Wednesday, I thought your plan was a winner this week. Don’t listen to Matthew!

  • John Brown

    Molly K,

    In my experience, deciding when and where to start and stop a redesign or remodel is always difficult. If you go too far then you can end up going outside the realm of the reasonable. If you are too conservative then you risk not making a change that makes a big difference. I always encourage a balanced approach. Consider things out of the box and then consider if the return or gain outweighs the extra scope of work.

    In this particular case I think it does and is at least an option I would show to a client for consideration. Depending on budget and priorities it may go somewhere or the redesign might be scaled back to keep the bathroom in its original configuration. I think we have an obligation to show possibilities that the client might not have originally thought about.

    The good thing about design problems is that there isn’t just one right answer.

  • John Brown

    Frances,
    Independent of the timing, it is great to have you back and the award is well deserved. I love the idea of the sash…

  • BradW

    MollyK,

    You have touched on a recurring argument with the design projects. As someone who has had similar issues in the past, I suggest what you do in the design project is entirely up to you. View any given parameters as simply guidelines. Let your personal style come through and have fun.

  • MollyK

    Brad and John,
    I do have fun…staying within the parameters is a challenge, one that I find “fun”. BTW, Brad, if I let my personal style really come through I would probably demolish more of the plan than would be affordable. ;)

    I do think we are obligated to show options but I usually consider Matthew’s parameters as the “homeowner’s wishes”. Having done several extensive renovations in 2 homes (with no professional help) I know the #1 constraint is by far money so I consider that in the redesigns. (At least in my first attempt.)

    I don’t think I’ll change my perspective much but I appreciate the insightful feedback.

  • nicole

    Matthew – In Francis’s plan, I would agree that the toilet should be by the tub, but I would actually move the tub to be where she put the vanity. (tub, then toilet, then vanity with the washroom door closer to the master bedroom) This way, you do not see directly into the washroom as you enter the house.

  • Manolo

    I found it really difficult to design without having the slow home test in the back of my mind – like, every time I made a move with my plan I couldn’t help think, “would it get the point now?” So that was challenging (and fun of course to work with constraints). I wonder how all of our plans would score if we ran the test on them again after the redesign to really see just how much better the house is. I suspect that gains were made by all – now trying to improve the siting that’s a bit trickier!

  • BradW

    MollyK – cost be damned, demolish to your heart’s content and let’s really see what you’ve got!

  • Terri

    MollyK,
    I’m with you–I really like the constraints, but there are times when it just seems silly to not make a fairly minor change (this week I didn’t move a window or insert a couple others, which I should have, I feel now). I was taking more time than I felt I should already. Of course, I really would have liked to redo the master bedroom end and then…

    As John says, it’s hard to know where to draw the line. Of course, in life, as you say, money determines how far to go. With these projects, for me, it’s the time it takes for me to do my first idea which determines what I’ll do. I’m always impressed with people who do several versions.

    (I’m hoping you will chuckle when you read what I wrote you at the end of yesterday’s post…I meant to be kidding around, but this medium has its limitations.)

  • BradW

    I am back again with a follow up to my earlier post regarding Colorado mid-century architect Charles Haertling. His 1962 Koin House is currently for sale as shown here – http://www.milehimodern.com/14CherryLane/index.php. If you browse the milehimodern site you will find many affordable examples of original mid-century homes in Denver.

  • Jessica

    With respect to Anna’s (from Australia) comments yesterday, I wonder if question 2 of the slow home test might have a heavier weighting, prompting greater consideration in practice plan revisions, especially if they are influential in design choices made (as in Manolo’s case).

    Design creates possibilities; it enables better living practices–I think this is the fundamental intent behind the slow movement in general. Slow designs can enable changes in energy consumption and wasteful behaviour–as Anna describes.

    A generation ago (possibly two) hanging laundry in one’s backyard in Calgary was not considered unsightly, it was necessary. How can designs created today reintegrate lighter living?

  • MollyK

    Thanks to everybody for today’s feedback. It has helped me immensely. I appreciate Manolo’s challenges…at least I’m not alone.

    Thank you Terri,
    Your perspective means alot to me. As for your comment on the South unit bathroom …the concept of “learning” through cooperation using a shared bathroom is strictly for the kids. I figure by the time adulthood arrives everybody is a lost cause, so give me my own sink.;) (Just between you and me, men are messy at the sink…at least mine is.)

    BradW,
    Thank you for your words of encouragement. It goes against my character to move too much beyond the parameters. John said next week’s project is going to be different…maybe that would be a good time to break out of my shell. Hmmmmm…maybe not? Thanks again. I’m feeling better.:)

  • MollyK

    Well Brad, I think you found a home with an exterior I just don’t like. The Koin home reminds me of the elementary schools in my area…long with flat roof and windows at the top. I tried liking it but it ain’t happenin’. The interior isn’t bad but there aren’t many photos. Did you notice the 2 sinks side-by-side in the kitchen? I started laughing because I realized you could finish cleaning up twice as fast with 2 sinks. That was the only justification I could come up with. They are placed too close together for one to be considered a prep sink only…don’t you think? And the 8 bathrooms…well, it boggles the mind. Still…I truly enjoy your contributions.

  • Mid America Mom

    BradW interesting home. That brick is so dark in those pictures…

    MollyK I am sorry I forgot to say thank you for your compliment on my design. I looked back at yours today and like the placement of the double vanity from the bedroom side and I think you were the only one that turned that double galley kitchen. I liked how you could look to the kitchen, out the window or to the patio door area from the island stools.

    OH I wish I did not have the powder type room door near the kitchen.. wheels are turning :)

    * Looks like I am in the minority but I could not in good conscience give these folks a one bowl vanity or non segmented bath when we could have 6 people living there. I would not want to be there at 7 am before school/work. Brady Bunch comes to mind.

    Mid America Mom

  • Mid America Mom

    Oh I have to call a foul on John. He broke the said parameters. Being the founder of the movement – the penalty will be light ;)

  • Murray

    Here are further images of the Koin House. I am going to suggest it is a kosher kitchen, thus the two sinks.

    http://www.modernindenver.com/modern_article.php?aNum=33

  • Alison G

    My favourite plan modification might be Terri’s re-design of the bathroom. Compartmentalizing the three main bathroom elements (toilet, vanity, and bathtub) so that all three can be used simultaneously minimizes the impact of having one bathroom in a three bedroom house. Illustrating the idea that a well designed smaller/slower dwelling can be as commodious as a much larger house.

  • Terri

    Allison G,
    I appreciate your nod in my direction, but I’m not completely happy with the way my segments turned out. If I could have reconfigured the master bedroom end of that plan, I’d find a way to include a toilet in the bath/shower segment, as it could allow just a little more flexibility of use.

  • Terri

    BradW,
    Re: the Koin House on Cherry Hill. I agree with MollyK about the outside–looks more like a public building than a private one. The interior reminds me of a neighbour’s home from my childhood in North Vancouver–the panelled walls, slate floor and large open kitchen with living room views out floor-to-ceiling windows towards trees. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
    BTW, I like the ballustrade and textured wall in the stairwell. The stairs must lead to a lower level, as it’s advertised as a rancher.

  • Andrew

    I’m starting to see how an island kitchen has to potential to create a lot of continuous countertop area while at the same time separating and defining the kitchen space. I also like how in some of the plans the island makes a connection with the living or dining spaces by having its own seating. I also thought it was nice when the garage entrance and the main entrance were effectively combined and shared closet space, as in Tara’s plan. And in my plan the clouded area in bottom left is a closet at the back sliding door – not sure if this was necessary.

  • TomE

    Great discussion this week! You never know what you will learn on this site.
    Thanks BradW for the texting lingo translator link. I usually have to ask my niece, glad I figured out WTF before I asked.
    Thanks, John and MAM for the thoughts the All in One washer / dryer. I think the way to live large in a small space is to be very effective and efficient with the space you have.
    BradW nice link to another cool house!
    For those up for a week end guest lecture, check out Michelle Kaufmann http://www.msichicago.org/fileadmin/Activities/Podcast/MSI-002_SmartHome.mp3 and http://www.ted.com/talks/catherine_mohr_builds_green.html

  • Grace Coulter

    Thanks John and Matthew for reviewing my floor plan in your review today. I agree with your comments for the most part.
    Overall this week there were some very interesting topics brought up. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at other people design plans.

    Nicole I though your was great specifically and you did a few things I wish i had thought of including staking the washer dryer.

    I look forward to next week’s discussion.
    cheers,
    grace

  • Mid America Mom

    ***Community / John/ Matthew.*** Not sure I shared this with you but in late April at one of my other favorite sites – unclutterer.com they had a blog on “How much living space you need” : http://unclutterer.com/2010/04/28/how-much-living-space-do-you-need/ I found the links and comments interesting and thought you would too.
    ********************************************
    I am betting that we could, as a group, come up with some min. room dimensions. And if we worked hard enough, an actual group collaborated floorplan of a min. sized single family floorplan. We would need guidelines like : two story, 4 season climate.. etc.

    Mid America Mom

  • John Brown

    M.A.M

    Thanks for the link. An interesting discussion. There are certainly many dimensional constraints/guidelines in houses that have to do with the size of our bodies (height, reach, etc.), the size of our furniture, and the particular cultural norms in which we live. Not designing with those in mind is like designing a suit without understanding the basic proportions of the human figure.