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For this issue, we've selected a "green" house plan from the Associated Press (AP) "House of the Week". You can find the plan at www.houseoftheweek.com. Look for plan #DRU4571
or click on the picture of the house to take you directly to the site! |
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| GOING "GREEN"? |
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Green seems to be the new black, that is, highly fashionable, cool, trendy. While we dedicate this issue to "green", reader beware: There's a big difference between "green" and sustainable. Green is the word applied to all sorts of things today, from cleaning supplies to computer monitors to building materials. Simply put, green means that thought for the environment went into the design, components, materials or disposal of the item. Sustainable, on the other hand, means long-term, economic and environmental benefits. So, when you start thinking about building green, remember - the "greenest" thing you can do is to use/re-use existing elements - whole buildings, remnants, land. In other words, building brand new - whether a home or a commercial building - isn't always the most green you can be. Think green, yes, but live sustainably! Here are just a few websites to visit: www.energystar.gov, www.smartgrowth.org , www.healthybuilding.net | |
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We're baaaack!
You loved the house plan critiques in the Journal Standard, so we're resurrecting "the crit" in this inaugural edition of Design Matters. |
Featured Article
Design Matters
House Plan Critique
Inaugural Issue, October 2009
A "Green" House
While we're not quite sure what defines "green" for Associated Press, we think this house might qualify. The best thing about this plan is its simplicity - a simple gable roof with a clean, open floor plan makes it affordable, attractive, and yes, green. This house will be inexpensive to heat and cool and with the right materials could prove sustainable over time, and that means a lot to your pocketbook and to our environment.
We're pleased to see a basement in these plans. 'Round these parts we're pretty particular about our basements! Noticeably absent is an attached garage. That's a plus - it's healthier and more attractive to detach the garage and connect the two with a beautiful breezeway.
We really like the wrap-around porch but we'd grow its depth to make it more "sittable". We'd switch the direction the entry door swings so that it doesn't block the passage to the living room, and we'd replace the windows on the rear wall of the living room with a trio of windows to match the opposite wall. This house has a great entry closet, a nice open stair and a convenient door to separate the foyer from the dining room when you want a little formality.
Pitch the flower box near the kitchen sink and replace with bookshelves to store the cookbooks you'll want to use in this very functional kitchen. The flower box opposite is totally unnecessary - just take it out! Be sure to round the edges of those counters to make it a little easier on passing hips and little ones' heads! The flower box at the lovely little breakfast nook has just gotta go!
We love the long stretch of living room. It provides space for both quiet contemplation before the fire and for family fun. We would install windows on either side of the fireplace for more light and interest, and to match the windows above it on the second floor. Shelving for your flat panel TV, DVDs, books or art would be perfect on this wall.
Bump out the upstairs bathroom area 2' more, shrink the large landing and you'll be able to turn that one large bathroom into two. We're all pretty spoiled these days by master bathrooms; with just a bit of rearranging (lose the whirlpool!) you'll have it. Strictly for aesthetics, we'd switch the skylight over the stairwell to a dormer. Finish with Energy Star appliances and sustainable materials, and you'll have a lovely "green" house for your family.
(This month's house is from the list of "green" plans found on the AP House of the Week website, www.houseoftheweek.com plan #DRU4571)
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Last Call
Always remember that good design makes good sense - now more than ever. For help with building or re-building green, call us at 815.233.2215 or email us at info@fyearch.com.
Christopher Fye and Associates
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