Lesson 2: More on House Design
The next three lesson sections will explore an alternate means of design, starting with existing plans or predesigned elements, offer you more words of encouragement, and help you go from a schematic design to something more real.
Patterning - Cut and Paste
The second approach to architectural design is “patterning” or cut and paste. There is an historical tradition to this approach. You can find pattern books in your local library filled with time tested elements that can be used to build new and unique designs.
The first step is collection. Find two or three house plans that come as close as possible to your ideal home. Next, make a list of positives, must keep features and why for each plan. Make a similar list of negatives, must change elements and the whys. Now find two or three more plans that have only one key or unique element that you must have; a particular master bedroom suite, foyer/entry, or kitchen design you wish to insert into your plan.
The second step is to make tracings. Now you are going backwards to the sketch approach, using tracing paper sketch the plan which comes closest, leaving out the must change and non-issue elements (items which can move or change). Now try and insert those unique elements that you must have. Don’t worry about conflicts or overlaps, get it as close as you can. Remember, it is still a sketch.
Now, test the design, how far away from the original plan are you? Too far: Is it a completely different house? Would your results have been better starting with a different plan?
Note on Copyright
All home plans are copyright protected just like movie videos or songs. These federal laws exist to protect the intellectual property of the original architect. All parties, including the purchasers, designers, draftspersons and builder may be responsible if a copyright is violated. Penalties for violating a copyright can be severe.
The third step is to create your exterior elevations. When you select floor plans know that you can modify the look substantially by inserting two or three elements from other plans or photographs or old houses in your favorite neighborhoods. The most successful approach to modifying roof lines or the massing of the house is to change locations or configuration of the second floor layout.
Finally, analyze your plan for construction complexity, verify square footage, verify room sizes, match up against your checklist. Be careful of copyright violations, outright purchase or release fee for using the design may be required.
Things to Ponder:
1. Have you chosen the proper plan to start with? Have you changed the plan so much that significant structural modifications must be made?
2. Have you lost the advantages of starting with "the known"? What will it look like? What will it cost to build?
RESOURCES
1. Pattern Books
2. Professional Architectural Magazines, Fine Homebuilding, Better Homes & Gardens, etc.
3. Visit the public library for extensive collections of back issues.
