Design Explanation OF STYLE AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN
never built architect designed custom home design
this is a schematic design only
Southern California/ southern florida Fit:
I believe the designs on this site would be well suited to Southern California, and especially suited to the following areas: Malibu area, Santa Monica area, Beverly Hills area, Hollywood area and the hills outside hollywood, Los Angeles area, and the Palm Desert area. similar areas of florida would be ideal as well. It could also be comfortable in a mountain setting surrounded by pine trees.
This is how I would describe my version of Modern:
a contemporary modern.
It is clean. Veryl little decoration, mainly simple forms that, first function, and second have a modern aesthetic that is newer than the mid-century modern homes.
The exterior can be primarily white, but it doesn’t have to be. other color tones work as well. horizontal cedar toungue and groove siding will work very well.
open floor plan.
Biophilic design: humans innate connection to nature.
Lots of natural light pouring in from multiple sides of a room.
Use of wood on most interior floors. wood can be incorporated on walls and ceilings if desired.
Large sliding glass doors that open interior rooms to the outdoors.
I would like to orient the back of the house in the direction with the view and, maybe it’s a panorama, and orient the rooms so they have that view.
Floor Plan Layout:
open floor plan in living, dining, kitchen area.
Have a distinct physical and sound separation between the public spaces and the private spaces. Also, a physical and sound separation between the kid’s bedrooms and the primary bedroom. sound separations between the kid’s bedrooms.
A sense of entry is important, I think.
Universal Design for Accessibility and Visitability:
This means that most items in the home can easily be used by people with or without a disability. I am mainly concerned with allowing a person in a wheelchair to have complete and easy access to all areas of the house. Universal Design does not follow the very strict commercial ADA regulations. It accepts some practical compromises that still work for everyone.
In this house, universal design includes all bathroom and kitchen fixtures/ appliances and counter tops; laundry area; pantry; bedrooms and bedroom closets; dining room; living room; all light switches and other controls are accessible; swing door width to be 36” wide, to have lever handles, and would have proper floor area clearances on either side of the door to accommodate wheelchairs per the Universal Design concepts. There are many aspects that could come into play with universal design as it relates to people with cognitive or eyesight situations. This could mean certain colors and contrast in colors at doorways, etc. And there is very little extra cost to incorporate these items. Just needs to be included in the floor plan from the beginning, which I do.
No stairs between the driveways and the entries. No steps between the garage and the house. No stairs between the house and the outdoor decks/living areas.
Every room in the house could be designed with Universal Design accessiblity.
aging and aging in place:
No stairs/steps anywhere: ideal for aging in place or retirement. Stairs can be problematic for anyone with ambulatory issues. Aging can cause issues with our knees. And stairs can become a painful experience.
Visitability:
Universal design not only helps the residents, but it also makes a home easy to visit by anyone.