7Planning the Living Area
Chapter
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Objectives• Identify the three main areas in a typical
residence.• Explain why designers take special needs into
account when designing a new home.• Describe the rooms and areas that comprise the
living area.• Apply design principles to planning a living room.
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Objectives• Analyze a dining room using good design
principles.• Design a functional entry and foyer.• Communicate the primary design considerations
for a family room.• Integrate designs for outdoor living areas into the
total floor plan of a dwelling.
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Areas of a Residence
• Three main areas: living area, sleeping area, service area
• Designer must know purpose of each room and its accessibility needs– International Residential Codes (IRC) establish
regulations for residential design and construction
• CADD tools reduce time needed to develop suitable designs
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Areas of a Residence
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Traffic Circulation
• The movement of people from one area or room to another
• Plan traffic circulation for maximum efficiency of movement
• Analyze movement to determine if plan is as functional as it can be
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Traffic Pattern BEFORE
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Traffic Pattern AFTER
http://www.annarbor.com/home-garden/making-traffic-flow-smoothly-when-remodeling-a-home/
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Living Room
• Size– What furniture is planned?– How often will the room be used?– How many people are expected?– Is it a multipurpose room?
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Living Room
• Location– Do not place in traffic corridor– Grade level is best position– Take advantage of views– Near dining room– Informal divider often used in great room– Orient for comfort and energy conservation
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POORLY Located Living Room
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PROPERLY Located Living Room
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Living Room
• Décor
– Homeowner’s preference– Emphasize good points, minimize weak points– Interior style should reflect exterior style
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Dining Rooms
• Popularity of dining rooms changes from time to time
• Lifestyle determines the need for a dining room• May be formal or informal• Special place for eating and family gatherings
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Dining Room
• Plan– Closed plan or open plan?
• Size– Based on number of people who will use room,
amount of furniture, and traffic clearance– 2'-3" from center-to-center of chairs– 2'-0" between chair backs and wall
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Entry and Foyer
• Every house has at least one main entry• Many, but not all, houses have a foyer• Three basic types of entries:
– main entry– service entry– special-purpose entry
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Main Entry
• Centrally located and open into a foyer
• Visitors visible without opening door
• Provide protection from weather
• Visually interesting• Size depends on size
and design of house
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Two Types of Main Entry
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Service and Special-Purpose Entries
• Service entry usually connected to the kitchen or utility room
• Special-purpose entry provides access to patio, deck or court
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Foyer
• A place to greet guests, remove coats and boots
• Flooring must be soil-resistant• Coat closet• Provides access to other rooms• Size depends on house size,
location, personal preference• Décor reflects adjacent rooms
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Foyer Design
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Foyer Design
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Family Room
• Place where the family can play or pursue hobbies• Design for function and easy maintenance• Basement location advantages include large area,
separates noise from other living areas, contains necessary structural details, easy to decorate and keep clean
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Family Room
• Size varies• Furniture selected depend on anticipated activities• Décor reflects homeowner’s lifestyle• Common items in room include large-screen TVs,
pool tables, game tables• Accessibility is important
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Special-Purpose Rooms
• Dedicated to pursuit of special interest, such as a greenhouse
• Special-purpose rooms frequently have unique requirements:– Storage, lighting,
ventilation, plumbing, electrical
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Outdoor Living Areas
• Patios, porches, decks, courtyards, gazebos• Enlarge the area and function of a home• Lighting allows for use after dark, adds safety and
security
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Patios• Patios are near house but not structurally
connected to it• Located at ground level• Building materials include concrete, brick, stone,
tile, redwood, pressure-treated wood, or synthetic decking
• Place to relax, play, entertain, and live• Carefully choose location, size, design
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My DREAM PATIO!
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Porches and Decks
• Porches and decks are structurally connected to house
• Porches are covered, decks are not• A ramp is required for access by the disabled• A balcony is a narrow porch located on an upper
floor of a home• A veranda is a large porch that extends along an
entire wall of a house
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Porch
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Courtyards
• Courtyards are outdoor spaces totally or partially enclosed by walls or roof
• Used for dining, relaxing, talking, entertaining, and as gardens
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Gazebos
• A gazebo provides an architectural focal point.
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Architecture
• Porches and green design– Prior to widespread use of air-conditioning, houses
had porches, which prevented the sun from directly entering the home
– Once air conditioning became widespread, homes were designed without porches
– Designers are realizing the potential of porches to reduce electricity use while moderating the temperature of a home
Green
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Employability
• Preparing for a job interview– Research the employer and the job– Be prepared to answer questions– List the questions you want answered– List the materials you plan to take to the interview– Decide what to wear– Practice the interview– Know where to go for the interview