Decisions, decisions… how to site a home
It’s back to the drawing board for us, because a home, we’ve come to believe, is all about its views. How it connects nature to you. Especially when you live in Minneapolis, which requires you hibernate each winter. If you’re a wimp from the East Coast like me.
From Elle Decor
Light pulls you through a house. It pulls you through life… it gives you hope, that “light at the end of the tunnel.”
From Architectural Digest
And so we’ve decided against a traditional Tudor, as it would block southern exposure for us. Jean from Rehkamp Larson has come up with a rough sketch of a new design, which turns our home on its north lot line, away from our neighbors, to extend our living spaces into our yard, maximizing southern exposure.
It’s just a rough sketch to help ideas percolate, but before we meet with her, I’d love to hear your thoughts. We like the idea of a kitchen and living room surrounded by windows. And nothing beats a screened in porch on warm summer nights. But how do the spaces relate to one another? Do you think the design above works?
*I’m a featured mom vlogger on MommyToMommy.TV. How much leisure time do you have?
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YES! I love your new ideas!
I know I tweeted you but I wanted to put it here too- the way a house is situated on a lot is SO important!
Our current home was plopped on the lot without any consideration for lighting and utility. I live in Houston and the AC runs almost all year long (it was on last week!)
Because of the way our house was put on the lot, our house is always at least 10-20 degrees hotter than outside on sunny days. Why?
Two sides of our house have several large windows. The builders put those sides on the SW/W side of the house so it gets the brunt of the brutal TX heat. The AC compressor is on the SW corner of the house (should have been located on the N side of the house) which drives up our bills.
Meanwhile, the only north side window is the kitchen window- which never gets any sun at all.
Don’t forget to take weather patterns into account! If you get freezing north winds every winter – you might not want to locate a wall of windows on that side (harder to insulate). If you want a solarium/sun room – don’t put it on the NE side.
Great advice above. I like the open floorplan feel and nowadays, it seems the kitchen/family room connection is where the family spends most of the time. I wish my kitchen had more light. I would opt for a sunny kitchen over sunny living room anyday. Heating for you in MN would be an important factor too with less windows in rooms where you want to keep it warmer.
So Jen dear, I have no advice to offer on the matter of building your own house……as in Nigeria houses are just built. Whatever you decide on, I’d say get second opinions and learn from peoples experiences. Glad you enjoyed your winter sports – have a blessed festive season and a great 2011
WOW that looks so beautiful! I love the open and that much lights are fantastic. Best of luck and may you guys have a wonderful New Year! Hugs from across the ocean.
YES to southern exposures. Passive solar is a great idea.
In the winter the low sun comes more directly into our home, in the
summer it’s too high up to get in past our deep eaves. If you spend
as much time in the kitchen as I do, you’ll want that room
surrounded by windows. Sounds great!
Love the idea of a home with more windows in the living area. I know it is only a rough sketch, but would you really want your pantry across the hallway from the kitchen and have it attached to the dining room?