IS THIS THE PERFECT HOUSE DESIGN?

March 14, 2008

I am inspired by the Japanese style of a central courtyard, with the rooms of the house all around.

The perfect house, in need of shrubs.

I don’t want a big house. I wouldn’t want to heat it, cool it, clean it, or pay the mortgage for it.

I entertained the idea of 5 linked trailers for a little while, but I don’t think the world is ready for that much honesty.

Design Details

I would have a central kitchen with a big sitting area. There is no formal living room or dining room. There is no formal anything. In the kitchen, there would be an island that could seat four, with a sink and stove top built in. That way guests could be useful and chop something while they sit and visit. A table that seats eight would be between the kitchen and sitting room.

There is not a stair or a rug fiber to be cleaned in the place. The downstairs is only for utilities and a large chest freezer.

Around the central living area would be a hallway that encircles it. This is a hallway that goes nowhere but provides distance, a noise buffer, and access from the surrounding rooms to the central area.

Everyone has their own room and bathroom (remember, it’s a dream house). One might think an Occupied light outside would be unnecessary, but we all know that’s not so. In fact, a You Will Die If You Bug Me light should also be installed.

There is an exercise room with TV in it to play DVD’s. There is a punching stand on the floor. The ceilings are high in this room so I can hold a stability ball over my head without taking out the light or ceiling fan. All lights are recessed. The floor has a spongy underlayer.

There are no carpets, just a dark hardwood floor. Furniture is minimal and all of it is raised off the floor a few inches. Presently, the accumulation of children’s belongings under the furniture represents a very accurate time capsule and only takes a week to build up. The possibility of slatted floors in the living area crossed my mind but that seemed to be taking things too far.

I have my own bedroom with adjoining (but separated by a door) computer suite/office. The walls are soundproofed. There is a password-protected digital lock that zaps anyone who touches it after 9PM.

The family computer is in the sitting area off the kitchen so I can pretend to keep track of who is speaking with whom on the MSN accounts. My husband’s computer is in here as well so the children can send American Idol’s best and worst performances from one computer to the other. Or they can argue about hockey player stats on MapleLeafs.com and fight about who is impinging on whose computer time.

What am I thinking? Of course, everyone has their own computer. Sharing a computer is as inconceivable as sharing a bathroom in a dream house.

In my husband’s room, there is a bed, recliner, large TV, remote, small fridge for salsa and cheese, a cupboard full of Tostitos, a cheese grater, a case of water, a microwave, and a blanket. This room is at the exact opposite corner of the house from my room. That way, he can watch TV till 2AM and I don’t have to hear it, or hear him get up and go to bed, or any of his work-related middle-of-the-night coming-and-going.

I like my husband but I don’t need to like him all the time. I have a 250lb husband in a queen-size bed. Sometimes, sleep matters more.

The family TV is in the central area, as geometrically far from my room as it is possible for it to be. The volume switch is adjusted to have a pre-set maximum which I control.

There are pre-installed cat and dog doors to correct the present situation which demands that 1 furry beast go through a door every 3 minutes unless you enjoy being glared at by 2 glowing eyes.

2 glowing eyes

There is a huge entryway with seriously impressive storage. The entryway is not directly into the kitchen or front hallway. It is a room dedicated to itself. There are shelves, cubbies, hooks, closets, and storage containers all easily accommodated. This is the only entry into the house. There is no other “front door” where muddy boots can be left behind. There are sufficient French doors onto patios and screened-in rooms that there are many ways out of the house in case of need.

There is a screened- in room. I would like to have that for myself, off my room, but it would be invaded. There are no outdoor porches. Apart from looking pretty, they serve no use. You’re eaten alive at the very times you want to sit on them.

There are no skylights or other unnecessary holes in the roof. That’s just an expensive repair job looking for a time to happen. Ditto bay windows and similar house design originality.

The garage is not attached to the house (see middle-of-the-night coming-and-going above).

I only see one problem. There are no windows in the central area. I’m not sure skylights would have the right effect; might feel too surrounded by 4 windowless walls, like in prison.

Plan B

I have revised the house plan. I think this one is really workable. It’s in the form of a letter H.

As if I need to illustrate, below is the location of my room vis-à-vis the TV that stays on all night. My rooms are in the yellow section. Would a gate at my section be going too far?

House design.

Now there can be many windows, screened-in rooms that wrap around the ends of the H, and no hallways that go nowhere to disturb the functionality purists among us.

The kitchen and sitting room are in the center bar of the H, with a lovely courtyard outside, both front and back. The family room is located at the T-junction (in the red) as far from my room as it is possible to be without invading my husband’s little empire (shown in aqua).

I am so certain that no better house design exists that I am offering the detailed version of these plans for purchase for a limited time. Please find contact information on the Contact Christine page of this site.

Allow me to emphasize that the house pictured at the top, though attractively simple, is not my house. A flat roof is a leaky roof inside of a year. I really think I may have a gift for this.

Posted by Christine Scaman | Filed Under Happiness

Comments

2 Responses to “IS THIS THE PERFECT HOUSE DESIGN?”

sonja on March 18th, 2008 3:59 pm

I want one of these, and I am getting a gate. I am also not sharing the screened in sun room. They can get their own.
Christine Scaman on March 22nd, 2008 7:07 pm

Why is it that in my vision, the gate drops from the ceiling, like in a medieval castle? And it comes with its own remote control, “Rapid Drop” feature inclusive. Big red button. I could go on and on.