Home Design

Overview of the Unit

In this unit, we focused on designing a home from scratch. The project involved selecting a lot, creating detailed sketches, understanding client requirements, and using AutoCAD to develop a comprehensive floor plan. The goal was to understand the principles of architectural design and apply them to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing home layout.

Key Activities:

  1. Selecting the Lot:
    • Reviewed available lots and selected one based on the criteria provided.
  2. Creating Detailed Sketches:
    • Developed a detailed sketch of the property, outlining the area for the house, labeling important information like setbacks, utilities, and streets.
  3. Understanding Client Needs:
    • Completed a Google Form to understand the client’s requirements and preferences for the home design.
  4. Bubble Diagrams:
    • Created bubble diagrams to represent the relative size of each room and their arrangement in the house.
    • Developed three complete bubble diagrams with all required rooms labeled and proportioned.
  5. Concept Sketch:
    • After approval of the bubble diagram, completed a concept sketch, considering proportions, doors, windows, and closets.
  6. AutoCAD Floor Plan:
    • Installed AutoCAD and created a detailed floor plan, including overall dimensions, room labels, and necessary details like kitchen layout and furniture.
  7. Final Submission:
    • Incorporated feedback, refined the floor plan, and submitted the final version for evaluation.

Samples

Construction Process

  1. Planning:
    • Developed initial sketches and bubble diagrams to outline the house layout.
  2. Collecting:
    • Gathered information and resources needed for the design process, including client requirements and architectural principles.
  3. Experimentation:
    • Created multiple versions of bubble diagrams and concept sketches to explore different design possibilities.
  4. Testing:
    • Used AutoCAD to draft the floor plan, refining it based on feedback and practical considerations.
  5. Finish:
    • Finalized the floor plan with detailed labels and dimensions, ensuring it met all criteria and client needs.

Key Elements of the Home Design

  1. Lot Selection:
    • Chose a lot that met the project criteria and provided ample space for the proposed house.
  2. Bubble Diagrams:
    • Used bubble diagrams to plan the layout and relative sizes of different rooms, ensuring functionality and flow within the home.
  3. AutoCAD Floor Plan:
    • Created a detailed floor plan with AutoCAD, including room labels, overall dimensions, and placement of doors and windows.
  4. Client Requirements:
    • Incorporated client preferences and needs into the design, ensuring the final layout was tailored to their lifestyle.

Takeaways

  1. Constraints:
    • The project highlighted the challenges of working within constraints due to the client needs, size of the lot, and the specific rooms requested. In many ways, designing a floor plan is the physical equivalent of writing a precis. You have to make maximum usage of what you have.
  2. Problem Solving:
    • The freedom in project design required creative problem-solving and adaptability to overcome challenges and meet project goals.
  3. Technical Problems:
    • Having to plan around both learning new software and working around its quirks was challenging. Future planning should include padding to account for that.