Architecture as a Luxury?

Dave,

In our commecial real estate practice in Beverly Hills, we would encounter with architects design/function.  In one instance on famed Rodeo Drive, the architect wanted to create bowling lanes with small windows for stores.  The building was an homage to some building in France that the architect had loved.  With the owner's support we insisted on large windows so that retailers can display their merchandise.  That building leased immediately.  In another instance, the owner was enchanted with the architects' vision.  When we objected, we did not get the listing and were grateful.  The building had to be gutted after 4 years on the market and redone for another 2 years.

The marriage of design/function is a tricky one.  We used to have discussions with our designers who are artistically correct in picking small fonts for phone numbers on a card or on a website we are designing, however, from a functionality perspective, it annoys the user, and we are looking for user experience.  One has to define what they want and keep a vision to the future.

Down the street from where we lived on the Westside of Los Angeles, Frank Geary designed a home where the master was reached by going outside.  The former owner loved it...yes, it took a while to sell and remodel!  Legoreto the famed Mexican architect built one next to my in law's home.  Although my father in law referred to it as a shopping center( the look was minimalist, and the outer walls were painted in vivid colors) inside it was functional and each room flowed from one to another and really worked.  It was an easy to live in house!

I agree that an architect has such a different perspective and see's opportunities in spaces that the average homeowner or general contractor won't. 

A frequent complaint of any house by potential buyers is "I don't like the floor plan."  If only builders would take your advise, they could sell homes much faster.

The area of Houston I target is in a "custom build" neighborhood. The look is so much better. The houses are built anywhere from 1968 on to today. There are still many empty lots to fill, but the HOA is picky about keeping variety on the street fronts. I think this actually makes it EASIER to sell houses, because each house is different, which makes it more memorable.

When I show homes in those "cookie-cutter striped" subdivisions, it is hard to keep the houses straight because they are all so similar. The HOAs require a plan that is approved by a an artitect, but it is true that most are developed by CAD guys and stamped by the artitect. My brother is one of those CAD guys. However, he works very closely with the artitect and studies building codes and best practices. It really does make a differece, especially here in an area where we must build to wind standards for hurricanes.

There are so many unemployeed artitects, civil engeneers and CAD drafting guys right now due to the housing bust. They would jump at a chance to work on an addition...probably for pennies on the dollar!

My niece lives in a new subdivision where all of the homes are very similar.  This past weekend she had a birthday party for her one year old daughter, and her neighbor, two doors away, had a party for her one year old daughter.  The street was filled with cars.  The 2 houses are the same color (beige with black trim), and I can't tell you how many "guests" went to the wrong house!  While a builder would allow 3 homes in a row to have the same exterior color, albeit diffent models, is beyond me!

Dave, Love the Tumbleweed site.  Great post!

So true. Architectural services are an undervalued profession and I was in the practice for 10 years. Some residential home owners would rather hire a builder who can do the design AND build services , than hire an architect to do the design work for additional fees.

love the tiny house concept... trailerable, efficient hundred feet... makes one think

Dave, There are some areas I have seen that are full of crackerbox houses, but that is one thing I love about Fair Oaks.  There are a few older tracts, but many homes are custom or at least semi-custom, and although they are not all perfect in their space planning, many are specifically designed for their efficient use of space as well as their beauty.  I think you would like Fair Oaks!

Hi Dave,  Most houses/condos here are smaller than houses up north and thus have usually been designed to be quite space efficient.  You can always tell the poorly designed ones as soon as you step inside.

Hi and thanks for the good post today.  I like the little house but it doesn't always fit the family size.   Where do you put everything is my question.  

Patricia

Dave,

Way to go!! all your blogs should be featured.

To design a small house, you need the service of an architect.  You'll be amazed at what they can do with small space. 

I've seen houses that won awards and were featured in architecture magazines but no one wanted to live in them. It reminds me of the saying "the operation was a success but the patient died"

Dave - you beat me to it! I saw one of these the other day and thought, of course, what a great idea for my blog! You did a much better job than I would have and congrats on the featured post!

Excellent post....you said it all, and very well, indeed.    Whether tiny or spacious, the architectural vision brings that classic allure to a living space.     The difference is always immediately evident.