Room Additions – Start with an Interior Design
DEAR TIM: My wife and I recently had a large room addition project completed. We spent months with an architect developing the plans. Now that we are moving into the space, the furniture layout seems cramped and the floor plan is awkward. What did we do wrong? S. S.
DEAR S. S.: The description of your planning meetings tells me that you "forced the plan." This is a very common occurrence. I have seen it happen more often than not.
"Forcing the plan" can happen very easily. This concept describes what happens when you draw a shape for a room or several rooms and then decide what will happen within the room or rooms. I frequently refer to it as working from the outside in. Proceeding with plans in this fashion can be a recipe for disaster.
It is very common for some architects or homeowners to start their planning with a certain size room on a piece of paper. The planning then progresses through stages to see what will fit in this room. Sometimes things are squeezed into the room. Doorways, hallways, closets, etc. can end up in strange places.
Some of the best plans for rooms, room additions, or homes are created when you decide to work from the inside and proceed to the outside. Simply put, decide what you want to do in the space and then put the walls and ceiling on your 'space' to protect it from the elements.
Many design schools have specialized programs for individuals who specialize in this type of work. They are called interior designers. These individuals have specific training which allows them to comfortably place furniture and other fixtures in such a way as to maximize function and minimize the space necessary to achieve this function. They are not to be confused with interior decorators.
The training for architects, on the other hand, tends to be oriented more towards exterior design, scale, and form. They often receive specialized schooling with respect to various types of building materials and how the use of these materials can influence the way a structure will look. Many architects are exposed to interior design, but not to the degree of an interior designer.
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Depending upon how complex a project is, it may become necessary to have an interior designer work in conjunction with an architect. Their talents can be blended and the end result can be spectacular. Projects that are not complex may require a minimal amount of time spent with an interior designer.
The design process should generally start with the architect. This individual is knowledgeable concerning zoning laws and setback requirements. It usually is a good idea to obtain from the architect a simple site plan that indicates the limits to which the room addition or home can extend on the lot.
Then take this simple plan to the interior designer. Allow the designer to develop a preliminary drawing. At this point you should be able to turn the bulk of the work over to the architect.
Periodically allow the interior designer to do a quick check of the plans as they become more and more refined. This may seem like an enormous amount of work, but you will be rewarded with a dramatic and functional project.
Remember, the entire concept of this process is based upon working from the inside out. You must try to create a workable plan which provides you with the necessary space to do everything you wish to do. Add your exterior walls and roof only after you are satisfied that the plan will in fact work. Don't fall into the trap of starting with an empty room.
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Adding to a House is the ideal book for designers and builders who understand basic construction but have not had access to a single source of information that covers the entire process of planning, designing and building an addition.
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Adding to a House is also perfect for home owners who intend to contract the work out and want to understand the process so they can make intelligent decisions and work effectively with people they hire. This book will help you avoid costly mistakes, make sure no potential problems are overlooked and handle tricky construction details.
By following the advice in this book designers, builders and home owners will be able to create an addition that solves space problems and increase the value of a house. This book is published by Taunton Press, one of my favorite book publishers, and has wonderful color photographs and easily understood illustrations.
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