Tuesday, August 13, 2013

introducing CHAPUCAS

This is probably the most daunting design project I have ever worked on…the design of our own home. Having my husband and myself as clients is a lot harder than one would think. How do I get all those cool ideas I have been wanting in a house into a cohesive design and within budget? All of our decisions are based on balancing our, at times, conflicting priorities.


PRIORITIES
  • A home we will love - cool, beautiful and comfortable
  • Lots of natural light
  • Stay within our budget
  • Energy Efficient
  • Healthy, Low Maintenance & Environmentally Responsible interiors and exteriors
  • A house that fits into the neighborhood

 
DESIGN PARAMETERS
  • The lot size is 40’x120’ with alley access, 20’ front yard set back and 16’ rear yard with 5’ side yard setbacks. 
  • Open up to the southern exposure along the long side of the lot.
  • Attached ADU (accessory dwelling unit, aka mother-in-law unit)
  • Main living space on the second floor with separate bedroom
  • Connection to the outside on the second floor
  • Garage big enough for the Mini Cooper, motorcycle and all of Neil’s tools and work materials. 
  • Home offices for both of us

DESIGN CHALLENGES
  • Display my extensive book collection without overwhelming Neil’s minimalistic sensibilities.
  • A large enough home to entertain in, but small enough to be intimate for just the 2 of us.  The right size home.
  • Maintaining privacy within a city environment while bringing in lots of natural light
  • Create 2 dwelling units that are separate, but have an indoor connection

The main space is really what the whole house is designed around. I wanted lots of natural light and ventilation. A room that is both intimate and spacious. A room where the bookshelves and cabinets are built in and become the walls and the TV can be hidden with moveable panels. The house is designed around how we live and want to live.


FOR CURRENT CONSTRUCTION

 PHOTOS CLICK HERE