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1. Find the right area.
Context: Lake George, NY
This project was to show what an increase in density would look like.
Lake George is a a popular tourist destination. The commercial strip is along Route 9, and there are residential neighborhoods to the west. The side streets are within walking distance to the center.
The site is on a large property that could be subdivided to take advantage of its location. It would not block the sun or any important views.
The proposed single-family house is approximately 1,500 sq.ft., and modeled after similar houses nearby.
The vernacular style
Knowledge: (Urbanism Rules)
In order to make reasonable decisions during the site-selection process, it helps to have general knowledge about:
2. Site the building.
Context:
The site is on an existing property, in between the group of pine trees and the looping driveway.
Place markers on the ground for approximate dimensions. Record the dimensions onto the site plan.
I placed the house 10 feet away from the sidewalk, and 10 feet away from the existing driveway. The house wraps around the pine trees to the west.
The entrance leads to an indented porch, with the front door on the right.
Parking is between the birch tree and the pine tree.
Knowledge: (Urbanism Rules)
For deciding how to site the building, it helps to know:
Form-Based Codes: how much space is needed for a house, for a driveway/garage, for a yard, for a garden, how to shape a cluster, how to position a house for sunlight
Dynamic Codes, such as privacy requirements like setbacks from the road and neighboring houses, what views tend to be important to people, rules about plants/trees
Negotiated Rights: ways to negotiate shared space with neighbors
3. Determine the building's massing and style.
Context: 25'x35' footprint
I put the gable toward the street where the front entrance is.
The house is two stories tall like the neighboring houses.
I added sub-masses to fit with the site. I considered it from multiple angles.
Knowledge: (Architecture Rules)
To determine the building's massing, it helps to know:
Form-Based Codes: rules about density, rules about building types
Massing Rules: rules about proportion/scale,
Style Considerations (Architecture): what elements are necessary to convey its style, its use, style compatibility, etc.
4. Lay out the interior.
Context:
Early schematic plan (above) with more precise dimensions (below)
The second story addition in the schematic plan felt too large, so I got rid of it. There was no longer any need for a hallway there, in between the bedroom and the stair, so it became a shared bathroom. That meant that the shared bathroom in the schematic plan could become the master bath, and the master bath could become a small office.
Knowledge: (Architecture Rules)
To lay out the house, it helps to know:
Spatial Rules like general sizes for most activities, rules about circulation, rules about privacy, maximizing sunlight and views
Programmatic Rules like important adjacencies, different user groups, what activities are prioritized given available space, how to combine uses, find equivalent uses, etc.
5. Add color, materials, and furniture.
Context:
The final design has brown vinyl siding and some brick around the porch.
I positioned the windows according to what looks right on the façade.
I adjusted the kitchen to add more pantry space. I moved the stove to where I initially had a chimney.
Knowledge: (Architecture Rules)
It helps to know about construction methods, materials, HVAC, structural rules of thumb, furniture layouts, technology and appliances, style details, etc. Style Renders offer a quick way to visualize ideas.
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