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18 Winners from the Architect's Toolbox
Architects and designers rely on these ideas for creating spaces that nurture and inspire
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I am licensed to practice architecture in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey & Wisconsin and I am a certificate holder from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Since 1996 I have worked from my home office and provide full architectural services exclusively to the single family residential market. My passion is to transform my clients' houses into their homes. I strive to have the "new" home accommodate my clients' lives without fighting them at every junction. I look to add curb appeal to encourage a beautiful streetscape. And I design any addition to look and feel like it has always been there.
Our projects have won numerous design awards as well as having...
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located... More »
Over the past several months I've been working on a collection of articles that identify and describe various tools that architects and other designers use when designing a home. These tools (proportion, layers, connections, happy accidents and more) can help create a home that's more than a simple shelter — a home that fills more than a utilitarian need. Using these tools in a skilled manner will likely result in a home that inspires and nurtures you.
| Scale and proportion. These are two of the easiest tools to use incorrectly. Who hasn't seen an ill-proportioned elevation or room? Maybe the columns are too thin or the windows too big. Whatever the case, when it goes wrong it can be quite unsettling. So getting scale and proportion right is something that architects and designers strive for. |
Found spaces. Not every space is foreground or background. Some spaces are simply in between.
Sometimes we create this kind of space to stake a claim for a space of our own and sometimes it's to create a transition between the two. Whatever the case, find out how architects and designers create these in-between spaces.
Sometimes we create this kind of space to stake a claim for a space of our own and sometimes it's to create a transition between the two. Whatever the case, find out how architects and designers create these in-between spaces.
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Vestibules. Originally conceived as an air lock to keep gusts of cold winter air from entering the home, the vestibule has taken on a character all its own.
Not quite inside nor outside, a vestibule is meant to be a transitional space that keeps rain, mud and unwanted guests out of the house proper. These transitional spaces, though more common on older homes, can find their way into a more contemporary aesthetic, as can be seen here.
Not quite inside nor outside, a vestibule is meant to be a transitional space that keeps rain, mud and unwanted guests out of the house proper. These transitional spaces, though more common on older homes, can find their way into a more contemporary aesthetic, as can be seen here.
by Randy Brown
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Bridges. For some sites, the best solution to connect the house to its land is a bridge. Whether tenuous, ethereal, forceful or dynamic, a bridge can create a desirable transition space between outside and inside, between home and landscape.
See how bridges can create these transitions and take on a character of their own.
See how bridges can create these transitions and take on a character of their own.
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| Roofs. There are so many important functions for a roof. Though its primary purposes may be to shed water and protect us from the elements, a well-thought-out roof does so much more. It can tether us to the landscape or let us soar up and away. And the best roofs can do both at the same time. |
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Connections. Homes connect to the earth in different ways. Some burrow and anchor themselves into the ground. Others gently touch down in the most minimal way. Some seem to glide along the surface, appearing as if they can slide to and fro.
Establishing the way a home is connected to the ground goes well beyond technical, structural concerns and speaks to how we understand our relationship to the earth.
See some of the possibilities here.
Establishing the way a home is connected to the ground goes well beyond technical, structural concerns and speaks to how we understand our relationship to the earth.
See some of the possibilities here.
Layers. Architects and designers use spatial layering to make smaller spaces appear larger and more interesting by connecting to — or implying — spaces beyond. We can create this effect by breaking up a space into pieces that have defined beginnings and ends and by using framed openings, columns and "floating" walls to imply more. The results are richly complex spaces.
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Considered hallways. So many hallways are treated as afterthoughts during the design process. Rather than being considered spaces that can enrich our daily experiences, these hallways make us feel like the proverbial mouse scurrying to and fro.
This doesn't have to be the case, as these glorious hallways attest.
This doesn't have to be the case, as these glorious hallways attest.
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Rotations. A rotated square and movement along a diagonal are two devices architects and designers use to achieve emphasis and a sense of increased size.
Both tools rely on a grid of 90 degrees — and the sudden introduction of an element askew from that grid.
Both tools rely on a grid of 90 degrees — and the sudden introduction of an element askew from that grid.
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Rooms within a room. Architects and designers sometimes create a room within a room to reduce the scale and provide a more intimate setting — nesting a space within a space, a little like Shaker nesting boxes and Russian matryoshka dolls.
So the next time you get under the covers of your four-poster bed or engage in a conversation in an inglenook by the fire, remember that you're enjoying the type of space architects have been creating for centuries.
See some recent examples here.
So the next time you get under the covers of your four-poster bed or engage in a conversation in an inglenook by the fire, remember that you're enjoying the type of space architects have been creating for centuries.
See some recent examples here.
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Interior railings. Sure, building codes dictate that railings have to be a certain height, have the ability to withstand a certain force and be able to prevent a small sphere from passing through.
But railings are so much more. The code dictates are only the starting point. See how many architects use railings to bring a whole new dimension of style into their designs.
But railings are so much more. The code dictates are only the starting point. See how many architects use railings to bring a whole new dimension of style into their designs.
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Natural light. Architects and designers relish the opportunity to explore ways to bring natural light inside. Whether it comes through a side window, skylight or indirectly, natural light enlivens a space.
One of the wondrous aspects of this design element is how the light changes with the time of day and the seasons. Capturing and shaping this light will enrich your home and your life in the most basic and profound ways.
One of the wondrous aspects of this design element is how the light changes with the time of day and the seasons. Capturing and shaping this light will enrich your home and your life in the most basic and profound ways.
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| Open corner windows. The traditional way of making a room is to build four walls, each connected and perpendicular to the adjoining wall. Doors and windows are then cut or "punched" into the walls to connect rooms and introduce light and views. This all started to change in the 19th century when architects started to create "cornerless" rooms. Removing the defined corners of the room was like eliminating the corners of a rectangular bowl. The space within the room, like the water within the bowl, would flow freely, spilling out to the adjoining rooms and the outside, thanks to modern glass and glazing technologies, as can be seen here. |
Window details. Although there are many styles and sizes of windows, my favorites have low sills, tall heads and deep reveals. See why here.
| Solar power. In a recent ideabook we toured a smartly designed home as one that is respectful of the planet. In another story, we presented the Hudson Passive Project, a home that relies almost completely on the sun for its heating and cooling. Taking advantage of the sun's power is growing in importance as a design tool. |
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Rain screens. Better materials and practices, including tighter envelopes, have made our homes easier to heat and cool and much more efficient. Gone are the days of drafty windows and doors, sky-high energy bills and uncomfortable rooms.
But of course there's a side effect to having a home that doesn't leak energy out of every crack and gap. Moisture buildup in our walls and a lack of fresh air coming into the home can create poor air quality. See how the downsides can be mitigated when building a more efficient home.
But of course there's a side effect to having a home that doesn't leak energy out of every crack and gap. Moisture buildup in our walls and a lack of fresh air coming into the home can create poor air quality. See how the downsides can be mitigated when building a more efficient home.
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Happy accidents. I've long since learned that not every event can be controlled, not every outcome predicted. I've learned that, in fact, an unexpected outcome can provide a joyous surprise that enriches life.
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| Symmetry. Stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself. Now draw an imaginary line down the middle of your face and torso. Chances are good that your left and right sides match and that you're symmetrically composed. Not too symmetrically composed, mind you — there will be a little variation from side to side. Small differences add interest and keep things from being too static. Explore how architects create and use symmetry in their designs. |
Comments
Casart Coverings Thanks, Bud, for the handy tutorial. Not only did it increase my knowledge of achitectural terms to assist me, as a homeowner, in meaningful communication with the architect but it will also be helpful in trying to explain to various tradesmen like roofers and repairmen what I have identified as a problem that needs attention.
11 months ago · Like
amelie Wonderful, Bud. You've put names to spaces and styles that I've always been attracted to and never knew why. Love to see your contributions to Houzz!
11 months ago · Like
mvstewart As usual you have really added to our understanding of architecture! Thank you.
11 months ago · Like
turkeyegg1 Another great lesson. Thanks for your contribution Bud!
11 months ago · Like
Swan Really interesting - and thought-provoking article. Thanks!
11 months ago · Like
gbkatzman Excellent article and a great learning tutorial. I've pinned for further use.
11 months ago · Like
ruchyfrankel Thanks for the clear and informative lesson
11 months ago · Like
Emery & Associates Interior Design All useful and thought provoking ideas. I would add lighting to this list. Natural light is all well and good, but it disappears at night, and is a bit challenging to retro-fit. I try to add some form of enhanced lighting (recessed, monorail, cable, art spots, etc.) to every project, even the "decorating" ones, since homeowners rarely understand the way lighting will expand and enhance their spaces.
9 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on June 8, 2012.
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