Chapter 16 Designing Homes for Today’s Needs Housing & Design Winter 2013

How did William Penn’s plan for Philadelphia change the way urban communities were laid out? Penn brought to the colonies a GRIDIRON design which meant straight streets crossing one another at right angles. Penn brought to the colonies a GRIDIRON design which meant straight streets crossing one another at right angles. A goal of deliberate planning is often referred to as smart growth. A goal of deliberate planning is often referred to as smart growth. Haphazard planning results in traffic congestion, pollution and loss of natural habitat and urban sprawl. Haphazard planning results in traffic congestion, pollution and loss of natural habitat and urban sprawl.

What is the purpose of building laws & regulations? To make sure growth is orderly and neighborhoods are attractive, most towns and cities have passed laws regulating the use of land. To make sure growth is orderly and neighborhoods are attractive, most towns and cities have passed laws regulating the use of land. Usually, these laws are created and enforced by a city council or another local government body. Usually, these laws are created and enforced by a city council or another local government body.

What are zoning laws? Laws that determine the type of building that may be constructed in a particular zone or section of a community. Laws that determine the type of building that may be constructed in a particular zone or section of a community.

Name & describe 5 types of zones created by zoning laws Restricted residential zoning = only single family homes may be built in this area Restricted residential zoning = only single family homes may be built in this area General residential zoning = apt. houses, town houses, duplexes & some stores General residential zoning = apt. houses, town houses, duplexes & some stores Commercial zoning = stores & office buildings Commercial zoning = stores & office buildings Industrial = factories & warehouses Industrial = factories & warehouses Greenbelts = parklands & farmlands = no building / trusts Greenbelts = parklands & farmlands = no building / trusts

List 7 ways building codes regulate construction Type & quality of building materials Type & quality of building materials Form of construction Form of construction Provisions for health, safety, and sanitation Provisions for health, safety, and sanitation Use of flammable materials Use of flammable materials Installation of fire exits where necessary Installation of fire exits where necessary Electrical work Electrical work Type/installation of plumbing, heating and ventilation systems Type/installation of plumbing, heating and ventilation systems

What do aesthetic codes regulate? Codes that regulate the appearance of buildings in order to maintain the beauty & desired look of a certain area (like a subdivision) Codes that regulate the appearance of buildings in order to maintain the beauty & desired look of a certain area (like a subdivision)

What is a planning commission? Planning Commissions usually offer general recommendations about land development within a community or town Planning Commissions usually offer general recommendations about land development within a community or town

Planned Communities Planned neighborhoods have the layout, the type and appearance of housing units, and the use of the surrounding land are planned BEFORE construction Planned neighborhoods have the layout, the type and appearance of housing units, and the use of the surrounding land are planned BEFORE construction

Master Planned Communities A development that is virtually a self- contained town with community pools, recreation centers, shopping, schools and other services all in one place A development that is virtually a self- contained town with community pools, recreation centers, shopping, schools and other services all in one place

What attracts some families to cooperative housing communities? These communities balance home ownership with shared common facilities such as a large dining room, meeting rooms, rec areas, workshops and child care. Common in Europe = builds trust These communities balance home ownership with shared common facilities such as a large dining room, meeting rooms, rec areas, workshops and child care. Common in Europe = builds trust

Give 4 examples of lifestyle changes that are reflected in housing Cellars = freezers & refrigerators Cellars = freezers & refrigerators Formal parlor = casual family room Formal parlor = casual family room Specialized rooms = open space and multipurpose rooms Specialized rooms = open space and multipurpose rooms Two – three stories = one level or split- level Two – three stories = one level or split- level

Name the 3 activity zones and their purpose Private Zone = provides quiet, comfortable areas for sleeping, relaxing and privacy for dressing and bathing Private Zone = provides quiet, comfortable areas for sleeping, relaxing and privacy for dressing and bathing

Service Zone & Social Zone Service Zone = where housework is done, like kitchen, laundry, workshop or garage Service Zone = where housework is done, like kitchen, laundry, workshop or garage Social Zone = Where people gather, socialize and perform tasks, such as reading/watching TV Social Zone = Where people gather, socialize and perform tasks, such as reading/watching TV

Open Floor Plan Few dividing walls Few dividing walls Seems more spacious Seems more spacious Informal Informal Flexibility for entertaining Flexibility for entertaining Personal option Personal option

Closed Floor Plan Rooms are self- contained Rooms are self- contained Separated rooms Separated rooms More traditional More traditional More formal More formal Throwback to Victorian times Throwback to Victorian times

Evaluating a Floor Plan One of most important considerations = traffic pattern One of most important considerations = traffic pattern Convenience Convenience Easy access Easy access Economy of construction Economy of construction Number of levels Number of levels

Advantages of One-Level Home All parts of the living area are easily accessible All parts of the living area are easily accessible No stairs = more usable space No stairs = more usable space Exterior maintenance = simpler Exterior maintenance = simpler More universal appeal More universal appeal

Disadvantages of One-Level Home Uses up a lot of land Uses up a lot of land Increases the cost of the lot, foundation and roof construction Increases the cost of the lot, foundation and roof construction

4 Trends in Housing Design Front porches are coming back in style as people make their neighborhoods more friendly Front porches are coming back in style as people make their neighborhoods more friendly Using outdoor areas = decks, ponds, courtyards Using outdoor areas = decks, ponds, courtyards Laundry on the 2 nd floor Laundry on the 2 nd floor Flexibility = universal design to fit more changing lifestyles Flexibility = universal design to fit more changing lifestyles