Sunday, January 29, 2012

My dream house

Every once in a while, I daydream about what I would do if I were rich enough that money was not an obstacle.

Physical space is very important to me, so these flights of fancy often take the form of designs for houses.

Last night, I started sketching ideas around the "snail shell" concept. This is where the building spirals up to a central core. Here are my first crude sketches for a family dwelling. A floor plan, with lots of crossings-out where I played around to come up with the ideal configuration of rooms, and an aerial view looking over the spacious south-facing deck. I like decks!

I need to put some thought into proportions and styling because right now it looks a bit like a Martello tower. The idea is to have a low profile with lots of planting around the wider sections to soften the elevation.

I like putting bedrooms on the ground floor, with living rooms above. The central tower is topped off with a large office/studio with all-round views. Preferably of sea and mountains.

*Sigh* Dream on...

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder how it would be to decorate those pie shaped rooms...will there be fireplaces?...and lots of windows? How did you handle bathroom venting?

Jean Davis said...

When house hunting years ago, I toured a round house, thinking it would be really cool to have something very different like that. Unfortunately, with all the rounded walls, furniture placement was an issue, as was the sheer amount of wasted space by placing everything off the walls. Still looked darn cool from the outside though. :D

In spite of that, my dream house plans do include a round room in the basement that is my writing room and workshop. ;)

Botanist said...

LOL Delores, that presumes a lot of thinking on my part that has yet to take place! Fireplaces for sure, I think definitely the living room and master suite below, if I can line them up to share a chimney. All the bathrooms are clustered on one side of the central core, so venting will likely be straight up that wall and out over the roof. Lots of windows, definitely. I like plenty of natural light. With all those questions, are you an architect?

Jean, that's the downside to having something different. I think if you have rounded walls and awkward angles, the place has to be big enough that the wasted space doesn't matter.

Well, seeing as it's a daydream, I might as well be a teensy bit self-indulgent :)

David Batista said...

I like this house! Reminds me of the Millennium Falcon. :)

You can have this built with your bestseller money someday, Ian . . .

Pearson Report said...

My question is...where is the guest wing, my bags are packed!! I think the guests should be up there with the office/studio space! Right?!

Very creative and imaginative - but I think, money being no object, it's quite doable!

Cheers, Jenny @ Pearson Report
Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

Sarah Tokeley said...

If I could afford a round house, I think I would have curved furniture custom made for it :-)

unikorna said...

wow my boyfriend shares your interest and enthusiasm when it comes to unusual, intricate ideas, we are also planning on building a new home (with white columns) and I had to show him your amazing sketches, you mind blown him:))). he sends his congrats :). And I express my growing admiration towards your ...lovely mind.

Botanist said...

David, the likeness hadn't occurred to me. It's amazing what things come to mind when you see something with fresh eyes!

Jenny, there is a guest suite for sure, we like hosting guests. However it's down below with the other bedrooms.

Ooh...that reminds me, must sign up for the A to Z!

Sarah, that is a brilliant idea! Well done!

unikorna, thanks, I'm happy to share ideas with someone of like mind :) Is he designing your new home himself?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's a really unique idea for a house. What would it be made of? The design puts me in mind of adobe.

Lindsey R. Loucks said...

When I get rich and famous, will you design my house for me? Seriously though, very cool design. :)

Botanist said...

Alex, I was thinking of the typical house construction around here: timber frame, with the exterior faced in cedar siding and/or stucco. Possibly stone or brick on the lower level.

Lindsey - right on. Remember me when you're rich and famous :)

Pearson Report said...

Hi Botanist - I'm making the rounds on the sign-up list and see you've added yourself to the list - WONDERFUL! You are going to have fun! I'm looking forward to April to read your posts!

Cheers, Jenny @ Pearson Report
Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

Heather Henry said...

That would be a really cool house. It reminds a bit of Bruce Goff's design style. A lot of round, organic shapes. You are a man of many talents.

Botanist said...

Hi Jenny, yes, I bit the bullet and signed up. Will put up a post soon to advertise it and am looking forward to April!

Thanks Heather, I like unusual shapes. Not always the most practical, but interesting :)

klahanie said...

Hi Ian,
And dream on. Who knows, maybe your dream will become a reality. Besides, not as much chance of painting yourself into a corner...
Take good care,
Gary :)

Botanist said...

LOL! Nice one, Gary!

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