In order to clarify in my mind what I wanted and to communicate the purpose of our home makeover to a potential architect, I put it down on paper. I’m glad I did, it helped solidify my thoughts and the initial exchange with potential architects went smoothly. Here’s what I wrote:

Problem Statement

I find my home pleasant and comfortable but I seek something better but not necessarily bigger. I find new builder homes uninspiring and too big. I seek something that is designed for the 2 of us and improves the view I have. My home is missing items considered “musts” in a typical Japanese home but are extremely rare in an American home. My home is also missing items considered desirable in typical American home.

 

Style

Good	Bad
Designed for us	Just big
Open	Compartmentalized (maze of rooms)
Relaxing and comfortable	Designed to impress, overwhelming
Casual (informal)	Formal
Approachable	Formal
Abundant daylight	Dark
Warm	Cold
Efficient	Excess
Distinct	Cookie cutter
Modern, Japanese, Prairie	Victorian, Colonial, Provincial
shibui (restrained elegance)	Showy, glittery
Private	Fishbowl
Focus on interior	Focus on curb appeal

Minimum Requirements

Multi-purpose family room (eat, work, tv, relax, guests)

Kitchen

Master bedroom with toilet and shower

Guest bedroom

Occasional private office

Single floor “primary” living area (family room, kitchen, bathroom)

Low maintenance

Built to last a lifetime

Primarily wood floors except bathroom

Washitsu area (part of family room)

Items to Add

Musts

Improved view out of family room (more relaxing view…not neighbors’ houses and cars)

Open family room and kitchen.

Oruro – Japanese soaking tub and connected washing area. Bath dug into floor for easy entry or raised floor around it.

Tankless water heater (goal is to not run out of hot water)

Washlet toilet

Walk-in closet

Bigger bathroom

Built-ins for home theater

Genkan (Japanese-style entry), unified between garage and main entry

Water softner for whole house (goal to avoid lime build-up)

 

Desirable

Engawa (inside/outside feel)

Laundry room with space to hang clothes to dry and well ventilated. No sink required.

Pantry (can be built in full-height pull out cabinet)

Japanese bath separate from toilet

Stylish fireplace

No floor molding for clean look

 

Wishful

High ceiling throughout (10ft but with variations)

Loft/Reading room (away area but not totally isolated)

Courtyard

Don’t Need

Dining Room

Living Room separate from family room

Big, fancy master bedroom (just need a pleasant place to sleep)

Budget

$XXXK

 

After talking with several architects, I settled on an architect referred to me by a co-worker. The architect is a small architect-led design and build firm. The architect does the design and acts as the general contractor. We toured a few of his homes and impressed by them all.