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.
