I'm new to this forum but I really like the idea of getting some criticism on my work.

So here is my first project for your review.

Also I have just learned SketchUp and this is my first full model. It is really very easy to use and very intuitive.

It is for a client that is building an investment property for their family. They have ownded the land for many years as a rental house. It is on the edge of a commercial district and they wanted a design that would be residential in scale with a commercial image.

The building has two commercial lease spaces on the first floor and 3 apartments above served by the single stair.

All wood framed construction. The concrete block is veneer.


This is a picture of the site. The building will replace the existing brownish house on the corner.

view from corner...

from the street and parking entrance

from parking

detail

detail 2

Hi Wilson and welcome!!!

Mate just a few quick comments as I've got to get head down bum up for a few days.

1. I'd consider having an internal common stair to the upper level units given the use is mixed as it is likely people will wonder around and up the stairs looking for more commercial offices. Possibly at all hours!

I would also consider IMHO only two upstairs units, better integrated to the commercial spaces down stairs to provide for better use as home occupation / home office, where internal access from individual stairs (one per unit) may be created or sealed.

I other words each unit contains its own ground floor commercial area. I dont know about where you are but in Australia this would enable the user / owner huge tax benefits on their investment as the office could be leased to the owners company at a rate that would almost cover the mortage or rent.

2. Corner is a bit understated IMH.

3. Eaves are too narrow.

Would like to see more detail before making more comment.

Cheers, Richard

corner detail

Richard,
Thanks for the comments.

1. The external stair vs internal stair was much debated. This project started out very differently. It was conceived by a planner and he gave a suggestion for the building. :puke: Much different now - SEE SKETCH BELOW. YUCK Any way, when I suggested I offer a different design rather than the "colonial" , the exterior stair was a required because they are "less expensive" OK ;) You rare correct in that the access might be a little to open. In considering your comment, I wondered if a simple gate for the stair. Perhaps a simple steel to match the railings. Thanks for the prompt.

Agreed. The owner had this concept of keeping them separated (office and apartments) He believes they will be easier to rent that way.

2. It is a bit. That is perhaps one of my faults. I tend to be a bit understated myself. i tend to design by subtraction rather than addition. Keep taking stuff away until you get to the essence and then highlight the important things. Also, since this is on the edge of a residential neighborhood, I tried not to add anything too jarring.

3. I tend to agree perhaps in context to the outer eaves at each end of the building. I really like the roof shapes and configuration but there is something a bit out of proportion on the ends. The high eaves leaves much open wall between the windows and the roof/eaves. I would like to raise e the ceiling and the windows to provide better interior space and address this problem. Unfortunately, we are close to getting building permits and the trusses have been designed. So I'm stuck with perhaps a surface/siding fix, if I can pull it off. :cool:

Too sad that the design changed so much. Your design had so much appeal and interest. When giving directions it would be much nicer to say that really cool modern building with the angled roof, or that one colonial... urm big white building. What a shame.

p.s. it doesnt make sense to me to have an exterior steel staircase in a "colonial" type building. It looks too much like an after thought. Maybe a grand entry with split staircase would be better? More fitting for the period.

Cobs

I think you may have misunderstood Wilson. The design changed from the colonial to what he has designed and posted here.

Wilson

My reasons for suggestion on the internal stairs and reduction in upper floor units was to also increase amenity to the units, the middle unit seems to really be lacking amenity both solar and privacy.

Your idea of gating the stairs I think would add some security.

Shame you got to post this so late as I'm sure we could have added a lot of weight to the argument toward reducing the unit yield and increasing th potential of this project.

In my area this type of development would be generally opposed as the shop-top housing at this scale is generally resided by rather shady characters as it is generally lacking amenity and the rents are always cheap. The commercial areas actually would need to be integrated with the units as suggested and the bonus here being that they would be well sought after, if the residential component were well designed.

I might have also rallyed the authorities to consider the option of providing inset parking at 90 deg to the street rather than the creation of a designated onsite parking area thus reducing the hardstand area on site and increasing potential for a third commercial / residential unit to the rear.

Cheers, Richard

Richard,
Thanks for taking the time to write.

The connection between a work space and a living space is not very strong nor common in the US. At least not from my humble travels and places of residence. For some reason we believe we must live far from our place of trade, and make up that distance in a car.

I had a conversation with the developer and the builder (who is also a developer) about making the correlation direct via a stair and other architectural connections (materials and massing). Was a hard sell.....and ultimately a no sell.

I work from my home, get a great tax deduction and live like I mean it. :cheers:

Kelley

cobberman,
You will be relieved to know the colonial is history (:eek: )

Unless you can find some similarities between my current design and the hallmarks of colonial we will let it rest in peace. :)

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gate for stair way

Well Wilson i shall sleep soundly tonite then.

Too sad that the design changed so much. Your design had so much appeal and interest. When giving directions it would be much nicer to say that really cool modern building with the angled roof, or that one colonial... urm big white building. What a shame.

p.s. it doesnt make sense to me to have an exterior steel staircase in a "colonial" type building. It looks too much like an after thought. Maybe a grand entry with split staircase would be better? More fitting for the period.


Cob,
Thanks for the kind words.

Like you, I'd rather be exploring new ways to express old ideas ideas rather than just expressing old ideas.

On second thought, finding similarities between the two vocabularies could prove helpful. I might need them if the construction starts to go over budget and I need to start backpedaling and justifying the design. :D

Wilson -

Great job of not conforming to the Owner's/Developer's "Ideal", though I am curious about the surrounding area.

My only minor critique is the gate. I know it's a good idea (for security), but when paired with a similar enclosure at the intermediate stair landing, it will feel a bit prison-like.

I think Rick has a good point mate, the gate looks a little over secure and yet being next to the flat topped wall actually adds little hard security. A solution proposing something more decorative (in that I suggest maybe even more simple) might be worthy.

Richard

I like the brown sepia tone linework.

I like the brown sepia tone linework.


Am I missing something??

The lines look pretty much black to me. :bang head
Also I think turning the profiles off, or at least making them thinner would make the images look better.

Cheers

The image in post 11 - definitely brown lines.