Planning how you want to live

Planning How You Want to Live

For the first case study of this course, you are joining me at my own home in London. It's in the process of being renovated, so it should be interesting for you to see how I approach a 'live' project.

The Origins of the Apartment

I originally bought this 1 bedroom apartment when I was living alone. I then got married and had my daughter, and rather than move to get somewhere bigger, the opportunity arose to buy the apartment next door. I was able to knock through and reconfigure the layout to create a much more spacious 3 bedroom apartment.

A few years on, the layout is no longer working for us so I decided to revisit it and try to make it work more comfortably and efficiently for our lifestyle. I was able to expand the footprint again by purchasing the upstairs flat, which opened up many more layout possibilities.

Is Your House Serving You to the Best of Its Ability?

When beginning a renovation, especially if you are able to change the layout, it's worth asking yourself exactly what you need from your house. This should always be the very first thing you sit down and do before starting any project, be it your own home or a client.

The best way to test out different ideas is to get a copy of the existing floor plan, a roll of tracing paper and a pencil. Use the tracing paper to map out all the possible options using the floor plan beneath as a guide.

Your Assignment

Using your own home or a house you know well as an example, ask yourself the following questions:

Does this house function in a way that supports its inhabitants lifestyle?

Does the flow of rooms feel completely comfortable and easy to navigate?

Are there any new spaces or rooms that you would ideally like to create to enhance the way its inhabitants live your life in this house?