Expensive does not necessarily mean better; but simple does not always mean less expensive either. These are some lessons one could learn when choosing or building a home. The minimalists have this mantra down pat: “Less is more.” However, fewer walls could mean more windows, which are at least ten times more expensive than plain walls. So the issue really is: What should I look out for in the design of my future home? Can I have it chockfull of the beautiful features I see in the glossy magazines? Should I prefer it as open and unadorned as a blank canvass? Or is there a comfortable middle ground wherein the look I want blends in with my day-to-day lifestyle?
From the start, I always recommend simplicity of design, since this is the more practical option in the long run. The cost of building along simple lines can be as inexpensive as you wish. Maintenance and upgrading are easier. It is also timeless. Usually, employing the latest trend in finishing materials tends to date a house. This means, twenty years from now, if you see artificial stone claddings, you would know that it was built during the early 2000s. In the same vein, houses cloaked in mactan stones were surely built in the 70’s and fancy grillwork harks back to the 60’s. Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing amiss with the styles from those eras. But wouldn’t it be nice for people to think that your house is always new? Isn’t it better to live in a place that looks fresh and contemporary?
When choosing a home, evaluate where the money actually went. Was it used for the main structure or merely for aesthetics? Was it used to buy good quality roofing or just fancy finishes and pre-cast decorative moldings? Some structures may look appealing from the outside but may be impractical in the inside. A good design stems primarily from a proper and efficient layout, and secondarily from innovation and the massing that comes with it, rather than the cosmetics that make it “look” better. Find out the purpose of the things you see in your prospective homes, from the layout to the materials and finishes used. This is the mark of a wise buyer.
Are there more spaces allocated for usable rooms or only for hallways? You can usually gauge the efficiency in planning through the areas allocated for corridors and hallways. Fewer corridors generally mean higher efficiency. Some architects increase the size of hallways, thus turning these into family halls, which with proper ventilation, increases efficiency. Others, by merely re-orienting doors, can improve convenience and utility. Another gauge of a working design is the travel distances from one highly usable area to another. Shorter distances are more favorable, especially considering distances between kitchen and dining room, bedroom and bathroom, and garage and kitchen. Next, check out the service areas. Would you have adequate space for the maid’s quarters, laundry, drying, ironing, and heavy cooking? Many developers leave out these utility areas. Most of them merely focus on living and dining rooms, kitchens, and toilets since most buyers are only impressed by those, not realizing that the “working areas” are just as vital. Remember, the service areas are equally important. In addition, verify if there is sufficient natural lighting and ventilation. Otherwise, how satisfactory are the lighting and ventilation fixtures in place?
When you are planning to build your own home, challenge your architect by asking for the reasons behind his designs and specifications. If you are not satisfied with his explanation, do not hesitate to ask for alternatives. Your interest and concerns are perfectly legitimate. This way, you get a design that you understand and can live with. By working together, you get the house that you want, rather than what he wants. Don’t forget, you are the one who has to pay and live in it; not him.
Building or buying a house is a lifetime investment, and an ongoing deal. Make sure that the design is simple and practical enough for you to be comfortable in: now, as you move in and later, as you live in it. You always have a choice.
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