CUSTOM FLOOR PLANS - HOW TO DESIGN HALLWAYS WITH MULTI-PURPOSE
When it comes to designing floor plans, even though dedicating space for hallways and circulation is essential, it can often times feel a bit problematic, especially when available square footage is limited. However, with thoughtful planning and honed-in spatial design skills, circulation spaces can be designed so hallways add value beyond just providing space to get from one point to the next.
CIRCULATION AND HALLWAY DESIGN
To illustrate this important point, we’ll start by reviewing a block diagram of the 2nd story from Project Saint Waterways (a new build home that will be located in Ontario, Canada) that includes notes showing the preliminarily space allotted for the rooms, hallways and circulation, and the abbreviated architectural programming notes. From there, we’ll discuss the spatial design challenges inherent to the shape of the floor plan.
SPATIAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS
And finally, we’ll direct our focus on the spatial design solutions by reviewing the portion of the floor plan that includes the kids’ wing, and how I was able to provide extended purpose and functionality to the design of the hallway spaces, beyond having the space be solely dedicated to circulation.
2ND STORY FLOOR PLAN - BLOCK DIAGRAM AND PROGRAMMING NOTES
Shown below is the footprint of the 2nd floor at Project Saint Water Ways, depicting the preliminary allocation of space and a list of rooms that need to be incorporated within the floor plan design.
SPATIAL DESIGN CHALLENGES
Now that you’re familiar with the space, we’ll go through the spatial design challenges that are inherent to the shape of the floor plan and the access point with the location of the stairs.
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FIRST FLOOR VS SECOND FLOOR
Because the development and design of the first floor always takes precedence over the second story floor plan, it requires skilled spatial problem solving to establish a second story floor plan that is designed with focused intention, and doesn’t look like left-over space that was haphazardly joined together..02
ACCESSING CORNERS
Notice how the location of the stairs and shape of the overall floor plan creates challenges with being able to easily access the corners of the plan..03
BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS
If accessing the corners of the floor plan in the most efficient way possible wasn’t challenging enough, needing almost the entire second floor to be designated for bedrooms and bathrooms, definitely ups the spatial challenges significantly! Why is this, you ask?Answer:
Bedrooms have to be located on exterior walls specifically to provide windows for egress in case of fire (this is true no matter what level a bedroom is located on, ground floor included). Codes don’t however require bathrooms to have windows, but based on my many years of experience and we’ll established design philosophy, for ventilation and natural light, bathrooms should include windows if at all possible!.04
LACK OF NATURAL LIGHT
Though it’s critical for the success of the floor plan to dedicate the exterior walls to the bedrooms and bathrooms, designing this way creates its own unique challenges. With all of the windows being located in bedrooms and bathrooms, if not remedied, it would cause the hallway spaces to be dark and dreary.
SPATIAL DESIGN SOLUTION
Now for the exciting part! Let’s take a look at the floor plan design and how I was able to address the spatial challenges all while creating intentional, purpose driven space that is loaded with utility and artistry.
WANT TO PLAY ALONG?
Before reading my notes that accompany the floor plan, take a minute to study the plan carefully. See if you can identify the features I included to achieve a well designed floor plan.
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ORDER, BALANCE, RHTHYM AND HARMONY
Even with a quick glance, it’s easy to see how nothing about the second story floor plan looks or feels haphazard, randomly designed or like left-over space that was awkwardly pieced together. Instead the spaces and rooms connect to one another like poetry. Notice as you review the floor plan how ordered and intentional the layout is, and how each space and room is steeped with repetition, harmony and balance..02
FEATURE HALLWAY
Note how I was able to access the corners of the floor plan by designing a feature hallway, located in the heart of the space that is somewhat like a hub of a wheel, with the bathroom and bedroom doors acting almost like spokes.Notice too the inclusion of the built-in cabinets and how they will enhance and elevate the space by creating destination points rather than having the hallway serve only as a pass-through to get to the bedrooms and bathroom. See the inclusion and repetition of the pendant lights included in the hall. Besides providing an abundance of light, their sheer presence will further enhance and elevate the space esthetically.
The design vision is to also include some sort of applied ceiling features like beams and tongue and groove. These types of details however will be determined once the architect has established the exterior architecture and roof design. Once I know heights and type of ceilings that could be incorporated, I’ll prepare different design options to present to the clients.
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BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS ON EXTERIOR WALLS
By designing a feature hall in the heart of the kids’ wing, it created the opportunity to seamlessly locate the bedrooms and bathrooms on exterior walls, while still establishing efficiently designed spaces..04
STUDY HALL / COMPUTER STATION
Observe how I designed a pass-through study hall or computer lounge just past the stairs and as you enter the kids’ wing. This was done for a few different reasons. Besides establishing purpose beyond circulation, my vision for the space is to create a sunlit, architecturally impactful and delightful oasis that will feature interesting framed openings and lines-of-sight artfully and visually connecting it to adjoining spaces. Additionally, the study area will be a huge source of natural light that will brighten the entire floor. As planned it will include pocket doors with glass, and a vaulted ceiling with beautiful skylights that provide the opportunity for natural light to flow from room to room, space to space..05
Natural Light
To counteract the limited natural light caused by having all the exterior walls taken with bedrooms and bathrooms,the design plan is to add glass to both sets of pocket doors and to design interesting ceiling details that will include skylights. That way the hallways will have an abundance of natural light.
PERSPECTIVE PLAN
THE TAKE AWAYS
Establishing well designed spaces requires the ability to combine the conventions of space infused with artistry. This approach is what makes for thoughtful, artful, purposeful and beautiful homes.
As someone who has had a long and expansive career as a custom home designer, as well as a former university instructor, I can attest to the fact that the ability to create well designed floor plans comes from many years of skill development and experience.
When vetting potential designers to include on the design of your custom home, be sure to ask about their qualifications and years of experience. For the success of your project and for peace of mind, you’ll want to collaborate with design experts that are equal to the quality of your project.
LOOKING FOR MORE HALLWAY DESIGN TIPS?
Are you looking for more design tips for hallways? Follow the links below for additional tips and inspiration on hallway design.
TIPS FOR DESIGNING HALLWAYS - PROJECT FRESH HOUSE
CREATING INTENTIONAL SPACE THROUGH WELL DESIGNED FLOOR PLANS
5 TIPS FOR DESIGNING HALLWAYS - WEST ISLANDS EAST PROJECT
PERFECTING THE FLOOR PLANS FOR A CUSTOM HOME - BEFORE + AFTER
SKYLIGHTS & ARCHES - PROJECT HIGH MARK - 1960'S REMODEL
PERFECTING A FLOOR PLAN - STUDY HALL - LEVEE RULES PROJECT
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"We have been working on our house plans for several months, and there were just some areas that we were struggling with. Tami reviewed our plans and gave us some very practical and useful advice that made sense - not only on a practical basis, but aesthetically as well. We gained much clarity and peace of mind, and we now feel much more comfortable moving forward with our blueprints." - Carolyn, Oregon
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