Understanding the Volume

Since most homeowners don't have a lot of experience looking at design plans, it is often difficult for them to grasp a design concept based on the architect's or designer's plan view and elevation drawings. And though computer programs are now able to "model" spaces and show them in a virtual, 3-dimensional form, these programs generally produce a pretty lifeless version of the space, and may still not give you a very good sense of the finished project.

Recently, we were hired to work with a local builder and architect on what will be a very large home project. Prior to our involvement, many hours had been spent on the overall floor plan for the home, the specific room sizes, and how the space would flow from room to room. The project had stalled temporarily, held up on trying to nail down the exterior treatment. The client likes many exterior styles, and hopes to find a way to make certain elements from several of these styles meld into a cohesive and unique home for her family.

Working with the architect's plans, and many pages of the client's "idea folder", torn from multiple design magazines (which, by the way, is a great help to the designer!), we decided to do a sketch of the facade to give the home some dimension, and attempt to draw seemingly disparate elements together. Here's what we came up with.

Though these sketches are not to scale, they are usually a great tool to give the client a sense of what their home really could look like, whether they are interior or exterior sketches.

The more tools available to your designer, the more likely they are to have an excited--and satisfied!--client.