THICKSLAB
HOUSE was designed for a large family. It has 5 large bedrooms plus a study,
and since a two car garage was considered inadequate to handle family accessories
such as bicycles, golf cart, camping and skiing equipment, a third car garage
was included. One of the design parameters was to ensure that the street approach
to the house was not dominated by a 3 car garage - hence the garage door set
backs and dominant street porch architectural detailing. The house fronts
onto a golf course with large houses close by on either side, so to maintain
privacy there are virtually no side windows and the roof deck is obscured
behind a high wall having three 4 ft. square holes punched into it. The bench
surrounding the patio is low (seat height) so that the golf course view is
not obscured. The first floor has 10 ft. ceilings throughout.
FIRST
FLOOR: Notice that the 2 ft. thickslab feature is maintained inside - posts
and beams separating the dining room from the kitchen and living room. The
entrance hall closet framing and telephone desk are similarly outlined. The
outside living room wall has the same detailing surrounding the gas fire place
and shelving units. The stairs are open into the living room.
SECOND
FLOOR: The core of this house is the well lit space under the raised turretted
roof. Traffic to bedrooms, roof deck and study passes through this open space
frequently. The 6 ft. wide landing doubles as a laundry room, with washer,
drier and laundry tub concealed behind three 4ft. wide sliding doors. Notice
the second toilet included to reduce bathroom congestion. The study could
have windows looking into the turretted space.
view
from golf course
street
view
Turret
roof off
Designer's
comment: Large functional family home with exciting interior spaces but simple,
affordable construction requirements.
