Space - the final frontier

Even if you are not a Star Trek fan like me, you've almost certainly come across the most famous introductory voiceover in the history of television.

However, when it comes to building a home, space is the first, rather than the final frontier. To design a structure, you will need to think in terms of the things you will do and hence the spaces or rooms you will need.

Now banal as this sounds, the amount of space you need drives every thing. Every square foot of space that defines a room translates into time and money - because of the associated flooring, ceiling, doors, windows, furniture and so on. And even after you move in the amount of space defines the effort needed to maintain it. While this is the cost side of the balance, getting the spaces right will mean that you have a home that fits your needs. So one has to get this right.

Now depending on one's lifestyle, one should really consider both indoor and outdoor spaces at the same time - if you feel that most of the entertaining you will do will happen on outdoor patios, you can choose to have smaller living and dining rooms.

Space for everything

I'm into photography, so I definitely need well organised space for my cameras, lenses, tripods, dehumidifier, outdoor gear and more. My daughter has a passion for dance, so an uncluttered space where she can practice would be great. Most homes have a shrine for the Gods. Visiting friends and relatives will need to be accommodated. With the remote working that is now the norm rather than the exception, one may need one or even two home offices. Good help is hard to find, so it would be of strategic value to have bachelor or family accommodation for them.

Then of course, one gets into more details like an indoor or outdoor garage, utility spaces, luggage rooms, balconies elevators etc. One you have your basic list, you then have to decide how large each room will be and that then gives your architect the starting point to organise the space into a structure.

...Making Decisions In A Creative Space

...A Blank Sheet Of Paper