The Drawing Board Studio » Innovations

Teeny Home

Brandon — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:36:33 +0000

First of all I came across this website sometime last week and I loved it. If you venture to it check out the videos of Jay’s personal home. I dont know Jay-never even heard of him or his homes until I found his website. I love what he is doing.

Personally I am a huge fan of small homes but I dont think I could manage in such a small space (especially with my kids) but this weeks Plan was inspired by Jay Shafer and his Tumbleweed Homes.

I put a lot of time and thought into this plan. It utilizes every space. For instance The closet in the main room hangs on a pole and slides out into the main room. Pulled out it covers the windows and helps turn the main room into a bedroom. A wall bed above the couch folds down over the couch finalizing the conversion. Place dirty clothes in hamper in closet at bedtime, in the morning get dressed push closet back into place and have access to the dirty clothes hamper in the bath room next to the stacked washer and dryer. Computer desk, wood burning fireplace, built in dinette, and ladder access to the loft and storage in the basement. I left the basement open but you could utilize that space how ever you needed. You can purchase this plan here

Solar Energy

Brandon — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:32:00 +0000

Here are my ideas of using Solar Energy in an Environment like ours:

Solar Water Heaters- It is my understanding that on average 25% of your utility bill is derived from your water heater.
Solar Pool Heating- If you have a pool like it or not it is being heated by Solar Energy, some products help your pool warm faster. This is the most popular use of solar energy today.
Solar Electric Systems- Many systems are available depending on what you want to accomplish. Many cities, towns, municipalities and governments offer rebates or credits for installing solar panel systems.
Solar Daylighting- Using the sun to light your home during all daylight hours. This is best accomplished with window placement and structure layout, but installing after market solar tubes is a quick fix.

Our climate is perfect for the use of solar power. The suns energy is so abundant that we should use what we can because from what I can see it is and will remain free.

Passive Solar Design

Brandon — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:06:00 +0000

With temperatures well into the 100’s and rising, and living costs rising its hard to listen to the AC unit outside run all day long and especially all night long. Living in the desert brings several building practices to a higher standard, including building design practices.
Todays topic is Passive Solar Design. Basically passive solar design is the practice of building design that utilizes the layout of the structure, its materials and its orientation with the sun to create an environment that reduces the need for heating and cooling systems while maintaining a desirable level of comfort. While I do not profess to be an expert on this topic, I understand the principle and continue to study and implement certain design/layout specific issues into each custom home design. Many factors play a key role in designing a passive solar home. Here are a few that fall under my own criteria:

Orienting the building so the kitchen, dining, and or great room capture the morning sun.
Adequately-sizing windows to face the midday sun in the winter, and be shaded in the summer.
Minimizing windows and placing garages on western facing side.
Erecting correctly-sized overhangs, or shading elements (shrubbery, trees, trellises, fences, shutters, etc.)
Using thermal mass to store excess solar energy during the winter day (which is then re-radiated during the night).
Using and correctly placing operable windows throughout the home to allow proper ventilation and allow hot air to escape to the outside.

We use computer programs that allow us to determine the exact location of the home so we can study how the suns travel during each season will react with the layout of the home and then design accordingly. Lets plan your next home together.

Here are some ideas that intrigue me:

The use of a Trombe wall
Cooltowers (like those used at the Zion National Park visitor center.)
Daylighting
Geothermal energy
Photovoltaics and Solar energy

Home Automation is "green"

Brandon — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:58:00 +0000

I am a fanatic when it comes to technology and leveraging technology for enjoyment. I am intrigued at how things work or function. By profession I am a building designer so home technologies and home automation are right up my alley.
I am venturing on the “green” side of life and paying more attention to energy consumption, health, usability, and efficiency. In a nut shell we (my family and I) turn off lights when not in use, shut down our computers at night, and even prepare less food at meal time as to not be wasteful (we are not good at eating leftovers). Basically trying to do our part at being more “eco-friendly”.
Home automation is a technology that can be leveraged to make our job easier not to mention more enjoyable. For instance, say you forget to turn off lights when you leave a room, or you forget to lower the thermostat when you leave for work. We have all done that many times I am sure. Now what if your home did it for you. Room occupancy detectors could shut down the room when not in use. Thermostats could be set to a certain temperature at different times of the day. Even putting lights on a dimmer and turning to 75% of full power saves a lot of energy.
These are simple methods to help automate your home.
Start at these websites for a greater understanding.

Custom Cabinets

Brandon — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:54:00 +0000

Benefits of custom cabinets … if I can imagine it, they will build it! Riverwoods Mill specialize in the design & creation of furniture quality cabinetry, using the finest materials and hand applied finishes to help us achieve a unique look for each project. Each cabinet is built to fit your home and style without sacrificing space and function.

Why choose a kitchen designer … Choosing to work with someone who not only can draw cabinets but can design a fully functional space for you is important. Working with a designer will give you options for your appliance locations to make the most out of your kitchen. The kitchen isn’t just a room anymore; it truly is the heart of the home where people congregate each day.

What’s “in style” …. Traditional, contemporary, rustic, Tuscan & country. I still see mostly traditional and Tuscan, but contemporary is starting to see its way into Southern Utah. Wood species such as alder, cherry, mahogany, walnut are among the most popular in this area. Darker stained woods {browns, blacks & reds} are often used in homes today, along with custom painted cabinets. Creams and blacks are the most popular and classic painted finishes that are used today. Most of the finishes are not just one step, most homeowners want something with depth and character which can be found through glazing, dry brushing, and different levels of distressing.

Make it standard …. Lucky you most cabinet shops have moved forward in function and offer many “old” upgrades as their standard. Blum’s softclose drawer glides {BLUMOTION} with under mount hardware are the Mercedes of drawers, while Blum also makes door hinges that are soft close. This small feature will truly be your saving grace when doors & drawers cannot be slammed!

Accessories of your dreams … There are now several options for areas of your kitchen and bathroom that were wasted space before. This pivot-out blind corner unit is very popular and creates usable space in the corner of your kitchen. Another popular accessory is found in the bathroom where a false drawer front had no function. Now that false front can tip out & house this blow dryer & curling iron storage unit. This is so simple but truly innovative in bathroom space, plus it is a Utah based product. Roll out shelves, double roll out trash cans are always a favorite and are in all the homes I design. Spending a little extra for these “extras” is worth it down the road.

Hide those appliances … 90% of my clients want to integrate their appliances keeping the furniture look throughout the kitchen. Integrated fridges can now be found in master closets, bathrooms, casitas, offices and theater rooms … keeping cold drinks and treats just where you need or want them. There are several options when it comes to brands of appliances that can be fully integrated, but there are definitely brands that make it easier to be hidden over others. Sub-Zero’s 700 series are fully integrated and shows absolutely no metal or grill allowing the homeowner to come up with any furniture look they want.

I love what I do & love working with clients from the beginning. The best recommendation I could give to anyone building a home is to get into your kitchen designer first thing. Get your plumbing & electrical right from the start with your appliances & sinks so that you don’t have to make changes when the house is framed. I have clients I have worked with for less than a month from start to finish and others who are going on two years. Each job seems to bring a new challenge and new way for me to be creative.

ASHLYNN MITCHELL
Senior Designer