Schematic floor plan — looking for layout and constructability red flags before architect revision

[jsam91]

I’m working on a schematic custom home plan and would appreciate feedback before I send this to my architect/designer. FYI (I have ZERO architect knowledge). Would love to hear some thoughts and critiques. Planning to build in the Midwest/IL.

 

I've used AI to generate renderings but the floor plan is something I concocted. 

Don't take the renderings at full face value. There will only be 3 garages and the backsplash for the kitchen will be a stone.

 

 

 

[kMoquin]

Is Claude posting from Bob's account?

 

Edited 19 hours ago by kMoquin

[para-CAD]

....but a canned AI response shows that you don't really care and you just want to appear helpful.

 

Take the time + effort to interact and engage......human to human...........hell I thought schematic was more 2D line style...what do I know?

[joey_martin]

AI missed a couple big no-nos. 

Please remove the powder room from opening into the living space. 

 

Please re-design the master bath to put the w/c in the space not out in the hallway. 

 

There is no door into the master. 

 

Bedroom 2. Those abutting pocket doors really aren't conducive to good flow. In fact, all the bedrooms. You have to go through the closet to get to the baths. No bueno..

 

You have a coat closet next to the pantry, no need for the oversized closet near the front door, use that space for a bath if needed to open into the foyer, not the living space. 

 

For a home this size, the great room seems incredibly small. There's enough room in the kitchen for a small army, but the actual living space only 6. Give the flex space to living. 

 

That's a quick overview by an actual human.

[SHCanada2]

i would move BR4 to the left and introduce a hallway. I'm not a fan of having everyone go through the kitchen to get somewhere.

 

and to Joey's point, how does one get int he master? i would also flip the master with the master closet, ensuite. you have the opportunity to have the master with 3 outside walls, I would take advantage of that. i would change the nook label to sitting area

[Gawdzira]

Handing an architect this refined of a floor plan can be a double edged sword. There is a great benefit in knowing what you want in terms of a "program" (4 bedrooms with all ensuite, great room type space, 3 garage and mud room, etc.) From that point the workflow would possibly be a bubble diagram to establish relationships and connections to spaces including their relative sizes. If I was arranging this diagram the first thing that jumps out is the entry foyer axis to the kitchen. This is something that, in a house this size, you have room to modify so that your front door sight line is not a direct path to the kitchen sink. Maybe that is an intentional choice? Do you want to orient the kitchen sink location to an exterior wall? The kitchen sink in a house where people actually cook gets a lot of traffic and having a view can be really pleasant. Maybe this is a California thing where we don't avoid plumbing on an exterior wall but with good building methods, water lines on an exterior wall should be a minor hurdle to overcome.

 

But, the main point of me posting is to caution you to not tie the hands of your architect with a plan that you have locked in your mind. Being open minded to the new plan idea that can come out of a fresh set of eyes (or a new layer of trace paper from the same set of eyes) can be the key to finding a great solution.

[CharlesVolz]

All good input. I did not see a comment about the MBr having direct and visible access to the Great Rm.

[richoffan]

I was going to pass but too many people I respect are responding. To be quick (not rude) the layout is a hard no. For a one story, casual "lake house" the zoning could work. The amount of wasted space is.....alarming (especially at today's costs) An 8'-6 X 19 "hall" (mudroom) to enter a 8'-6 x 13 study? Enter the powder room via the dining room? A 40' x 18'-9 Open space? with (2) 10 foot islands and a pantry the size of a kitchen? Did you want open or obstacle? Ref / Frzr? Distance from kitchen sink to dining table? Island seats 10 and nook seats?? and many many more things beyond these and my colleagues observations. I agree with Allen on everything except "refined" Go far more basic with your ideas and find pictures of the style and feel you're looking for. You dream - let a pro interpret them 

[Gawdzira]

@richoffan Yes, "defined" would be a better word choice.

@jsam91, bear in mind, most of the folks responding might have a different response tolerance than you to criticism/critique. Critique and criticism, although similar are not the same in architecture. Hopefully, the feedback on this thread can be taken as critique. Your response to a critique is under your control and these are only other peoples opinion. With that in mind, you are getting some very informed opinions. The most important thing I learned in Architecture school is how I respond to authority, egos and critique.