Selection/Rejection/Intention

Mr. and Mrs. Crumlish are looking to rebuild their home in Manasquan, NJ for their retirement. Three Alternative Solutions have been produced to meet the wants and needs of Mr. and Mrs. Crumlish, and the following is an evaluation of each design. Following the evaluations is the chosen solution and a statement of intention.

Alternative Solution #1



Pros

• large kitchen
• large living room
• large porch
• large guest bedrooms
• large master bath
  

Cons

• small dining room
• no distinguished entranceway (at front or back door)
• small utility room
• little storage
• corridors occupy much of the space
• living areas consolidated in front of house while back door is most common entrance
• no formal entrance to master suite
• little privacy for master bedroom because of two story living room
• master bedroom setback from front of house/view
• valuable space wasted with two story living room
• plumbing not alignedplumbing over guest bedroom

While the first Alternative Solution does have pros, the cons strongly outweigh them. The house is designed to promote an open and relaxing environment. The most open part of the house is the two story living room. The master bedroom overlooks the two story living room, giving it an open feel, yet restricting privacy. Because of the two story living room, the master bedroom is also set back from the front of the house and the view of the Atlantic. The kitchen in this house is very large, with a lot of counter space and a large breakfast bar. This however is condescended by the small dining room. At both the front and back door there is no distinguished entranceway, so there would be no place to take off coats and shoes when walking into the house. In the case of the front door, after walking in the door one immediately finds oneself in the living room. The guest bedrooms are both fairly large with decent sized closets, yet the bathroom and utility room are both rather small.

Upstairs is the master suite. Because the entire second floor is considered the master suite, there is no formal entrance, only the staircase. The master suite consists of a master bedroom, a master bath, a walk in closet, and a library/study area. Each of these areas is fairly large. However, valuable space is wasted in that a corridor runs the entire length of the north wall of the house. The decks in the front and back of the house are fairly large.The overall design of the house faces issues such as limited storage and unaligned plumbing. For this design, the cons far outweigh the pros. The general idea of the design is satisfactory, yet it not very practical for full time living.

Alternative Solution #2

Pros

• large L shape porch
• large living room
• large kitchen
• large dining room
• mudroom
• large utility room
• distinguished entranceway
• large master bathlarge open space

Cons

• small first floor bathroom
• walk-in closet separated from master bedroom by stairs
• living areas consolidated in front of house while back door is most common entrance
• little storage
• limited counter spacesmall guest bedrooms
  

The second Alternative Solution has a fairly even balance of pros and cons. One of the biggest pros of the second solution is the large L-shaped porch. The L-shaped porch allows for the door to be set away from the gathering area of the porch and create two separate areas. After entering through the front door there is a foyer area separate from the living room. From the foyer one can go upstairs or into the living room. The size of the living room is another positive aspect of the house. Dividing the living room from the kitchen is a breakfast bar. The house has a large kitchen area as well as a large dining area, except there is little in the way of counter space and storage. Moving toward the back of the house are two guest bedrooms, both of which are small. The first floor has one small bathroom, but there is a large utility room and a mudroom. The biggest flaw of the first floor layout is that the living areas are consolidated in the front of the house and the private areas are toward the back of the house. Because the clients mostly enter the house through the back door, they would have to walk down the hall past the private areas to reach the living areas.

Moving upstairs is the Master Suite. The Master Suite has the same large L-shape porch as the first floor. There is also a decent sized master bathroom. The biggest flaw in the design of the Master Suite is the separation of the walk-in closet from the master bedroom by the stairs. Moving on from the Master Suite is a large open multi-purpose area, with a large deck on the back of the house.The overall concept of the house satisfies the clients to some degree, yet the specifics of the design aren’t right. Although there are many pros, there are almost as many cons. The pros emphasize the concept of what the client is looking for, yet the cons identify some of the more practical aspects and specifics of the house.

Alternative Solution #3



Pros

• large kitchen
• large living room
• large dining room
• large mudroom
• large utility room
• large master suite
• two full baths upstairs
• additional living room (den)

Cons

• limited counter space/small island
• few/no kitchen windows
• little storage
• plumbing not aligned
• bathroom above bedroom

The third and final Alternative Solution is the strongest design. Walking into the house through the backdoor, one will be in a large mudroom, with a same-size utility room on the left. Moving toward the front of the house is a large kitchen with an island and breakfast bar. Across from the kitchen is a large dining room. Immediately next to the dining room is a large living room. The kitchen, dining room, and living room are all open to each other. Adjacent to the living room is one of two guest bedrooms. Across from the guest bedroom is a full bathroom. Past the guest bedroom and bathroom is a den and a large porch. The front door leads from the outside into a small foyer with a coat closet. The first floor layout provides an open, relaxing atmosphere with two separate living areas. The biggest living areas are close to the rear of the house and the back door, which is the most commonly used entry by the clients.

Moving upstairs is the library/study area. Attached to the library/study area is an open multi-purpose area, as requested by the client. At the back of the house is the second guest bedroom with a small attached balcony. There is one full common bathroom upstairs. Moving toward the front of the house is the Master Suite. The Master Suite consists of a large bedroom, bathroom, walk-in closet, and private balcony.

The design consists of many pros, and the existing cons can be easily corrected. The overall design of the house is somewhat different than what the client envisioned, yet it greatly satisfies their needs.

Chosen Solution
Alternative Solution #3 was the final alternative solution for Mr. & Mrs. Crumlish’s retirement beach house. Although it deviated from what the clients had in mind, the design greatly appealed to them. The design introduced a new direction to the clients and convinced them it would actually satisfy their needs greater than the previous two alternative solutions. The client especially liked the idea of having two separate living areas downstairs, a living room and a den. Several other aspects of the house that appealed to the clients were the mudroom, the large kitchen and dining room, and the large master bedroom and master suite as a whole.

Although the design does have some cons, the pros are of a much higher value to the client, and they are willing to proceed with Alternative Solution #3. Moving forward, the client will be involved in working to reduce and eliminate the cons of the original design and adjust the design to satisfy the client 100%. Changes include adding closets to the kitchen, upstairs guest bedroom, and upstairs common area, enlarging the island in the kitchen, and switching the place of the stove with the sink to allow for a window in the kitchen.

Alternative Solution #3

.............First Floor..........................Second Floor...............

Alternative Solution #2

..............First Floor.........................Second Floor...............

Alternative Solution #1

.............First Floor.........................Second Floor.............

Brainstorming

The following are brainstorming sketches for the alternative solutions:

Testing Procedures

Design Expectations: All plans must clearly display the specifications set forth by Mr. and Mrs. Crumlish. The new house should satisfy the desire for a primary home in Manasquan, NJ to replace their existing summer home. The exterior appearance of the house must fit in with the surrounding environment and be aesthetically pleasing. The first floor should provide a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for entertaining and lodging guests, with a Master Suite refuge on the second floor solely for Mr. and Mrs. Crumlish. There should be ample and sensible transitions between rooms. The Master Suite should include a Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom, walk-in closet, and private balcony. The house should encompass outdoor areas for enjoying favorable weather and provide spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as Fisherman’s Cove (to the rear of the house) for year-round enjoyment. The house should also have an outdoor shower as well as outdoor storage. The decision by Mr. and Mrs. Crumlish to move forward with the presented plans and construct the house is the ultimate objective of the project.

Testing procedures are as follows:

1. Review all plans with the client. The entire design of the house should exceed the satisfaction of the client. Any discrepancies must be documented as part of the Final Evaluation and eliminated. Areas of assessment include:
   a. floor plan layout,
   b. window & door schedule,
   c. exterior elevations,
   d. interior finishes, and
   e. exterior finishes.
2. The client, as well as immediate family and friends, should each complete a survey serious in nature providing honest feedback of the overall design of the proposed house.
3. Following approval from the client, a Zoning Permit Application must be completed and submitted to Mr. Richard Furey, Borough of Manasquan Zoning Officer.
   a. The Zoning Permit Application must be complete and signed.
   b. A survey less than five (5) years old must be submitted.
   c. All building plans must be submitted.
4. Following approval of the Zoning Permit Application, a Building Permit Application must be obtained through the Borough of Manasquan Building Department. If the Zoning Permit Application is denied, discrepancies must be documented as part of the Final Evaluation and eliminated.

Research

Architecture is the art and technology of realizing, from design through construction, physical spaces that meet the basic necessities of human existence on the individual and collective levels (Bussagli 7). The interior and exterior construction of a building is affected by geographic location, climate, available materials, anatomical structure of humans, and the specific function of the building. Architectural language is created by design, building technology, and building style (Bussagli 7). Building style is often influenced by historical context and/or by artistic and cultural trends of the time.

The relationship between people and space is conditioned by the anatomical structure of the human body (Bussagli 9). Humans perceive space in four parts: right, left, front, and behind, and sometimes above and below. This is the “concept of four-way space” (Bussagli 9). Ergonomics is the field of technology that considers physical capabilities, work processes, and environments in the design of machines and everyday implements (Bussagli 31). Walter Gropius asserted that design concept “embraces in general the entire orbit of what surrounds us and derives from the hand of man, from simple domestic furnishings to the complex organization of an entire city”.
Architectural plans are the horizontal sections of structures showing the system by which spaces are organized and the relationship between the exterior and interior. Each drawing indicates thickness of walls, dimensions of rooms, and the location and size of doors and windows. The basis of a plan is to make it possible to identify architectural style, forms, and elements. Plans are considered the “genetic code” of a building. (Bussagli 104)

Architecture can be interpreted through linguistic code, based on grammatical and syntactical rules all its own, that is called style (Bussagli 107). Facades may be regarded as the “calling card” of the building, or image by which it is commonly identified and remembered. Typical features of a façade are architectural orders, windows, and doors. (Bussagli 98) Doors are crucially important in the architectural composition of a building, involving arrangement on the main façade, secondary façades, and any minor structures adjoining the main building (Bussagli 100). Porticoes are an architectural element occupying a position midway between the exterior and interior of a building, open on at least one side, lined with columns/pillars (Bussagli 101). Windows satisfy the need for light and ventilation. The variety of style varies according to interior/exterior use.

Several different drawing techniques are used in architecture. A sketch is a drawn idea, quickly done, which suggests a final building, sculpture, or painting and sometimes becomes an end and art form in itself. Its crudeness or refinement is not the issue, but rather the intention for its final use (White 280). Drafting implies free-hand drawing (White 90) leading to the creation of working drawings and/or blue prints. A rendering is a pictorial illustration of a proposed building or structure, traditionally a perspective proto-photograph that appears to be as real as the finished product (White 254). Computer Aided Design is used in the drafting and design of all types of buildings, from small residential types (houses) to the largest commercial and industrial structures (hospitals and factories). There are also several different types of modeling techniques used in architecture. A finished model is a scale representation of what the building or structure will look like when complete and is often built to communicate design ideas to clients, owners, committees, customers, and the general public. A site model shows the building or structure in relation to the surrounding area.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Since 1857, the AIA has represented the professional interests of America's architects. As AIA members, over 80,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners express their commitment to excellence in design and livability in our nation's buildings and communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA-member architect's dedication to the highest standards in professional practice. (AIA 1) The AIA estimates the number of architects licensed in the U.S. at 108,000. Licensure is the highest form of professional regulation, and all 50 states require an individual to be licensed in order to call him or herself an architect. Each state establishes its own professional standards for architect licenses, and architecture registration boards in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories, require that candidates satisfy those standards for education, training, and examination. (Facts 1) The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is the sole agency authorized to accredit US professional degree programs in architecture. There are currently 117 schools offering NAAB accredited professional programs in architecture, leading to the Doctor of Architecture, Master of Architecture or Bachelor of Architecture degree. Schools offering architecture as a major include University of Miami, The Cooper Union, Pratt Institute, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Texas at Austin, Virginia Tech, and Montana State University.

Limitations

The limitations of the house are based upon the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Manasquan and the International Residential Code 2006, New Jersey Addition:

• The Lot is located in the R-5 One-Family Residential zoning district.
• A new conforming building may be built on a nonconforming lot provided there is compliance with the following requirements:
  a. The building is used exclusively for residential purposes.
  b. The use of the building is permitted in the zone.
  c. The nonconforming lot is separately designated on the current municipal tax map or has been established by a subdivision approved by a Municipal Land Use Board.
  d. The proposed new building complies with subsection 35-9.4 (Schedule of Area Yard and Building Requirements) for the zone in which it is located.
  e. Building height does not exceed thirty (30) feet as measured from: the top of an existing curb; or in the absence of an existing curb, from the crown of the road; or in the case of beachfront lots, from the elevation of the monumented beachfront line. (Ord. No. 1956-05 § 3) (New Jersey Ch. 35)
• A Zoning Permit Application of the Borough of Manasquan must be completed, indicating any variances. Variances must be approved by the Zoning Department. Reference: http://www.manasquan-nj.com/~manasqua/docs/ZONING.pdf.
• The area, yard and building requirements for each zone in the municipality are as set forth in Schedule I. Reference:http://70.168.205.112/manasquan_nj/lpext.dll/Infobase/lpext.dll?f=objects&fn=Ch35_sch1.htm.
• The survey of Lot 8, Block 182.01, Tax Map, Borough of Manasquan, Monmouth County, New Jersey pronounces lot dimensions and boundary lines as well as dimensions of the current structure. See Appendix C.

Reference:

• New Jersey. Monmouth. Manasquan. Office of the Borough Clerk. Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Manasquan. Amended through April 2, 2007, Supplement No. 12. 1998.
• International Residential Code 2006, New Jersey Edition. April 2007. International Code Council, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1-58001-515-8, ISBN-10: 1-58001-515-8

MP1 Calendar

Specifications

The house must satisfy the wants and needs of Mr. & Mrs. C while also meeting the zoning requirements of the Borough of Manasquan. A floor plan view (with dimensions and rooms labeled), exterior elevation views (with materials labeled and heights of floor and ceiling lines, and window and door heights dimensioned), a cross-section through the structure, and a three-dimensional color rendering of the exterior and one interior room must be presented to the client, as well as a scale model of the house. In addition, a site plan may be produced.

The specifications of the house reflect the wants and needs of Mr. and Mrs. C:

• Mr. and Mrs. C are looking to spend an average amount for the completion of their new beach house.
• A house near the shore must be built to withstand the elements: salt air, flooding, high wind, extreme sunlight, and more. Quality must not be spared in the building materials of the house, including but not limited to windows, doors, lumber, siding, and roofing. Quality also extends to the interior of the house, including but not limited to floor coverings, appliances, plumbing, and utilities.
• The overall house must be aesthetically pleasing.

Interior/Use of Space:

• The layout of the house should provoke a light, social, and relaxing environment.
• The house must be two (2) stories.
• The house must have a decent sized kitchen to accommodate frequent cooking and entertaining, as people often gather in the kitchen when entertaining.
• The house must have an informal dining area to eat meals, especially when entertaining.
• The house must have an adequate living room area for entertaining and to hang out.
• The house must have a front porch no smaller than the current front porch (approximately 168 square feet).
• The house must have two guest bedrooms for visitors. The guest bedrooms may be on the first floor, second floor, or one on each floor.
• There must be ample space, on the first or second floor, to set up sewing equipment and quilting tables.
• If space exists, a library/study is desired.
• The second floor must have a master suite.
• The master suite must have large views and a private balcony on the east elevation for viewing the sunrise over the ocean.
• The second floor must have large views and a balcony on the west elevation for viewing the sunset over the cove.
• The master suite must have a master bathroom with a walk-in shower as well as a tub.
• The master suite must have a walk-in closet.
• The master suite must have a sitting area for enjoying coffee in the morning.
• There must be an outdoor shower.
• There must be outdoor storage.
• There must be a bathroom on the first floor, and if there is a guest bedroom on the floor, the bathroom must have a shower.
• There must be a bathroom (other than the master bathroom) on the second floor if there is a guest bedroom on the floor, and the bathroom must have a shower.
• The house must have heating and air conditioning.
• There must be a utility room, where the hot water heater, HVAC, washer, and dryer will be located.

Exterior:

• The house must have a metal roof.
• The house must have a balanced window plan.
• The house must be built in a style similar to many of the new constructions nearby. This style predominantly consists of features from both the Stick Style and Shingle Style.
  

Background Information

Mr. and Mrs. C live in Matawan, NJ. In the summertime they enjoy spending time at their beach house in Manasquan, NJ, about a half-hour away. The Cs enjoy entertaining at their beach house and often have friends spend the day or even a few days. The house has a front porch, living room, kitchen, dining room, two guest bedrooms, a bedroom which their two daughters share, a master bedroom, and a bathroom.

The house is located on First Avenue, between Brielle Road (to the north) and Pompano Avenue (to the south). Off-street parking for the beach house is off Timber Lane, which runs north and south behind the house. Across the street on the other side of First Avenue are two rows of houses. Past the two rows of houses is the beach.

The house was built in the early 1920’s and has remained nearly the same since its construction. One part of the house, however, is an addition to the original house. The only bathroom in the house originally did not exist and was constructed outside on the back porch of the house. Following the construction of the bathroom a larger addition was put on the back of the house consisting of a storage room, an informal dining room and a bedroom. The original roof in the back of the house is visible inside the addition. The house has no heating or air conditioning, nor is it insulated. In the kitchen is a gas stove/oven that dates back to the 1940s.

Mr. and Mrs. C would like to live in Manasquan year round following their retirement, yet the ir one story frame dwelling would be uninhabitable year round. They would like to start over by demolishing their current beach house and building a new one that would be much more suitable for full-time living. As they start over, there are certain things they would like to see in their new house to fit their lives. This includes a master suite, open space to set up sewing and quilting equipment, a decent sized kitchen suitable for a good amount of cooking, a living room suitable for entertaining, guest bedrooms, and several outdoor areas.

The C’s new beach house is where they will spend most of their retirement, so it has to be perfect. Everything about the house will be designed to meet their wants and needs. They are in complete control of what their house will be like so they can enjoy each and every day of their retirement and continue to entertain all their friends. It is the duty of the architect to give them the best retirement home possible.

Click here for the lot survey.

Design Brief

Design and model a beach house for Mr. & Mrs. C’s retirement in Manasquan, NJ to replace their existing beach house.