Periods of enormous societal change have always given birth to important changes in American housing: Mid-century modern open floor plans added efficiency to smaller houses after WWII ,and water-filled solar collectors reduced energy consumption during the 70’s energy crisis.
At other times, trends have been more frivolous: turquoise kitchen appliances; oversized acrylic whirlpool bathtubs; and sunken living rooms.
The current decade, beginning with the great recession and continuing through the coronavirus pandemic, has delivered a series of seismic societal events that have altered our idea of “home” in meaningful ways.
The following are my observations based on my own practice serving Lindal clients, not any scientific full-market study. Since my clients are likely people much like yourself, you may find this information worth considering.
The Increasing Importance of Home: From reading alcoves to accessory dwelling units
We are all spending more time at home (and were doing so long before mandated sheltering in place). Home is becoming an even greater social and occupational center. More families are living multi-generationally (over 20% of American families!) either full time or for a major portion of the year.
With more time being spent at home, privacy is becoming increasingly more important. Every resident requires a place to be alone, both visually and acoustically, even a tiny zen-like home office or private indoor/outdoor shower.
Virtually every Warmmodern Living project now includes a private retreat for each member of the family, a major change from just five years ago. Recently the need for full time at-home office space for one or two adults has become a daily reality. Admittedly, the designer’s role includes raising lifestyle possibilities that are not yet on the client’s “must –have” list. These often take the form of:
Detached accessory dwelling units; for parents aging in place or children returning home while saving for a first home or taking advantage of parents for full time child care; or
Semi- attached accessory dwelling units; loosely linked to the main house (by open breezeways, for example) are still suitable for multigenerational living, home office suites, or guest quarters for weekend guests or parents from remote locations who plan to spend months with the homeowners; or recreational space that “wants” to be acoustically and visually isolated from primary living spaces; or
Building lower level living areas into hillsides is an economical method for creating private zones for guest suites, home offices, secondary bedrooms, working and playing zones for teenagers; music practice spaces. This approach also reduces energy consumption since the soil temperature four-feet below grade is a constant 54 degrees year-round, reducing the need heat and air conditioning.
Roofs inspire and enable innovation
Building sites are becoming more challenging - steeper, wetter, and in many cases smaller- with many people deciding to live closer to urban centers. These restrictions also contribute to the emergence of certain design trends.
The presence of wetlands and the continually-increasing buffer zones- areas in which the site cannot be disturbed one iota and the presence of areas steeper than a specified percentage (determined locally by the general stability of the soil) often reduce the area for a usable yard dramatically.
A roof yard is a great alternative to a ground level yard. These communal areas utilize the main roof or secondary lower roof and have become welcome and oft-used features in many Warmmodern Living designs. They extend interior living areas and create “treetop” perches often with great views. Roof yards can be quite expansive, are often landscaped potted greenery and trees and equipped with outdoor bars, barbeques, firepits, or childrens' swing sets and sandboxes. They are also more private and secure than ground level yards.
“Flat” roof construction typically consists of a continuous membrane surface that actually has a pitch that directs water off of the roof, preventing leaks. The membrane is not a surface that fares well with human traffic and furniture and requires a surface built above the roof that does not impede the drainage of roof water and provides a durable surface for furniture and walking. A recent innovation - wooden or concrete “tiles”, typically 2’ x 2’ with levelers on each corner allow the free flow of rain beneath them and perfectly level the walking surface above the low-pitched roof.
It is important to plan for this type of roof in advance since the 6 to 22 pounds per square foot of various roof tiles must be accounted for in designing and engineering the roof.
Roofs more frequently harness nature’s gifts. Over half of the homes we design today are either built with our plan for future photovoltaic arrays on the roof. Depending on the number of sun-days at your building location a $15,000 to $30,000 array may generate enough electricity to supply your home’s (and your car’s) annual needs. Generous state incentives reduce the cost of these systems dramatically.
As with future roof yards, it is important to consider intended photovoltaics in your initial planning. The orientation of your roof (ideally flat or sloping to sun-south) and the weight of future photovoltaics (often 5 to 10 pounds per square foot) are factors when designing and engineering your roof.
In the last three years, we have planned four houses with catchment systems (two to be constructed immediately and two planned for future installation). This compares to zero in the prior thirty years.
Catchment systems collect rainwater from the roof and store it for future use. Some systems are planned for irrigation of gardens, washing cars, and other uses for gray water (water that has not been purified). Other more complex systems collect rainwater from the roof, store it, and purify it for all uses in the home. While a gray water system may cost around $15,000, full systems that purify the water may cost $40,000 to $50,000.
When considering a catchment system, here are the basic steps we follow:
Explore local and county regulations to see what type of system is allowed, if any. Generally speaking whole house systems are not permitted if you have access to a municipal water supply or well water that is safe for use.
Determine which system type (whole house or gray water) you want.
Engage a catchment system design and installation expert to complete a feasibility study. This low-cost exercise will help you understand whether the annual rainfall in your area and the size of your roof will provide the required quantity of water for your family size and will estimate the cost of such a system. Warmmodern Living has a relationship with an expert of nineteen years whom we recommend to our clients.
Design the house with a roof that is shaped to naturally collect water if that is consistent with other aspects of your design program.
Time-tested trends
Some trends are part of every Warmmodern Living home design program for every client. Living in a home that takes advantage of the daily and seasonal path of the sun to reduce heat and lighting costs and a house with overhangs that provide shade where needed and protects the body of the house from the elements are all part of marrying house to its site. These and other aspects of connecting you the exterior environment contribute to creating homes that are green, energy efficient, dynamic, and joyful.
