In today’s economy many people are improving their present homes in order to stay in them, to make room for growing families or accommodate senior relatives, to make resale easier or to create rental space. This class focuses on the particular needs and interests of those who want to renovate (or buy and renovate) an existing home. Topics will include assessing a house for condition, livability, and energy efficiency, making a personal wish list, siting considerations, permitting, adding-on, converting an attic, basement or garage to living space, renovating kitchens and baths, solar options, energy upgrades, removing walls, an overview of structural principles from foundation to roof, and an introduction to modern green materials for flooring and finishes. Students will make sketches, scale plans, sections, exterior/interior elevations, and a model for their project.
To also acquire hands-on building experience, take Renovation (October 17-22) at 25% off.
- Competency Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Course Outline
Pre-class (student responsibilities)
- Students prepare measured as-built drawings and photos of existing house based on mailed instructions.
- Research local building regulations.
- Obtain (or create) site plan.
- Prepare Program (based on questionnaire provided)
- Clipping file
Handouts
- T.B.D.
AV/Samples
- Slides - t.b.d.
- Utilize school's sample library
Assessing Your House
- Overall condition
- Siting
- Functionality & livability
- Energy Assessment
Adding-on
- Rooms
- Second story
- Solar additions
- Structural Overview
- Structural principles (loads, bearing walls, etc)
- Foundations
- Floors
- Walls
- Roof
- Doors & windows (types and performance upgrades)
- Siding & trim (materials & esthetics)
Converting Attics/Basements/Garages to Living Space
- Dormers
- Spatial planning
- Skylites
- Stairs
- Porches
Kitchen/Bath Reno
- Layout & design
- Materials
- Conservation issues
Other Spaces
- Discuss general layout and design issues
- Makeover of other rooms, adding storage, etc.
Materials
- Discuss materials as relates to student projects (flooring, cabinets, trim, finishes, etc)
- "Green" materials intro
Energy & Conservation
- Assessment options (D.I.Y. vs audit - reference related Yestermorrow class)
- Conservation/upgrade issues
- HVAC?
- Lighting?
Esthetics
- Understanding architectural periods & styles.
- Harmonize or contrast
- Interior & exterior materials
- Design principles (line, texture, color, balance, proportion, etc)
Studio
- Programming to be done primarily by students before class (based on questionnaire provided)
- Each student give brief intro to their house, site & program on first nite
- In-class exercises such as "house as", adjective model, or "concept" models
- Students will make bubble diagrams, sketches, scale plans/sections/elevations and models for their individual projects per regular Home Design classes.
- Final Review of projects
Field Trips
- T.B.D.
Photo Gallery
Video
Events