Laura
Greenwood
The BACH Life: A look into Aging-In-Place Homes
Project Background
YEAR: FALL 2018 - Junior Year (Studio II)
LENGTH: 7 WEEKS
SKILLS: AutoCAD, Hand-rendering, Photoshop, Space Planning, Research
CLIENT: Karen and Bob Zielaskowski
CONCEPT: A Tree
PROJECT SIZE: 1,446 SF
The goal was to design two homes in different parts of the United States and create a functional space that meets the needs for those with varying abilities, while creating a space that is comfortable and family oriented. The Bach life is for those of retirement age, that live in communities with opportunities to get involved with other community members. These homes have the same floor-plan but differ in material, color pallets, finishes and aesthetic to match the local architectural vernaculars of Charleston, SC and Portland, OR. The two homes are designed for aging in place, they accommodate for ADA, and have useful features that make everyday living easier. The designs consider people of all ages, including children; the Zielaskowski’s have three grand-boys, ages 7, 8 and 14. The homes accommodate for their needs, including space for play and storage of toys and games. The clients emphasized that they wanted their home to be family oriented and when coming up with a concept for their residences, this desire drove the design of the home.
FLOORPLAN (NOT TO SCALE)
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina is a historically rich town, not only in its architecture, but also its culture. Charleston has many opportunities for entertainment, including live performances, art galleries and great food. Homes in this location usually have traditional elements like trim moldings, wood siding, and front porches. This home includes materials that reflect the historical look, but are engineered to with stand time and climate.
The living room perspective shows some elements that are characteristic to the southern architecture, particularly the coffered ceilings. The living room is designed with warm colors that reference the leaves of the Sweet gum once they’ve changed in the fall. The warm colors also can create a sense of warmth, which would be helpful in this winter home. The living room arrangement opts against a coffee table, to allow accessibility and ensure safety for all users.
CHARLESTON, SC FRONT FACADE
Siding, asphalt shingles and shutters were chosen to allow the home to blend in to local Charleston architectural vernacular.
Portland, Oregon
Portland makes a great city for a summer home because of its weather, outdoor activities (such as hiking, biking, and enjoying the rivers), the friendly culture of the people, and the local gems, including breweries, wineries, and museums. This location makes for a great family home, where different generations can find something to do. The living room supports family interaction with a living arrangement that welcomes people in, and an open kitchen that allows conversations to continue between people in both rooms.
PORTLAND, OR FRONT FACADE
The exterior design plays with the local architecture by including natural materials like wood and stone, and representing a craftsman style look. Stone along the lower part of the wall, and pilasters on the right side of the facade are meant to give the home visual depth.
