This is a long thread with lots of jumping into fine details. I've perused since the initial thread now deleted, but am a little slow as I have to weigh how far I get into it for fun yet keep a distance from paid architectural services. Massive changes are probably not going to happen, but you seem affable and open to ideas alluring me to participate. You said don't be shy, so I'll start at the big picture. Looking at the site plan:
- The first thing that pops out to me are the views affected by the massing. The concept of the Breakfast nook jutting out, and being a prominent part of the Great Room massing, is one I agree with. However, in GREEN are the site lines from the Breakfast and Great Room. Here, the Master blocks the sweeping SW and sloping view (maybe a creek down yonder to the West?). I do think that a Breakfast/Great Room massing should be prioritized for a dominant view, and here it doesn't have it.
In LIGHT BLUE are the walls of the house massing that on this 2D site plan appear to have the best views. Notice it is the two 'eating' decks, the Master, the 'hammerhead' parking, and the future Shop.
In YELLOW are the ADU's views blocked by the Guest Wing. Delegated to coach class.
In ORANGE are the 'hammerhead' parking views. Maybe you have a basketball hoop there where you want the great view?
- The second thing is the vehicle circulation and garage approach. The side load garage, although deemed better for suburban lots and a frontal approach to a house elevation, does not seem to help in this 'long' house and site plan. In PURPLE is what looks like the vehicle path to get into at least the first two garage stalls - a 3 point turn. You might be able to make a 'U' turn, but that will get old daily and knock off your mirrors. The entry court at the front door will most likely be used by most people to turn around not only to get out, but to place the passenger closer to the house. I don't know if the radius is adequate for that.
And here's where I might look to doing some schemes, thinking ahead where some of these ideas might contribute to some things I noticed about the floor plan too:
- Right off the bat rotate the Master Bedroom, Garage, and future Shop. Push the Master, Great Room, and Guest wing massing back. Pull the ADU forward. So by doing this, the Breakfast/Great Room has a dominate view shown in GREEN (as the Great Room can look through a glassed Breakfast nook). In ORANGE the deck has better use having the main eating area (originally tucked under the roof far away by the Foyer) in front of the Great Room/Kitchen/Breakfast nook. The Master can have a secluded deck (at least secluded by the nook). The ADU now has equivalent status. The Master still has great views as does the Sauna. The space shown in LIME between the Garage and future Shop can be garden instead of parking with South sun, still having great views. The Garage and future Shop have better vehicular access, and in PURPLE seemingly less hardscape overall. You could even get more flat garden/yard space if you move the Shop in line with the long driveway, if you don't mind seeing it as you turn the corner into the property. The ADU might be nice to have it's own parking. Sometimes, when going in and out many times, you don't park all the way in the Garage - you might just want a quick stop near where you are going. And it could help with future rental. I also show a prominent Foyer and ADU outside access through the breezeway, which I can elaborate in Phase 2 of the plan review ;)
Q
outdoor tiel
Q