A recent Fine Homebuilding compilation on ‘small homes’as me reflecting on how our needs have changed since the 50’s,and the heyday of the tract home.
After all, today the ‘bubble baby’ is looking towards retirement and visiting grandchildren. The days of raising a horde of munchkins are past- the ‘munchkins’ are grown and have kids of their own.
The typical tract home had three bedrooms, a cramped bath, and a kitchen that relied upon the stove. Laundry facilities were often limited to a washer in the carport and a clothesline out back. Tract homes were often on multiple levels- either a ‘split’ level, a second floor, or a full basement.
I think the ‘boomers’ need a different design these days.
First of all, everything needs to be on the same level, within a few steps of grade. Even those few steps need hand rails and landings.
Forget about basements. Apart from the issue of stairs, think about how most basements are made! It seems the first step in making a basement is to make a big dirt pile to set the house on. That’s why so many homes have steeply sloping drives and front yards. Another popular “basement” is simply the lower level of a house, set into the side of a hill.
Next, we DON’T need three bedrooms. Not at all. What is really wanted is one ‘real’ bedroom and perhaps two accessory rooms. These other rooms will be used for hobbies, as an office, as a guest room. This subtle distinction has consequences to the size of these rooms (smaller), layout / placement of theses rooms, and what facilities the rooms will have access to (separate outside door? Separate bathroom?)
Utilities?Tract homes often lacked full laundry facilities. What facilities there were could usually be found tucked in a far corner of the basement or nested in a closet with the furnace and water heater. The water heater was sized, assuming multiple showers and frequent demand for hot water. Heating systems assumed the entire house was in use at all times, and air conditioning was “for the rich folks.” Kitchens had a stove, and a single phone sat in it’s little nook in the hall.
And, of course, kids needed a yard to play in.That yard needed space for a swing set or a pool.
Today’s “boomers” might not need all those bedrooms, but …. They sure appreciate a sunroom and deck out back. Every occupant has their own car. Easy access, and some elbow room, is nice in the bathroom. Complete laundry is a must. Kitchens have microwaves- and plenty of other appliances.
Utilities? Hot water use swings between a trickle (most of the time) to a deluge (as you fill the soaker tub). I submit this means a bias in favor of ‘tankless’ heaters. Sewers have to be able to handle both the soaker tub, and the garbage disposall. Every room has a computer / TV, and everyone has a cell phone. HVAC needs separate controls for each room, and air conditioning is a must. Generators and water filters are popular.
Shovel the drive? Humbug! Today’s boomers want the snow melted off by heating lines under the drive.
Rooms need lots of natural light, and a private view.
Designers, man your drawing boards!
Replies
In Florida the priorities are a little different. Natural light means natural heat so I don't have a lot of direct sunlight coming in. I ended up with 1400 sq/ft under air and an additional 370 sq/ft that can go either way (big corner sliders opening up to the screen cage and a mini split).
We end up spending as much time outside as inside so I have 2500 sq/ft under screen.
The BAS part of the house is split plan with the master suite at one end of the house and the guest rooms at the other. Great when the kids are here.
I talked to my wife (builder) about this and she said these days the baby boomers are looking for "accessible" features in their homes. Grab hars in the bathrooms or at least the blocking for them. wide enough areas that a wheel chair will work and at least one tall toilet in an accessible bathroom. If you are really going that way, maybe even a roll in shower or a shower seat..
They want a grade level floor plan that a person could live in with no stairs, even if you make a second floor.
This was requested to some degree in more than half of the 100 houses she built.
If nothing else, it costs very little to make halls and doorways a little wider. Last time my wife and I checked out some townhomes we were amazed at how few places made this small adjustment, even when there were vast "great rooms" that would not suffer at all if 6" or so were trimmed from one side.