Besides location, LAYOUT is everything.  Who cares if you live in a great neighborhood if you can't even navigate your own home?  We've seen some silly houses with poor layout.  Since we plan to build "green", layout is even more important; helping air flow, maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the house and all year long, and just controlling those "dead" zones.

So far this is our winning floor plan (#8B from Alternative Home Plans) because it has all the features we like, but there is work to do:

Below are some ideas we have about what each room should be.  Links to floor plans that have attributes we like are also included:

• Preferably sunken (3 - 5 steps down)

• Sofas built-in and curved with storage below them.

• Lighting/Electronic controls built into "end tables"

• Connected to FDR with see-through fireplace

• Built-in shelving around fireplace

• Focal point should be outside living area

• Built-in media area that hides the media, but it able to be controlled throughout the home.

• Enough shelving to house our CDs, records and DVDs

• Not too large, must be intimate

• We plan on putting a round table that seats 8 - 12 adults comfortably

• Tray ceiling or skylights or see this photo

• Built-in cabinets/buffet

• Connected to living room/great room with see-through fireplace

• Built-in shelving around fireplace

• We entertain a lot and our friends also cook.  We need a space that can have 2 - 4 adults cooking at once.

• We've seen some circular kitchens that were very nice, so if possible, that can be added too.

• Island with cook top and small sink

• Chilling and warming drawers in island

• Seating for 4 at island

• Bookshelves and storage area in island

• Chop block in drawer in island

• Fun and liberal use of tile and wood.

• This is one feature missing from the above floor plan

• We would like the GBS to have a sitting area and it's own bath. 

• A balcony or private patio would also be nice.

• The GBS will be almost like the MBS, but on a smaller scale.

• If on the ground floor, the GBS should have it's own private entrance.  That way our guests can come and go as they please without having to set/reset the alarm for the entire house.

• This room will also have it's own separate telephone line.

• Private deck/patio

• Sitting area with built-in shelving and entertainment center

• Open to the outside freely

• Gas or electric fireplace in room

• Bathroom should reflect a spa aesthetic.  We love the bathrooms at The W in Westwood.  And this one, too.

• We would like to use the "headboard" of the bed as a dividing wall to the bathroom.

• The rooms must be equal in size.

• Jack & Jill Bathroom (missing from above floor plan).

• Needs to be wired for cameras and intercom system.

• Window seats would be nice.

• Built-in storage and shelving for toys and books.

• Built-in media wall that can be closed up and locked

• Built-in shelving and storage for books and toys

• Built-in desks and study areas

• Ample lighting in study areas

• Mini-fridge for snacks and cool drinks

• Lots of natural light coming through

• Wired for cameras and intercom system

• Must be adjustable for later uses as the kids get older

• Common room for printer, fax machine and supplies, maybe designed like a J&J bathroom.

• Should be able to view children's bedrooms and playroom from here via our computers

• Each office needs it's own phone line.

• Adrian needs a space for plans and seating for client meetings and presentations

• Anika needs a well-lighted workspace with built-ins for materials.

• A common balcony would be a nice bonus.

• 1/2  or 3/4 bath must be located next to the offices.

• Location of office on grounds matter not.  We would prefer that our offices are in a separate building or "wing" of the house.

• These rooms need to be suitable enough to double as bedrooms if we should ever sell the house.

• We like the library in the above floor plan.

• It would be nice if the library was 2 levels, with ladders.

• Must be accessible to our guests.

• Need enough room to seat 4 adults in chairs

• Window seat will be appreciated.

• Lots of natural light coming through room.

• The "3rd" floor of the library will used as an observatory.  This will also be accessible from the rooftop garden.

• If there is a second story, then the washer/dryer needs to be there.

• MBS should connect to rest of upstairs area by "bridge" that over looks the foyer and great rooms.

• MBS should have it's own exit to backyard.

• Should be able to reach the rooftop via an outside stairwell that will double as a fire escape.

• Radiant heating in all bathrooms

• The mudroom will connect to the pantry.

• A bar w/a sink, seating and shelving that is accessible from both the LR/GR and FDR.  Possibly used a load bearing wall???

• Open floor plan with use of columns as load bearers, except where an actual wall would be needed.  Otherwise to generate a natural flow, curved walls may be used.

• Should be able to reach the rooftop via an outside stairwell that will double as a fire escape.

• All flooring will be reclaimed wood, except for foyer and kitchen which will be tiled.

• Foyer flooded with natural light and built-in bench with storage area.

• A clear view of the pool from foyer

• Ideally, the kitchen will be easily accessible to outside cooking area.

• A cabana that doubles as a home theatre, with tiled floor

• An outside shower, possibly with 2 hookups and a water fountain.

• A tiled patio with bamboo or teak steps leading to pool

• A play area between the house and pool

• A bar, and outdoor "kitchen" (see the landscapers page for ideas). 

• Gate leading from parking area to backyard.

• Garden beyond the pool with fountain or stream and sitting areas

• Liberal use of sustainable building features.

• Roof top with solar panels and garden/pond for use as insulation

• Framing to be done using alternative construction methods of either ICFs, SIPs or steel.

• Ideally, we'd be able to generate enough electricity through eco-building to heat our water, pool and home.

• We hope to build minimizing impact on site and surrounding environs.

• We need someone skilled in site planning to situate the house in the best configurations to maximize the use of the local climate.

• Use of water efficient toilets and appliances

• Use of a rainwater collection system that will reclaim rainwater for use in garden

• Use of newspapers or sheep's wool as insulation options

• Use of natural paints and stains on both exterior and interior surfaces

• Eco-friendly glass in windows and doors