We are seeing some modest improvement in the housing economy, at least from our perspective. Not necessarily large scale, but that could improve, too. What we are seeing happen are more frequent phone calls and e-mails than in previous months (prior to July and August, 2010), and more actual commissioned projects under contract.

That is a good thing, by anyone’s yardstick. We have heard that the Nation’s economy is improving and from the activity we are beginning to see, that sounds right to us.   We tend to be conservative about the implications of certain activity.   However, good solid design work on our part for individual couples wanting nice retirement houses and for speculative builders pre-selling our designs on lots bodes well for the housing construction industry.  You have to have a design before you can build it and sell it live in it.

So while what we are experiencing are modest projects right now, we have also had inquiries about possible other more ambitious efforts as well.  Like what?  Well, a 200,000 sf 5-story castle on an island, accessed from a causeway for one.  That was an inquiry from overseas.  For another, we have been asked about creating a combination mountain-themed nature center with hotel, restaurants, office buildings and other features.  Those last two were inquires, mind you, not actual contracts yet, but at least it is a good sign of a healing economy to have investors and speculators proposing such things.  That was missing during the last year, and now we are hearing about them more often.  That has got to be a sign of an improving economy.

We are enjoying working on smaller “real” projects lately, and we are very glad to have those clients.  Some people call us and sheepishly ask if we would consider creating houses of 1,800 square feet (sf), 2,500 sf or 3,000 sf.  Our answer is always the same: Sure!  Yes!  We are happy to help clients, no matter what the size of their desire residence.

We’ll get back to you all later, to check in once in a while and let you know the perspective from a residential architect.  Right now, I would say: things are improving.  I urge those of you who have the means, to engage your house architect now, get your residence designed, and price it out to your local builders (we can help you do that, too, and do so all over the Country).  Now is probably once of the best values you will experience, perhaps for the next 50 years.  Take advantage of this golden opportunity.

Along with the occasional mansion, I am seeing a shift to more compact houses of reasonably upper-mid-range quality. People seem to want simpler lives and overall, smaller footprints.

Housing in the 2,500 hsf (heated square feet) to 3,500 hsf seem to be the demand more often these days.  In the mid-decade (2003-2008) 4,500 hsf was the average, with more houses in the 6,000 hsf range and bigger.  Recently, I have had two different clients from different places in the USA, moving to the Carolinas, and wanting 2,800 hsf to 3,000 hsf or so.  This appears to be a trend.  Another client is having us modify their 6,000 hsf previous design direction to become more like 2,500 hsf.

The key to this emerging trend is developing more compact footprints with design approaches that FEEL big.  That’s where the architectural artistry comes in.  I used to work for one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s main apprentices and that is where some of the open space planning philosophies came from.  Wright’s designs look very different from mine, but they share overlapping open plan space concepts, which serve to expand the visual environment in a house.

I have also developed sliding interior doors for certain multi-functional spaces, like seldom used bedrooms, that are more typically part of a recreation room or part of a great room.  But we are here to serve the needs of the mansion clients and the cozy compacts; all are welcome.

We often receive phone calls or e-mails with people sheepishly asking if we would consider designing a house for them of only 2,500 hsf +/-.  Our answer is always the same: YES!  WE have actually designed ultra-compact in-law living quarters as small as 393 hsf.

I recently conceptually designed what I call the “Firefly Cottage.”  It is a 2-story bungalow of 912 hsf, with 512 hsf on the main floor and 336 hsf on the loft level above.  The loft level is the master suite, complete with His and Her closets, room for a seating area  or modest home gym equipment, stair, AHU (Air Handling Unit) and a really nice bathroom.  The main level has another full bathroom, substantial Kitchen with a decent island, living area, dining area and Home Office area (that uses the dining table as the conference table), with an 8′ or 9′ tall Grand Canyon-Dor (our trademark giant sliding glass doors) and a modest entry porch, and coat closet.  Pretty good for such a compact plan!

To see these and more, please contact Rand Soellner Architect at 828-269-9046.