Plan Doctor: Fixing Weird Angles

This one is rough!

I have yet to meet a floorplan I couldn’t improve…and this one is no exception!

PS: We do this work on a consulting basis! If you and your team need a hand, reply to this email, or learn more here.

Despite suffering from the ol’ “align with the wrong wall” problem, it can still be saved - in fact, we can make it even better.

SO much better. Zoomed in versions below.

First, the givens/parameters:

• I didn’t change the exterior walls or the walls between units, and I didn’t change the windows.

• I don’t know why there aren’t windows in this bedroom - could be a mistake in the plans, or could be a windowless bedroom [which are perfectly legal in many jurisdictions, if far from ideal. Let’s save that debate for another day!]

• I kept the large black “chunks” in the plan, assuming they are structure or vertical chases. The exception to this is the ones that seem to be there just to make fixtures or counters easier.

With diagonal walls, the temptation is to keep projecting that funny alignment through the unit…but that will continue to cause you problems. Get to rectilinear, regular right angle moves as fast as you can.

Align the circulation in a straight path instead of making a maze, and hide the structural “bumps” [those black chunks in the plan].

Ahhhh…now this is better!

Sacrifice the large walk-in closet for a room that’s easier to furnish; if you want more closets, add another one in the bedroom.

Create a bathroom that’s accessed from both the main space of the unit, and ensuite from the bedroom.

Create a “dressing area.”

Make the kitchen actually useable, and give more space to the living/dining area.

Use pockets of space created by the weird geometry to get some clever built-ins - a desk/working area, shelving, more hanging space. It’s not hard or expensive, and greatly increases the liveability of the units.

This sketch is by no means the only way to solve this wonky unit - depending on your needs and goals, your market, etc you might make different decisions on the layout. And this sketch is not architectural services - sketches like these need to be vetted by your architect of record, engineering team, etc.

This kind of work should be done before the project enters the Construction Document phase, or during that phase - when you know the structure and MEP needs of the building, and need to make the units work within those parameters. That said, even during construction, you can make tweaks that are worthwhile and helpful.

If no one on your team has a great eye for unit layouts, make sure you get advice from someone who does. I’ve seen projects go from not pencilling at all to homeruns because of the creativity and clarity of the unit layouts, I’ve seen floorplates gain whole units and units gain bedrooms, all without adding square footage. It’s magic!

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Interested in having us take a look at your unit layouts? We do that on a consulting basis! Drop me a line by replying to this email, or learn more here.

PS: we are not here to steal other architects’ projects - we’re here to amplify and supercharge the work your team is already doing!

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