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ENVIRONMENT

Humidity Control is important; dehumidifier units at least in kitchen alacena; in bodega/workshop; and in walk-in MBR closet.  I hope if the air circulation in the house is sufficient then there will not be humidity traps  Nevertheless perhaps a centralized dehumidification system would be good to have.

Air Circulation is important.  I like a few ceiling fans, especially in the vaulted area (if there is one), sitting areas, and bedrooms.

Light is important.  We like big windows.  The south side of the house is very close to the next lot.  I like the idea of skylights and/or gables in the south-facing roof to let light in.

Noise Insulation is important between the bedrooms, office, guest suite, and the rest of the house.  Conversely it’s good for noise to travel easily between the kitchen, family, living, and terrace areas.

We like Open spaces (not enclosed small spaces – moderate walls).

 

STYLES

·        Ceilings

o                           

·        Stained Glass Window [optional] – This could be in the vaulted area; or in a gable; or on the sunrise side of the house – maybe going onto BBQ Corner -Terrace

 

 

FAMILY / EATING AREAS

·        Kitchen.             

We can make an eat-in kitchen, or a kitchen with an island which can double as a seating/eating table (people sit and congregate while others cook).    I like the idea of hanging pots  , and open shelves (but not exclusively open).    Kitchen should connect to eating area, dining, and be close to BBQ Area (Corner Terrace).  We would like to have separate parts of the kitchen, maybe one part for cooking (and this part needs two separate work areas at least); and a separate part for cleaning/sitting.  Perhaps the parts are separated by a counter or the island.  Equipment list:

o       Double or even triple deep, large sink with high faucet (room to put Big Pots).  I like enamel-coated sink or maybe something rustic (not modern stainless steel).

o       Three prep areas, one with vegetable sink.

o       Island/bar/breakfast surface.

o       Gas range, 8 burners, with grill and griddle swappable pieces.  Hood over range.  I like stainless or enamel finish.  One non-gas burner would be good (maybe halogen or whatever the glass-surface red-glowing ones are).

o       Two ovens, maybe not under stove. 

o       Microwave, above counter.

o       Dishwasher.

o       Large fridge, preferably top/bottom instead of side/side; but the bottom should be freezer (not top as is customary).

o       [optional] Small fridge, maybe in bar area instead of kitchen.  If in bar can be under a prep surface.  This is primarily for drinks but can be for overflows from main fridge.

o       Largeish pantry/storage area.  Optimally has dedicated dehumidifier and perhaps cooler (maybe just an air conditioner).  This is pantry and can have shelves to put pies, etc during preparation or for storage.  Maybe even a wheeled restaurant shelf unit (large aluminum trays).

 

·        Small Kitchen Eating Area, next to kitchen.  We can put the round marble table or square wicker/glass table here (the other table goes on the BBQ/Corner Terrace).

·        Family Area (sit, watch TV, listen to music, play games).  Should be close to kitchen and stairs.  Similar to current LR but with more walking space.  Probably it merges into the kitchen eating area (one open space)

·        Vaulted ceiling and Upper Inside Balcony [optional].  Perhaps this is at the top of the stairs .  Maybe it feeds into the master suite.  Maybe it feeds to the upper outdoor balcony too.     Maybe could have a gable or skylight to let light in      .  Maybe could be big enough for a pool table (5x6 meters?)

·        Study Nook – small desk, computer, drawer.  If could be “mezzanine level ½ up” from kitchen, great.  Here is my “mezzanine level ½ up” idea: Have stairs from the kitchen, leading up to a small room (3x4m?) which has one or two chairs, small computer desk, bookshelf.  The stairs then continue from another corner of the small room, to the second level.  Since the house is split, then from the small room, one could enter the split part of the house, so that the study nook becomes a crossroads between the split parts. [TO DO: SKETCH]

·        Dining Room can be the separator between View/Entertaining and Family/Kitchen area, or maybe can be in the NW corner in order to catch the sunset view.  Need to fit rectangular or square table for 6-8 people.  Either sunset-facing or between family and living area.

·        Bar Area could be little more than a prep surface and glass cabinet and shelves to exhibit and store glassware and bottles.   Could be more:  Near kitchen and family area.  Also with access to inner terrace.

·        The Inner Terrace is an extension of the kitchen/dining area and functions mostly as a congregation area and extensions of kitchen, bar, and maybe dining area.  It’s naturally shielded from the wind by the upper part of the house, especially since it’s lower.

·        BBQ/Corner Terrace (sunrise-facing).  This can also be used as a breakfast/dinner terrace and therefore have a table on it permanently.  I like the idea of it being on the SE corner to get the morning light.  This is sort of a cluttered area, away from the “entertainment” one:  .  The requirements for BBQ are: Near kitchen; not in front on house; has storage closet for: a small charcoal barbecue, charcoal, tools, and perhaps a gag burner and large pot (for tamales for example), a prep table, a folding table – things that come out for parties but otherwise stay out of the way.

·        Back Terrace is the South side of the house.  Unfortunately it’s below and 2m from the next lot (so it’s kind of a ditch).  We like the idea of having a “tapia” covering part of the line with the other lot, maybe with a small fountain .  Idea: we can "move" the lower part of the house 1.5 or 2 m away from the S edge (therefore broadening it from 2 to 4 meters) and make sort of an enclosed outdoor sitting area in the back of the house: .  This is also a candidate location for a fountain.  [TO DO: SKETCH].  Another possibility is to lower the level of the ground (therefore entirely demolishing the existing lower portion of the house).  The advantage of this would be it’d be easier to extend the lower part of the house towards the pump house and therefore push the car park towards the pump house).

·        Guest Bath is a 1/2 bath with some character.  I like the idea of colors here       .  Should be private yet close to family area, and have perhaps a small table/shelf and plant.

 

VIEW, ENTERTAINING AREAS

 

·        Fireplace can be on front terrace; sitting; dining; or family.  Would be nice to have two openings and put it between two rooms.  Stone fireplace and chimney.

 

 

·        Front Terrace – integral part of sitting area when large door is open.            Has the view of the Central Valley and is an extension of the living area.   On the windward (NE) side, so maybe it should have a wall blocking the wind. 

The columns can be stone.  In the case we like the idea of a low wall fencing in the terrace from the garden .  There can be an opening into the garden, perhaps with steps.

The doors and windows onto the terrace should be large.  We like this style          

·        Sitting Area/Living Room – need not be huge; would be nice to have room for same furniture we have now.       Purpose: Sit, read, relax.  If we can fit an upright piano here, great.  Minimal requirements are seats for 4 people, a couple side lamp tables, a coffee table, and easy direct access to front terrace. 

 

·        Pool Table [optional] – 5x6 meters next to sitting area.  This makes it large but with used space.

 

·        Stairs need to be wide enough to accommodate furniture.  I like the idea of using the space under the stairs, either as integral part of house, or storage area:                           .

 

 

SLEEPING / PRIVATE AREAS

 

 

·        Office

o       Library – 4 tall bookshelves

o       Computer desk, large desk, file cabinet

o       Double as bedroom, guest room (queen size sofa bed)

o       Should be separate from the rest of the house.  Maybe reachable by the Study Nook.

o       Small full bath [optional]

 

SERVICE AREA

·        Laundry Room – double or triple large sink – if we can get something stone and rustic, great:         I also like the floor in the second photo.   Good to have small (1.5 meter) work surface, very durable, maybe ceramic and cement.   We'll have two floor-standing modern washer/dryer units, front-loading.  Ironing board unfolded to iron; clothes bin.  Deep shelving and cabinets for soaps, utility items:   large mop cleaning tub with hose connection, and storage nook for mop, broom, vacuum, etc.  Might have the hot water heater.   Nice to have exit onto carport as well as entry from the inside. 

·        "Bodega/Workshop" next to carport, with deep shelving and space to put long objects (e.g. ladder, wood); tools including table saw; workbench.  Also storage shelves/cabinets.

·        Car Port is next to bodega, which is next to laundry room.  Should fit 3 cars side by side so each can back out.  Needs roof, but doesn’t need door necessarily.  I like the possibility of lowering the lower part of the house a meter or so (see “Back Terrace”), and putting the car park closer to the pump house (re-route the car entrance to approach from the West edge instead of the North).

·        Bodega is next to the car port, next to the laundry area, and carport, and has three purposes: Storage of crates, boxes, bags, suitcases, etc; woodworking; storage of wood, supplies, paints, etc.  Would be nice to fit lumber, a table saw, a workbench, and large deep shelves.  Should be dehumidifiable.

 

 

OPTIONS AND FUTURE WISHES

 

·        Outside the main house: “Rancho/Pool” [optional] which opens onto a pool and jacuzzi. 

The Ranchito should have room for a work/serving area/bar; a small table; and hammocks.

The Pool needn’t be huge.  I’d like two area of the pool, perhaps joined by a continuous waterfall.  One area is for kids and standard hanging around, perhaps ha a pool bar.  The other area is deep, for diving and perhaps has a diving board or just diving platform about 1.5-2 meters up.
Because of the sloping terrain of property, there could be steps connecting various terraced levels.  We like stone and plants .  Around the jacuzzi I’d like to have large stones, ferns, moss.

 

 

·        Also in the category of “future wish” is a Guest Suite, which would be similar to the master suite, but no walk-closet; not as large a bathroom.  Perhaps over the car port?

·        Another future wish: a Rec Room [optional] –could be the basement?  Perhaps the basement is under the front terrace.  In this case could have steps leading down to garden .  Perhaps on the side is an auxiliary carpark which doubles as a place to put a ping pong table.  In the game room can be pool table, bar, office, wine cellar, brewery, play room, you name it.

·        Final wish: Auxiliary Car Park [optional].

This is for when the main car park fills up; guests drive across the yard and cluster their cars against the house, below the front terrace and in front of the inner terrace.  Maybe this part of the lawn has stone with grass between (similar to the current stone paved car entrance near the house).  Maybe the part below the front terrace is in front of the entrance to the basement/rec room – and so becomes a place to put a ping pong table as well (a “lower front terrace”)

 

 

TOTALLY UNNECESSARY AND UNWANTED