From the course: Architectural Design Project Type Basics

Home is where the heart is

From the course: Architectural Design Project Type Basics

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Home is where the heart is

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- We've all heard the phrase "Home is where the Heart is." Our homes reflect our identity and play an important if not central role in our lives. The home is where we not only live, but where we work, learn, create, and it's more than ever a place where multiple aspects of our lives converge. It is where we seek shelter from the elements, but most often the dynamics and demands of the modern world. It is a refuge and a base. On a larger scale, housing represents the building blocks of communities, cities, and entire metropolitan areas. Here, we'll begin to discuss how we design our homes and the different types of housing. So how do we begin to design a home? From the most basic shelters to expansive modern residential communities and sky rises, the home is the center of our universe. It is where everything starts, our family life, our aspirations, dreams, work, even start-ups and garage bands. The way we design our homes is almost intuitive. We're all familiar with the basic functionality of a home. Designing a home is like baking. It brings a sense of togetherness and family, security and sustenance, and we all know the basic ingredients. We're all familiar with the basic concept and typical layout of what a house should look like, and have experienced this building type firsthand from when we were very young. Most houses have a living room, or some combination of living and dining space, and a kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms. In spite of some cultural differences, houses and the design of residential buildings is a universally understood building type. In a housing complex, we deal with similar goals only on a larger scale. Now, what are the different types of housing? Residential design can take many forms, from a single family home remodel or new construction, residential communities, mixed use developments, to condominiums and apartment complexes, high, mid, and low rises, student, temporary, and affordable housing, just to mention a few. With the different types of housing we need a different set of eyes and tools each time we embark on a new design project. This broader understanding of residential design can be applied to your own life, whether it be your own home or housing on a grander scale.

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