Module 6: Interpreting and Evaluating Housing Plans (Optional)

Suggested Time: 5-15 hours

This module is designed to be used in the Interior Design 30 course.

• To acquire knowledge and understanding of house designs and styles.
• To develop students' appreciation of the value and limitations of technology within housing development.

• To expand students' knowledge and understanding of how to compute, measure, estimate and interpret numerical data and when to apply these skills and techniques. (NUM)
• To evaluate a floor plan in relation to family needs. (PSVS, CCT)

Note: Other CELs may be emphasized.

Learning Objectives	Notes
To identify basic types of house designs.	List the basic types of house designs: Bungalow bi-level two-storey split level 1 1/2 storey Display an example of each type. Take a walking tour in the community to identify the types of house designs. List the advantages and disadvantages of each. Compare the energy efficiency of the designs. Choose a suitable type of house and design it for a particular family using a case study approach.
To gain knowledge of the types of living units available within a community.		For each type define the term, list advantages and disadvantages, name examples in the community (where possible), and find illustrations of each. (COM) apartments row housing duplex mobile homes single family dwelling (detached) modular housing Students may do bulletin board illustrations of the various housing alternatives.

To determine the suitability of different types of living units for a given family or community. (PSVS)		Using case studies, students will determine an appropriate living unit for a family given: the family’s lifestyle, size, stage of family life cycle, income, and interests. Students should give reasons for their choices. Encourage the students to use real estate ads or photos for this assignment .
To evaluate the inclusion of a basement as a part of the house design. (CCT)	List advantages and disadvantages of a basement. Discuss various basement options such as full basement, crawl space, partial basement, walk-out basement: Compare materials used in building basements: reinforced concrete cement blocks treated wood frame slab-on-ground Brainstorm advantages and disadvantages of having a basement. Interview house builders regarding the quality of materials and new materials used in building a basement. Discuss why soil type should be considered when choosing materials for a basement.
To examine dwelling shapes and determine how dwelling shapes can affect usable wall and floor space.	List the dwelling shapes that occur in the community. Examples such as: square, rectangle, L, U, T, H, and round shapes may be listed. Sketch or find illustrations for each dwelling shape. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each shape in relation to usable floor and wall space, building and heating costs, and living functions. Ask the students to choose a building shape that interests them and explain the reasons for their choice. Ask them to use examples or illustrations of building shapes that may be familiar to the rest of the class.

To investigate the use of computer technology in creating building plans. (TL) (Optional)	Consult the Drafting 10, 20, 30 Curriculum Guidelines. List tools and equipment that are required for drafting building plans by hand. Outline the procedure and time required to complete the drafting of building plans by hand. Discuss the use of technology in the development of building plans. What changes has the computer brought to the field of drafting? Compare the use of computer-aided drafting (CAD) to drafting by hand. When is each of these techniques used? Invite an architectural technologist (draftsperson) or an architect to the class to discuss his/her career and the use of CAD. Refer to Learning Objectives 13.3 for career topics that should be addressed. Bring employability skills into the discussion. Students are encouraged to use CAD to complete assignments for this course, if possible, or they may draft assignments by hand. Recommended materials for CAD instruction are found on the initial resource list for this guideline.
To recognize floor plan symbols and understand vocabulary related to reading floor plans. (COM)	Explain the meaning of and illustrate the symbols used in floor plans. Include symbols for: electrical outlets, plugs, switches, windows, stairs, doors, closets, fixtures, etc. Using texts or references, name and sketch floor plans with symbols. Examine each of the components that makes up the building plan, such as the overall floor plan, interior and interior elevations, foundation plan, plumbing pipes, electrical fixtures, and heating air conditioning ducts, and site plans. Identify the symbols for doors, windows, cabinets, closets, stairs, electrical outlets, light switches, fireplaces, bathroom, and kitchen symbols used in floor plans. Have students practise reading floor plans.
To explore the zones within a living space.	The three areas of living, sleeping, and working must be arranged in relation to one another. They are called zones. Describe the three zones in a house plan: living sleeping working Using floor plans, circle zones using different colours. Discuss the purposes and features of each zone.

To identify how the connections between zones are shown on a floor plan.	Zones are connected by the elements of the plan. They are: stairs halls doorways Outline criteria for the efficient planning of zones within a floor plan. Consider the amount of hall and stair space, the distance from one zone to another, potential interruption of conversation, the accommodation for work duties, efficiency of traffic flow, safety, and noise control. Analyze traffic patterns in homes by tracing routes of daily routines. Where is the heaviest traffic? Are routes free of obstructions? Are the routes as short and efficient as possible? Discuss safety in stairways and entrance areas.
To consider storage space as it relates to function.	Relate amount and location of storage space with family size and activities: closets kitchen cupboards shelves cold storage, etc. Check floor plans to note the amount and location of storage space. Each area must provide sufficient storage space. Is there sufficient storage space to accommodate family size and activities? Discuss storage needs for persons with various disabilities, small children, and elderly persons. Determine individual reach when planning storage space. Investigate types of storage units: revolving shelves adjustable shelves fold out units vertical dividers others
To evaluate the comfort features such as noise control and ventilation in a floor plan. (CCT)	Describe possible locations for closets and stairwells to aid in noise control. Identify rooms that may have quiet activities and those with noisy activities. Give examples of room combinations that should or should not be close to one another on a plan. Describe how window and door arrangements can aid ventilation. Sketch on floor plans the air flow between windows and doors. Students may tour their school and evaluate the floor plan of the school using the criteria in Learning Objective 6.11. They may create a list of favourable design features and another list of what features require changes. Which changes could be made to bring about improvement to the facility? Outline changes in relation to the functions and activities that are held in the school. Discuss considerations for noise, activities, and quiet areas.
To examine types of kitchens used in homes today. (COM)	List standard kitchen shapes: U L Corridor Island One wall Discuss how changes in the number and ages of the family members may affect the kitchen design chosen. Explain the qualities of a good work centre. Discuss qualities for a desirable size for a work triangle. Note which shapes of kitchens are likely to have the least traffic through the work centre. Define what is meant by the kitchen work centre. Is this part of the discussion or a new topic? Using illustrations, identify kitchen work centers. Explain what may be included in each kitchen work center: counter a major appliance storage Visit a kitchen retail store to examine new materials being used. Optional: Develop a kitchen floor plan using determined dimensions. Select the kitchen shape, counter and storage dimensions, and type of materials used for counters, cabinets, and sinks. Discuss the reasons for the choice of each of the above stating advantages and disadvantages for each of your choices. Consider zoning for noise and traffic flow, cost/budgets, and ventilation in the design plans.

To plan a bathroom in a home. (Optional)

Planning the bathroom before construction begins is important because of the permanence of the plumbing. List the factors to consider when planning a bathroom: stage of family life cycle surfaces for cleanliness and traction plumbing costs and ease of installation fixtures and fittings storage space privacy in relation to the rest of the house ventilation and healing space around fixtures, access panels, etc. safety Place basic fixtures of toilet, sink, and tub on floor plans using the criteria for planning bathrooms. Visit a plumbing store to view styles and colours of bathroom fixtures and fittings or check a catalogue: sink tub shower whirlpool sauna hot tub bidet Investigate cost of purchase and installation of fixtures. Visit bath stores to view accessories and fixtures. List possible bathroom accessories: towels, soap dishes, paper holders, mirrors, shower curtains, and doors. Ask the students to describe their idea of the ideal bathroom. Discuss new ideas in bathroom planning.