Florida Transitional Contemporary above, 8,000 SF

Cost to purchase most existing plan designs is $4.90/ SF typ. for Permit Set drawings, $3.30/SF for Schematic Design only (see each description for plan contents/availability)

NOTE: We do not have plan books nor send copies of our floor plans unless we are under contract.  Please contact us to receive typical contract form, or set an appointment to view most of our work at our Orlando office.

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Spanish Mediterranean Contemporary (above)

Throughout Italy and France, the Tuscan and Provencal styled home has enchanted every visitor and became the prototype design to emulate.  For centuries the simple house was the standard form in these regions. 

Imagine the medieval farmhouse, originally one story, which had to shelter family, livestock, and store grain/supplies/tools, etc.   As the farm and owner’s family grew, two options were available.  Either to build additional structures to accommodate needs and/or build a second floor over the first.  These two avenues can be seen in the many examples dotting the countryside in Europe. 

When the owner elected to build above, the first choice was to install a ladder or small staircase from inside. If animals remained inside the first floor, eventually an exterior staircase was built in order to avoid the obvious problems and the owner’s living quarters were fashioned above.  The rationale in part was that heat generated below in winters would rise and supply some of the warmth.  The first floor fireplace flu was built upon and extended through the second floor.

 Now these living quarters became the ‘piano nobile’—an Italian term that literally means the noble level, or owner’s suites.  Over centuries, the compact two-story form gained the reputation of simple construction and energy/materials conservation.   The same derivative in colonial America is obvious.  When the decision came by those with means to build anew or for the first time, this geometrical form was one of two options.

During the Renaissance, symmetry (as in the human body) was deemed a guiding design principle.  While the rustic farms had single stairways usually off center, the larger new villas being built by wealthy merchants and nobility in the south of Europe incorporated central stairways or double flights on the outside to offer a direct route to the piano nobile.

When nobility and royalty erected palaces and chateau, this same model was followed in countless examples.  If you recall Versailles, the king’s chambers and formal suites are on the second level, not the first.  The first floor contained rooms for offices, livery, stores, guest suites and reception rooms.  The wonderful Linderhof in Bavaria is organized exactly in this manner.  In Venice, the palazzi on the canals have similar space layouts.  In fact, this historic idea was incorporated in several of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs and was the model for Corbusier’s ‘Villa Savoye’ in the 1930’s.  

Frank Lloyd Wright’s reasoning to ‘go up’ was simply to avoid the noise and distraction of street activity in a bustling age of horse carriages, noisy new cars, and constant pedestrian traffic.  He was so inspired by this tree top view to the outside world that he created his famous leaded glass based on natural forms.  Corbusier wanted to improve the view of the owners on a second living floor and third level observation terrace.  He also separated the car and utilities (machines) from the living quarters.

THE POST MODERN HOME

The Decon style design incorporates a very contemporary architecture that accommodates a family of four (by the same principles as the traditional design pictured here).  Rectangular forms intersect angles and curves for an exciting exterior and interior design.  Parapet walls on the front and back can screen solar collectors set in rectangular grids.  Low VOC and other 'green' components may be specified.

This is an open plan design with single Living and Dining rooms with a large Kitchen communicating directly into these spaces on the second level.  Master and secondary bedroom is zoned apart from each other.  Although located on the second floor this living arrangement offers more privacy from the street and better views.  Vaulted ceilings in all second floors are more interesting and possible whereas impossible to achieve on a ground floor with rooms above. 

The large office/work area below (in both plans) allows direct access from ground floor to keep business matters or hobby noise away from family.  Notice the large walk in closets.  These are both intelligent home designs with great flexibility.  Two families can practically live here, or elder parents, etc.  Expansive feel with space in the right places.  Office on ground floor with separate entry.  Dramatic spatial features with contemporary curves, with much natural light and views.

FUNCTIONALITY for MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIVING

Zoned design to offer a maximum of flexible living arrangements.  A few possibilities are as follows:

Young Family: Can leave entire ground floor unfinished (new construction) including elevator, and live perfectly on second floor.  Dining area of French Country plan can be extended into bedroom in later years to open into a Ballroom.  

Intermediate Aged Family: Teens can move downstairs with their own Den.  Washer/Dryer and small Kitchen/eating area allows maximum privacy.  Parents above also have maximum privacy.

Mixed Family:  Two different family groups or individuals can share space.   Garages on both sides of ground floor in French Country plan can be used independently of each other.  Independent entries are available on both levels.

Mature Family with Elderly/Sick: For baby boomers, semi-retired with aging parents- easy to care for loved ones on main floor with own living and kitchen facility.  Elevator can be activated to bring upstairs for dining or visitation, etc.  Private and independent as necessary.

Office and Living:  This model is similar to medieval European examples in Germany, France, England, Netherlands, etc.  Living quarters above work area.  Can bring clients into building below without affecting owner’s quarters above.  Extra bedrooms become offices, etc. as zoning permits.

 So, we have not really reinvented the house -- John Henry Architect has reintroduced and packaged this superb historic notion for the contemporary homeowner.  Where there were storerooms and animal stalls, now we have garages, storage area or office with private exterior entry, secondary bedrooms with baths ensuite for older children, parents, or a second family, galley kitchen/utility room, and large central den/reception hall – accessed from ground floor directly.   There is an interior winding stair, and an elevator to communicate effortlessly with the upper floor.

Cutting edge Deconstruction contemporary design, - 3D view below

Southwest Contemporary, Modern style @ 12,000 SF above

    Most of the work shown here is clearly Modern, with free flowing plans and sweeping profiles.  Modern Movement or International Style design started as products of the machine age which resulted in boxy and rectangular statements, but through the years after the early part of this century, Modern Style has evolved to represent a self-referential exercise more the result of the idiosyncratic style of the architect.  It has come to be an 'anything goes' approach, which often results in a lack of any historic allusion, and the designers are constantly pushing the limits.

Contemporary Malibu hillside design concept, above

Supreme Florida Deco contemporary: 'Papillon II' above

Contemporary Mountain Retreat (above)

Florida Mediterranean Contemporary Dream Home, concept above

18,000 SF Modern Contemporary Luxury Home

Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Contemporary above

Southwest Texas Contemporary: 'Big Bend' above @ 6-9,000 SF

Art Deco design above, Deco gate below