Programming: Step 3

Step 3:
Prioritize your needs and wishes

Without being restricted by an existing structure, or even by budget, discuss with your Architect the dreams you have for your finished project. Don’t hold back or assume you can’t have the things you want. It will be your Architect’s job to find a way to meet those expectations and to help you to eliminate or combine wishes if necessary.
Below is a list of useful questions to help you to consider your priorities:

• Do you need separate space for guests? Are any of your guests likely to be physically impaired or elderly?
• Do you need any specialized work spaces or outbuildings?
•              Describe and qualify appliances or fixtures would you like in your

Living Spaces:
Kitchen:
Bedrooms:
Bathrooms:
Corridors:
Storage:
Outdoors spaces:

•              What will be the most important spaces or features in your home?
• What are the most important features of your property?
• What specialty rooms do you desire?
•              Within the spectrum of very traditional design and very modern design, where do you see your house?
•              Do you imagine some rooms being very open or being very private? Which ones?
• How do you imagine the connection between the interior and exterior spaces?
•              What is the furniture you will use like? Traditional? Modern? Eclectic?
• What kind of heat would you like? Are you interested in a passive solar solution, a pellet stove, geothermal heat or another “green” option?
• What kind of cooling and dehumidification system do you want?
• Are you interested in locally sourcing the products that go into your home?
• Do you have animals?
• Do you want garage space? For how many cars? Storage for bikes or boats?
• Are you particularly sensitive to any man made or natural products?
•               List any problem areas of previous homes?