The first thing they asked was to see my lot. They spent a few hours there walking and getting a sense of the area. We sat down to discuss their impressions the following day. They spoke about the "gesture" of the land – which areas were high and low, which part seemed to be moving in a circular direction and what sort of structure it might already be suggesting. They spoke about the lone house – not a pretty one – behind and above me and how the energy of the house was cutting through my lot at an angle and how we ought to address that. We discussed future structures that were likely to crop up around my lot over time and how it would impact my current design. We spoke about my needs, the rhythm of my life, the children’s outdoor time, my work habits, etc.
I now realize how the quality of your physical space affects your health. I learned the hard way after I built my current home, which is feeling more and more unmanageable as the years go by. It is a beautiful home by any standard but, unfortunately, not one that suits me. It drains me of money and precious energy! I function better in smaller, simpler, cozier spaces that make me feel nicely held. I like to know where my children are at all times and hear them as they go about their day. I want to be able to sense what’s going on in the household, no matter where I am. I don’t want dead or hidden spaces. I want a house that’s so easy to clean I could do it all myself if I had to. I want a home that is as green and environmentally sustainable as I can get, considering my budget, lifestyle and our local resources.
Unfortunately, I left it all to the "experts" the first time around. I don’t even know if any of them walked around my land – I know I didn’t – or took notes about why the bedroom should be in one direction and not the other, not just because of the scientific info like where the afternoon sun hits, but because of what the terrain is already suggesting. Working with nature – not ignoring it – is the first step towards a home that is respectful and in sync with the environment. That is the foundation of a healthy home – a home with true integrity. It doesn’t have to be an expensive home but one that has been true to the land it stands on and the people who have called it their own.
Though I am anxious to move into my new home in the south, I know that taking my time will serve me well. I’m also realizing that part of the struggle of building a home is articulating who you are. Richard reminded me that even if I feel strongly about certain things – that the bedrooms should be downstairs, for instance – I still have to figure out why. My initial response would be: because I want everything closer together, more compact, though I realize this can be achieved with the bedrooms upstairs as well. So I have to ask myself if there isn’t something more I’m aiming for, the discovery of which might set me in a totally different direction that will make a deeper, more positive impact on my living space. We know things intuitively, but we also need to bring everything up to the realm of clear thinking so that our ideas can translate to real and practical sense.
Architecture is not just about aesthetics, functionality, and substance. It is about health – of the land, structure and its inhabitants. Good architecture pays tribute to the gifts of nature and the spirit of man and creates the space for these elements to meet in harmony and grace.