Residential Environments

In her latest book, Sarah Susanka describes the basic architectural principles that create a homelike setting. Her descriptions form a useful “spatial experience” language to be shared by architects and homeowners that will facilitate the creation of more satisfying homes.

Susanka's principles fall into three categories: space, light, and order. She defines space as “how volume can be shaped, molded, and divided to give you a particular kind of spatial experience.” When considering space, Susanka focuses several themes: entering the home—paths, receiving places, gateways, etc.; shelter and activity throughout the home—as facilitated by alcoves, window seats, soffits, rugs, etc.; the sequences of places encountered as an individual moves through a home—including alcoves passed and connecting views; ceiling height variety; interior views—diagonal, long, connecting, partially hidden, and surprise; layering or doorways encountered, implied walls and sliding partitions; connections between the inside and outside—such as windows; changes in level; provision of public and private spaces; openability—doors, screens, panels, etc.; a sense of enclosure; differentiating parts of the home—using beltlines, floating surfaces, and pods of space, etc.; and providing depth and thickness to walls.

Susanka is clearly charmed by the potential of light. She describes light to walk toward as desirable, as are light intensity variations, reflecting surfaces, and correctly positioned windows. She explains techniques to provide visual weight, such as colored walls, dark-colored ceilings, textured walls or ceilings, subtle color differences, and colored alcoves; and “windows” that provide views—one way, through small panes, etc.—or non-views, made from artglass, transmitting light only.

Order is “the way in which the design elements are arranged to give it an identity all its own.” Susanka sees it applied through the use of patterns and geometry, alignments, rhythms, themes and variations such as signature forms or patterns, composition, expressed structure, focal points, and an organizing strategy.

Home by Design is just as easy for non-architects to read and apply as Susanka's earlier books. It is a worthwhile book for designers to peruse—not because they will learn much about residential design—but because it will present the terminology that many of their clients will use and understand.