Being a former architecture student has helped me to appreciate the beauty of complex building structures. As a result, I’m far from wanting the conventional “American-style home with a white picket fence.”
Characteristics of My Ideal Home
Natural- Ideally, I would like a home made out of natural materials, to eradicate the possible health problems associated with new chemicals present in industry products. I hope to fully embrace a natural lifestyle as I get older, and would need additional space for an aquaponics system and herbal garden.
Durable- I also want a very “solid” home. I guess you can say I have a mild obsession (paranoia) with safety. Nowadays most homes are built with such flimsy materials it’s no wonder why they get easily taken out by hurricanes. It’s actually sad how many people are constructing mansions and huge homes that are essentially “death traps” given problematic weather.
Aesthetically Appealing- I find conventional homes incredibly boring–personally. I’m definitely not the type of woman that is into conventional “grandeur.” I don’t need Italian marble or any items that usually get praised for their sticker price rather than their uniqueness or beauty. I do believe that it is important to have a home you believe is beautiful, no matter what style of home it is because having that pride in your home is essentially priceless.
I have two particular styles of homes that, given the success I plan to have, I know I’ll have them both.
Haiku House
My first home would be what is known as a “Haiku House.” It’s a 16th century-style Japanese country home which encompasses a pole and beam architecture. It’s design is elegantly refined and uses sustainable and replaceable natural resources.
Poles- Haiku Houses are set upon large Douglas fir rounded poles stronger than steel and are placed into the earth. The architecture of these homes allow them to be built upon a seemingly unbuildable site.
Safety and Health- The strong 16″ poles are able to withstand the stresses of natural disasters including earthquakes and hurricanes due to their resiliency. The home promotes natural airflow and its openness provides relief to the contrast of many homes with congested structures. Haiku homes also are gentle upon surrounding nature, and protects against the harshness of the sun and weather.
Design- The architecture is beautifully refined, and I love how each style has both a great room and veranda. This design is particularly wonderful if you desire that connection to nature as I do. Out of the model samples presented on the Haiku House Website, I think I would want either the “Kyoto Farmhouse” style, or the “Eagle’s Nest (picture).” These homes don’t take up massive square footage, yet take advantage of the available space at the same time.
Cost: Haiku houses cost between $150-$300 per square foot of interior space.
Bank/Industrial/School Buildings
The next style of home is what most people would not even call a home–but again, I’m not like most people. I would love to own an old bank building and turn it into a home. Considering the amount of banks going out of business, this may be possible for me one day.
History- I love the history of these bank buildings, which exhibit the architectural styles of their day.
Design- Now, obviously I would have to slightly modify the interior space of any building I want to ultimately make as my residence. However, I think I would try to keep as much as the original design as possible. Many older bank buildings have marble flooring, high ceilings, and grand staircases. Banks also have massive open spaces–which is something that I would try to keep, placing additional walls only when appropriate. Also, the building’s stones retain a cool temperature in warm weather.
Safety and Structure I don’t want a modern bank building. I want one of the old ones built out of solid stones, which encompass the architecture that has kept it standing solid for so long. Bank buildings also have solid vaults–and although I won’t say exactly what I would use one for–it would definitely be in use.
Cost: There is one particular listing in Florida which is for 5 mil–however it also includes two additional buildings (apartment buildings/storefront). Although I absolutely love this one, I wonder how long it’ll be on the market by the time I’m finally able to afford it.
What’s Your Ideal Home?
I would love to hear your comments and beliefs on what your ideal home is. I know a lot of you are probably striving for the same result of achieving online business success, so you must have an idea of what it is you would finally like to buy once you’ve achieved it.
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April 29th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I love the design of the first home. Personally, i have never been a “home” lover since I love high-rise condos (the amenities, tower designs, etc) and for me, the ideal one would have to be ocean front property.
It terms of design, its hard to say what the design would be like, but a picture can speak better: http://tinyurl.com/ccuvoq <- the pics do not do enough justice especially since I got to see this and a house next to it recently.
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April 29th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I like it but mine would be a more traditional American log home. Really about the same thing.
@Aman – Ocean front is great but don’t forget hurricanes!! I live in Florida on the gulf side by the water. It gets pretty bad even inland a bit. But ocean front is VERY beautiful.
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April 30th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Those houses look very peaceful.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Those are some great houses. You really have a dedicated aim there huh