The shape of a home’s floor plan comes in many factors: the dimensions and boundaries of a website, distant views, the type(s) of inside spaces desired, etc. With this in mind, no shape is ideal or universally applicable; each is appropriate to a home’s unique circumstances. It could be a box, an L-shape, or in the instance of the following examples, linear. This sort of plan prioritizes viewpoints, solar orientation, and cross-ventilation, in addition to movement along a strong axis.
Ziger/Snead Architects
This long glass box the River House — overlooks a river. As may be seen from this view, the thickness of the house is very shallow: a single area, roughly 20 feet. Seen from the other side …
Ziger/Snead Architects
We can observe how the house acts as a bridge, spanning a valley with entry to the lower level and the river outside. This opinion clearly illustrates the switching screen-glass-screen-glass that happens on the long sides.
Ziger/Snead Architects
Here we see the willingness of the plan and the easy cross-ventilation that occurs with such a shallow depth.
Resolution: 4 Architecture
This two-story rectangular box also orients itself into a body of water. The siting also points the house towards a mature tree overlooking the water, and it extends a deck outward in the house. See inside, next.
Resolution: 4 Architecture
The shallow depth of the house is evident in this view of open living space. Cross breezes are also aided by ceiling fans. Note the wood louvers beyond of the sliding doors, for cutting down on sunlight.
Ian Moore Architects
This linear building appears quite wide from this entry approach, but the shallow depth of the plan is evident from the transparency of the space beyond the bridge. The way the house cantilevers in both ends enriches the amount of the house, which makes it appear to balance with this entry plane that slides beneath the house. See inside, next.
Ian Moore Architects
The main reason behind this plan, besides natural venting (heightened by the pitch of the roof), are the stunning views. A linear strategy makes it possible for every room to catch perspectives.
Webber + Studio, Architects
The linearity of the house is toned down by the variety of the window openings on the two floors and the cluster of trees about centered on the strategy. See inside, next.
Webber + Studio, Architects
The openness of the plan is not only from side to side; it may also be located from floor to ceiling, specifically within this generous living room.
Greico Designers/Builders Dallas
This is another house where a long plan is broken up, this time by the articulation of the outside wall. Alternating between brick, wood, and glass, the overhanging wood roofing ties the different parts together.
Hufft Projects
This previous house can be regarded as a blend of two linear plans; together they form a V-shape. Nevertheless the same considerations apply as in the previous houses, with the extra advantage of cradling outdoor area. Here we can see two long bars radiating from every other. Watch the backyard next.
Hufft Projects
The aptly called Bent/Sliced House suggests an alteration to a long, linear strategy. In its eventual incarnation, the kink in the design goes towards shaping the outside area. Note how the outside dining terrace ends in the bend in strategy. Although this house departs in the strict linearity of the previous examples, it also acts as a transition into my next ideabook, where I look at U-shaped plans.
More: The L-Shaped House
The U-Shaped House
Design Details: Windows That Frame a View
Daring Cantilevers: Architecture Takes Flight
Stunning Corner Windows