Custom Residential Architects Network

I've always wanted to know the answer to this question, I figured that this group of AIA members was the one to ask.

Do you live in a house that you designed and had built?
Have you ever designed your own home, but it's still just on paper?

Whether you designed it or not...what is your favorite feature of where you live now?

I'll start...
My current house (for sale if anyone's buying!) was built in 1956. No I didn't design it, but some neighbors have said that a local architect did design several homes on our street, possibly ours.

I have not yet designed my own home, but it's a life long goal (now...just have to convince the significant other).

My favorite feature of our house...I have two...(1)LOTS of windows, almost full wall height in multiple rooms and (2) awesome lighting. I've been told that the father of the first owner was an electrician and our house has all of the lighting bells and whistles that one could ask for including some 1956 dimmable fluorescent ballasts (which we sadly had to replace with non-dimmable ones a few weeks ago). WHEN I design my own home, I will include indirect fluorescent lights - I love the way that it illuminates all the corners.

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Brenda Nelson Assoc. AIA
Woodruff Design, LLC
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Yes, I live in a home I designed and had built for me. My daughters' friends give directions to our home by telling people to "look for the house that looks like it was designed by an architect". (I think that's a compliment.)

My favorite feature of our home is its location (repeat three times if you're a real estate agent). We love our nearby family members, the people in our neighborhood, the schools, the nearby mountains, the nearby National Parks, the nearby city and the nearby international airport, which seems to be located exactly in the geographic center of our extended family.

But, assuming you're asking about architectural features: Our favorite feature is the large great room with the high cathedral ceiling. The room has become a favorite feature of the extended family and community as well, hosting many musical events (recitals, rehearsals, etc.) to take advantage of the acoustics and many large extended family events (weddings, anniversary celebrations, Thanksgiving dinner for 50, etc.). Its windows provide natural ventilation and a high light level and quality, especially in the winter when the sun reflects off the snow and illuminates the ceiling. In the shoulder seasons, temperature can be controlled easily by opening the windows selectively to find the cross-breeze or by opening all of the windows, making the room feel like an outdoor pavilion.

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Sean Catherall, AIA
Herriman UT
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