Buying Vs. Building

Building Vs. Buying

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Getting a new home, in itself, takes a lot of time and is a lot to think about. Then you have the option to purchase an existing home or build a new one. Which is the best option? Which costs more? In today’s real estate market existing homes prices are becoming competitive to building a new home for many reasons. Many people get caught up in the idea that building homes will be more expensive when they are told by an agent that an existing home is a better value. So what should you do?

Our new home!

When looking at existing homes you need to look at all the potential issues you already have, and what issues are going to arise in the future. The lack of existing homes on the market is driving up their values making them more expensive regardless. Thus, making the argument about cost differences useless. Things that could make purchasing an existing home more costly down the road are, age of mechanicals, appliances, roof etc. When something can go wrong, it will. As soon as the home owner is in possession of the keys, if the air conditioning goes out, or pipes bust, it is now your problem. When a buyer has saved and put away money to cover the down payment, closing cost, and new home essentials, they are not going to be happy about having to shell out more money for repairs. Whereas, with new construction everything is covered and under warranty from the mechanicals, plumbing, appliances, electrical and structure of the home. One call and you can have someone out to your home and doing the repairs at no cost to you.

Basement in progress!

When clients walk through an existing home they are thinking about what changes they want to make to better suit their needs, and without a contractor there to see the project then there is no way of knowing if what you want to do is even possible or how much you will have to spend. “I always say, once you tear down an existing wall, this is when the truth comes out”. Has the home aged well? Or did you just find a leak that has been tearing away at the inside of the wall for years.

In relation to this, my girlfriend and I recently purchased our first home. Built in 1984, had age, but character. The home was flipped and
renovated sometime in the recent past. However, we’ve decided to finish half of our basement. Recently we have been overwhelmed with everything that goes into purchasing a home and renovations. While we have enjoyed becoming homeowners for the first time, it also came with a lot of stress unknowns. That is part of the adventure. Being an architecture student, it has help me to visualize a project from start to finish. Looking ahead, I think its is save to say we will buy purchasing land and building a house to our standards/preferences.

“Why Build vs Buy Existing from a Real Estate Agent's Perspective.” Home Builder MN | Woodbury, Eagan, Lake Elmo, Hastings, 26 Oct. 2017, www.michaelleeinc.com/build-new-vs-buying-existing-home-real-estate-agents-perspective/.

Ergonomics

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Like anthropometry, ergonomics studies the measurements and proportions of the human body but more closely examines workplace factors that inhibit or enhance interactions within that space. Have you ever considered how one environment may differ based on different professions? For example, an office professional who typically sits most of the day may benefit from a standing desk design where movement is encouraged. On the other hand, a dentist office is equipped with the proper design to allow movement of various instruments (lighting, chairs, room for rolling instrument carts, etc.). These examples are proof that ergonomics is a key principle that is often considered in commercial design. Not only does proper design in the workplace prevent fatigue and stress, but it helps create a collaborative space that lowers work associated costs as well.

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More studies reveal that standing desk designs support better posture and alignment, in turn, supporting healthier and happier employees. If an employee is in pain from constantly sitting, then their productivity at work will be diminished. If they are comfortable, then they are more than likely to exceed the demands of the job. Companies like Google, NBC, Yahoo, and Boeing have already noticed this and implemented this design into their offices. Forbes goes on to say, “When you’re trying to come up with an idea or solve a problem, you move around. A sit-stand desk just makes it easier, faster, and more convenient. It also increases your productivity” (Forbes).

In other professions such a dental office, design requirements may be different. The accessibility of instruments and devices must be readily available in times of need or emergency. For a salon, the hair stylist must be able to maneuver his/her way around the client’s styling chair and be able to have access to the equipment needed. My girlfriend’s mom, Susan, is a hair stylist at a retirement home. Her salon is set up in a unique way that accommodates elderly, disabled residents. There is room for wheelchairs to come and go and the bowls for washing hair have extensions since most of her clients cannot lean backwards. In both of these situations, the thought that went into the design process dramatically improved the working conditions for those involved.

In conclusion, the study of ergonomics influences workplace satisfaction. Most Americans spend 40+ hours at work per week. It makes complete sense to utilize ergonomics to create happier, healthier and more dedicated staff which in turn, promotes a successful work environment. 

Charytonowicz, J. (2000). Architecture and ergonomics. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ... Annual Meeting, 6, 103.

Anthropometrics

Vitruvian Man

Have you ever thought about how things are made to fit the vast majority of the population? It isn’t just coincidence. It is anthropometry—the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body.

The study of anthropometry has been traced back to as far as 1490 when Leonardo Da Vinci drew the Vitruvian Man. However, anthropometry wasn’t widely studied until the 19^th century. Studies traditionally compare the physical variation, such as weight, height, waist to hip ratio, and body composition between individuals. The vast amount of data is then used in various fields like design, engineering, architecture and healthcare. “Anthropometrics has been used to design everything from fighter jet cockpits to running shoes.” Anthropometrics is used in just about everything, from how car interiors are designed to video game controllers and shelving in a grocery store.

Small door with-in a large one

Even through decades and decades of research conducted on hundreds of thousands of people, and even being updated regularly to keep up with the changing populations, there are always going to be outliers. These “outliers” are the people that fall out of the range of the “normal” or most common measurements taken. Here in the United States I am not an outlier, however, when I lived in Peru it was very clear that the older places were designed for their demographic. A lot of Peruvians are of Incan decent or are a mix of Spanish/Asian. The average height of a Peruvian man is 5’ and the women 4’ 8”. As a shorter person myself I will admit it was nice feeling freakishly huge for a while, that is until I had to crouch through any doorway or stand in any traditional building with the ceiling only a few inches from my head.

When designing, it is important for the designer to be thinking about the end user all along the way. If you are designing for one client in mind, have them fill out a sheet listing their measurements and proportions. This way you can design something (living space, furniture etc.) that directly relates to that client’s anthropometric data. That space will fit the client and make it feel much more personal. By designing something at a much larger scale, you can use data from previously conducted studies to make that space fit the majority of the end users. 

Batchelder, Tim. (2004). Medical anthropology: Anthropometrics testing and design of human-compatible technologies. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, (246), 152.

Prospect and Refuge has been a well-studied topic since the 1970’s. This theory examines the balance between aesthetic satisfaction in terms of safety and opportunity within a space. Have you ever thought about why you feel more comfortable in one setting versus another? Even in an unfamiliar setting, the design elements that were implemented may influence one’s perception of a space that make it more inviting or comfortable. Whether you realize it or not, the theory of Prospect and Refuge surrounds our daily lives and as designers, plays a major role in how we create spaces.

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Office and bedroom: Both rooms in my house provide the perfect balance of prospect and refuge. I have windows to see and hear out of, but also dark curtains to close it off when I need to feel secure. These spaces help me to unwind after busy days and aid in letting creative energy flow. This space is inviting and matches up to my needs/wants in a space.

Home in Costa Rica: My house in Costa Rica was villa style home centered around a court yard. Broken up into 4 sperate apartments/homes and one large common area/living area and kitchen, a large family could live together with a good balance of prospect and refuge. Everyone had the ability to hangout in one location or spend their time privately. The wall surrounding the home also made it feel closed in and safe, but you could look out over the wall and see up and down both the street and beach.

Car: Driving your car down the road you are exposed to the environments. You see many different people, places and events. However, in times of insecurity, your car offers a sense of refuge by simply locking the doors and rolling up the windows. This is important because you need to feel safe, but not too sheltered.

Sketch by me, hiding behind the wall
while watching my surroundings.

Cruise Ship: While on a cruise, you can interact with many people and see beautiful unobstructed views. However, you also have the privacy of your individual room to escape to whenever you want. If you opted for a room with a balcony, you have the perfect balance of prospect and refuge.

Most people do not notice or pay attention to this concept even though prospect and refuge is all around us, everyday. Designers should always have this theory in mind when designing new spaces.  When done properly you should feel equally safe in both familiar and unfamiliar environments.

Stamps, A. (2006). INTERIOR PROSPECT AND REFUGE. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 103(3), 643-653.