McMansion Report

Whenever I think about "sustainability" for my project, I am used to consider how to use a kind of sustainable material to the space where I design to satisfy the goal of "sustainability." However, the designer of this house seems like to be approached from a broader perspective of "sustainability" because according to the information what I have got for this house, "LLC was called upon by Preservation Greensboro Development Fund to renovate a home, more than 100 years old, which had been slated for demolition. Moved to a new site, the house was saved from ruin, and transformed into a wonderful dwelling for future generations to enjoy. Many of the unique details of the house were preserved or copied from the original." It has benefits, but the details need to be more considered such as replacing the old door knob and installing range hood.

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"Our goal for this project was to add a full second story to this already beautiful on2-story home in Old Irving Park. Nestled on a cul-de-sac it provides great views of the Greensboro Country Club Golf Course. This huge second story addition includes a new master suite with a marble bath, a new guest suite, a dramatic stairway, and a spacious library with a walk-out terrace overlooking the golf course. The clients were able to remain in the home during the entire construction process and great care was taken to minimize the impact to their lives. Temporary stairs were added in the front and back to allow access into the home during the remodel without entering the main level. Originally scheduled for the 2011 Tour of Remodeled Homes, detailed planning and swift execution allowed this remodel to be completed in only three months - just in time for the 2010 Tour of Remodeled Homes!" This unit has some careless points such as the lack of thinking of circulation within the kitchen space and the use of same wall paper for the bathroom switch cover. For the second floor, a concept was given with the color treatment.

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"The goal for this project was to create a new side entry for the family and guests. Having a front entry located some distance away from the circle drive was not convenient for every day traffic. The only existing entrance was through the garage which required the overhead door to be open. The task for Acorn Construction and our team of subcontractors was to take an existing bedroom and bath to create a new entrance, smaller bedroom with adjoining full bath and new powder room. On the exterior, we removed a window and replaced it with a new custom door, added new brick steps with covered porch (featuring a copper roof). The new entrance hall includes beaded wainscot and built in cabinets which were designed or coats, storage and include bench seating areas. The new powder room has the look and feel of an old style bath, featuring a pedestal sink, built-in wooden medicine cabinet and beaded wainscot throughout. With the help of our great subcontractors, designers and homeowners, Acorn Construction finished another beautiful and functional project."

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The size of home is getting smaller and this unit shows that. This unit has cathedral ceiling in master bedroom, garden tub with 3 walls in master bathroom, double vanity in master bath, and marble sinks in bathroom. With simple floor plan, it offers easy accessibility.



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The special features of this unit are all brick exterior, master suite on main level, loft and second master suite on second floor, covered patio with screen, wet bar in loft, and 2 car garage. With color scheme, it creates a unified mood within the space.


(above) ADA consideration


(above)it is an example of lack of consideration of using materials.

repeating color scheme creates own mood

built-in furniture

screened patio for more space
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There are custom kitchen cabinets, granite counter tops in kitchen and master bathroom, 7' custom ceramic shower in master, and screened porch.

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The special features of this unit are granite counter tops, hardwoods, built-ins, and brick and stone exteriors.

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The special features are heated tile floor in master bathroom, oversized his and hers master closets, unfinished suite over garage, custom cabinets and granite tops throughout, walk-in attic space, and screened porch.

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This unit has coffered and trey ceilings, 10' and 12' ceilings, round sunroom and master sitting, 2 story covered porches, casement windows throughout, stamped concrete, and epoxy floors in rec room.
With 8' tall doors, it gives some sense of "scale" within a space since I felt very comfortable, but I think it does not work for everyone.

(above) as using curvy shape of window trim, it offers a kind of cozy mood within the space.

(above) locating a flowerpot in front of the garage way might not be helpful for a driver.

With this experience, I could see real examples of pros. and cons. of design. Moreover, I experienced that it is very important to think about the aspect of ergonomic design for people. I focused on to observe the details such as trims, connections between floor materials, cabinetry, and so on to see how does real world design happen.