Loft Floor Plans

This floor plan is for the 8th floor which will be larger lofts and will offer better ammenities. These lofts focus more on universal design and their application.



This floor plan is for lofts 4-7 which are affordable lofts. They will have some universal concepts, such as wider doorways and hallways and will use sustainable materials.



These lofts are the Extended Stay lofts - their size is approx. 580 to 830 sq. ft. They are smaller in size because they set up for efficiency and are for short term leases (1 month to 3 months).

Logo Design - Final Rendition

I have worked with my logo a little more and decided on the below logo for my project. The 3 symbols represent "wind energy, solar energy and healthy food (living).

These two perspectives were modeled first in Sketch Up and then will have color and texture applied. My goal was to create an "open air market feel" similar to the European markets inside. My inspiration for this was the Italian grocery store Eataly in Torrin, European open markets and various farmer markets.

Grocery Store Floor Plan

Universal Design Concepts

I would like to apply the following Residential Universal Design Standards to the 8th floor, which are the largest of the lofts. The lofts on floors 3-7 would not allow all of these standards to be applied because of space, but I would like to incorporate them whereever possible. The following list of standards have been established by residential universal design practioners. It is not complete and often varies from designer to designer.

Appliances:

Cooktops - maximum 34 inches (86.4 cm) above the floor

Dishwashers - raised to align top rack with countertop

Refrigerator Drawers - start at 18 inches (45.7 cm) above floor

Bathroom:

Toilet - Seat 17 to 19 inches (43.2 to 48.3 cm) above floor, though standard
height may be better for some people.
- Clearance - 18 to 36 inches (45.7 to 91.4 cm) clearance at front and
side

Countertops and Work Surfaces:

Height: 28 to 34 inches (71.1 to 86.4 cm) up to 42 inches (106.7 cm) for tall
people.
Width - minimum 30 inches (76.2 cm)
Depth - maximum 27 inches (68.6 cm)
Knee Clearance for seated users - 27 inches (68.6 cm) high, at least 17 inches (43.2 cm) deep and at least 30 inches (76.2 cm) wide.
Toe Clearance under base cabinets: 9 inches (22.9 cm) high, at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep, at least 30 inches (76.2 cm) wide.

Doorways:

Widths: clearance of at least 32 to 34 inches (81.3 to 86.4) with door open (a 34 inch door - 86.4) provides a 32 inch clearance (81.3 cm); a 36 inch (91.4 cm) wide door provides a 34 inches (86.4 cm) clearance.

Threshold: .25 inch to .5 inch (6 mm to 1.3 cm) height; .75 inch (1.9 cm) for exterior sliding doors (thresholds flush with the floor are best for all doors).

Electrical Outlets:

Height: 15 inches (38.1 cm) above floor (18 to 25 inches(45.7 to 63.5 cm)

Residential Universal Design Standards: The following list of standards have been established by residential universal design practioners. It is not complete and often varies from designer to designer.

Appliances:

Cooktops - maximum 34 inches (86.4 cm) above the floor

Dishwashers - raised to align top rack with countertop

Refrigerator Drawers - start at 18 inches (45.7 cm) above floor

Bathroom:

Toilet - Seat 17 to 19 inches (43.2 to 48.3 cm) above floor, though standard
height may be better for some people.
- Clearance - 18 to 36 inches (45.7 to 91.4 cm) clearance at front and
side

Countertops and Work Surfaces:

Height: 28 to 34 inches (71.1 to 86.4 cm) up to 42 inches (106.7 cm) for tall
people.
Width - minimum 30 inches (76.2 cm)
Depth - maximum 27 inches (68.6 cm)
Knee Clearance for seated users - 27 inches (68.6 cm) high, at least 17 inches (43.2 cm) deep and at least 30 inches (76.2 cm) wide.
Toe Clearance under base cabinets: 9 inches (22.9 cm) high, at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep, at least 30 inches (76.2 cm) wide.

Doorways:

Widths: clearance of at least 32 to 34 inches (81.3 to 86.4) with door open (a 34 inch door - 86.4) provides a 32 inch clearance (81.3 cm); a 36 inch (91.4 cm) wide door provides a 34 inches (86.4 cm) clearance.

Threshold: .25 inch to .5 inch (6 mm to 1.3 cm) height; .75 inch (1.9 cm) for exterior sliding doors (thresholds flush with the floor are best for all doors).

Electrical Outlets:

Height: 15 inches (38.1 cm) above floor (18 to 25 inches(45.7 to 63.5 cm)

Sinks:

Height of front edge - maximum 34 inches (86.4 cm) - recommended range similar to that for countertops and work surfaces.

Depth to faucet: maximum 17 inches (43.2 cm) - 12 inches (.3 m) preferred.

Clearance underneath - minimum 27 inches (68.6 cm) high - preferably 29 inches (73.7 cm), 30 inches (76.2 cm) wide; maximum 17 inches (43.2 cm) deep, including 8 inches (20.3 cm) to under sink pieces.

Sink depth- maximum 6 1/2” (16.5 cm)

Storage:

Shelf height for accessibility by seated user - maximum 40 t0 48 inches (101.6 - 121.9 cm)

Washer and Dryer:

Front loading with door opening between 15 and 34 inches (38.1 to 86.4cm) above floor. Recommended minimum circulation space in front of machines - 30 to 48 inches (76.2 by 121.9 cm).

Windows:

Maximum sill height for access and views: 36 inches (91.4 cm)

Principles of Sustainable Design

Principles of Sustainable Design include the ability to:

optimize site potential;
minimize non-renewable energy consumption;
use environmentally preferable products;
protect and conserve water;
enhance indoor environmental quality; and
optimize operational and maintenance practices. According to the GSA, utilizing a sustainable design philosophy encourages decisions at each phase of the design process that will reduce negative impacts on the environment and the health of the occupants, without compromising the bottom line. It is an integrated, holistic approach that encourages compromise and tradeoffs.

FOCUS STUDIES

The main object of this project was to provide affordable housing for people who worked downtown and people who were planning an active retirement. Research and current developement has shown that creating residential areas downtown would help revitalize the downtown area while helping to curb urban spraw and pollution. My two focus areas which are alternative energy and universal design help strengthen the above goals of my project. I intend to research different types of alternative energy, such as solar and wind power and geothermal energy to see how they could be applicable to my building. Some of these energy applications are available in our area now, while others may be available in the near future. I will provide company names and product suggestions for these new energy solutions. I will try to incorporate sustainable/green energy into the design of my project where applicable and feasible. I intend to implement universal principals in designing my loft spaces in order to make them living space that would accomodate various living needs. Universal design would allow a person that was looking towards retirement to age in place.

I would like my building to get LEED certification, if possible. I feel that if I implement sustainable design practices and alternative and green energy, the building should meet LEED certification qualifications.

I would like to use photovoltaic cells on the roof to provide solar power for hot water heating and possibly some of the energy needs of the eighth floor, which will be upgraded lofts.

I would like to use solar lights on the outside of the building that gather energy from the sun during the day and then use the stored energy to light the different entrances and exits.

I would like to propose using Suntech’s MSK Solar Design Line TM products, which are building integrated photovoltaic products (BIPV), in the future. These transparent glass panels can be used as windows, skylights, roofs, curtain walls and almost any other vertical or sloped construction surface. What makes this product so affordable is that it is not mounted on the building structure as usual PV installations, but actually replaces the structure, becoming an integral part of the building skin.