It’s not often, as a designer, that you get the chance to have free reign to use your imagination. But, with no budget,  labor, or material constraints,  we were free to truly be creative.  Sarah, Jenna and I engrossed ourselves in hours of watching YouTube real estate listing videos, and in researching multi-million dollar broker’s websites. We studied the amenities, architecture, interior finishes, and landscaping.  We also looked deeply into the current wants and needs of modern families, bearing in mind our collective “new normal”.  (This was probably the most fun I’ve had doing project research.) 

I then took all of this information, along with Gary’s brief, and pulled the floor plans up.  Using 3D architectural software, I built the house. 

I changed nothing of the floorplan, other than minor adjustments and slight nudges here and there, making sure that the structure was sound and buildable. I addressed specific elements such as the stairs, elevators and mezzanines, and also made sure that the architecture meets ADA standards for universal accessibility.  

As a Certified Professional Building Designer, I am educated and experienced in building codes and construction methods.  When I design real world homes, I always make sure I have a clear understanding of what’s needed structurally, and what can actually be built.  Just because this showhouse will only exist virtually, doesn’t mean I ignored those principles.  It was very important to me to make sure that this house COULD be built.

For the architectural elements, I also did my due diligence.  I researched everything from finding the manufacturer that makes the largest plate glass windows for the solarium and the entrance, to how the retractable ceilings would function, to the types of stone and teak for the cladding.

If you wanted to build this house in the real world, you could. You would need partner with several professionals in your area.  A structural engineer, landscape architect and custom builder would all need to be brought on to the team straight away.  The structural engineer would address all of the environmental, seismic and wind engineering aspects of the home.  

Within this virtual design, even though it’s not being built, I made certain to incorporate plenty of wall thickness, floor plate and ceiling plate thickness, vertical supports and proper cantilever distances, to ensure room for structural components of the highest quality and strength. Side note: My plans have never been kicked back from an engineer, nor been denied permitting.

This virtual house boasts 20’ ceilings, a sanctuary space, a wellness room with a private terrace, a 3 story solarium for indoor food growing with an observation deck, a koi pond with a glass top, which runs under the first floor, a temperature controlled wine cellar, a decontamination room, a Zoom room,  and a 3 story indoor courtyard, just to name a few of the spaces.