In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in the popularity of architecturally designed homes as more people seek out unique, custom-built living spaces tailored to their lifestyle needs and preferences. These architecturally designed homes prioritise design, allow for extensive customisation, utilise higher quality materials and construction methods, focus on seamless indoor/outdoor flow, and have features specifically tailored to the site’s unique conditions and surrounding environment.
Compared to cookie-cutter tracts or renovated existing homes, architecturally designed houses offer homeowners many advantages if they want a unique residence that perfectly fits their family, aesthetics, and location. This article will explore the key benefits and standout features of architecturally designed homes that make them a great solution for those wanting a custom-built house that is as functional as it is beautiful.
Customised Design and Layout
One of the biggest benefits of architecturally designed homes is the ability to fully customise the floor plan and layout based on the homeowner’s unique lifestyle needs rather than being constrained by pre-determined stock plans. The architectural design process involves detailed discussions with clients to understand their daily lives, functional priorities, and aesthetic preferences.
This allows the designer to create a completely tailored layout, optimising the number of bedrooms, location of bathrooms, inclusion of home offices or dedicated entertainment spaces, garage size, and more based on the family’s size and how they envision using the home.
Beyond shaping the interior floor plan, homeowners also have the freedom to customise the exterior aesthetics, from the architectural style and roof design to the exterior materials and finishes that will match both the surrounding landscape and their individual style. Unlike spec homes with predetermined curb appeal, architecturally designed houses can be styled to suit the homeowner’s taste.
The customised process also accounts for the site’s unique conditions, such as views, sunlight exposure, contours, and natural features. The home is situated and oriented on the site to maximise and enhance these elements rather than plopping down a one-size-fits-all floor plan.
This avoids awkward flow issues or small, cramped spaces that often occur with spec home designs ill-suited to the site. With an architectural design, everything is tailored for the ideal use of square footage based on the client’s needs and the site’s parameters.
Higher Quality Materials and Construction
One of the hallmarks of an architecturally designed home is the use of higher-grade building materials selected for aesthetics, superior performance, and durability. Whereas spec homes utilise more standard cabinetry, architect-designed houses often incorporate higher amounts of solid wood cabinetry and custom built-ins along with stone countertops and surfaces as opposed to laminate. Hardwood floors are more likely to be seen throughout rather than just carpet and vinyl.
The architect also specifies high-end, designer fixtures and finishes, allowing for ample customisation of appliances, lighting, hardware, and other elements to fit the homeowner’s preferences. Structural components like walls, roof trusses, and other supports are engineered to order for the specific home design rather than based on generic prefab structures. This provides greater resilience, higher load-bearing capacity, and an overall sense of being custom-built to last.
Unlike architects, skilled builders construct homes using advanced framing techniques, higher-grade insulation, and close attention to air sealing and moisture control. There is generally a higher standard of workmanship, precision, and tighter construction tolerances compared to volume housing. This quality of construction combined with the premium materials equals a home of superior durability that will stand the test of time.
Seamless Indoor/Outdoor Flow
A hallmark of architecturally designed homes is the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces. Right from the initial design process, the architectural plans focus heavily on the relationship between interior rooms and outdoor areas to maximise access to natural light, ventilation, and an immersive connection with the exterior environment and landscape.
Many architect-designed homes incorporate elevated decks, patios, and balconies that seamlessly connect with the interior living spaces through large sliding glass doors or entire walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. Outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, fire pits, and dining areas are thoughtfully designed as extensions of the main house with consistent materials and finishes to create a unified flow.
Landscaping and hardscaping features complement the architecture and are situated to frame desirable views without obstructing sight lines. Trees and shade structures are carefully positioned to provide cooling shade while still allowing daylight to permeate through windows. The design of the pool, pool decking, fencing, and other exterior features integrate smoothly with the architecture for a holistic aesthetic.
Every aspect is orchestrated to enable the home to open up and welcome the outdoors while also extending living space to the outside. This harmonious indoor/outdoor connection allows families to experience the surrounding natural beauty and fully enjoy entertaining, recreation, and everyday living.
Features Tailored to Site and Environment
One of the most important aspects of architecturally designed homes is tailoring the features specifically to the unique conditions and parameters of the building site and surrounding environmental context. Architectural planning is highly responsive to the characteristics of the site typography, climate, orientation to sunlight, privacy considerations, and making the most desirable views.
The home is thoughtfully situated and oriented on the site to maximise the utilisation of passive solar design features, take advantage of prevailing breezes, and optimise exposure to appealing vistas while also taking care to avoid infringing on neighbours. Design elements like extended roof overhangs, covered porches, and shading devices are incorporated to provide appropriate shade and passive cooling suitable for the local climate and temperatures.
Window sizes and placements are carefully determined to capitalise on natural light and cross-ventilation opportunities presented by the site specifics like prevailing winds. Exterior materials and finishes are selected to complement the existing landscape and aesthetically blend into the neighbourly setting rather than look conspicuously out of place.
The driveway position, entryway design, accessibility routes, storage solutions, and all other aspects are tailored to fit the unique typography, dimensions, existing structures and vegetation that give shape to the site. This comprehensive customisation results in a home that truly feels like it belongs seamlessly within its environment.
Your Dream Home, Tailored to You
Architecturally designed homes offer extensive customisation to match diverse lifestyles, quality materials and workmanship for long-lasting value, indoor/outdoor connections with nature, and site-specific solutions. An architecturally designed home is a worthwhile investment for those wanting a residence catering to their unique needs and seamlessly integrated with the local environment.
Buildrite Sydney has many years of experience delivering custom homes tailored to our clients. Contact us today to bring your dream home to life.