GRAPHIC GUIDE TO

RESIDENTIAL
DESIGN

UPDATED
VERSION

2023
Graphic Guide to Residential Design by Luis Furushio

Self-published by Luis Furushio

[Link]

© 2023, Luis Furushio

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic
or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval)
without permission in writing from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
For permissions contact: hola@[Link]

While this book has been carefully reviewed to ensure compliance with building codes in the
specific cases mentioned, it’s important to note that building codes can vary across regions.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you consult with local codes and building departments
to ensure compliance in your specific location.
 HI THERE!
I am Luis, and I got inspired to create this book from questions I usually get from cli-
ents during the early stages of the design process.

In residential design, every decision made by an architect or designer must have a

clear intention and be effectively communicated throughout the design process. How-
ever, it can be challenging to convey the importance of certain design decisions with-
out experiencing their practical impact firsthand.

In this book, I try to answer some of these questions by showing the "whys" behind
each decision in residential design with simple drawings that are visually easy to di-
gest.

Whether you are an architecture student yearning for sources beyond basic textbooks,
a homeowner searching for tips on how to remodel your house, or even a contractor
wanting to improve your residential design knowledge, this is the book for you.

Good design is not accomplished when you provide your own vision and what you
think is best for your client. Good design is accomplished when you take your client's
vision and elevate it in order to improve their quality of life while effectively communi-
cating your intentions and ideas.
WHAT’S INSIDE
1 THE FIRST SKETCHES.............................................. 1
Starting from Scratch.......................................................................... 2
From Diagrams to Plans..................................................................... 4

2 EXTERIOR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS................ 10

Exterior Environment........................................................................ 11
Natural Ventilation............................................................................ 13
Controlling Sun Radiation................................................................. 16
Windows........................................................................................... 17
Skylights........................................................................................... 24
Mass, Scale, and Proportions........................................................... 26
Design Considerations on Hillsides.................................................. 30
Porches, Entries and Balconies........................................................ 36
Popular House Styles in the US....................................................... 40

3 ROOFS, GRADING AND DRAINAGE...................... 45

Parts of a Roof.................................................................................. 46
Types of Roofs................................................................................. 48
Types of Roofing Materials............................................................... 52
Attic Spaces and Dormers................................................................ 54
Roof Drainage.................................................................................. 57
Rooftop Deck Drainage.................................................................... 60
Roof Crickets.................................................................................... 62
Downspouts Terminations................................................................ 66
Site Grading and Drainage............................................................... 69
Hillside Construction......................................................................... 75

4 LIVING AREAS......................................................... 80
General Analysis.............................................................................. 81
Foyer / Entry Hall Design.................................................................. 85
Living Room Design......................................................................... 91
Dining Room Design....................................................................... 102
Guest Bathroom Design................................................................. 107
5 SLEEPING AREAS.................................................110
Bedroom Arrangements................................................................. 111
Bedroom Design............................................................................. 118
Bathroom Design............................................................................ 127

6 KITCHEN AREA......................................................137
Kitchen Design............................................................................... 138
Kitchen Appliances......................................................................... 152
Kitchen Cabinets............................................................................ 156
Kitchen Layouts.............................................................................. 165
Kitchen Design Mistakes to Avoid.................................................. 168

7 UTILITY AREAS......................................................173
Laundry Room Design.................................................................... 174
Garage Design............................................................................... 177

8 STAIRCASES..........................................................180
Types of Staircases........................................................................ 181
Parts of a Staircase........................................................................ 182
General Requirements................................................................... 183
Types of Handrails and Guardrails................................................. 189
Design and Location of Staircases................................................. 190

9 OUTDOOR AREAS.................................................198
General Analysis............................................................................ 199
Swimming Pools............................................................................. 203
Fences............................................................................................ 213

10 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL....................216

General Planning............................................................................ 217
Electrical and Mechanical Symbols................................................ 218
Requirements in Habitable Areas................................................... 219
Requirements in Kitchens............................................................... 221
Requirements in Laundry Rooms................................................... 224

11 SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS...................225

Symbols.......................................................................................... 226
Abbreviations.................................................................................. 230
From Imperial to Metric................................................................... 231
Chapter 1

THE FIRST
SKETCHES


THE FIRST SKETCHES

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Designing a new house can be a complex and stressful process, as it involves many different steps
and decisions. It can be overwhelming to consider not only the different elements that go into a new
home but also the different external factors that affect the final design. So how do you start such a
complex process?

It is important to note that there is no set rule on how to start a new house design, as different de-
signers and architects have their own methods and techniques. However, the steps outlined here can
serve as a good starting point. They can help to ensure that the design process is well-organized and
efficient and suits the specific needs and preferences of the future residents. Ultimately, the key is
to find an approach that works best for you and helps you create a functional and visually appealing
space that meets those needs and preferences.

THE BASIC AREAS OF A HOUSE

Let’s start by identifying the basic areas of a house: the living areas, the sleeping areas, and the kitch-
en areas.

LIVING AREAS
These are the spaces where people spend most of their time and gather for
relaxation, socializing, and entertainment. Some common examples of living
areas in a house include the living room, dining room, and family room.

SLEEPING AREAS
The sleeping areas in a house are the private spaces to sleep, and they also
include bathrooms for the use of the permanent occupants of the house.
Examples of sleeping areas include bedrooms, primary bedrooms, guest
bedrooms, children’s bedrooms, and nurseries.

KITCHEN AREAS
These are the areas used to make and prepare meals. The kitchen is often
seen as the heart of a home and a place for social gatherings and meals. In
addition to the cooking area, kitchen areas may also have a place for daily
meals like a breakfast nook or a counter space for informal and quick meals.
K


THE FIRST SKETCHES

BASIC RESIDENTIAL DESIGN CONCEPTS

Conceptual design is the initial stage in the process of designing a house, where the overall vision
and direction for the project are established. It lays the foundation for a successful and functional
design by defining the functional needs and aesthetic goals and identifying potential issues and
constraints.

FUNCTIONALITY
KITCHEN
Functionality is closely related to good flow. A functional design
prioritizes the practical aspects of a space, making it more ef-
DINING ficient and taking into account the flow of traffic and the overall
layout of the space.

NOT FUNCTIONAL

FLOW
Good flow refers to the way that the different areas of a space
are connected and how people move through them. The most
used areas of a house should be designed to flow seamlessly
together, encouraging socialization and relaxation.

DIFFICULT FLOW

PRIVACY
Privacy allows individuals to have a sense of control over their
personal space. In order to ensure privacy, both inside the
house for the sleeping areas and outside from neighboring
properties, it’s important to incorporate design elements that
create a sense of separation.
LACK OF PRIVACY
(NO SEPARATION)

AESTHETICS
As the conceptual design process begins, it is important to
have an idea of the proposed exterior design of the house. This
will help to avoid making significant changes to the exterior that
could impact the interior design and layout.

NOT AESTHETICALLY
PLEASING


THE FIRST SKETCHES

FROM DIAGRAMS TO PLANS

Bubble diagrams are a helpful start for placing the different areas of a house in relationship with the
orientation of the lot, the weather, the view, and how you can access the property. This first step will
avoid any drastic modifications during the developement of the final floor plan.

The most used areas of the house should be kept fairly close as much as possible to avoid
unnecessary steps. Living areas should be kept close to the kitchen areas due to the high traffic
volume. Sleeping areas should be kept as far as possible from the noisy parts of the house like the
utility areas, and their access should be through a transitional space like a hallway to provide more
privacy.

The following are bubble diagrams showing common traffic patterns between the different areas of a
house. I have divided these into Living Areas, Kitchen Area, and Sleeping Areas. For the purpose of
simplicity, I am not showing the utility areas. The width of the arrows represent the relative amount of
traffic between the areas.

S K
K L L
S

DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2 ENTRY

ENTRY
Not recommended. The traffic flow from the Acceptable traffic flow. This is an improvement
kitchen to the living areas is too far, and the of Diagram 1. By just swaping living and
location of the sleeping area in between sleeping areas, the linear traffic flow improves
creates problems of traffic, noise, and privacy. considerably.

K K

S
L S
L ENTRY
ENTRY

DIAGRAM 3 DIAGRAM 4
Efficient traffic flow. Sleeping areas are Very efficient traffic flow. As in Diagram 3, there
provided with privacy, and the resulting "L" is a strong connection between living and
shape generates a potential space for an kitchen areas. The resulting “T” shape
outdoor area like a deck or patio. generates easy access to the sleeping areas.

THE FIRST SKETCHES

There are several ways to arrange the different rooms in a house. The best way to approach this is
by giving priority to the effcient use of the space and traffic flow. However, a particular client may
request changes from the most efficient arrangement and may resist all logical argument. Always
remember that a big part of the designer's job is to satisfy the needs of the client, but always make
sure to communicate how these changes are going to impact their quality of life in the long run.

STAIRS STAIRS
UP DN

ENTRY K
L S
1ST LEVEL 2ND LEVEL

DIAGRAM 5
Traffic flow for a two-story house. The most used areas of the house, the living
room and the kitchen, are located on the first level. The private areas are
located on the second level. This diagram provides easy access to the stairs
that are located between the living and kitchen areas.

S
STAIRS
DN
STAIRS
UP S
L
K
ENTRY

1ST LEVEL 2ND LEVEL

DIAGRAM 6
A variation of Diagram 5 with sleeping areas on the first level. The kitchen and
living areas are close to each other, providing easy access to the sleeping
areas and resulting in a "T" shape, similar to Diagram 4. The location of the
stairs, next to the sleeping areas on both levels, provides privacy and good
flow between the two levels.

THE FIRST SKETCHES

The following is an example of how you can develop your first schematic floor plan. The process
starts by drawing your bubble diagram and finishes with a schematic single-line floor plan. In this
phase, you can also provide schematic elevations, sections, and all the sketches to help
communicate your ideas and design intentions. It is important to make sure that you explain the
"why" behind each design decision throughout the entire process.

BUBBLE DIAGRAM
We start by locating the living and
kitchen areas close to each other. K
The sleeping and utility areas are
placed on opposite sides, keeping
the sleeping areas far from noises
U S
and with more privacy. The result-
ing shape is a linear arrangement. L
SCHEMATIC SITE ANALYSIS
ENTRY
Based on the existing conditions
of the site, we start locating our
resulting bubble diagram.

The orientation of the lot, the

existing climate conditions, the
views, and the location of your
neighbor's house are all crucial
factors that can impact the final N
design.
E
RTY LIN

The linear arrangement oriented VIEWS

in the same direction as the sun
PROPE

WINDS
path with minimal openings on
WINDS
west and east sides helps protect TREES
the house from the heat generat- PROVIDE
ed by the sun. PRIVACY
TO THE
The arrangement also takes ad- U K SLEEPING
AREAS
vantage of the winds coming from
the south and north to provide
DRIVEWAY L S
cross ventilation through the nar-
rowest side of the house.

The use of natural barriers like

trees and shrubs helps control
solar heat gain during the
summer months and provides WINDS
privacy to the sleeping areas WINDS
facing the front of the lot. STR
EET


THE FIRST SKETCHES

LIVING

KITCHEN BEDROOM 1 PRIMARY

LAUNDRY
BEDROOM

GARAGE

BATH. BEDROOM 2 BATH. BATH.

DINING

ENTRY

TRAFFIC DIAGRAM
Room-by-room traffic diagrams help to demonstrate the traffic patterns of the future residents of the
house. This will become the basis for the first rough scale floor plan. The scale of the bubbles is not
important in this phase.

CL.
LAUND.
LIVING BED. 1 PRIMARY
KITCHEN BED.
CL.

GARAGE CL. CL.

CL. CL.
FOYER
DINING BATH
BATH. BED. 2
BATH.

ENTRY

SINGLE-LINE SCHEMATIC FLOOR PLAN

After defining the traffic pattern, you can start turning your traffic diagram into a scaled, single-line
schematic floor plan by tracing over the existing site plan. Make sure the location of the new house
complies with your local zoning setback regulations. Zoning setbacks in residential design refer to the
minimum distance that a building or structure must be set back from the property line.


THE FIRST SKETCHES

POOL
HOUSE
ADJACENT
LOT
POOL ADJACENT
N
LOT

DECK

HOUSE A

HOUSE B

SIDEWALK

ROAD

SIDEWALK

HOUSE C

HOUSE D HOUSE E

PROPOSED HOUSE LOCATION ON EXISTING SITE

The design process is a collaborative effort that involves a continuous exchange of ideas. At this
stage, changes are still common, either due to the client’s requirements or city zoning regulations. It is
important to remain flexible and open to these changes, as they are best addressed during the
early stages of the process. Be mindful of managing your client’s and your own expectations
regarding timelines, as the design process may not always be straightforward.


THE FIRST SKETCHES

3’-0” 8’-7” 4’-11” 7’-8” 14’-11” 13’-1” 15’-9”

0.91m 2.62m 1.50m 2.34m 4.55m 3.99m 4.80m
2’-10”
0.86m
LIVING
WH
BED. 1 PRIMARY

3.78m
12’-5”
BED.
KITCHEN
LAUNDRY
CL
24’-5”
7.44m

2.24m
7’-4”
GARAGE CL
CL CL
3’0”
DINING BED. 2 0.91m
BATH.

1.63m
5’-4”
ENTRY

20’-0” 12’-8” 7’-11” 6’-6” 11’-7” 4’-10” 12’-0”

6.10m 3.86m 2.41m 1.98m 3.53m 1.47m 3.66m

THE FLOOR PLAN

As you refine the schematic floor plan, you can begin incorporating wall thicknesses and dimensions
to create a more polished, to-scale floor plan. While some minor modifications may still occur, the
design should become more defined, and the overall concept of the final floor plan should take shape.

DECK
OUTDOOR
KITCHEN

WH W R
D

PORCH

FURNISHED FLOOR PLAN

Adding furniture to a floor plan can be extremely helpful, as it provides a clearer visual representation
of how the space will be used. Furniture can help to give scale and context to the space, making it
easier for clients who may not be familiar with a floor plan to understand how the rooms will function.

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