Introduction

Single floor housing design is becoming a trend in the recent past mainly because of the need for functionality, beauty and accessibility of the homes. This type of architecture is also referred as ranch style homes or bungalows they have number of advantages that can attract people or different profile starting from young families and up to elderly people who prefer simple constructions. Of the classing type of construction, the design can be personalized according to the owner’s tastes, ranging from modernism, simplicity and comfort to traditional rivalry of warmth and hearth.
This article shall discuss and describe in detail, the various facts of single storey building plans; its merits, design features, features, some samples, case study home owners who wish to construct new single storey houses or those who wish to remodel their existing houses or internal environment designs.

Advantages of Single Floor Housing Design

Accessibility

Accessibility which is one of the key benefits of single floor buildings is thus well illustrated by single floor housing. Indeed, there are no stairs in these homes and, therefore, such homes are appropriate for individuals with mobility constraints such as the elderly or the disabled. Parents with young children also prefer to avoid the staircases making it convenient for them to move from one room to another in a single storey house.

Energy Efficiency:

One level home is even more efficient than homes which have more than one floor. Due to the fact that homes are one storied the operational features of heating and cooling systems are more efficient hence less energy and expenses are used. For air to flow there are minimal vertical surfaces hence it is easy to have consistent building internal temperature.

Open Floor Plans

Most of the single story houses have an open floor concept to make the feel of enormous space and connectivity in every part of the home. It makes a house to appear more spacious and also brings a lot of convenience in how the layout and furniture in the home is made.

Maintenance:

It is usually easier, for example to maintain a single floor home than a several storied one. One can avoid cleaning many floors; the outside jobs, for instance, repairing of roof or cleaning the gutters, become easier since the house is built at ground level. It also minimizes time taken in handling day-to-day activities while cutting down on the number of professional services employed.

General Elements in Single Floor Housing Design

Open Concept Layouts

Large open floor plans are characteristic of present day one storey buildings with single floor designs. Open plan living, where large partitions are used instead of small separate walls to separate the various living spaces such as the kitchen, dining and the living room makes the home feel large. Open layouts as well as make it easier to provide natural light in homes to ensure that homes are warm welcome on the natural side.

Large Windows

Single storied homes are known to have window openings that are very large in order to allow for abundant natural light to be admitted into the interior. It also adds beauty to the building and plays its role of conserving energy in that it lessens the use of artificial light within the day. Another common type of lighting fixture that has ousted traditional lighting fixtures especially in single-storied houses is the skylight lights especially in areas such as the kitchen, the bathroom, or the hall.

Outdoor Integration

Performing crosses of single-story residence plans, several home designs focus on the openness of inside and out-of-doors. This can be in the form of a moving glass doors, patios and porches which create an outdoor living area in a home. A garden or any other outdoor space like courtyard and terrace is commonly considered as a part of the house that helps in improving the architectural design of the house.

Minimal Hallways

Since there are lesser number of spaces to accommodate in a single floor layout, hallways, corridors or any other transition are kept at minimal. This makes it possible to have big rooms and optimal space management moving around the house making it appear more spacious.

Key Design Considerations for Single Floor Homes

Space Planning:

Managing available space is very important in singles storey Residence because all facilities and activities are at the same ground floor. All the spaces within the house need to be planned well in order to minimize the square footage and to have free flow of traffic. Everyone should be able to move from one room to another especially from the kitchen to the living room and the dining area, and the bedrooms and the bathrooms should be a little separate.

Storage Solutions

One of the biggest problems of designing single-floor house is lack of opportunities to combine enough storage on different levels. Housing the items requires other creative work like the built-in shelves, wardrobes and cabinets among others. It is also advisable to engage the use of more efficiency vertical storage with higher shelving and cabinets and increasing accessibility with storage spaces found under beds and furniture.

Multi-Functional Spaces

For example, in most of the single floor building, find the provision of multi tasking areas a plus. For instance, a home office can be designed as a guest room; or the living space can also include workspace or children’s play area. This means that room versatility is a very important aspect when it comes to the provision of houses since the people needs can change over depending with time

Eco-Friendly Design

There is increasing concern in the contemporary world in adopting sustainability in designing homes. The utilization of environmentally friendly features in single storied homes such as energy star appliances, sustainable resources in construction and solar power reduce the home’s negative impact on the environment. Further, insulation of the houses and energy-efficient windows assist in saving energy and hence, less cost on electricity.

Single Floor Housing Design Styles

Modern Uncluttered:

The contemporary minimalist designs are known for their streamlined and uncluttered design which has no unnecessary details. Such houses frequently incorporate expansive glazing, smooth materials such as concrete and glass as well as muted colors. As mentioned earlier the minimalist style is best suited for those people who would want to lead a life in enriched, uncluttered spaces.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern homes reflect the influences of design of mid twentieth century; large windows, flat planes, and integration with the landscape. It also incorporates some natural elements such as the usage of woods and stones and complicated colors with geometrical shapes. Such single storey houses are built with emphasis on practicality and the creation of coziness in the family home.

Traditional Bungalow

The bungalow can now be referred as the traditional single storied housing, which is highly intimate and warm in nature. Primarily characterized by enclosed front porch, gabled and a compact design, a bungalow provides an enclosed personal living area. Inside, these homes possess constructed-in furniture for example bookshelves or window seats, as well as special attention is paid to the woodwork and the finishes.

Modern Farmhouse

This concept of farmhouse architecture is of the latest trend; it has a traditional look but does not lack any homely comforts. Some of the characteristics of this style include large partially enclosing space, earthy colors as well as the use of natural resources such as woods and stones. Modern farmhouses, or what many people like to call today as ranch house remodeled, usually consists of large and well-equipped kitchen and dining area, with a comfortable living room, and a porch that makes the house more spacious for functionality.

Cost Considerations for Single Floor Housing Design

Single storey buildings are cheaper to construct as compared to the multi storey buildings since they are not complicated by stairs or additional floors structures. Nonetheless, if it is a larger house and depending on the design of the lot it may need a bigger foundation and roof which may lead to the extra expenses. An efficient single story home can be very viable in the long run especially for individuals who intend to spend their remaining years in that home. Because they are easily accessed and require minimal maintenance these homes will sell well and have good re-sale value in most areas.

Conclusion

Single floor housing design is one of the most appropriate styles for people who want comfortable houses, the tenants, or owners of which do not need any additional flights of stairs, complex overloads, or impressive heights. Despite a number of drawbacks pertaining to increased costs, complicated structure, and limitations to natural lighting, this design remains an attractive option and is still implemented both in newly-built and reconstructed constructions. There is no restriction on the architectural design; one can always choose a traditional bungalow look or a clean lined modern look depending on the preference of the occupant. When it comes to planning the available space, choosing the right furniture and accessories, and ensuring that a house is environmentally friendly, it is possible to have a wonderful looking home which will be suitable for living for quite a long time.