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Posted by Chuck News on November 3, 2007, 4:40 am
>
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>> I'm working over some house plans with my builder and would like input
>> on a foyer question. The geometry is very difficult to describe, but
>> basically we would like to bring some natural lighting into the home
>> from a dormer that sits about 6' above the entrance door. The foyer
>> is an area about 8 x 12', and opens to a kitchen/living room area with
>> a cathedral ceiling (the peak of the cathedral ceiling is centered
>> over the main living area, and runs left to right from the perspective
>> of the front door).
>>
>> There are two options we're considering for the foyer. One is to 'box
>> in' the elevated ceiling, so the entire foyer area has a ceiling
>> height of approximately 18 feet. All four walls of this elevated
>> ceiling area will be plumb, and the height will drop back down to the
>> 9' ceiling height before entering into the cathedral area. There is
>> no integration of the foyer ceiling with the cathedral. This seems
>> 'cleaner, but might limit the natural lighting that goes into the main
>> living area because of the 'low' 9' ceiling at the opposite end of the
>> foyer.
>>
>> The other option is to integrate this raised ceiling with the
>> cathedral. This is really hard to describe. Basically, for the width
>> of the foyer, we would carry the _opposite_ side of the cathedral
>> ceiling upward, at the same slope, past the peak of the cathedral,
>> until it meets the ceiling in the foyer. The side walls and front of
>> the foyer would be done the same way. This second approach would give
>> all of the natural lighting a path into the kitchen area and
>> everywhere else, but i'm a little concerned about all the angles and
>> any potential difficulty framing it in.
>>
>> One other consideration is that the basement stairwell could use all
>> the natural lighting it can get. The first option would 'box in' this
>> natural lighting more, and may result in better lighting of the
>> stairwell...i'm not sure.
>>
>> Any suggestions? Sorry if my descriptions aren't very clear.
>>
>
> This is all new construction? If it's an existing home ignore my post as
> I'm going to assume this is all new construction.
>
> I'd go with option #2. To be honest, I doubt I'd even consider option #1
> because I think it'll look horrendous (at least they way I have it
> "pictured" - which might not be accurate). Option #1 means you walk into
> an
> "elevator shaft" foyer and directly ahead of you (ok, ahead and up) is a
> freakin' wall from 9' up to 18'. While putting a painting or some other
> decorative item on that wall area will help make it less atrocious
> looking,
> it still won't look/feel as good as a vaulted foyer meshing with the main
> vault.
>
> Option #2 gives you a more inviting feel as the foyer is less confined and
> the main vault can be seen from the foyer. Now, if you had a sketch of
> the
> floor plan (even rough) that we could see we could better understand the
> "feel" of the whole structure and offer more solid opinions (though not
> necessarily more of a consensus). Exterior elevations would be helpful as
> dormers tend to be sized too big/small way to often (IMHO).
>
> The success of the foyer really depends upon the desired feel and the
> foyers
> connection (both inside and out) with the rest of the house. A
> rectangular
> foyer, walled on 3 sides (and partially on 4 - like opt #1) tends to be a
> much more formal (possibly less inviting, but certainly more private
> feeling) than opt #2. If the home is in a style that dictates it, or you
> desire it, than fine, but it really depends upon a lot more than just what
> you've given us.
>
> As far as Don's mention of cost, ignore it (sorry Don but the costs really
> only varies if this is a remodel/addition, if it's all new construction
> then
> cost isn't much of a factor).
>
> HTH,
>
> Michael (LS)
>
>
Aren't skylights being considered? They could be made to fit the
architecture and structural framing. You can then get light you might be
considering.
CID...
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