10 Steps to a Slow Home
Slow Home Studio was founded by principals John Brown and Matthew North of the architectural firm housebrand of Calgary, Alberta. Borrowing the vocabulary of the slow food movement, the studio strives for a more “considered, calm and intuitive” approach to residential design. Based on a philosophy of starting with a logical urban site selection. The well-considered design principles help create modest homes that are environmentally sustainable and built to endure.
Slow Home Studio suggests following these ten design guidelines “to create a residence that is simple to live in and light on the environment.”
1. LOCATION: A Slow Home is located in a walkable neighborhood that minimizes your use of a car.
2. ORIENTATION: A Slow Home is correctly oriented to the sun and properly related to its surroundings.
3. ORGANIZATION: A Slow Home is modestly sized, and has a good flow between spaces with a strong connection to the outdoors
4. ENTRY: The front and back entries in a Slow Home are spaces, not just doors.
5. LIVING: All indoor and outdoor living spaces in a Slow Home have good daylight and are easy to furnish.
6. KITCHEN: A Slow Home has a compact kitchen with an efficient layout, good work surfaces, and sufficient storage.
7. DINING: A Slow Home has a well-defined dining area that properly fits a table that is suitable for daily use.
8. BEDROOMS: All bedrooms in a Slow Home have good daylight, sufficient storage, and can logically fit a bed.
9. BATHROOMS: A Slow Home has an appropriate number of well organized and modestly sized bathrooms.
10. SERVICES: The service spaces in a Slow Home are unobtrusive and highly functional.
Via: Slow Home Studio, Switchboard NRDC
