This presentation gives examples and details of some of the common architecture styles for the midwest region. It also gives studenst things to think about when choosing a floor plan.

1. Architecture Unit
Steps to choosing and drawing
your floor plan

2. Aspects to look at before
choosing
Must decide what aspects you will need
in a home and what you would just like
Type of style of home that fits
Also want to take into consideration
purpose for the home
 Personal living
 Temporary living
 Resale

3. Style
Look through a variety of different style of
floor plans to see what type you prefer.
1
You can narrow your search by knowing a few
style you might like before you start
Keep in mind the architectural style of the
homes around the area you will be building in
•Here are some styles to get you
thinking. . .

4. Ranch
Ranch homes are the most popular
choice of floor plans.
One feature all ranch homes have in
common is one-story floor plan
The exterior and floor plan can vary
greatly from one ranch to another
(All info from resource 2)

5. Ranch

6. Contemporary
Lack any features of historical styled homes
Often have many windows (often large) and
“dramatic roof lines”
Contemporary homes are also usually an
open floor plan and much less formal.
(All info from resource 3)

7. Contemporary

8. Cape Cod
This style of home is almost exclusively
1 ½ story homes
The master bedroom is on the main
floor with the remaining bedrooms on
the second floor
Often describes the exterior of a home
where the façade is balanced and the
shingles are wooden or false wood
(All info from resource 4)

9. Cape Cod

10. Colonial
The floor plan is authentic to the
colonial period
Often two story homes usually
containing a front porch also
Not often used today
(All info from resource 5)

11. Colonial

12. Victorian
House plans focusing on the 19th and 20th
century
They are characterized by “intricate gable and
hip rooflines, large protruding bay windows,
and hexagonal or octagonal shapes often
appearing as tower elements” (The House
Designer).
Usually designed as a two story floor plan
(All info from resource 6)

13. Victorian

14. Styles
There are many more style of floor
plans
These are just the more common ones
to our area
Many of the other styles are
incorporated or overlap into these styles

15. Floor Plan
Now that you have decided on a style you
must choose the floor plan that fits your
needs
 How many bedrooms
 How many bathrooms
 Kitchen layout
 Need for a formal dining room
 Type of layout
 Open
 Traditional

16. Remember
If the home is being built for profit or
temporary (you plan to move within a few
years to a more permanent home) you want
to keep in mind resale
 What room sells a home (Kitchen)
 Put needs before your wants
 Stay away from unusual layouts or additions to the
home, this may detract from its appeal to others
(hot tubs in the living room, not an easy selling
point)

17. Resources
1. Simon House.com “Choosing a Floor
Plan.”
http://simonhouses.com/new-homes/choosing-floo
2.The House Designer “About Ranch House
Plans.” 2012.
http://www.thehousedesigners.com/ranch-
house-plans.asp
3. The House Designer “About Contemporary
House Plans.” 2012.
http://www.thehousedesigners.com/contempora
ry-house-plans.asp

18. 4. The House Designer “About Cape Cod House
Plans.” 2012.
http://www.thehousedesigners.com/cape-cod-house-
plans.asp
5. The House Designer “About Colonial House
Plans.” 2012.
http://www.thehousedesigners.com/colonial-house-
plans.asp
6. The House Designer “About Victorian House
Plans.” 2012.
http://www.thehousedesigners.com/victorian-house-
plans.asp
All images taken by Yasmin Oberlin 11/3/2012