When we begin a new design, we sketch very simple bubble diagrams that show only the various spaces that will be in the home, their relationship to one another and to the outside. We like to keep things very simple at this stage until there is agreement on this phase. From there we put the sketches into our computer and begin to add detail to the plan; in accordance with our clients' needs and wants.

our design: bubbles + sketches
When we began sketching ideas for our new home, we had decided to buy the lot right next door. This lot needed access from the road on the east side of the property so our first bubble diagrams and sketches show this orientation. Since one of our goals was to build a modest home, we decided to consider a lot with "problems" in order to reduce lot costs. We were surprised to find a problem lot only 5 properties to the west of ours for half the price which prompted us to switch lots. We flipped the sketches to accommodate a street access from the west; which was necessary because of the flood plain on the new lot. In the desert southwest, east light is prime and west light is harsh, so this new lot is actually better, in our opinion, since we are now able to put the garage on the northwest instead of using prime east space.

Since a goal was to design a small home, our early sketches began at about 1800sf, which was quite a bit smaller than our current 3000sf. We worked to trim size as we proceeded through design and eventually ended up with just under 1500sf. This is about the smallest we could manage since we also run our business from home and have occasion to meet with people in our home office.

Visit our floor plan to see the final design!

construction planning
Before the design is complete, it's a good idea to develop a plan for how you will build your home. Unless you are experienced with building, we suggest that you hire a professional contractor to build your home. If you have the experience, the time (and the temperament!), owner building or owner contracting is an option.

our project's construction planning
In our case, since we are in the business, we will be building our homes ourselves. We are using this opportunity to teach our 3 sons the home building process from start to finish. Each have varying degrees of time to spend on the project since they are in college, so we will be going more slowly than typical Sunlight projects to fit the construction in with their schedules. We do not build professionally anymore, but we have a contractors license, so we will be contracting the project and our sons will be doing as much of the work as they can. In addition, we may hire a couple other people to help with the labor. We will sub out the work we decide not to do. These details will be decided a little later.