John
Are we to assume that there will be a separate family entrance or should we think of this as a multipurpose entrance?

I like this new segment! Thought a lot about front enty ways since we had a poor one before that just burst into the living room. We designed our current home with an architect (wish I’d had the Slow Home back then. would have made some modifications!) and what we came up with was this list:
- the front entry needs both natural light and privacy. So we have flanking frosted glass windows with a design in clear glass. If necessary we can look through the regular glass part to see who’s out there.
- needs an interior door, making a foyer, I guess. In Ottawa, winters are long and cold. Anytime the door is open, (guests arriving, dumping groceries in the door) you’re freezing the house. Also helps keep 2 excited dogs at bay when guests arrive.
-bench to put on/remove boots, throw gloves. A heating register to put wet mitts or boots is a big help.
-closet, obviously

This is exactly one of the issues that’s still open in the design of our house (we’re working with an architect). If anyone here is interested to give us some input, we’d welcome it (link to a related blog below). Similar to Elizabeth’s case, in Switzerland we need to have a vestibule-type thing. Otherwise there’s too much cold air infiltration in the winter. The coat closet (built-in millwork) is also part the entry. In our house, this will be the only real entry point, so we need things like a “landing strip” and a way to deal with wet shoes and umbrellas. The big problem in our current design as I see it is that the space is too narrow.

http://our-minergie-house.blogspot.com/2009/03/wheels-are-in-motion.html

The cold isn’t such an issue in Victoria, but rain is, so the floor must be non-slip obviously. I’d prefer something like stone, which doesn’t neccessarily need immediate mopping.

Other preferences:
- a closet that can store more than coats–scarves, umbrellas, and footwear
- closet doors which aren’t on a track, so that they’re easier to open and close and can be opened wide for access to shoes and boots stored below bulky coats
- a seat for tying on shoes
- a mirror for last-minute checks before leaving
- natural light for day but in-closet lighting for night would be sublime

John,
Great synopsis on the elements of a good front entry and the posted suggestions thus far. I agree with the general nature of your list. As you demonstrated and Jim questioned entry’s come in different forms and therefore maybe the checklist of elements could be refined depending on context. For example, is the entry primarily for guest reception or the everyday entry for the homeowner? Is it reasonable to suggest that the closet in the everyday entry be twice as big as the guest entry closet? I might be over thinking this and maybe cutting too fine a detail, but it seems to me that efficient allocation of space is key and therefore context is important. In addition to the excellent elements already mentioned, I like to see some space (not too much mind you) but some space for what I like to call “spill over” space. The ability to greet, handle, maybe a crush of things or people within reason, at one time. Nothing worse imho, then a queue of guests outside the door waiting to get inside, especially when it’s -30C and howling.

I like the entry to the house to have some sort of protection from the weather, such as a porch, while looking for keys etc. I also like a non slip natural stone tile on the floor in the hallway. Its easy to keep clean and gives you a nice transition from outside to inside. I like a hall closet with a door/doors you can open wide rather than sliding doors and also a wall for a mirror and some sort of shelf or piece of furniture for mail, keys, dog leash etc.

Focusing primarily on Area 1, a good front entry should be easy to identify, easy and safe to access (ie. minimal steps, railing, well lit at night), visually pleasing, sheltered from the elements, and large enough to accommodate not only the arrival and departure of people, but also of large items such as appliances and furniture. Ideally, it should also be a great place to sit outside, interact with neighbours and watch the world go by.

sorry, spell check is not as smart as I thought, fovea = foyer.

Doug’s problem with the dirt that enters the foyer in the winter (and I’m assuming in the fall after a rainfall when all the leaves from the trees have hit the ground, or spring when maple keys enter with wet shoes) is interesting. I read in a book by architect Paula LaPorte that to prevent outdoor dirt from spreading in the house, it’s useful to have a sunken mudroom. That’s what we have in our house and it works really well. Everything stays within the boundaries of the mudroom until it gets vacuumed.

Oh one more thing, what about persons in wheelchairs, who use canes or walkers, or those that may need just a little assistance? The difficulty to get in and out of the entry or up and down the stairs can only be increased by poor or thoughtless planning.

With an aging demographic and the growing emphasis of at-home health care (in Ontario’s future) this could present some real challenges especially as our elderly attempt to hang onto their independence. I’m sure this is repeated throughout our modern world .

For scale of vestibule drawings, above: closets are 4 feet in length. Useful size.

John:

Great new edition to the design school and great comments and insights by the participants.

Here is my entrance checklist in the form of questions to be considered?

On the exterior.
To me the entrance begins with the approach.
Is our home marked by an address near the entry that confirms our guests have arrived at the proper destination?
Is the entrance path clearly defined?
Do we know where to enter?
Does our home’s exterior design communicate to our guests where the entry is?
Is our home accessible or are there physical obstacles to our entry or that would prevent a visit from our elderly or disabled friends?
Do we offer our guests protection from the rain, snow, wind, or cold in the form of a porch or vestibule?
Do we provide them with a comfortable space to rest and await our arrival to greet them?
Do we provide sufficient light for night time arrival and entry?
Do we provide our guests with a means to communicate their arrival (a clear visual connection, a doorbell, a door knocker, an intercom)?
Does the entry include a connection to the garden in the form of a visual connection or a planter?
Does the entry provide a safe and dry place for deliveries?

The door.
Does the door allow for a visual connection and an inviting entry?
Does it allow for the easy access of large items of furniture?
Is the swing appropriate and does it provide for full opening?

The interior.
Does the space provide enough room for our guest (a family) to enter and remove their coats with ease?
Does the space provide natural light?
Does the space visually connect to the garden?
Is there adequate storage space for coats, umbrellas, hats, shoes, packages, etc.?
Is there a place to be seated?
Do the floor and wall surfaces provide adequate protection from elements likely to be present (water, snow, ice, dirt, etc.)?

Other comments:
Does the space provide for the possibility of multiple uses like a reading area to enjoy a good book ?

Thank you to all who participated in this inaugural Room by Room exercise. There were a lot of interesting observations and design suggestions made. I have posted a summary of the recommendations to date at the top of the post. Comments are welcome.