GANT Construction Custom Homes
GANT Construction believes every house should have architectural style. Every house can be inviting and comfortable for the homeowners and their guests without being a McMansion.
It seems every housing boom creates new boring houses that all look alike. Some examples include the ranch-style of the 1960s and 70s and more recently the pseudo-craftsman of the 1990s and 2000s with the crazy rooflines.
GANT Construction designs smaller homes with character (800-2400 sq ft). These cottage-style house plans are retro-looking and include a full-length front porch, efficient-open floor plans and detached or offset garages. Our preferred styles include the Craftsman Bungalow (1920-30s), two-story farmhouses with wrap-around porches, and cabins.
Most plans have a laundry room and computer/recharging station (for cell phones, laptops, & other gadgets) for everyday tasks. Everyday tasks are sometimes overlooked in a house plan. Tasks such as laundry and bill paying are apart of our everyday life and should be made as comfort as possible, therefore we plan areas in the home for them, and not just a closet and the kitchen counter. Also incorporated into the plan can be home offices, libraries, handicap accessible entries and bathrooms, covered BBQ porches, and bonus/media rooms.
With our population aging (baby-boomers getting older) it makes sense to build homes that are Universally Designed- completely handicap accessible, in smaller home plans we can do this with minimal increased costs. Downsizing to a smaller accessible and efficient home makes sense for those who want to stay in their house long-term.
NOTES:
1. Picture above is from Southern Living Magazine’s house plans website, from the “Cottage Living” Collection (http://www.slhouseplans.com/exec/action/plans/browsemode/thumbnails/filter/attid.117). They have many nice plans to choose from.
2. I am a fan of the Not So Big House series of books and house plans (http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/index.asp).
3. Ross Chapin, also highlighted on the Not So Big House website has some great plans to choose from as well (http://www.rosschapin.com/Plans/plans.html).
4. Please contact me before purchasing a complete set of plans. Many have experienced picking their dream home and spending thousands of dollars on plans, only to find they can not use the plans for various reasons.