Function. A home that works should feel easy
Designers have argued about form versus function for as long as there's been design. Does the way something looks come first, or the way it works? In a home, we think function matters enormously, because it shapes every single day you spend there.
Once we understand why our clients are building, some functions are common to every home. Every house needs a kitchen that works, bathrooms that work, living spaces and outdoor areas that work. Beyond that, function becomes a response to how that particular family wants to live.
It can start with something as simple as a hallway. How wide does it need to be? Is it just a way of getting from one room to another, or could it do more? Every space in a home deserves that kind of thought.
The kitchen is a great example of how far function goes. Anyone who has studied kitchen design will talk about the triangle, the walking distance between the sink, the fridge and the cooktop. That matters, but it's only the start. Is there room around the island for people to move? Can a few people cook together without it feeling cramped or cluttered?
Then it gets personal. Some people want the sink in the island, others want it on the back bench. Some want a clear island where the kids can do their homework, where you can cook together, or where friends can gather with a glass of wine while the real work happens behind. Some are happy with a cupboard pantry, some want a walk in, and some want a full butler's pantry. We've designed show kitchens out the front that stay clean, with the real engine room tucked behind. A few of those have been for Italian families, where the nonnas take over the back kitchen for days, rolling ravioli and solving the world's problems. One home we're designing now has a back kitchen big enough for a chef and waiting staff when the owners entertain. None of these answers is right or wrong. They're right for the people living there.
Getting function right also means knowing what a home doesn't need. The most common mistake we see is simply homes that are too big. Plenty of standard plans still include a formal living room and a formal dining room. But how often are they used? Most of us don't live like that anymore, especially in Queensland, where we love being outdoors. That space could go altogether and save you money, or become something you'll actually use.
So what does a home that functions well feel like? In a word, easy. There's little friction and little compromise. You move through it naturally, without bumping into things or making excuses for it. There's a place for everything, and the storage is where you need it. The house isn't fighting you, and you're not fighting it.
When function is done well, you feel that the choices were right. The home supports the way you want to live and makes everyday life better, instead of getting in the way.
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