Matakuliah
Tahun
: Konstruksi Bangunan II
: 2008/2009
Pemahaman Teori Dasar
Konstruksi Bangunan Bertingkat Rendah
Pertemuan 9
Detail Konstruksi Sederhana : Split Level
Detail Gambar Tampak dan Potongan Slit Level
Landscaping & Hardscaping
Most people will say that the point of landscaping is to "beautify" your yard. It's one of
the benefits, but not the prime reason for landscaping. The most basic, underlying
reason for landscaping a home is to create a smooth transition from the
outdoors to the indoors. Landscaping (growing stuff) and hardscaping (stuff like
steps, decks, walkways) combine to create this transition. When it's done right, the
transition is beautiful. Done wrong, it is unappealling at best.
Because most true splits are in mature neighborhoods, exterior landscaping is usually
mature as well. If the overall appearance is pleasing, congratulations: you have little
to do beyond maintenance and seasonal chores. On the other hand, if the
landscaping was originally done amateurishly and you find yourself grimacing as you
drive up the street, you have some work to do. The good news is that the recipe for
landscaping the average three level split is simple and straightforward.
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Visual
"triangle"
the
typical
split
creates
Of all the divided entry homes, the three-level is the easiest to
create a pleasing appearance with. The house itself creates a
"triangular" form. Often the driveway and walkway create a
triangular formation with the house. And if your original
landscaper had even half a brain, your front yard should have a
large tree set to one side that creates yet another triangle with
the house. If you think in terms of triangles, you generally can't
go wrong with a three-level split.
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This diagram shows the simplicity of
triangular curb appeal. The blue triangle
shows the visual created by driveway,
walkway and house; the red triangle
shows simplicity of landscaping with one
overpowering
element
to
create
triangulation. It isn't necessarily a tree, of
course. In a Mesa, Arizona split, for
example, the large tree could be
substituted with a saguaro cactus.
The "large item" triangulation isn't a hard and fast rule. Perhaps your home has a
long, beautiful front yard. In that case, anchoring the most distant corner with a small
arrangement of shrubs will do the trick. Or, you might use a line of fruit trees
opposite the driveway to create the same effect. You might have something as
simple as a mailbox with some tasteful plantings; the possibilities are virtually
limitless. And you don't necessarily have to be "married" to the concept of
triangulation when landscaping a three-level split -- it is merely an easy way to
simplify the process. If your split is set 100 yards from the street, triangulation is
thrown out the window.
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Another important key to landscaping a three-level split is to visually
lower the picture window. Most true splits have that large living room
window on the middle floor, and it is often higher off the ground than the
eye expects. Even if you're fortunate enough to have your middle floor at
ground level -- and many are -- this window begs to be "connected" to the
ground. Spend the money on mature shrubs, bushes, whatever you can
use to make this happen. Even a climbing vine on a trellis will help. By
"tying" the window to the ground, your house blends more fluidly to the
surrounding landscape. The stark, "stand alone" look is OK for new
construction, but it doesn't work for a finished house, and looks downright
dreadful with a 40 year old home.
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Same drill for your walkway. (Now we're discussing hardscaping) Lower entry or
"raised" splits tend to have a doorway right at the driveway level, but the majority of
three level houses have some sort of walkway and/or staircase leading from the
driveway to the front door.
On many older splits these are hideous concrete creations. Brick or wood look more
appealing, but don't rush out with a sledgehammer if you have concrete. You can
often revitalize the look of concrete by adding slate to the top, bricks on the sides,
etc. But whatever your walkway, it is terribly important to "connect" it to the
surroundings just as your picture window needs to be connected.
The walkway and front stoop are the "transition" from the world outdoors to the world
indoors. It should be a smooth transition, softened by plantings, gardens, or
whatever...not a harsh, sudden change. Even stones can do the trick. If you look at
the house at the bottom of this page, you'll notice that it uses plantings to create a
transition worthy of a royal garden. If you need another example, take a look at the
one or two splits in your neighborhood that have the most curb appeal, and you'll see
these concepts first hand.
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The mature landscaping on this house may be overdone for some tastes, but you
cannot deny the overall look of comfort and natural, relaxed appearance of this
home. The large bush below the bowfront window needs a trim, but anchors it so
nicely. Other than that trimming, we might be inclined to leave everything else
alone. The shrubs, grasses, flowers and other garden elements make a
seamless transition between nature and the structure.
Although we don't know if the homeowner planned it, the gardens on both sides
of the driveway have a triangular shape from overhead. Whether or not this
landscape suits your tastes, your first impression is that this is truly a pleasant,
loving atmosphere for the family.
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Interior
If you could travel back to 1965 and visit your three level split, you'd sneak into the
garage on the middle level, and find a clean, comfortable family room/den inside
the door. It would probably be wood panelled, and the room would revolve around
a large new color television. It would be a little dark, but would have a very
comfortable, relaxed feel. It might be done in a "theme," sometimes western, or
perhaps a naval theme with ropes and a net. Remember, this is 1965. It's mid-day,
and Jerry Mahoney would be on in black and white.
Move up the six carpeted steps and you'd enter a living room, brightly lit by the big
front window. This room probably has wall-to-wall carpeting, except for a section
near the front door where it might be anything from linoleum, to hardwood, to
flagstone. The living room is dominated by a large couch, coffee table, and a
number of upholstered chairs. Depending on whether or not the house has a
fireplace, the couch is against the wall and has a large format mirror, or perhaps
some tacky motel art above. A large wooden something or other has a prominent
place in the room; this is the hi-fi set. Chances are the Sound of Music soundtrack,
or perhaps Mary Poppins, is playing. Either way, you're hearing Julie Andrews.
The decor is completed with an odd mix stuff blending antiques, Spanish style, and
modern design. Every flat surface has an ashtray somewhere. In fact, a floor lamp
may even have an ashtray built in.
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Moving to the dining room, this is a rather simple affair with a long table
and chairs, and a serving buffet, hutch, or sideboard. In the dining room,
as the living room, you'll notice colors you don't see any more...orange,
aqua, turquoise, bright green, or perhaps a host of bright earth-tones.
Window treatments are extremely simple, although the patterns might be
complex.
The kitchen completes this floor, and is the hub of the household. It has
entries to both the living room and dining room; the living room entry is
probably adjacent to the stairs leading down to the den and garage. The
back door is also in the kitchen, it might be a dutch door. You might also
see a large handbell nearby -- useful for calling the children from
neighboring yards at dinner time. Decor is simple; a metal table with a
formica top. Countertops are also formica with a bright metal band around
the edge. Wallpaper has a "theme" look, definitely pictorial, maybe a
"Spirit of '76" or possibly picking up on the theme downstairs in the family
den. The floor is vinyl tile or perhaps hardwood.
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Below: Typical split circa 1965. The furniture and all other items are reduced a bit for clarity. In
reality, most of these houses had (and still have) a lot less elbow room. The front door is at bottom
the rear door is off the kitchen. In homes without a fireplace, the couch was usually placed along
that long wall. The large rectangle in the living room (between kitchen and dining room, on the
wall) is the stereo console. Sometimes this would be placed along the entry area to "divide" it from
the living room. In cases where the couch is along the long wall, the chairs would often be placed
at both ends of the picture window to "frame" it. The wall is simply the L-shape dividing off the
kitchen and dining room, The area between dining room and living room is completely open in this
layout. That's not always the case.
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Below: Same typical split circa 1965. This one shows the more common house with
no fireplace.
Now let's fast forward to the early 21st
Century. If you have an "open" floor plan
(no "break" between living room and dining
room, or living room and entry area, or even
kitchen and dining room) -- this is the first
design element that you will want to come
to terms with. If you appreciate the "open"
style, then by all means, stick with it. On the
other hand, if you wish to have some
"break" between rooms, consider adding
entries as indicated in red in the illustration
below. Wide entries such as these do little
to divide the rooms, but do create enough
of a visual separation to be effective.
Rooms are cozy, but connected. People entering the house will be in a threshold area, but feel very little
barrier to overcome before entering the living room. In fact, the barrier by the front door can be as little as a
series of potted plants on a stand, or perhaps an aquarium, maybe even a bench with a column. The
possibilities are only limited by your imagination. What you do want to avoid is creating wide walls with very
narrow entryways...this creates a closed atmosphere, and serves as barriers between rooms. French doors
between living room and dining room are one surefire way to make your split seem pathetically small.
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Keep in mind that the three (or four)
level split is based on what was
originally a Frank Lloyd Wright
design. FLW championed "organic"
architecture.
Even
though
the
average split bears virtually no
resemblance to his original design,
split level floorplans still work best
with that concept in mind.
If you could commission Wright to
redesign your humble split, he might
remove the walls between living
room, kitchen, and dining room...and
replace them with a single half
wood/half glass wall, or something
equally dramatic. And there's no
reason you can't do the same.
Bear in mind that the decorating style should be coherent through the home, or at least harmonize.
Now it's tough to tell a 15 year old that her bedroom should have a particular style...and that's fine. Let
your child's imagination run wild in the private living spaces. But in your formal living areas, kitchen,
den, and bath(s), some design cohesiveness is best.
Most splits are decorated in what could best be described as "eclectic." Then again, most American
homes are that way, and there's nothing wrong with it. Obviously your exterior style will have some
determination on your interior. Beyond that, realize that most splits are mid-20th century homes, and
have existed during a prolific age of changing styles and tastes. Almost anything will work. But you
should be aware that not all styles work as well as others in the average split.
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