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Lofty Aspirations
Although the loft apartment or condo has been popular in major
cities for many years, currently their popularity is reaching new heights.
Lofts are being offered in urban areas where commercial and industrial
buildings in old neighborhoods undergo renovation into trendy new homes for
young professionals, empty nesters, and even families drawn to the "living
in the city" lifestyle.
What's new is that more buildings are actually being designed and built from
the ground up to feature loft-style living. Even smaller cities and beach
communities are enjoying more homes in this style. So what is the "loft"
style?
Typical features include:
• Open floor plans – kitchens open to living areas which are open to
sleeping and work areas as well. Bathrooms, of course, are given privacy
with some walls and a door.
• High ceilings feature exposed ductwork for heating and cooling, as well as
plumbing lines and electrical conduits.
• Light fixtures are often more industrial or utilitarian in design,
although any combination of styles can be used.
• Along at least one wall, industrial style windows are often very large and
high, sometimes running from floor to ceiling.
• Floor finishes are most often hardwood or concrete, usually painted,
stained or sealed. Wall may be brick, concrete, stone or even metal finishes
as well as conventional drywall or plaster finishes.
• Cabinets and finishes often invoke a commercial or industrial influence,
with stainless steel prominent in kitchens, in some cases used for
countertop surfaces for a commercial kitchen look. Of course, all types of
cabinetry, tops and other surface finishes can be used as well.
As popularity of grows, another term has come about reflecting a somewhat
more "conventional home" style of loft. Known as a "soft loft", these units
feature many of the features identified above, but incorporate more walls to
define spaces and create privacy. Bedrooms have walls to separate them from
other living areas. Laundry equipment may be located behind closed doors. An
office might be walled off and separated with French doors.
Another major category of lofts are defined as "live-work" environments.
These are built with the intention of housing both a personal living space
along with an area dedicated to work or career for a home-based business.
These home/office units could appeal to artists, designers, architects,
consultants or any number of other professionals including those in real
estate, sales, technology, etc. As the internet allows more people to work
productively from home or remotely from their business headquarters, and as
commuting becomes more and more difficult everywhere, the live/work
alternative will continue to grow in its appeal.
Regardless of the specifics, it appears lofts are here to stay, offering an
exciting and flexible alternative to conventional home design.
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