 |  |  |  |  |
Laundry Evolution
The average household does seven to eight loads of laundry per week and
yet, the laundry room is generally the worst planned area of the house. In
many homes the laundry facilities can be found tucked away or banished to
a remote location, like a gloomy basement; combined with other work areas,
such as the kitchen; or crammed into an alcove such as a hallway closet, all
of which make this job much harder and less enjoyable than it needs to be.
It isn’t until moving into a house with an actual “laundry room”, many learn
difference such a seemingly minor room can make on their lives. Especially
when this space is so effortlessly organized, and appliances & accessories
(that hold the same value as ones in a kitchen) can become cleverly
showcased, it would even make Martha jealous.
Beyond the living kitchen and the spa bathroom, luxury has found its way to
the laundry room!
yet, the laundry room is generally the worst planned area of the house. In
many homes the laundry facilities can be found tucked away or banished to
a remote location, like a gloomy basement; combined with other work areas,
such as the kitchen; or crammed into an alcove such as a hallway closet, all
of which make this job much harder and less enjoyable than it needs to be.
It isn’t until moving into a house with an actual “laundry room”, many learn
difference such a seemingly minor room can make on their lives. Especially
when this space is so effortlessly organized, and appliances & accessories
(that hold the same value as ones in a kitchen) can become cleverly
showcased, it would even make Martha jealous.
Beyond the living kitchen and the spa bathroom, luxury has found its way to
the laundry room!
"Loads of Luxury"
“How much is your time and energy worth?” is a question that Rissay asks when their clients
attempt to assign a value to a gourmet laundry room. When one person can produce up to a
quarter ton of dirty laundry a year it becomes essential to have this well planned space to
sort it all, as well as provide a sanity saver. Not to mention that since so much time will be
spent there, it might as well look like an actual room, and a presentable one at that, because
hanging out in a typical laundry room, is about as pleasant as doing yoga in Times Square.
Are loud and cramped the right adjectives?
Not to pick on Mrs. Roychowdhury’s laundry room, but it was anything but gourmet. The
organization of the space lacked common sense with the washer on one corner of the room
and the dryer hiding in the other. Then there was the issue of useful storage and counter
space making the room an unworkable workstation. The laundry room wasn’t the most
aesthetically pleasing either with an array of exposed vents, ducts, and plumbing. It was time
to bring logic back into this laundry room.
attempt to assign a value to a gourmet laundry room. When one person can produce up to a
quarter ton of dirty laundry a year it becomes essential to have this well planned space to
sort it all, as well as provide a sanity saver. Not to mention that since so much time will be
spent there, it might as well look like an actual room, and a presentable one at that, because
hanging out in a typical laundry room, is about as pleasant as doing yoga in Times Square.
Are loud and cramped the right adjectives?
Not to pick on Mrs. Roychowdhury’s laundry room, but it was anything but gourmet. The
organization of the space lacked common sense with the washer on one corner of the room
and the dryer hiding in the other. Then there was the issue of useful storage and counter
space making the room an unworkable workstation. The laundry room wasn’t the most
aesthetically pleasing either with an array of exposed vents, ducts, and plumbing. It was time
to bring logic back into this laundry room.
| Copyright, 2007 Rissay Ltd. All rights reserved |
design Challenges
Despite its dollhouse dimensions, the Roychowdhury’s laundry room includes key elements
that experts say are essential for an effective laundry room design. Rissay decided to design
the space vertically while providing the room with a great mixture of cabinets, shelves and
cubbies to store the average of eight plus laundry products every American family supposedly
has, along with ample counter space for folding and sorting. Not only is the new space highly
functional, but also a showcase of fine Euro style cabinetry, state of the art Bosch Appliances
and a fabulous new terrazzo floor covering. Now Mrs. Roychowdury won’t feel the need to
scurry past it with embarrassment when walking guests to their rooms.
that experts say are essential for an effective laundry room design. Rissay decided to design
the space vertically while providing the room with a great mixture of cabinets, shelves and
cubbies to store the average of eight plus laundry products every American family supposedly
has, along with ample counter space for folding and sorting. Not only is the new space highly
functional, but also a showcase of fine Euro style cabinetry, state of the art Bosch Appliances
and a fabulous new terrazzo floor covering. Now Mrs. Roychowdury won’t feel the need to
scurry past it with embarrassment when walking guests to their rooms.
design Solutions
| Roychowdhury Residence, Society Hill, Philadelphia |
- Dollhouse sized dimensions
- Insufficient Storage for buffet of
laundering products - Illogical layout
- Miscalculated Mechanics
"The average household does seven to eight
loads of laundry per week and yet, the
laundry room is generally the worst planned
area of the house."
loads of laundry per week and yet, the
laundry room is generally the worst planned
area of the house."
- Disorderly Ductwork
- Inaccessible to Mechanical Unit
- Antiquated Appliances
- Common Cabinetry
| before pictures |
| after pictures |