I ran across a great article in Residential Architecture Online explaining (better than I can) the problem with split foyer homes. In this case, they talk about split levels, but a split foyer is plagued with most of the same problems – only fewer levels!
Split Level
By Meghan Drueding
Hands-down, the split-level owns the title of architects’ least favorite house to remodel. “It’s a difficult type to work with because it’s so poorly constructed, and the room sizes are way too small,” says Lane Williams, AIA, a Seattle architect who says he tries to avoid split-levels. This house type is plagued by some of the same quality-of-construction issues as the ranch, from which it evolved as a method of gaining space and privacy and handling hillside sites. But it contains its own particular set of design challenges.
The entry to many split-levels, for example, dumps guests in front of two stairwells the minute they step in the front door. “You walk into a stairway that gives you a mixed message,” says Sarah Susanka. “It’s the thing people dislike most about split-levels—should I go up or down? You have to add on more entryway to build a message about where to go.” http://www.residentialarchitect.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=206&articleID=82722
- The cavernous hole we call our “foyer”
