Anatomy of a Plan - Campeau's Sprawling Side-Split Designs

During the 1960s and 1970s Campeau built a number of related designs of large and sprawling side-split houses.

The designs are based on a common side-split layout from the time with the main living spaces located half a flight above the entry level and the bedrooms another half-flight above, usually over the garage. Below is the rare Madison plan, c. 1968, by Campeau that has a typical side-split design common in the 1960s.

What differs with the Campeau's designs that this post will focus on is that there is a ground level bedroom/den on the entry level where a garage would typically be located, and the garage is pushed further out to the side. The result is a commodious bedroom level above.

The earliest iteration of the plan is the Bonnechere that first appeared c. 1967.

In this version c. 1968 the ground level bathroom is moved to a space behind the garage and making the den large enough to be titled as a "bedroom".

This version c. 1969 reverses the location of the master ensuite and walk-in-closet, allowing for a window in the ensuite.

This plan shows the very large unfinished attic space over the living level.

A turning point for the design was when a 2 car garage was relocated under the main living level creating a new plan called the Monterey. In place of the single car garage on the entry level is a laundry room and wet bar. Also changed is the attic level, now home to an enormous master bedroom suite with fireplace.

This version below of the Monterey has a slightly different ensuite layout with a large bathtub.

This particular plan is called the Bonnechere, but it is really a hybrid of that design and the Monterey. The unfinished attic space exists, and the master bedroom is on the same level as the other bedrooms, yet the walk-in-closet and ensuite are moved to the outside wall.

This design, called the Ashwood, Also has the master bedroom on the same level as the other bedrooms.

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