When you have a floor plan with all your common space on one side of the house, you can add glass on all 3 sides allowing the light to pour in and creating long, open site lines, which brings nature inside.  Technically this type of plan is called a t-ranch because the house is designed in a t-shape fashion with a 3rd box stepping forward at the front of the house.  This provides nice curb appeal with or without an attached garage.