Floor plan advice please - acreage dream home

11 years ago

We are working on our concept design for our dream home and I was hoping for some feedback on our floor plan. We are building on a hillside acreage with brilliant views and have tried to take advantage of this in our design. I am happy with the general layout of the rooms, it might sound odd but I feel as though the house doesn't have balance in the design, where half the house is more architectural detail with variation and depth to the house vs the other side of the house, where the master bedroom which takes on a more contemporary streamlined layout (which is the design we were aiming for) The architect has attempted to balance the design with some bump outs to the rear of the house. It just doesn't seem to sit right, not sure if I am overthinking it. Also after some feedback on room sizes and if these seem to be in proportion for the overall size of the house approx 360m2. Would appreciate any feedback.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

haephestus
11 years ago
The following are all general, non-professional comments.

I'm not sure how the occupant of Bed 2 will feel about their primary bathroom window facing the "front" of the house as other family members, guests and potentially even people driving past will be able to see into the bathroom.

I would consider swapping the toilet and shower so that you can have a big window on the side or potentially even slotting that ensuite between Bed 2 and Bed 3 and having a big window on the side for Bed 2 and a "high" window along the front for Bed 2.

It will depend upon how many people will be living in the house, but since the main bathroom appears intended to serve as both the powder room and the "ensuite" for Bed 3, I would consider separating the toilet into a dedicated powder room. That way, the occupant of Bed 3 has "privacy" from guests for their vanity and shower and if they're in the shower, guests can still use the toilet.

I would widen the hallway by pushing the laundry and media room out a bit. I don't think it would cost too much extra to widen the hallway, but I think you would appreciate it as it is currently a little long and narrow and the "focal point" as you enter is simply the door to the main bedroom.

I would consider furniture placement for Living 1. On the plans, it looks a little squished, especially if people were sitting and relaxing at the indoor dining table. It might be a good idea to pinch some space from the alfresco or to combine Living 1 and Living 2 to create a lovely, generously proportioned space.

It strikes me as a little off that the fireplace will be "behind" the sofas in Living 1. I think most people like the fireplace to be the focal point, but the fireplace currently seems like a last minute addition. Do you want to be able to sit in front of the fire or are you happy for it to be at your back?

I would ensure that the allocated space for the TV in Living 1 will fit your desired TV. TV sizes are getting bigger and bigger and if you're planning on having a big TV in Living 1 (in addition to the TV in the media room), then it would be good to ensure that it won't dominate the angled wall (and distract from the views).

I don't understand the purpose of Living 2. With a separate media room and Living 1, it's unclear whether Living 2 is meant to serve as another living room or whether it is actually intended to function as a study.

Do you have a collection which will be displayed in the nook opposite Living 2? If so, it seems that the "display" won't be easily visible to guests. If you have a particular collection which you want to proudly display, then you may wish to consider repositioning this nook.

Everyone has a different point of view, but I would try to separate the toilet in the ensuite.

I would have thought that the person using the dressing table in the main bedroom would appreciate some natural daylight, but there doesn't appear to be a window that will service that area. The same comment applies for the study nook opposite the kitchen.

Good luck!
bigreader
11 years ago
I love the alfresco between the two living areas. Can imagine this working beautifully for a large gathering.

In a house that size I'd try for a separate main toilet. Maybe with a basin. You've set the house up for a largish family or lots of visitors, so a separate toilet would be more flexible.
Related Discussions
Design ides on my new home floor plan please
Q
Comments (25)
Emily A permanently roofed al fresco will reduce some summer heat gain (although sitting out there may be uncomfortable) and will do the same for winter. From scanning the comments it appears that you are at a point where you can still may major changes; I cannot recommend strongly enough getting the orientation of your new home right, it will be warmer in winter, cooler in summer and be significantly cheaper (if not free) to run with some appropriately detailed insulation. I do understand the appeal of a floorplan that seems to be all you have aspired too but have seen many a case where people have later regretted those decisions. If you are unsure about the pros and cons of various floorplans then get a design professional (building designer/architect) to give you guidance on an hourly rates basis. good luck
...See More
New Home Construction Floor Plan - Advice / Feedback /Critique please
Q
Comments (1)
it looks like one of those supersized American Mcmansions which is fine if you measure the value of a house by its size rather than the quality of its design and the relationship to its site and the environment. You must have engaged your architect with the knowledge on the style of work he does? I would strongly suggest you research American architect Sarah Susanka and her work with "The not so big house" before you have a meeting with your architect. A well designed home is a lot more than a shopping list of rooms. Even though I don't like your design I do know that some of my clients have trouble visualising a plan and sometimes they don't like what they can't understand. I would arrange a meeting with your architect so he could explain why he has deviated from your brief. There may be some very good reasons, such as capturing views, or getting the winter sun, but it is hard to suggest without knowing about your location. By the way do you realize that your posting has appeared on the Australian Houzz forum? Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls
...See More
FEEDBACK REQUESTED ON FLOOR PLAN FOR NEW ACREAGE BUILD IN SE QLD
Q
Comments (10)
as already suggested it would be useful to consider acreage floor plans that take full advantage of so much space but i've redrawn your plans to scale to show more detail of how your rooms rooms would fit together and total about 315sqm and some simple variations to consider but, having built homes on acreages, we've found that without the shelter of neghbouring homes it's useful to create extra sun and rain sheltered areas by widening the whole house by having a garage separated from the main house with a connecting breezeway to create an extra carport and/or undercover play area and have covered mud areas at every entry
...See More
Looking to purchase a house and need floor plan advice please
Q
Comments (16)
Hi Bec, Hate to be a spoiler but for me the orientation of this house is not ideal. North to the street and back yard is south facing. It is a bit different to QLD where excluding the heat of the sun is a priority. It gets cold in winter in Melbourne and sun is really appreciated in winter. Is there something available on the other side of the street where the back yard faces North to West??? If you proceed with this purchase, I'd focus the bedrooms on the east side as you will get good morning sun to these rooms. These houses have good room sizes and are easily re-worked for modern living but the re-working of the roof if you are extending, as mentioned by Wendy, is complicated. An extension as suggested by Oklouise could work with a 'bridging' roof over the toilet and cupbds that is low and flat with the rear living space being a higher hip form roof with higher/pitched ceilings if cost allows. That way you don't have to change the existing roof at all. However, I would flip the extension plan to have the kitchen on the east and the living on the west. For the existing part of the house I would have the master on the front east side with the ensuite and robe as Margot suggested in the study. Robe might best be a long run on the wall rather than a WIR due to space restrictions. Another bedroom behind that. On the West side front would be another bedroom with the main bathroom and the laundry occupying the current living room. I'd change the kitchen into the dining room and possibly open this to the hallway so it was bigger. Alternatively the existing kitchen can be a 4th guest bedroom/TV room or play room. Then I'd add a 700-1000mm strip accross the back of the house with the lower roof as suggested above. On the east side this would form the built in cupbds of the kitchen and the oven with a bench with the sink running along the east side extension. The living space would be on the west side beside the kitchen and open up to the rear yard. The dining space with a built in bench seat could go behind the kitchen if not kept in the existing house. Cost may determine the area of extension you can go for and determine where the dining ends up. Hope this helps if you don't find a place with a north or west back yard. C.
...See More
jol77
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. I will take these ideas back to the drawing board!
judithss
8 years ago
Hi is the house build now?

Floor plan advice please - acreage dream home

Comments (4)

haephestus

bigreader

Related Discussions

jol77
Original Author

judithss

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Floor plan advice please - acreage dream home

Comments (4)

haephestus

bigreader

Related Discussions

jol77Original Author

judithss

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

jol77
Original Author