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Great Location - Horrible Floor-plan (Any Architectural Suggestions)

July 24, 2016

last modified: July 24, 2016

1980s, long and skinny space: any suggestions?

Comments (15)

Tribbletrouble44152k7 Trek
Do you own this? Are you wanting to arrange furniture?
July 24, 2016
Liam Alban
Looking at buying; trying to get suggestions on how to redesign the floor plan for this century!
July 24, 2016
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Such a great opportunity for a project! We've done these before, and like everything it should always be all about connection to the site and celebrating the lifestyle that comes along with this location. Here is a (larger) residence we developed for a similar golf estate context, with restrictions on setbacks and an odd shaped allotment: And the floor plan, although the plunge pool/landscaping changed a bit: The thing is on yours, it feels like it's missing opportunities and could (should!) be better.. You're on the right track with your instincts about the entry, and the living kitchen dining, as well as the front....... The issues I see are about distinguishing of the private and secondary spaces. Eg You shouldn't be walking past a bathroom or laundry to get into the main space, or approaching a kitchen from behind. Do you entertain / have friends over? The BBQ is so clunky - on to a wall that BACKS onto the beautiful view (!!!???!!) The approach into the kitchen/dining is particularly poor, and it like there are aspects of the house that don't capitalise on the best outlooks to the golf course, like the kitchen & master bedroom. This outlook needs to be maximised and if the master is to outlook more privately, then fine, but the view needs to be given to something better than the walk in robe..... The kitchen/dining should be "speaking" to the view, not tuning it's back on it like it is Without picking it completely apart I'd suggest considering perhaps a bunch of broadform concepts that are rough, but quickly look at options of how to configure the spaces in different ways, before then honing in on fine detail. you need to get the main "skeleton" in regards to zoning and connection to place/outlooks and north light properly sorted first. With such a fantastic small scale brief and amazing context there is really no excuse not to have this close to perfect from a design point of view, and to do this the design needs to be more responsive and tuned in to connection to the context and outlooks and simultaneously managing/distinguishing the main living from the private spaces. this is the type of house that should "embrace' and "open up" to the outlook/environment, with expansive southern glazing aspects and views from the entry through, interesting little internal pockets, and perfectly balanced and discretely managed private zones considering the scale I'd be thinking about the value factor in that if this ever needs to be sold then the hobbies and study can function as a true 2nd or 3rd bedroom and so the bathroom needs to be managed accordingly. It's kind of on the right track, but my feeling is that whilst it "ticks the boxes" with the spaces on paper, it's needs rethinking in terms of the overall and the key will be in sorting the flow and zoning with sensitive consideration and prioritisation given to the specific outlooks from every single aspect internally As you say , this is your "forever" home, and so it deserves to be exactly that, which at the moment, conceptually, it's falling well short of. Apologies if it's bit harsh/firm, comments well intended & hope considered helpful :) Best of luck PD :) www.pauldistefanodesign.com
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3d Laser scanning is a developing technology increasingly being utilised ( by land surveyors ) to accurately establish existing conditions and features. The scanning creates and collates a series of 3 dimensional "data points" to form a 3D "point cloud" from which various layers of detail can be extrapolated into CAD/drawings etc, so you essentially achieve a 3D model of an existing house that you can cut through for plans, sections etc and spring design processes from with ninja precision. We've started to implement it for certain projects to ensure accurate measure up data collection for our renovation/extension projects. As we all know, structures are rarely built perfectly square, and whilst there is merit in still taking physical off the tape measurements for detail, translating site measurements onto CAD assuming everything's at right angles can be tricky to resolve easily and accurately on paper.
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Tribbletrouble44152k7 Trek
If you are wanting to knock down and move walls, you need a written report after an inspection by a licensed insured architect, builder or engineer.

Your biggest problem there is your wet areas facing north instead of your living areas. Is there a compelling reason to buy this particular property that outweighs the poor orientation?

it is expensive to move plumbing.
July 24, 2016
Liam Alban
Location/Suburb - short walk to amazing beaches and golf course.
July 24, 2016
Tribbletrouble44152k7 Trek
One thing you could do if it's not a load bearing wall, is to swap bedroom 4 , for part of the family room, and make bedroom four part of the livingroom. Then you will get north light into the livingroom.

What state are you in?
July 24, 2016
PRO
The Design Mill
WIthout viewing the upper floor it's tricky to see which walls need to remain to support the upper floor. However, you could remove the bathrooms, re design them to the rear of the existing bed, open up all internal areas with gallery kitchen, place feature piers where required to support upper floor. Then lovely open space living, meals and kitchen. Pending costs you would like to spend of course!
July 24, 2016
PRO
RenovatePlans | Building Designers Pty Ltd
There are hundreds of suggestions that can be made on how to update, renovate and re-design a layout to make it functional for you and allow it to respond well to the built environment.

Engaging an architect or building designer at this stage may not be something you're willing to do, as spending money for plans on a house you don't own would not be the ideal situation. The issue with this is that the design phase of a project takes a lot of time and consideration.

My best advice would be to play around with the plans and create some sketches, whether online or on paper. If you are happy with the possibilities then buy the property. Any house can be transformed, but whether or not you are satisfied with the transformation is a personal choice only you can make.
July 24, 2016
Liam Alban
@RenovatePlans - can you recommend any online floor-plan utilities or APPs?
July 24, 2016
PRO
RenovatePlans | Building Designers Pty Ltd
I have never used an online planner but I have had a look online to see which looks better and think you might find this one the easiest.

Good luck :)
July 24, 2016
Vy
quite decent not skinny at all ..ours is skinnier ..at 5.7m ..

I'd work out which one is load bearing wall..move your living area to northerly side..

move your bathroom to the back..plumbing is expensive but doable ..depends on if your house is on stumps or slab..plumbing can be brought externally too..

before you commit to buying go through it with a builder ..
July 25, 2016
rwalton5
I'd be asking: What are you wanting to achieve? (Example, uninterrupted sightlines from kitchen to family zone?). Any changes should be customised to suit the household's way of living, rather than just to imitate current fashions in layout (unless you're planning to re-sell soon).
July 29, 2016
rwalton5
Considering your enthusiasm for beaches and golf, the house you buy or redesign should include a workable space for all your sports-related stuff, I think. Some solution better than jamming it in at edges inside garage or creating a jumble near back door. Also, if your household has animals you need room for their gear. You could think about creating a good-sized 'mud room' equivalent combined with a utility room. Giving some of your ground-floor space to this would be practical and would help you keep clutter out of whatever open-plan living areas you create.
July 29, 2016
PRO
Envirotecture
I'd suggest seeking professional input swiftly. The floor plan is quite poor. The layout of the upper storey will be very influential as will be the northern neighbour (no point moving everything around if you have a 3 storey block of units to your north).

You question is great but requires so much more information. Pay an experienced local architect/designer to visit the site with you and give you an assessment of potential.
July 31, 2016
Homesight
Liam, the north arrow seems a bit confusing? Usually the arrow "points" to the north, in which case your family room is on the northern side. However, usually plans are drawn, where possible, with north at the 'top', hence it appears from your plan that north is on the bedroom side. What is the actual orientation?
August 1, 2016
Tribbletrouble44152k7 Trek
Homesight, I've been thinking the same thing about that arrow.
August 1, 2016last modified: August 1, 2016

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