Advice on new build floorplan
L O
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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oklouise
7 years agogirlguides
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Advice/Suggestions for new home floorplan
Comments (20)I think there's an underlying issue here that isn't being confronted. Unless you've got megabucks or you live out in the country with a few acres, you're going to end up with a block/house which doesn't have ideal orientation. A lot of people, ourselves included, bought a slice of land where the garage gets the best aspect. We trade that off for proximity to services, shops, and the rest of it. It's all very well to talk about how a house should be designed for views, cross breezes, orientation to sun, etc, but a lot of that has to go by the wayside if you need a place close into town, and you're looking at a brownfield site being redeveloped. You buy for the location, not the orientation. The house might be facing north, and the garage has to do so because that's where the road is, and there's no other option. So, what then? The question is to make a liveable house out of a less than desirable orientation, with areas that don't get enough light and others that get too much. I'd love to see a long article on Houzz about this, because it's a reality for a lot of us. What I do know, from our last 9 months living in a house with the wrong orientation but the right location, is that there are things that work around some of the problems. Skylights are one, shade sails another. Good insulation is of course imperative as well. Our house isn't perfect, but ultimately, we'll put up with a bit too much of the western sun at certain times of year because we want to/need to live in this location ( walking distance to shops, cafes, medical clinics, dentists, vets, and three private hospitals). I'm off topic, but it's an issue I feel strongly about: making good design work in less than optimal circumstances. The house the OP is planning is just such an example. I don't think it's quite right and I do think more thought has to go into where the smaller bedrooms and kitchen are located, but if the OPs block is as small as ours, there aren't too many alternatives. And that's reality, so how do we best deal with it? I'd like to see a bit more of that on Houzz....See MoreRenovation - New floor-plan for downstairs layout
Comments (2)An architect, a building designer or an interior designer (not an interior decorator) should be able to work with you to create a design you love and get the most out of your interior space. You (or your designer) will also likely need to consult with an engineer, or possibly a good builder, regards load bearing walls etc....See MoreFloor-plan feedback/ideas needed -What do you think of this floor-plan
Comments (51)siriuskey, Yes, the courtyard is open to the sky (no roof over it), I assume this is what you mean by double story. Ref. below photos, I would love to get this look, especially the first and last photo, where you can see family living space from the first floor. I can't achieve this in my plan as it eats a lot of floor space upstairs. The referred plan (photos) has a very big void combining staircase, hallway and dining area. I know it is not easy with cooling and heating when you have such a big void. So, I explored a few ideas (with my limited knowledge on this topic) before achieving the current floorplan. I have also thought about, in my current plan, extending the void on the staircase to the dining area (it is more like L shape) but i wasn't sure if that makes any difference. keen to hear your thoughts....See MoreAdvice on Floor Plan for new Bathroom
Comments (8)Actually your problem is not a lack of a good design/layout skills, but the idea of saving money by sub-contracting yourselves. Bathrooms are tricky spaces to get right due to the level of detail required in a small space, the number of trades required (and the order), the regulations, the possibilities of mistakes costing you big money, and the time it takes for owner/builders to project manage a complex small build. Decisions made in the design and selections process will have repercussions in the build process. If you are not going to engage a builder to do the project management of the trades then I would suggest that you do lots of research that includes prices (and lead times), and make sure that the walls and four elevations are drawn up in detail at a 1:20 scale so that all of your trades understand exactly the what and where everything is going. If you are inexperienced renovators then best of luck with preserving your sanity and minimising your stress to save some money. Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls...See More10anp
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