What do you think of our dream-home plans?
Wild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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Wild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agooklouise
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
What do you think of this floor plan for a new build?
Comments (103)When I first wrote in August 2017 we got a lot of great suggestions and comments. At the time we had accepted the limitations of the block (easements, tree, solar access etc). It is now one year later and I can tell you we found a way to move the garage to the south-west corner. This allowed us to move Beds 2 and 3 and the bathroom to the northern side. Pantry and laundry between garage and kitchen/living/dining. I think it was all of the comments and suggestions that encouraged us to look at it again from different angles, rather than just accepting the limitations. Thanks to everyone for their generosity! The solution involved working around a lovely tree (it is nice, just in the wrong spot). It is still in the way (council said we couldn't remove it) but we've opted for a long, curving driveway that starts on the other side of the block and weaves its way around the treeline to the garage entry. Not ideal, because a large portion of the front setback will now be a hard surface, instead of a garden. But if there is one thing that designing teaches you - its all about compromises. Thanks everyone. MB Design & Drafting Shara C Nik Star girlguides oklouise siriuskey genkii saragraham76 Andy Pat brizcs Mel N 3D Home Concepts suancol Caro...See MoreWhat do you think of this floor plan for our new home?
Comments (19)Unexpectedly to me, due to it's location on the crest of the Great Dividing Range at an elevation of around 700m above sea level, Toowoomba has a climate more similar to Sydney than Brisbane. With average summer highs of only 28°C, & average winter highs of 17°C (lows of 7°C & cold wind, as has been mentioned). It's located in Climate Zone 2: Warm Temperature, the same climate zone as Sydney, not Brisbane. Though this climate zone is very varied, so care must be taken to cater for local conditions. As has been advised a few times, have a good read of the Your Home site. Read this section, Designing for Climate, for zone 5: warm temperate. http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/design-climate Along with having cooler temperatures than Brisbane, the fact that Toowoomba is inland means it has greater variation between daytime highs & nighttime lows (diurnal temperature range). This means that unlike Queensland coastal climates, some thermal mass in the home will be appropriate, so a lightweight structure isn't needed. Although a lightweight structure, on a ground-coupled slab (with polished concrete or tiles in North facing living areas) would be a good idea. As the temperature is so much cooler than tropical Queensland climates I'd advise against going too overboard with a pavilion style house. As I think it would be too cold in winter. Maybe something like two off-set rectangles, joined in the centre. Kinda like dreamer's inspirational picture, without the middle section, the two rectangular sections joined. Or just go for a more traditional rectangular house. In any case, like just about all Australian climates, you should try to build a house that is generally rectangular, the long sides facing north & south. This will give an opportunity for northern sunshine to enter home in winter, while the shorter eastern & western sides will limit the effect of hot summer western afternoon sunshine. Though I guess this house shape won't look great from the western road, as it will look very narrow from here. You could fatten it's street frontage a little bit, by having the garage to the south of the rectangular house. With such a large block you'll be able to build something that works for you. But as OKLouise said, don't just pick a plan for an average narrow block. The plan you picked is not really suitable for your block. I'd also recommend you do a lot of research yourself. As has been shown with the plan you've received, you can't rely on the builder to design a plan that will work best for you, that is appropriate for your location. So read up on the Your Home website. It's an invaluable resource when it comes to building a comfortable, energy efficient home....See MoreWhat do you think of our outdoor kitchen plan?
Comments (33)Hi Lila The waste pipe can still work with the L shape but if you are concerned, switch the sink and BBQ locations. That way the BBQ fumes will be further from the house too. Access to the back yard is always a consideration but I wouldn't let it rule your overall design as there are always ways around it. I had a mini bobcat come through my house to dig the pool in the back yard when I lived in Brisbane!!! A sail maker or equestrian sewer could easily make a good cover for the bench unit and I've seen it work on several occasions, but I would save up for the pergola to the side of the house which without any issues with the neighbour, could go to within 1.1m of the boundary or just as I drew it. Good luck with the decision making and enjoy your alfresco lifestyle....See MoreWhat do you think of this plan?
Comments (12)Hello. Aaargh did not receive notifications from Houzz so didn’t realise I’d received responses. Apologies and many thanks! So our current apartment faces East and is above a Coles car park. The view from interior is sky but on the balcony on one side we look into apartments on the left. The other apartment is south facing and looks over a large park and can’t be built out. We are a family of three with an 11yo going on 18 and with all the bedroom doors opening into the living area, the idea of a corridor is actually appealing :) The third bedroom would be the adult’s study. The balcony space would definitely be smaller by being separated but I think we’ve entertained outside once in three years. Above is a concrete slab roof with no plant equipment. We know others on the fourth floor and they are not experience issues with the skylights. Our main concerns are twofold. The living area is 1.5m shorter than our current one and 50cms wider. Trying to get a sense of whether that would make a huge difference is challenging without seeing the other apartment. (The owner is open to selling but is conscious that he has a very good tenant and doesn’t want to spook him with inspections unless we’re super serious). The second is the Euro Laundry and no butlers pantry. Ideally we’d like to convert the powder room and laundry into a combined laundry/butlers pantry - but not sure how achievable that is as we imagine all the plumbing is currently in the wall separating the two. Would anyone be able to tell from this high level plan if that would be impossible? Many thanks for all your responses!...See MoreWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agooklouise
6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agooklouise
6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agooklouise
6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agooklouise
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agooklouise
6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agooklouise
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agooklouise
6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
6 years agooklouise
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoWild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
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