what is the size of the block and why does the granny flat have to be in the far right hand corner?

Hi oklouise,

the block size is 829m2 & we thought the far right hand corner would be the best for access. The block slopes down as well. Currently the right hand corner is an old games room.

i mean length and width of block and distance of house from each boundary but do you mean that mum would just reuse the existing games room for the granny flat? before making any decisions you should talk to council to find out exactly where you can build on the block ie the minimum setback from each boundary eg there could be space at the front for a granny flat (facing north on the other side from the driveway with separate entry for mum and use the old games room for the teenagers

Thanks for your quick replies oklouise! The old games would be knocked down and she will build a 70m2 granny flat. It just has to be a metre from the boundry fences. We do have a lot of space at the front though. The trouble is the sloping block. At the front of the house is a retailing small retaining wall. It is set well off the front though. I think all buildings have to 10m from front?

your neighbours house or carport looks closer to the street and .you need to be certain of exact available building space to make the best choices (mother in law might also prefer a more private entry...make a plan of the house on the block and add in measurements from each corner of the house to the fences...the granny flat will cost a similar amount to build elsewhere and make better use of the block for the whole family...

Thats true, thankyou. It would make more sense to consider putting out the front.

if there's enough space what would mum want in the flat and what extras would you like in the house...i realise that money is always limited but on HOUZZ you can explore lots of different ideas but we also need to know the dimensions of the rooms in the house

For the granny flat she would like 2 bedrooms, kitchen, lounge, bathroom & laundry. For us on my wish list would be another bathroom, ideally ensuite. I have thought about the idea of turning the lounge and gargage into main bedroom, the ensuite & walk in robe. Keep the kitchen and push out the back for open concept, removing the pool. I would then use the old main bedroom as a space for the kids and then that becomes the kids wing. The second photo has rough dimensions that my husband has done, he is in the process of putting it onto autocad. The kids rooms are small.

Granny doesn't much northern aspect either. Maybe she'd like to be rotated 90°. This will also reduce the length of the E & W walls, which is good for keeping cool in summer.

http://yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation

HI Dreamer,

Yes it is double brick and a concrete slab. Yes I know my wish list may is a bit champagne for my beer budget! I really just want to try and utilize the space we have already in the best possible way. The granny flat won't be an extension but a pre fab.

you will need to make a site plan showing the distance from the house to all the fences and also check with council to find out the minimum setbacks permitted for your specific situation to work out the best way to use the space

Thankyou Lorena Ongaro-Anderson Design for your very kind offer! I am North of the river and will keep you in mind when we get closer to making some serious decisions, though I am more than willing to pay for the consultation fee!!

why don't you use the garage space like you said but put a couple of high windows in? that way you still have privacy but get light, they also look modern and you can still put furniture on those walls? just a thought...with a house full of teenagers myself, seperate living areas is a must!

Or turn the main bedroom into a family room/kids hangout room near their bedrooms and turn the garage space into a master suite with ensuite and lovely huge walk in robe? You could put those at the back so you wouldn't have windows facing your mother in laws house (except maybe a frosted bathroom one),then have a large bedroom window at the front with the option of a high window over your bed? That way you have a bit of distance from the kids rooms yourself, which you will be thankful for as they get older!

Hi danikc,

Thanks for your advice, I think that is direction we will go with the main bedroom as a teenage retreat and turning the garage into a master with ensuite : )

In the main house have you though of flipping kitchen and dinning over to were lounge and front entrance is extending the room out to inline with the bedrooms change the bedroom on the west to a master with a small ensuite and walk in wardrobe on the south wall extending the bedroom in to now dinning area laundry kitchen become family room garage becomes second lounge with entrance into garage area and laundry could go in cupboard in kitchen

Hi Lizfrew, great ideas to ponder. Thankyou!

build idea: turn garage into granny flat with new north facing windows, entrance door, and ensuite. knock down games room and turn into pavilion for kids - access to the pool for parties, swimming etc could also have tvs and comfy lounges for hanging. mum can also use main lounge area as well...

Hello, there are quite a few possibilities open to you - mainly dependant on budgets. If you are able to have a budget target(obviously spend as little as possible for max return!) we can suggest the amount of renovations that could be tackled for that. Granny flat/self contained studio is a great idea and lots of options for this that can be cost effective solutions

Is a garage required on the site or happy to park in the Driveway?

Also are you needing to live in the house while renovating?

Possibly building in the rear alfresco(guessing from arial photo) would be a small extension that would gain a northern aspect without major structural changes to the existing build.

As mentioned we would be more than happy to discuss what you options and possibilities could be - please feel free to get in touch should you wish to pick our brains further.

wow, thankyou for your visual marg2410, I like it : )

Remove entire wall of dining kitchen area and link lounge area to create a big open space.

Use larger bedroom as kids TV etc den. Build over the garage for parents space and add carport to right side of garage...Plumbing for parents space is close in laundry. Don’t remove pool...redecorate it?

I would extend out towards the pool but shift the extension as far south as possible so you get the northern courtyard space and greater separation from the granny flat. If you can’t get a south facing window for the rear bedroom then offset the extension 1m from south wall and get a narrow window for bedroom. The space to north of garage should be the private open space/entry for the granny flat.

Existing lounge becomes master. Make a generous entry hall width. Another option for the teenagers is to Do the extension but place bedroom at the western end, then the retreat in the middle encompassing the existing small bedroom, which can be lit with skylights. Or master suite here. So many options.

I would definitely get advice and some design concepts from a professional. It may cost a bit more initially but you will have made sure that you have considered all the options and someone with expertise will have fresh eyes and probably think of things that you may not have. You don't want to make costly mistakes and regret it when it is finished.

Fresh eyes is a great point!

Have you thought of building above a garage? If you are allowed to come further forward it would be perfect given the slope of the block. I've included a link that I just saw as an example. If a double garage would block access to the granny flat, you could do a single garage and carport but then have the total roof given over to a master suite. This also means valuable back yard space is not compromised. https://www.allhomes.com.au/sale/15-alfred-hill-drive-melba-canberra-176015537

have you considered moving the kitchen to where the current dining room space is, dining where the kitchen was, then open the lounge to the dining area. you might be able include doors to a deck from the new dining area.

There's always the option of privacy glass in the lounge (presently the garage) you can have have whatever size windows you want to provide light and add the feeling of space because you can buy glass now that you cannot see through from the outside - check with your local joinery company to see what options are available. This is a permanent decision - dont accept less because you haven't researched first...

Yes, why does the granny flat have to be in the corner. Maybe the granny flat could include the garage and go across from there to the fence, so that it has a street aspect and gives a bit of privacy for both dwellings. The old games room would be a perfect hangout for kids.

Hi Jodee7, I have another idea along with the 100 or so here!

Put laundry and loo into back bedroom, kitchen south end where din is now, add two beds at front with ensuite. Then all beds, baths and wet rooms together without loosing any back garden. To the north end of house you have all living areas: din, lounge and garage becomes family room. Granny flat at front is idea too, own private space and if you put up front fence the front garden area would be more private and friendly. Just another for you to think on!

Cheers, Margot

Thankyou everyone for your comments and awesome ideas. We have decided to not proceed with buying this property & going a different direction

Sometimes it is better to leave well alone! Keep sun, space and lots of land in excellent location front of mind.

Good luck with what ever you do.

Margot