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Help with house design please

19 days ago
last modified: 19 days ago

We want to design a home which is creative, ambitious, bold and eye catching.

Charred wood / modern farm house aesthetic is our style.

We have appointed an architect but we feel the plan is being played too safe. the exterior is not blowing us away and the layout still needs work.

Do you guys have any advice as to what you think might work?

or have seen similar plans / home layouts?

We need someone to bring the bold ideas and have fun with the design!! WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY INSIGHTS OR ADVICE!

or if anyone knows a grat architect that just does design work it would be amazing to hear about them

The site is north facing with beautiful views out to the countryside. we want to maximise the northern views and include decking to the front, while also capturing the western light to the side and back of the house so we have a space to enjoy and entertain in the evenings.

open plan living kitchen and dining for entertaining is a must! we want this house to be welcoming and to cater for our family and friends to also enjoy. it would be beautiful if the open plan space was connected front to back.

4 bedrooms - ideally with master suite capturing northern view.

the site is slightly sloped, but we think this could be an opportunity to play with levels.

open to all ideas or advice!

what do you guys think????


THANK YOU








Comments (41)

  • 18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    under no circumstances would i have a roof like this with such high potential for catastrophic leaks....it's great to aim for the best look but even the most basic floorplan can have a breathtaking appearance but nothing more distressing than a roof leak that can be avoided with a different roof design and i'll try some ideas to suggest but what is the width and length of your block, do you need/want a garage, which side is your driveway and please describe your local climate

  • 18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    does it need to be two story, single level is much easier to live in



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    OP, OKL's plan is better from an energy efficiency point of view than your plan (your plan wastes the northern aspect with bathrooms). But DON'T just flip OKL's plan, as the orientation would then be all wrong! It's important to get the orientation right, this will greatly effect the comfort of your home & your heating/cooling requirements (& hence your bills). Read this. It's all very useful, but maybe focus on the section about orientation first. http://yourhome.gov.au/passive-design Below are some generalisations. As has been requested, it would be nice to know your general location, as climates vary across our big country, so building requirements change. But generally, you want your living areas (& a large proportion of your glazing facing north). If possible, have a smaller portion of your glazing facing south & east, for cross ventilation, & try to eliminate western glazing. Bedrooms to the south & east (if they won't also fit in the north), & rarely used rooms, like garages, bathrooms & laundries to the west. Your verandah is south facing, good, as it won't shade your home in winter. Hopefully you have north facing eaves & they aren't too large. If they are the right size you'll get sun through your northern windows in winter, but the eaves will shade the house in summer, when the sun is higher in the sky. So can you knock out windows & doors wherever you want? Would be good to know where they are currently, the size of the verandah, the block dimensions & any other structures which will influence shading & privacy. I'd also be looking at some tiny house blogs/websites. 72sqm isn't tiny, but you really want an efficient house that works well, & you'll find some ingenious storage solutions that are used in tiny houses. Well designed built in storage is definitely very important in a small home. Can't see if it all fits now, while using the app on my phone. But I'd aim for something like this. The kitchen in the NE corner, running down the eastern wall (so you get good morning sun). An island bench for dining, separating the living area on the northern wall. Master in the NW corner, with the ensuite on the western wall (if it fits - important not to have the master bedroom window facing west). Minor bedrooms (& windows) on the south wall. Main bathroom or powder room somewhere on the southern wall, in the SW corner would be nice if it fits there. No idea is that all fits, just some ideas. If you're not fussed about an easy facing kitchen, you could flip this all, & have the kitchen in the NW corner, & the master in the NE corner. If you're taking off external or internal cladding, this is a good time to insulate you're walls. Also up insulation levels in the roof cavity of they're inadequate. It will greatly effect comfort, is quite cheap & the walls are very hard to do at other times. Edit: as I got the verandah location wrong, then added to my post.
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  • 18 days ago

    With your plan posted….is north at the bottom of the picture? And is that the front/ entry to the block?

  • PRO
    18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    Hi there,

    A few thoughts - design should be responsive to (a) context/site and (b) your specific ”brief” / lifestyle requirements …..the design you have here is arguably a little generic in that whilst nice it could be placed anywhere as opposed to being customised specifically to your special location in the “countryside with beautiful views”…if you have more swing room (than a standard block) then why not spread the planning out more with different zones or forms that could be broken up with courtyards or glazing links to really bring the outdoors in and create a more interesting living experience and better connection with the natural environment…..but hard to know without full site details......as you say it’s a slightly sloping site there could be similarly opportunity to better manage this with potentially stepped / split levels more lightly and sympathetically working to the topography for more interest in the spaces and form…….of course budget is important to manage from the start but it feels that this is a suburban design plonked onto a rural site and in a different context could work but arguably feels more boxed in than embracing a more open site…..

    You’re 100% right with your opinions and instincts that it’s not right…trust yourself as you know best how you want to live, which as you’ve described is a family and friends oriented lifestyle and the home needs to express this in terms of planning, the main living zone connecting to external living spaces and entertaining and have vistas looking through the building to the available vistas, with private zones differentiated /separated from the main areas so you have a series of spaces as opposed to a rectangular clump crammed together

    would need to have further contextual and brief detail to provide more specific comments and happy to look at further if you require assistance…..we can provide design only stages remotely

    Please feel free to get in touch - we can help

    Considering your goals and context, the design should be achieving a much more inspiring, open and flowing living experience for you and your family that is undeniably grounded / connected to your site......the one you have had developed here is rather imposing and more of an exercise in isolated geometrics and somewhat in contrast to the context and exciting/fun feel of the home that you are describing & seeking.

    You need to be working with a designer who is on the same wavelength as you and designing to your special brief requirements as opposed to driving it for their own particular portfolio / style

    Hope this helps

    Cheers

    PD

    www.pauldistefanodesign.com

    HU-669060337 thanked Paul Di Stefano Design
  • 18 days ago

    Agre the double pitch is a recipe for disaster. When you realise how much silicon is used in gutters and silicon has a life of around 5 years you will see why box gutters are prone to leakage

  • 18 days ago

    I love the entry in your ideas book. Keep adding pics of what you like then discuss with architect. A site plan with setback distances and other constraints will help. 2 storey is more expensive so consider why that may be important to you.

  • 18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    I'm with everyone else about the roof, it's a maintenance nightmare.

    Upstairs is south-facing? You have views to the north, which is also the best orientation for energy efficiency, though you didn't say what climate you are building for so it's hard to discuss that in detail, but why make the upstairs the opposite? And what is the boxy thing on the right?

    I was guessing the large living area windows face north, but please confirm.

  • PRO
    18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    @macyjean the "boxy thing on the right" is the proposed building form of the upper level as depicted by the dashed red lines on the plan...like a large dormer window form projecting from the gable to achieve practical / compliant ceiling heights as opposed to low raked / attic style....the stair gets away with being accommodated within / following the gable form

  • 18 days ago

    Thank you Paul Di Stefano Design. I wondered if it was something like that, but I couldn't imagine the ceiling heights working for those rooms. And I completely missed seeing the dotted lines!

  • 18 days ago

    Macyjean, I’m with you. The poster HU-669060337 has stated in their post, they would like to”capture the northern views from master bedroom”. If the plans are oriented correctly, then this request has not been conveyed or listened to by the architects. The master bedroom small window faces south?? HU-669060337, the climate and land size of where you are building would be helpful. Have a look at homes that are one level.

  • 18 days ago

    Depending on the size of your land, something like these Queenstown, New Zealand homes are a better design. You can still have the exterior dark and moody.

  • PRO
    18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    No worries @macyjean .....the design of this is clearly all formally / aethetics driven, which is fine if that's the goal / priority but what you get is a floor plan resolved to certain geometrics, which is arguably applied somewhat arbritrarily to the site (although the building composition/form is what some would interpet as "modern farmhouse" look which is the OP's request/preference) , as opposed to letting the plan be derived from the site and brief and then letting the form follow, express and be directly derived from the layout, which could still be still clearly articulated in a modern farmhouse/rural gable aesthetic, in a different format.....a 2nd level should have a reason / purpose / justification, to say conserve footprint or if the site calls for it (potentially to capture views, or the topography slopes appropriately etc), not just to make sure the building form looks a certain way....what you're looking at here is likely a particular style / version of a design that has been developed and used previously and adjusted to suit the brief, (notice that the rendering /3D images are not fully accurate to the floor plan ) as opposed to (as the OP has indicated they were expecting/hoping for from the architect) something that has been developed from scratch, working from the brief, inside to out, more creative and directly connected to the site and their particular way of living.........these types of designs are no more creative than your volume build, albeit with more expensive clean lined detailing.. and can be replicated / transplanted from one client to the next........If you're going to pay good money for an architect or designer to design something individual at the very least it should be responsive to brief and context and the best designs are firmly anchored in this regard as well as being elegantly resolved aesthetically......if this was a plan out of a catalogue fine, and for some people this may be what they like or want, but for people who have appointed a professional to develop a design that is creative, ambitious, bold and eyecatching, or something that is customised to a certain lifestyle and be inherently unique/individual, it's not what has been asked for.........Would be really interesting to know more of what the site is, in that if it's a more narrow/tighter site than implied by the OP or if there's more space available to the west and south from what the plan shows, where the road/street is...it's odd that there's no garage or vehicle/parking ....lots of missing detail and a bigger picture to be filled in here

  • PRO
    18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    ....same architectural vernacular, but breathe better, more individual, balanced, and with direct connection to context









  • 18 days ago

    Maybe the OP is in England? They seem to not use vehicle cover.

  • 18 days ago

    I am absolutely blown away by eveyones contribution here!! more info to follow very shortly but before I do that I felt the need to say thank you so much!!

  • 18 days ago

    That could explain it, south facing living areas and the bedroom with the northern view?

  • 18 days ago






    Attached is the current design on the plot.

    As you will see the shape of the site is not a ”perfect” rectangle, and it does get narrower at the back.


    the back of the site is flat, and you can kind of see the gradient on the land in the images attached. But there is absolutely the opportunity to dig down into this and create a stepped levels in the house as Paul was saying.


    The view is to the front of the house, as per the images attached, but the upstairs windows are not looking this way…..

    they are looking onto the fields at the back of the site. Which i truly think is a missed opportunity. Waking up to views of the sun rising here would be quite a beautiful first sight!


    no garage has been mentioned by the architect…. but i agree this should be part of the plans.

    we are thinking at the back of the site we could do this, and also include a gym space which could open out to a patio area facing west?


    the upstairs was coming into play given the shape of the site, and that being presented as a good way to achieve more space.

    i like the idea of doing this, but i dont think the current plan is hitting the mark! do you guys agree?


    i hope these images give you a bit more context!

    so excited to hear your comments!!



  • 18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    looks like a great location but where is it and what is the actual length and width of the block and/or the space available for the house??

  • 18 days ago

    The images you guys are posting, and the mention of courtyards, glazing and open plan living but still having segregated spaces which serve their own purposes is absolutely spot on!!


    does the shape of the site and the topography restrict our opportunities though?


  • 18 days ago

    we need answers to all our questions before we can answer yours...where is the property, what is the width and length of the block and describe your local climate

  • PRO
    18 days ago

    I'd guess your site has a much greater fall than you'd think as it seems the driveway cuts across to minimise the gradient of the vehicle entry/approach ?? - it may well level out to the back but that's a decent slope at the front .....I'd be guessing your plot is roughly 25-30m wide x 60m-80m deep?? 2000 - 2400m2??? Are there any planning restrictions or footprint limitations on where you can build on the site? Possibly this could be influencing design decisions? If no limitations then you have a opportunity to create a far more interesting spread out layout that is more open and embraces the context more than just a window to the north from the living room....on a site like that every room should have it's own amazing aspect. A protected courtyard could be developed with using building "wings" and have an entry that celebrates your location as opposed to bringing you into a boring wall end....this is a house that doesn't need to be fancy or expensive internally to feel impressive as the location does all the work for you - you just need a designer who is focused more on this, your way of life and develop a design around this - a concept that deliberately positions rooms to capture views and organised in clean lined wings broken up by some glazed links, potentially stepped / at different levels with some associated external outdoor living areas on both sides, would create a way more interesting and inspiring and unique residence as well as interesting and both private and open outdoor areas utilising the simple gable "modern farmhouse" aesthetic..


    As per oklouise site dimensions and location would be helpful to know

  • 18 days ago

    thanks louise!


    The width at the back of site is ~30m

    This extends to ~40m at the front.

    the length of the site is ~70m


    the dimensions of the current plans are now in the images below




    the local climate is often wet. Max temps would be 26degrees, but it rains and is cloudy often!

  • 18 days ago

    Are you in Australia?

  • 18 days ago

    I am in Australia, and I framed the discussion around the house being here too for ease of commentary, but i didnt expect this community to go above and beyond with the questions and feedback!!


    To reset for everyone engaged here regarding the aspect, the house is actually in the Northern hemisphere (in Ireland).

    it is south facing, (the equivalent of north facing here in Aus).

    the views are to the south also.

    apologies for any confusion!! 🙈

  • 18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    There is a slope for sure, and there is a house in the next door site on the eastern side so these are limitations.

    The front line of the neighbours house would be a limitation as to how far forward we could go, but that still offers good space for construction.

    The blue line is where the neighbours front house line is.

    The pink line is where the gradient commences.

    But the comment that we could have a far more interesting layout that is more open, and takes advantages of various aspects and views is something I really agree with. It is a disappointing realisation if I’m to be honest, given we have appointed someone with the intention of achieving that being front and centre.

    I love the idea of the courtyard and the different wings, glazed linked and the concept of the entrance having some drama to it resonates so much!

    I have seen images of houses like this and I think they are incredible!! But often they are on vast flat sites. Given the gradient, do you think the above is possible?

    Or maybe it could actually be a cool addition with the stepped levels?

    Would love to hear your thoughts on that?

    Where do you think the entrance would be better positioned?

    As mentioned, theres so much more potential to explore!


  • 18 days ago

    Do you have a car there? Did you tell the architect anything about that?

    Why does the downstairs living and upstairs bedrooms face opposite directions, when from what you describe they should face the same way for both energy efficiency and views?

  • 18 days ago
    last modified: 18 days ago

    Yes there will be cars Macy for sure! the site is quite rural, so there will be minimum of two cars needing to park there, in addition to having room for turning a car, visitors etc. yes the architect knows well about that…..

    what is it that you are thinking in relation to that?

    then in relation to the upstairs bedroom facing a different direction to the downstairs living, i agree with you!

    this has transpired because we wanted a vaulted ceiling over the open plan area, and subsequnetly this lead to the current layout. there was another plan that had a dormer box to the front, but it just looked like an eyesore tbh! it was the first thing you saw on the plan and it was just like someone plonked a box onto the house! it was quite invasive looking.

    Surely there is a way to achieve this?

    as you say, its not the just views, it is for energy efficiency also!

    do you have any thoughts on how a plan could tick both boxes?

  • PRO
    17 days ago

    OK so this makes a bit more sense......it's a totally different climate and lifestyle to Australia and so design response to brief requirements and managing light/solar gain etc would/should be different to what we're used to over here......but of course aspects such as capturing views and working to site etc apply wherever........also the style/aesthetic arguably should be grounded / referenced to the local and so understanding the Irish rural aesthetic and use of stone or masonry I'd suggest it would feel more authentic (as opposed to transplanted) to have some elements of mass construction (not suggesting a full stone cottage but possibly a chimney feature) to ground it to context.....there's also a certain scale and shape of irish cottages such as in this example that immediately takes you there even though it's contemporary:




    I'd suggest that staying with a local professional would be still your best option as they'd best positioned to negotiate the design nuances and local planning/building codes....really all we can practically do here is offer broad basic comments as per many have already done here....it's always important when commencing design work to spend time gathering and obtaining all the accurate site data (such as levels, dimensions etc ), identifying any planning or contextual constraints and analysing brief information.....only with all this detail and information onboard can you then begin to develop a concept that aligns to project goals within the various constraints, including budget of course.....

  • PRO
    17 days ago

    Hi there,

    Be careful with matching construction costs with the floor areas you are provided with. I note that the areas are nett or less, but a builder will price on gross areas. If the wrong figures are used for estimates, you will run into trouble. I think these plans are more like 300 m sq gross rather than the 261 quoted. That's 15% more.

    C.

  • PRO
    17 days ago
    last modified: 17 days ago

    Depending on Budget there are many different ways to manage the layout....considering the natural topography carparking could potentially be accommodated inconspicuously under / on a lower basement level with the main building over which would free up the full width of the block to achieve the majority of the house on a single level.....but of course this is more costly and complex construction.......if you have several million to spend then you can explore/entertain more progressive and adventurous solutions however if $$ are tight then the design response needs to be super disciplined and more conservative

  • 17 days ago

    All good advice ,I have included a link to an Irish Firm that could help with ideas, plus I love our Australian Modular Homes.


    https://arkular.com/ark-s1


    https://dornob.com/historic-farm-house-building-modern-home-addition/

  • 17 days ago

    "Yes there will be cars Macy for sure! the site is quite rural, so there will be minimum of two cars needing to park there, in addition to having room for turning a car, visitors etc. yes the architect knows well about that…..

    what is it that you are thinking in relation to that?"

    I was looking at the entry and the mud room and trying to understand how they need to function for you. I guessed guests come in the entry, which appears to have a coat cupboard which is useful. I guessed the mud room is for you, whether coming in from the garden or bringing in shopping or returning home from an outing, and I wondered why it doesn't lead to a garage, to provide all-weather access.


    "then in relation to the upstairs bedroom facing a different direction to the downstairs living, i agree with you!"

    I thought that part of the world is much more advanced with building for energy efficiency, but maybe that's because I watch Grand Designs which often talks about orientation and double glazing. I can't understand why, if you're lucky enough to have views in the same direction as the best solar orientation, the floor plan provided does not take advantage of that.

  • PRO
    17 days ago
    last modified: 17 days ago

    "We want to design a home which is creative, ambitious, bold and eye catching. ....

    Charred wood / modern farm house aesthetic is our style."


    ...from a designer's position these are somewhat contrasting and arguably two different things that are challenging to effectively bring together & I could appreciate the architect potentially struggling to reconcile...... on the one hand there's a requirement for something interesting/creative and a specific aesthetic preference that is somewhat conservative and traditionally grounded.........however there would be a creative solution / possible intersection of these two ideas, potentially by "deconstructing" the farmhouse style more (as per previous comments / examples) where you retain the essence of the traditional forms and reference but the layout is resolved more freely in context........design is a process and resolution occurs over a series of stages......professionals will work differently but I'd suggest that here there's been a lot of emphasis on what the building looks like and so the floor plan has been resolved to the form as opposed to form following function.......in order to achieve the brief requirements as described of open plan entertaining, external deck , connection of front to back, welcoming etc then the design needs be first driven from this first, potentially through multiple iterations and finetuning BEFORE the form / aesthetic THEN being resolved TO the layout.....what you'd then get is a perfect floor plan for the client and an aesthetic that would be somewhat unique / individual to this project. A good designer will be able to draw from traditional references and work in the desired style / building form elements

  • 17 days ago

    so many different ways to create a great house but my suggestions has a single level with basic gable roof, flexible north south central open areas, optional steps to take advantage of the gradient (nb steps can create additional challenges between zones so i would aim to keep master suite and office at the higher levels) with kitchen, dining and living at lower floor level with high raked ceilings, there's a a gym with multi access bathroom, guest room/office with private bathroom, generous garage, mudroom, laundry and plenty of storage throughout as well as the open deck and a big covered alfresco, verandah and porch to help manage hot and/or wet weather and consider a screened wall at the eastern side of the alfresco for privacy and wind control

  • 17 days ago
    last modified: 17 days ago

    This is feedback from everyone is incredible! Thank you so much.

    Macy, thnak you for the practical advice, these are thoughts I am questioning also, it is reaffirming when it is pointed out by someone else.

    Christine, thank you for coming into this with your ideas and thoughts on the layout!! you have suggested some beautiful ideas here, and I hear you with the other pieces of advice you have contributed also. thank you

    Paul likewise with your feedback, incredibly helpful and you have absolutely hit the nail on the head with so many of your comments!!

    I am conscious of the time I am taking from you guys, but could I please ask for your final advice before I leave you in peace!!

    I hear what you guys are saying about engaging a professional in Ireland who understands the technicalities etc. I agree we will need to do this at some point.

    however, the step we feel we have really missed via the route we have initailly gone down is the creativity, brainstorming and exploring the options available.

    With so many options available, as a person who is new to this build process I would be lying if i said it wasnt overwhelming, and if there is any stage where we want to have some fun with the process it is surely now, when we are putting pen to paper!

    We have been living is Australia for 13 years and we are most definitely influenced by the style here. As an example, Paul, your first images were absolutely spot on with what our style would be and what we are after. Equally, you were spot on with the picture of the modern "Irish" house. There is no doubt that is a beautiful modern home, but forgive me if this sounds ignorant or disprespectful to that type of design but we are activitely trying to avoid that quintissential "Irish" look. I do not mean to sound brash with that, but it is just not the style we have grown to love. Subsequently, we are in a position where we are trying to seek a design professional in ireland, to create a version of the design we are influenced by in Australia and in NZ, and I dont know if

    1. we are going about that the right or wrong way by going to someone in Ireland to try to do that?

    and

    2. how do you choose the “right designer" for the project??

    we already did the interview and portfolio review process and 18months later, here we are speaking with you amazing people!!

    lol

    I will leave this as my parting request for information as i do not what to bother you guys anymore!! But if you do have ANY advice in relation to the selection process and as to how we could avoid being back here in another 18 months I would LOVE to hear it!! lol

    THANK YOU ALL for your time and contributions! what a community! I am blown away by your enthusiasm and generosity 💚 Sláinte ☘️

  • PRO
    17 days ago

    I have to say, good things do take time so please be patient.

    If you are particular, and brave enough to insist on something unique to you and for your family, it may take a few stabs at it to get something that exceeds your expectations.

    Communication and trust are the most important aspects to getting the best result and finding the right architect for you.

    You must be able to communicate to them what you specifically mean by your words. Creative, ambitious, bold and eye catching, can mean different things to different designers, and should do so and will result in a different solution for each one that is asked.

    In regards to your request for the charred timber modern farm house style, I would consider this quite restrictive to achieving a solution for you and would possibly ignore that request. You want to be blown away with what they produce for you and a good architect should be able to expand your expectations with something you would never be able to concieve. You have to trust them to do what they can for you.

    Perhaps you could mention things you don't want specifically that relate to uniquely to your family, but don't offer ideas of other things that you have seen that you like. That will stiffle their imagination.

    You want the building and its surrounding to change and expand your lives beyond the ordinary and what you already have.

    Please post what you end up with.

    Enjoy the journey and challenge.

    C.

  • 16 days ago

    Enjoy the journey taking your time with researching and collecting ideas, I was once told that men design houses from the exterior and women interior.


    A fabulous Barn/shed house in the southern highlands of NSW,


    https://www.dijones.com.au/property/house-nsw-fitzroy-falls-1p63569 


    only has 2 beds but allows for the addition of more beds and creating courtyards like Shagwong in USA, this adds to my original posted pics.


  • PRO
    16 days ago

    ... "how do you choose the “right designer" for the project??" ........


    A few more comments ........


    Establish what exactly you are seeking in a designer for your project...clearly you are keen to explore options and the project's creative potential, and so you need to be working with someone who is aligned in this regard and can provide this process within their particular services structure......but not all "designers" necessarily work like that - as not all people want/need this - some people would like to know more clearly what they're going to get upfront, with less uncertainty, so they go with a designer with say a particular look/brand/thing, buy into that and they get what they get, a bit like buying a car. This is fine for some, but not everyone......As you seem to be seeking (and was expecting) a more "fun", explorative and adventurous approach to creating your home, enquire directly about a designer's process, don;t just assume a designer or the process/service they offer will be "creative" in the way that you may expect or imagine them to be.....


    Can understand how you could feel overwhelmed, as you've been at it for a while, invested time & money and seem to have hit the skids, questioning etc....but it's not all wasted, try and see it as part of the journey....recognising that you're looking at a plan that's not right shows you are tuned into your instinct - keep trusting this, it's your project, you know best as to how you want to live and how you want it to be.....


    Did you develop a written brief with your architect? If not it's important to estabish clarity on the project requirements and communicate all of it clearly to whoever you choose to work with....it also gives opportunity to review the vision and potentially for a professional to seek further clarification or point out potential contradictions / challenges in order to manage expectations...


    Design professionals present in the same category as "architects" or "designers" and to the general public there's a perception that they have the same/similar capacities and competencies ( they all "design buildings", right? ) as you can't tell from a photo of a house or space how exactly it came to be....it's always a result of a collaboration between client and designer/architect but the balance/relationship between the two can vary dramatically..... under the surface design professionals can be quite different and service different types of clients in different ways - not right or wrong but can be problemmatic misalignment/mismatch if people (a) don;t know what they're wanting in a design service and (b) don't fully understand how the particular designer operates .......


    If you show a designer a photo of something similar to what you want, they will be more likely to deliver that to you, interpeting this as meeting your expectations. However as we know, a pretty building doesn't mean it works the way you want/need it to......A mentor of mine refused to look at any visuals as they believed it compromised / constrained the design process potential.


    I see the business of residential design as being all about people. The design process facilitates the development of architecture to achieve a certain human/living experiences......Coming from this angle, it's always ALL about the client and their goals. It's not about product......... however some professionals it is all about the product, which again is fine for some clients ...but you need to understand there is a difference, which one suits you better and and be able to potentially recognise this difference when considering your options


    Regarding how to potentially avoid repeating what you have already been through, in the endeavour to get a project on the right path for a client in a practical way that also retained creative exploration, we came to develop a way of managing the early stages of a project (regardless of the project type or scale) by always beginning with a "feasibility" step of service that aims to achieve 1. Establishing the project context, constraints, scope & requirements and 2. Exploring a number of various potential scenario options/configurations in rough/broad format with applied cost projections so at the very start clients are provided with various layout/scenario possibilities with pros/cons identified for each ....... it then really easy to see how different options sit and easily compare overall value and weigh up differences/pros/cons etc ...this mitigates the risk of doing a whole lot of design based on what is believed to be the right solution only to eventually hit a wall if it's just not cutting it ( a bit like what's happend here).......typically this then leads to a clear direction/path with further development confidently down an appealing option, or realisation that either the project needs to pivot/adjust or be re-thought, or staged or whatever.......sometimes the conclusion drawn is in fact no project or a smaller project, or a different project.......the main thing is that the process leads to some clarity in regards to client decision making.......have in some cases provided only just this stage for people to help get them on the right path, and the options/solutions then passed on to a local pro to properly develop/draw up etc..


    Hope this helps!


    PD :)


  • 15 days ago

    Tough act to follow Paul, but I will add,

    Your block looks wide open to the elements, wind etc, with no protection seen.

    This Australian country house plan considers this. You can arrange and name the rooms as suits your family.

    https://mrtn.com.au/project/house-in-the-dry/