Ready Reckoner for house design

wetdufflecoats

Hi all,

Was just wondering if any one has a document with all the necessary decisions on it in order to build a house i.e insulation type, sockets necessary, tv points type of stairs, heating etc etc?
Want to have most of my decision made before i meet an architect!

Thanks in advance

sydthebeat

wetdufflecoats wrote: »

Hi all,

Was just wondering if any one has a document with all the necessary decisions on it in order to build a house i.e insulation type, sockets necessary, tv points type of stairs, heating etc etc?
Want to have most of my decision made before i meet an architect!

Thanks in advance

you should go to your architect with questions, not answers !!?!?!?!?

issues such as tv points etc are minute compared to the major factors such as design, build type, energy efficiency, heating system etc.
how you intend to use the house will inform all these questions.

the decisions should then be made AFTER consultation with your architect... you should always be fully informed before making decisions.

BryanF

+1


try one of the self builder magazines to start with: 'build your own house and home' type publications. this will give you the steps of the process.

goggle: 'New-Build-Passive-House-Guidlines' this IMHO is current best practice

start reading: http://constructireland.ie/
&
http://www.greenbuildingpress.co.uk/

http://www.natural-building.co.uk/ (no connection to me, just a good site)

Also on a more practical point before you meet your arch, collect images and write as detailed a description of what you want including your wish list.

as said above,
take a step back from sockets and think about the layout, your design interests, the external connections (ie garden & views)... overall function first, what you expect from your internal environment, then how you will minimise your energy consumption (starting with maximising insulation, airtightness and solar gains... leaving the heating system TILL LAST).

good luck

sydthebeat

again + 1 on the above...

have a look at this first

you may have mis-conceptions as to what equates to a "nice" house and many clients dont understandwhat the planners look for in regards to design and siting of a rural dwelling (assuming its rural)...

rayjdav

Again +1 to all above.
Also, if we gave you them secrets we'd have to kill you:D:D

The site, within reason, dictates the house design, the AT/Arch transfers it to paper and then and only then, would the interiors become any way a step on the long road to turn-key. When it's at inital design stage think insulation/heating etc i.e. important issues then as it all falls into place, the fixtures and fittings should naturally fall into place too if your designer/client relationship and understanding is on the same playing pitch. But have all your essential "wants" on a list prior to first meeting, to save confusions down the line.

Cork Rural Design Guide, as Syd linked above, should always be first port of call, imho, for all non-urban domestic applications.

Slig

wetdufflecoats wrote: »

Hi all,

Was just wondering if any one has a document with all the necessary decisions on it in order to build a house i.e insulation type, sockets necessary, tv points type of stairs, heating etc etc?
Want to have most of my decision made before i meet an architect!

Thanks in advance

I can see where you are coming from, but unfortunately the document you are looking for is way down the line when you have researched all the questions yourself.

Dont worry about sockets and stairs yet as the house design will directly affect these and going into the design with a fixed idea will be limiting yourself.

Things like insulation will be a question that your architect will help YOU answer by expalining the different building systems and their advantages and disadvantages. I know it sounds like the process will take forever but its the best way. For example, the type of insulation you use will depend on your heating system which will depend on the type of renewable energy you decide to use which will depend on your house type which will depend on your location and so on.

Finding a "standard" house and then putting it on a site is a major contributing factor to this current housing crisis.