New House Design Review please :)

magnethead

Hi If you had the time or care to review this design, please do. I've seen the internet brain at work before, and there are some very good heads out there.
I'm looking for any Ideas to make it more interesting from an Exterior point of View
We have made countless drafts until we arranged the inside just the way we like it! But please point out if there is a major bo boo there too.
It has being designed from the Inside out.....so we've ended up with a rectangular box, with a bay window area thrown on as a 'feature'
Thanks

Any questions just ask

JimmyMW

magnethead wrote: »

Hi If you had the time or care to review this design, please do. I've seen the internet brain at work before, and there are some very good heads out there.
I'm looking for any Ideas to make it more interesting from an Exterior point of View
We have made countless drafts until we arranged the inside just the way we like it! But please point out if there is a major bo boo there too.
It has being designed from the Inside out.....so we've ended up with a rectangular box, with a bay window area thrown on as a 'feature'
Thanks

Any questions just ask <snip-pic removed>

The first thing is to identify where is south? Also you have a lot of rooms with no windows or little or no light.

I suspect you are trying to design your "dream house" without a site, if my suspicions are correct, you are wasting your time. You need to go through a process, get a site, if your eligible to get planning on that site get an architect to design a suitable house for the site in question within your budget.

Angry bird

Downstairs WC re both plumbing and ventilation should be to an exterior wall, under the stairs maybe. Upstairs toilets need windows. Design makes sense if garage faces north and living areas face south. If sufficient room, one downstairs room should be readily covetable to a bedroom with wash up/ shower in case getting up a stairs is a problem for whatever reason in future.

Gumbo

Move the WC to get a window. If even only for natural ventilation instead of an extractor fan.
Fire door required between garage and plant room and also plant room and under stairs.
Replace the single leaf entrance door to a door with glazed screens both sides. Can't get enough free light into an entrance hall.
Move door to home office to the entrance hall. Should not have to pass through the sitting room to enter the home office.

Kitchen looks tight and an awkward shape/layout for such a big house been designed from the ground up.

Where will the flue from the stove go? How will you extract that through the middle of the house?

I've only looked at down stairs so I'll look at upstairs now.

fits

Have you considered things like access, orientation, sun path, where services will go? Its really not advisable to design a house without considering these things. Look up Kilkenny rural design guide. Lots of good information in it.

joebloggs123

What sort of room is that between the utility and the garage? I would be looking for a bigger utility room than what you have on your plans there and would consider makign the two into one larger room. I cannot read the writing so don't know what that other room is, it may be important to you.
I would have a door from the library/office into the main hallway.
If that's the front of your house then you have only one window on the entire front side which would look weird. Have you plans drawn up for the exterior or are you just sketching ideas without having gone through an architect?

Gumbo

joebloggs123 wrote: »

What sort of room is that between the utility and the garage? I would be looking for a bigger utility room than what you have on your plans there and would consider makign the two into one larger room. I cannot read the writing so don't know what that other room is, it may be important to you.
I would have a door from the library/office into the main hallway.
If that's the front of your house then you have only one window on the entire front side which would look weird. Have you plans drawn up for the exterior or are you just sketching ideas without having gone through an architect?

Plant room.

db

Other than what has been said above

Move the stove so the chimney lines up with a wall upstairs, otherwise put it on an outside wall.
Why are you putting the garage on the front of the house with the garage door facing the front door?
It would not cost much to have the upstairs extend out over the garage.
Keep the wall straight between the kitchen and utility room, as it is the utility is just a corridor.
Downstairs toilet is probably not big enough for wheelchair access.
Master bedroom looks very small as it is currently laid out.
Making the top of the stairs more central would allow you to reduce the size of the landing.

efbeef

Pretty much agree with everyone above!

Aspect of the house is important to plan around and flue going through the middle of the bedroom 1 is a but of a red flag too!

Have you though about a heating system? Air to water pumps can be large and the fact you have no hotpress you would have to put a water tank in your plant room too (ours is 300lt and nearly 6 foot high and a meter thick) as a result is the plant room functional for what you need?

You need engineer/architect's advise.

magnethead

Guys, THanks for all the replies and advice!! I see now I provided a hopeless amount of information to you
THe land was a gift from my Dad so we lucked out there!
I'm putting up a new pic here, I haven't used autocad in about 10 years, so trying to figure out how to draw this in a 'legit' copy of solidworks broke my heart...took about 2 hours to knock this out LOL....Finished off a few touches with paint. I'll try putting together some 3D models with 'Chief Architect'...seems to be the most recommended one on the net for nubes.

THAT little dip in the wall, at the sitting room south facing wall, is a 4m floor to ceiling, sliding door

JimmyMW: you are right, we forgot about the upstairs toilet windows

Angry bird: THe interior toilet, I should have mentioned we are going for as aittight a house as possible with ICF, and then have a HRV system installed, we plan to drop a central access on the rear wall of that toilet which will be in line with the Master Bedroom toilet upstairs.....anyway, we'll sort it out so that it's well ventilated...does this solve that problem?

kceire: THanks for the advice on the Firedoors, I didn't know that and good Idea about the Side windows on the front door, we were toying with the idea of extending the roof of the garage over the front door area and stick in a corner support column to give the area some cover from the weather...but maybe that would seriously kill the light, the window above the stairs might not provide enough light for the Hall area.

fits: Thanks, we actaully had a totally square house design to begin with, and then decided to stretch it out into more rectangular when someone told us about the sun path philosophy ;p haha

joebloggs123: Thanks, the Library, is an Old age room, with the donstairs toilet having a shower, that's the Idea. THe reason we have the door off the sitting room, is because, we want to build a bookcase door/secret door where it just swings into the Library space(seperate space from the huge open plan area) , I've heard people moaning about open plan, that they can't get privacy so that the main reason why this room exists, It's very unlikely I'll ever work from home, or need a home office.
Yes I'm just sketching Ideas at this stage without having employeed an architect.

db: I have no issue with a nice garage door facing the front door I hear you on the stove flue, but I don't think I could move it at this stage to line it up with a wall, we'll see. THe Idea behind the stove is one of those, see through on both sides enclave, you know, where a nice stone surround is built, around the stove, maybe flour to ceiling, but you'll be able to see clear through the stove area, not as easily once the stove is installed ;p
THe house is big enough already, I couldn't see us cleaning any more space, extending over the garage would be too much.
THe reason the wall is bent between the Kitchen and utility room, is because the wife wants to stick one of those american fridges into that space :rolleyes: I agress the Utility, is a bit of a coridor, just like my aunties house 50M away. I'll have to get some examples of wheelchairs access toilets, I thought the room would be big enough, It's currently 3.61 M2
Master Bedroom has rediculous side walk in wardrobe, again wife, don't think further expalination is needed...Hopefully this is an example of 'Newbie' designer stuff. but you think the bedroom is small? I'll take another look, I though it was ok.
Agree, the landing area is definately a bit on the Large size! Might brign the toilet back into that area.

efbeef: It's weird, I've seen a few examples on Houzz of Flue going through bedrooms, It doesn't bother me as much as it does to most people I've mentioned it to.
I was thinking about all the Air-to-water/ (Geothermal way too expensive)....when I look at the costs, a standard Gas boiler, with underfloor, one temp sensor for low cycling actaully seems to be the best option.
I'm hoping to put in a rainwater system, for washing machine and toilets, Pump would be in the plant room too, pumping to atic space, along that outside wall.
Do you think 6.72 M2 is not big enough to include everything needed for a plant room? breaker board, Hotwater tank, Gas Boiler..etc?

Please see site layout here, and feel free to ask more questions ......Oh yeah, the Big Circle is a no build zone(Biocycle tank)
THe Heavy Black line represents a nice Block wall, 9Foot at the back,(hopefully build a shed up against that), Neighbour over one side, picket fence with my sister on the other side.
tight enough here for space ;p
Thank you all

JimmyMW

The first thing you need to do is speak with the planner for the area, 2 main reasons
1. You may not be eligible for planning on the site if you are outside a development boundary which I suspect you are.
2. The planner will give you some guidance as to what type of house will be permitted on the site, there is no point in spending time designing a 2 story house if a single story is all that will be permitted. Additionally if outside a development boundary, flat fronted with one single finish is the norm now, ie all stone or stone etc.

magnethead

Hi Jimmy,
THanks for more feedback, you said I was outside the development boundry? Is that a boundry on the actual site?

This site is in an urban environment, last little plot to be developed in the whole area. It's just a lane down from a main street.
The Funny thing is, I could build a house like a space ship and get planning here!! I know that sounds extreme, but you should see my neighbours houses!
My Sister next door has an ultra modern contemporary house, block cantilevering over another block(2 sotry), The neighbour on the other side has a monster L block house/hotel (500m2) squeezed inbetween 2 boundry walls, the other house, is an old fashion, highly detailed, old estate looking house(all these houses large two story), the next one, is a 1960's flat roofed, sprawling bungalow..
Over my back wall, is a 2 story apartment block!

My sister met the planners before when she was building 2 years ago, and basically, just stay behind the Green line (6M in) and stick in a Biocycle!!

Honestly, this house should it be built, will be the most boring, ordinary looking house on the street.
That's why I came here, for some Ideas /critical observations

Gumbo

magnethead wrote: »

Hi Jimmy,
THanks for more feedback, you said I was outside the development boundry? Is that a boundry on the actual site?

This site is in an urban environment, last little plot to be developed in the whole area. It's just a lane down from a main street.
The Funny thing is, I could build a house like a space ship and get planning here!! I know that sounds extreme, but you should see my neighbours houses!
My Sister next door has an ultra modern contemporary house, block cantilevering over another block(2 sotry), The neighbour on the other side has a monster L block house/hotel (500m2) squeezed inbetween 2 boundry walls, the other house, is an old fashion, highly detailed, old estate looking house(all these houses large two story), the next one, is a 1960's flat roofed, sprawling bungalow..
Over my back wall, is a 2 story apartment block!

My sister met the planners before when she was building 2 years ago, and basically, just stay behind the Green line (6M in) and stick in a Biocycle!!

Honestly, this house should it be built, will be the most boring, ordinary looking house on the street.
That's why I came here, for some Ideas /critical observations

Any pics of the adjoining houses?
Maybe the planner will want modern contemporary to blend in?

magnethead

The telephone post your looking at here, is in front of the plot,
you can see the huge house on the left, and the old design house up on the right, It's out of date, so you need to pull out of street view and see the satellite view (which is more recent and has the sisters house on it)

THis field you see here is split in 2 equal parts
Snip

JimmyMW

magnethead wrote: »

Hi Jimmy,
THanks for more feedback, you said I was outside the development boundry? Is that a boundry on the actual site?

This site is in an urban environment, last little plot to be developed in the whole area. It's just a lane down from a main street.
The Funny thing is, I could build a house like a space ship and get planning here!! I know that sounds extreme, but you should see my neighbours houses!
My Sister next door has an ultra modern contemporary house, block cantilevering over another block(2 sotry), The neighbour on the other side has a monster L block house/hotel (500m2) squeezed inbetween 2 boundry walls, the other house, is an old fashion, highly detailed, old estate looking house(all these houses large two story), the next one, is a 1960's flat roofed, sprawling bungalow..
Over my back wall, is a 2 story apartment block!

My sister met the planners before when she was building 2 years ago, and basically, just stay behind the Green line (6M in) and stick in a Biocycle!!

Honestly, this house should it be built, will be the most boring, ordinary looking house on the street.
That's why I came here, for some Ideas /critical observations

Fair enough, normally sites gifted are in a rural area and formally formed part of a farm etc, hence why I was asking.

However the first thing is to still approach the planners and engage with them.

Gumbo

magnethead wrote: »

The telephone post your looking at here, is in front of the plot,
you can see the huge house on the left, and the old design house up on the right, It's out of date, so you need to pull out of street view and see the satellite view (which is more recent and has the sisters house on it)

THis field you see here is split in 2 equal parts
[URL snip [/URL]

Very nice plot.
I like the modern house there though.

magnethead

I hear Pre planning can be a waste of time, considering my sister should have got equal advice on what she can do
Sure I might do one, just to get the check box

Quick word of warning for you in relation to your pre-planning meeting!
As I have discovered to my cost they are a waste of time as whatever you are told is non-binding when it comes to actually getting your your planning permission. Earlier this year we were given some specific info regarding sightlines required at a pre-planning meeting. On the basis of this we engaged an arctitect etc and applied to the Council. To our surprise we got a request for further info which totally contradicted what we were told at the initial meeting. Three months later we are still fighting with them over this and still no planning permission.
Considering most Councils almost insist on a pre-planning meeting people really need to be aware that they should take what they are told with a serious pinch of salt!
Click to expand...
[/INDENT]
As a professional who attends pre-planning meetings on nearly a weekly basis, i completely agree with this statement. You will learn much more from consulting a competent professional who has vast experience of planning in your county than you will from a planner. It must be remembered that its government policy not to give planners long contracts (generally 18 months max). Therefore they have to move around between local authorities quite often. This in turn means theyre can sometimes not be up to speed on development plans or council policy. Also, some councils dont have area planners, and there is also no guarantee that the planner you meet will be the planner that decides your application.
It is useful from an agents point of view to have the planner explain councils policies to the 'lay person'. But they are legally prevented from giving any kind of indication as to what a decision may be. You really have to read between the lines for statements such as 'may not be favourable to...' or 'that complies with policy'... etc...

magnethead

kceire wrote: »

Replace the single leaf entrance door to a door with glazed screens both sides. Can't get enough free light into an entrance hall.

The double doors from the main open-plan area, will be glass doors with wooden frames, the Stairs is completely open, to allow light down from the Window facing it. The plan is for the Front door to have windows in it, with the possible addition of screens at one side anyway, like you said.

looksee

Not sure I would want the exit from the garage so near the front door. Someone is reversing out of the garage and someone else walks out the front door - or in the case of a child, dashes out of the front door.

Angry bird

Infill site, principle of a house absolutely fine, no need for pre-planning. My comment was only re ventilation, re downstairs WC. Council obviously require an on site treatment plant before discharge to public sewer, must be an issue with capacity or how the public sewer is working. I don't have any particular issue re the design, just engage an architect to get the most out of the site your have and I don't mean fancy materials and look at me architecture, just good internal layout that makes the most of natural sunlight and obviously site constraints. Build up to the green line, unless you need lots of parking. Upper south side balcony may not make it past planning re undue overlooking, but you could simply say, we can omit this by condition if an issue for the Council. If it's zoned lands, and I'm assuming it is, then need exemption from Part V (social housing), and throw that in at the same time as the planning application. I'm aso going to assume they will want on site soak pits re surface water attenuation. Have a good look at your sisters planning application and what the Council were and were not looking for. Good luck, you'll be grand.

magnethead

looksee : Sorry I should have mentioned, it's more of a man shed, I have loads of hobbies, Lot's of Brewing gear, welding gear tools, It'll be full of Cabinets and a big workbench....Might drive a car in when I'm working on it only.

Site was NOT big enough to have a separate shed so the best I could do was stick a plant room in the way so the wife can't get at me too easy.

Angry bird : Thanks, yes, we're not connected to the nearest treatment plant yet! I think they were supposed to break ground this month according to the papers on the connection and it could take 2 years, If I drag the arse out of the build, I might not need to install it at the end.
I'll talk to the sister about that 'social housing exemption'....she had an architect turn key her build


I'll come back here when, I have learned this Chief Arch business, and hopefully have some nice 3D visuals ;p install my 'legit' copy on a Window7 virtual machine as I type

fits

I know your house isn't in rural area but there are lots of good design tips in this. Well worth reading.
http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/Publications/Council_Publications/Kilkenny_Rural_Design_Guide.10673.shortcut.html

fits

I know your house isn't in rural area but there are lots of good design tips in this. Well worth reading.
http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/Publications/Council_Publications/Kilkenny_Rural_Design_Guide.10673.shortcut.html

Water John

Not to put you off track, just clarification from others. Is a toilet under the stairs no longer allowed? Will they have to have a renewal element to the building?

Some interesting reasons for some design features. Designed for the reality of family life!!

Upstairs, could you put Ensuite, WIW and Bedroom running from left to right. I'd say one bath is nearly one too many in modern houses.

Gumbo

Water John wrote: »

Not to put you off track, just clarification from others. Is a toilet under the stairs no longer allowed? Will they have to have a renewal element to the building?

Some interesting reasons for some design features. Designed for the reality of family life!!

Upstairs, could you put Ensuite, WIW and Bedroom running from left to right. I'd say one bath is nearly one too many in modern houses.

WC can be anywhere, even under the stairs as it can still comply with TGD M.
I think one bath is a requirement, especially for bathing young kids.

rampantbunny

There's an existing thread on the forum detailing what people who have already built would do differently if given the chance. You should read it if you haven't already..good deal of insightful comments.

Some comments that stood out to me were re. utility room - whereby most were unanimous that their utilities were too small (useless-ities).
This is just my opinion, but I'd look into combining the util and plant room into one and also move the door for the plant room from the hallway. Put it in the back hallway/utility. As your stair well is the link from ground floor to upper/bedrooms the last thing you want is noise from the plant room escaping upstairs. A solid block wall would be much better there (if you are going block built).

Also, if you could work it, I'd have the back door in a separate lobby entrance entirely. Having to walk through the util on the way in means you can't leave things lying around (if you are house proud). Utilities are generally the least tidy areas of a house (with the exception of kids playroom).
This would also serve to move noise away again, this time from the kitchen (I'm presuming your washer, dryer is in the current util you've drawn).

Again re noise; if you moved your plant room further towards the left corner of the garage. It would be moving it away from under your master bedroom. But it mightn't suit if you have a water tank in the plant room. Think the correct placement of water tank is somewhere central, equidistant to all sinks/taps etc.


Lastly, re. flue run through bedroom; have you looked into the possibility of running the flue to the ground floor ceiling and then running it horizontally across ceiling, exiting at side of house? I have this done in mine (double sided gas fire), but there are limits to the length of flue possible with different configurations.


Oh, and lastly, lastly...where you have 'balcony', I'd consider glazing over the dining area instead...the more natural light the better.

magnethead

WOW, that was solid insightful advise!! Thank you so much!!
I'm half way through the Chief Architect design now, I'll move that door to the Utility room as access, I think that's what you meant, I can't see the Utility and Plant room being open together as one room? can you, Pump for rainwater, water tank, elctrical panel all sitting in the one space with Food shelves...
The washing machine will be in the upstairs toilet. The Utility room, was just meant to be an extra sink, and some food/kitchen item storage.

I take it the thread you referred to was this one, It's a sticky (I'm going to read it tonight)
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055263035&page=19

Another note, I'll put in what you suggested, which I take it to be basically a conservatory roof, on that round section of wall, to let more light in.
I'm concerned about airtightness, would a glass ceiling be harder to make airtight? I know, it won't add any thermal value either ;p

I never even thought you could do that with a Flue! Seriously, a 90 degree bend, I thoght that was breaking the law of physics It would reduce flow by 50% right at that bend, but there might be enough left to make it to the nearest wall... Since you have actually built like that, I have to ask, how is the exist point on your wall? Do you get any soot build up? any darkening of your outside finish? You can see from the drawing, that the exist would be right beside the proposed conservatory roof if we were to go that way.

Thanks again for your excellent comments

rampantbunny

magnethead wrote: »

WOW, that was solid insightful advise!! Thank you so much!!
I'm half way through the Chief Architect design now, I'll move that door to the Utility room as access, I think that's what you meant, I can't see the Utility and Plant room being open together as one room? can you, Pump for rainwater, water tank, elctrical panel all sitting in the one space with Food shelves...
The washing machine will be in the upstairs toilet. The Utility room, was just meant to be an extra sink, and some food/kitchen item storage.

I take it the thread you referred to was this one, It's a sticky (I'm going to read it tonight)
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055263035&page=19

Another note, I'll put in what you suggested, which I take it to be basically a conservatory roof, on that round section of wall, to let more light in.
I'm concerned about airtightness, would a glass ceiling be harder to make airtight? I know, it won't add any thermal value either ;p

I never even thought you could do that with a Flue! Seriously, a 90 degree bend, I thoght that was breaking the law of physics It would reduce flow by 50% right at that bend, but there might be enough left to make it to the nearest wall... Since you have actually built like that, I have to ask, how is the exist point on your wall? Do you get any soot build up? any darkening of your outside finish? You can see from the drawing, that the exist would be right beside the proposed conservatory roof if we were to go that way.

Thanks again for your excellent comments

If your util was only for an extra sink and some food shelves, I'd ask myself do I really need that sink? Why not go with a separate back door entrance, and bring that freed up utility space into the kitchen behind the WC. Make it a walk in larder..executed well these bring a certain wow factor.
See attached.

Re. the flue; I have a balanced flue gas fire. It is vertical for 1-2m and then horizontal for 4. This is almost the max permitted by the manufacturer. The fire is not in operation yet so I can't comment on how well it expels exhaust fumes and dirt - time will tell I suppose (fire is really only an expensive feature so I don't foresee there being much soot build up).
I would have preferred to have the flue go straight up through the room upstairs as you have shown (although mine would have been abutting a wall and I could have built it in) but the cost of the extra flue and vents for roof put me off..plus the flue would have exited the roof at the front of the house..so aesthetics would be compromised).
Ultimately, you need to look into the system you intend installing. You might not have the option to bend the flue as I have. Manufacturers will publish docs online indicating what flue runs are permissible.


Re. glazing over dining area; yes, no reason this can't be airtight. But depending on the this glazing can be costly. You could put roof here and some long individual skylights (or fixed glazed units). If I had the cash, I'd have it mostly glass though. One thing to consider if glazing, depending on your orientation be mindful of that space overheating...so consider how would might have shade when needed.



PS...you can get 3 sided gas fires (glass on 3 sides) in case you weren't aware. This would be a cool option if you wanted to move the fire towards the right wall...much easier and cheaper flue run also.

magnethead

I'll ask the wife about that 'need' for a second sink

I should have mentioned that the stove has to be solid fuel which will mean a lot more soot being expelled, I'll ask about the flue configurations from one of the companies and come back here I want something that can heat the house, if the world turns zombie apocalypse on us
Though it looks like with all the global warming, cooling is going to be the problem.


I do like the glazing idea, I can't imagine what we could do for shade, as the rest of the house is a box, no overhangs maybe just a solar reflectant screen that could be rolled down under the glass might be an option.

I didn't know about 3 sided Glass stoves but, I thought of moving it close to the right wall, it's just that it would be too close to the Dining room table at that stage, It might be uncomfortably hot at that distance?


UPDATE: Stove company says that flue config (90 bend) is possible with gas, but no way with solid Fuel

Water John

We had a second sink in the utility. Actually threw it out, waste of space IMO.

Not so sure about glass overhead. An awful lot of people have covered or altered glass roofed conservatories. They get too hot and can be uncomfortable under blazing sun.

rampantbunny

magnethead wrote: »

I didn't know about 3 sided Glass stoves but, I thought of moving it close to the right wall, it's just that it would be too close to the Dining room table at that stage, It might be uncomfortably hot at that distance?

Not a stove..a gas fire. They're not necessarily something you'd install to heat your house AFAIK..more for bling than practicality. I think you'll be limited with solid fuel stoves but I'm no expert in the field.

If going with glazing over your dining area, bring an elec cable to that area also. Some of the skylight companies have optional motors for window opening/closing ..I'd be surprised if they didn't have motorized blinds also.

magnethead

rampantbunny wrote: »

If going with glazing over your dining area, bring an elec cable to that area also. Some of the skylight companies have optional motors for window opening/closing ..I'd be surprised if they didn't have motorized blinds also.

I was thinking of an automatic skylight in the atic, maybe pointing down over the stairs as a heatdump, if the house was overheating.
I know Velux do one's that detect rain too (auto close) so maybe I could configure it to, open at a certain heat downstairs. I know my sister is in a super insulated, blocks on their side, internal walls, with 150mm black insulated ash blocks(something like that) on the outside, underfloor everywhere, but floor to ceiling south facing windows, she has 2M over hangs, contemporary style box house, but on a HOT summer day, it overheats, she just opens the wall, to let it out though so not much of a problem.

Gumbo

magnethead wrote: »

I was thinking of an automatic skylight in the atic, maybe pointing down over the stairs as a heatdump, if the house was overheating.
I know Velux do one's that detect rain too (auto close) so maybe I could configure it to, open at a certain heat downstairs. I know my sister is in a super insulated, blocks on their side, internal walls, with 150mm black insulated ash blocks(something like that) on the outside, underfloor everywhere, but floor to ceiling south facing windows, she has 2M over hangs, contemporary style box house, but on a HOT summer day, it overheats, she just opens the wall, to let it out though so not much of a problem.

Could also set it to open on smoke activation.
Makes a clear escape route in the case of fire.

rampantbunny

magnethead wrote: »

I was thinking of an automatic skylight in the atic, maybe pointing down over the stairs as a heatdump, if the house was overheating.
I know Velux do one's that detect rain too (auto close) so maybe I could configure it to, open at a certain heat downstairs. I know my sister is in a super insulated, blocks on their side, internal walls, with 150mm black insulated ash blocks(something like that) on the outside, underfloor everywhere, but floor to ceiling south facing windows, she has 2M over hangs, contemporary style box house, but on a HOT summer day, it overheats, she just opens the wall, to let it out though so not much of a problem.

Probably a better strategy to prevent it overheating as opposed to venting excess heat if at all possible.

magnethead

Just to throw up a quick 3D overview, the Glass conservatory roof does not look as ascetically pleasing just yet , but then none of the finishes have being put on yet.

rampantbunny: I'll come back to your previous directions soon, I have all the internal layout created, I just need to add a few symbols (and fix the damn stairs ) to make it more realistic looking and get a sense of space of proportion
Like most people looking at the picture below won't realize that the south facing Glass sliding door is 4Metres wide!!!
The West side directly faces the Road and looks in on the Open plan that's why I want that window a little higher and wider then normal, Like one of those gunports they stick in contemporary buildings.
I'm aware of the interference problem, with the window over the garage, it's over the stairwell




Going to a Self Build course on Saturday -snip-

so I expect to be better able to talk building turkey when I come back......Hopefully ;p

magnethead

I found the 3 side fireplace you were taking about in the Red Cow hotel



Not for us, Definitely going to be a Wood/Zombie burner.


Good Article here on a Howth Terrance that was made open plan...key quote here

They spent many months figuring out how to make the space work in a contemporary and user-friendly way without sacrificing the building’s character. A priority was to centre the home on an open-plan living space but to ensure additional intimate reception rooms.
“A real downside to the current trend for ultra-modern open-plan spaces is that there are no rooms to withdraw into. Apart from being unable to hear because of activity in the kitchen or people going up and down stairs, there has to be somewhere to escape to,” says Mack.

Article
http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/new-to-market/slick-sutton-coastguard-station-transformation-for-995-000-1.2869034

I think we are covered for "Private space" with the library/office hopefully.

Does any have experience with Long Open plan space like this please?

Still working on the 3D internals.....ran into a few Chief Bugs, that I'm working through....and sourced most of the models I need, but trying to get everything free in a pain in the h*&e.

Thanks

magnethead

Hi, can you drop in a curved stairwell without too much hassle? I know hollowcore and solid slab all come in rectangular sections, so the sister just has a straight stairs going up into a rectangular cutout in her seconds floor, that's supported with steel.

But I was thinking , maybe with the poured floors in ICF, you could make a Circular section like this? or is this definitely going to need a Curved piece of steel under the lip? (shipyard from England - I don't think they make curved RSJ's in Ireland)

Thanks

bemak

I've enjoyed reading how you describe your design as it has evolved and while I admire your enthusiasm I can't help but think how great a project this could be with an architect on board. When I saw your sisters house from Google Earth I had to look it up as it seems very interesting - when I saw who the architect was I wasn't surprised at all. It's a quality house. Therefore, rather than give my two cents (I'm also an architect) I think it would be worthwhile considering approaching the same architect that designed your sisters house - even just to get you through planning. 
There would be multiple benefits to this approach - the main of which is that you'd be getting a very good architect who is already very familiar with the site!
If you're determined not to go down this route and want to plough on yourself, I think it's vital that you consider your approach in context. Get a site survey done sooner rather than later - you'll need it anyway. Just make sure all the immediate context is included such as neighbouring houses etc. From here then, reevaluate your design in terms of optimum site layout and make it work at this level. Then start working out optimum room locations (in basic block forms). If needs be, revert back to your site layout and adjust according to requirements at room layout scale. One you have the rooms located the way you want, interrogate them and revise. Then get into the detail of circulation, openings etc. Only then can you start to think about a stair detail! You're jumping into the detail side of things way too early - I don't think you've resolved anything yet at a basic level.

magnethead

bemak: It's like you've known me all my life "You're jumping into the detail side of things way too early"..DOn't know how many times I've heard that.

I'm not against Architects, I'd love to have one onboard but it's really down to cost (more expensive then ever to build now)..and My sister would have a lot more funds than me..For an architect to take anything to planning the RAI people recommend 45% fee, which is about 14K from most of the architects I was talking to.
Another difference between us, is my sister is waay more concerned what people would think about her house looks
Myself and the wife are much more concerned with the living space and honestly don't give much of a rats what people think of the exterior.

My sister broke 90K before breaking ground (was a bit excessive, changed architect 3 times, poured 12K right there down the drain on the first two attempts, completely her fault, very fussy) :eek: won't be happening to me I can tell you.

THanks for your advise though, I appriciate it, you reminded me of a youtube Video I was watching about designing with bubbles months ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmHoGicPQQQ

THe site Survey was done on the entire site (Myself and my sisters plot at the time) DO you think that would cut the mustard? or do you still think I would need to get one?
Holes were dug on my side and I have all the levels...basically flat.

I am enjoying the project as I do more research, and wallowing around in the ignorance of never having gone through a Self-build is just delightful, sure what could go wrong?

I hadn't touched CAD in 12 years, so it was a bit of fun knocking the designs up...

and my secret weapon is that I know everyone VERY WELL on this road (all architect designed houses) and I have talked to them all, about the pro's and cons of their houes, from second floor exposure to not enough of the house surface area facing south.
Sure look at the tall, skinny, elongated red roofed house at the north end of the road, sticking it's skinny arse at the south sun!! That was another (designed 25 years ago) now high flying architect from Dublin City, and don't get me started with the tight spaces in that house, I know it's impossible to make a perfect design.....but most people on the lane talk about light, so we're going to open the south side with glass.

But We've been in a few houes with open plans and really really love, them....so when you say to me that I haven't though it through at the basic level, I'm really scratching my head, as to what I missed...because I strecthed the living space as long as I could along the sun path, someone mentioned taking it up to the planning permission line max, which is a good idea, but at 200M2, it's already big enough.

With regards to the stairs, It wasn't until I was standing in the hall, that I released, the landing had to be curved to lovely northern light in the hall area...originally it was a square landing.

Forgive the Lisscannor stone facade on the model below, I still haven't worked out how to make the material properly :rolleyes:

Water John

Looks nice there. Probably discussed already, but can't remember, but changing the door from the Plant room to coming into the Futility room (Ha, Ha,).
Consider bringing in shopping etc or coming in working gear from the garage.

magnethead

Ah yeah, I've been real busy (xmas busiest time of year) lately...(Haven't had a chance to update these plans)..I plan on moving that door alright, the misses is giving out about losing room in the futility though....

THe Garage will never have a Car in it, except for repair...It's more of a hobby shop for myself..

But good point, about the shopping shopping, we'll have to drag it a little further then normal..but it's a sacrifice I can take, as we've played musical chairs with the rooms for long enough ;p

Gumbo

Water John wrote: »

Looks nice there. Probably discussed already, but can't remember, but changing the door from the Plant room to coming into the Futility room (Ha, Ha,).
Consider bringing in shopping etc or coming in working gear from the garage.

+1
As I don't think you will have the head room for the door under the stairs.
Or you could pull the stairs forward more of you really wanted to keep the door there.

By my count, it's 9 steps up, which gives a head height of less than 1.7m.

Where is the chimney from the fireplace going?
I'd have the library space door from the hallway myself.

Water John

That fridge position is very limiting on the worktop space in the utility. Much more so than the door. Nice idea but can it move?

magnethead

Thanks for the replies, the stair model is complete wrong...I need to make that small landing area, into steps, and the twp parts where the stairs rise are at different inclines so I'll get that sorted.
We were planning on putting in one of those secret doors/ moving library shelf thing from the Sitting room area, but if we don't go with that, the door in the hall is probably a better option.

I don't think the fridge can move, unless you mean within the Utility space? The Kitchen space is boxed off (literally) ...so we can't eat into that

I will come back with a more developed plan soon. Thanks

Also with Regards to the site, we are in a perfect box, aligned with the poles, something stretched out along the sunpath is what we're after, and since I've been told, the more square and simple you keep it, the cheaper it'll be.

BryanF

Stack the bathrooms, locate wc to future proof ie a downstairs en-suite. Reduce the corridors upstairs and arrange hall to provide storage. External design is poor! the circular yoke.. Perhaps a passive house assessment might explain the heat loss of the oversized n/e/w glazing. Open plan needs needs a floor to ceiling of 2.7m min. You haven't thought out your kitchen have you?, put in the units / island and think about how the open plan space will work - Are you having a bowling alley between the kitchen/living? considering the dinning table is pushed out into the circular yoke.. If you're trying to do this on the cheap, what about taking 200mm of the perimeter @ ~ 8m2 X 2 floors = full professional design certification and money left over to pay a builder to do the fabric details correctly.. Best of luck, I won't be commenting again.

mrsWhippy

OP, just to comment on something you said there ....having an architect is nothing to do with what the house looks like ...its designing a space that works for you both inside and out. Taking into consideration your budget, the aspect and the site.

14k on the price of YOUR FOREVER HOME is a very small price to pay, you will be living with the mistakes you make every single day!

Looking at your plans, and having just finished the extremely long and detailed design process with an architect for my own house, I would definitely absolutely bring someone on board.

magnethead

BryanF: I had to re-read my previous post again, 'lack of tack' is another thing I get regularly accused of :DI'm guessing you're an architect, and I apologise to you and other architects out there because, it wasn't fair what i said, I was ranting. again, you shouldn't be offended, I've only being researching the house building since just before the Self-Build expo in Citywest, so whatever I say on architecture carries little weight. and I know I'm at a disadvantage, and architect of course will see a hundred things that I won't.

Everyone has particulars needs from a house, and we have talked about them between us. we've lived in a lot of apartment and now a 2 story house so we have experience of what works. My skills as a Mechanical Eng in a past life, and an avid DIY guy,(and of course, finding out all the hidden costs in building a one off) push me in the direction of attempting to design with my wife the house. I'll be happy as long as it's airtight(good builder) ..the kinda people who stress over the smallest mistakes, like an identical flooring board placed next to another one, are perfectionists :Dbut yeah, I'd probably rip the floor up and relay it too ;p
THe passion the architect had building my sisters house was impressive, it took the design really personally, and looked after it with a serious level of detail, the builder had a library of drawings when he was finished. He even was back a few times (after having signed off) cleaning up some minor details (at his own cost), just because he liked the project so much.

Thanks for your points, the plan is once we get the stairs fixed, to put in storage under the nearside set, and leave the second set open, the door has been removed from that wall now.

One house on the lane, has a 5M !! sliding door facing directly south, great for light. My sisters kitchen door is just 4950mm (Wall to 3M ceiling) according to the planning docs ;p Both Aluminium framed at that size. and her Sitting room has two massive 4M almost floor to ceiling Windows also.

I'm using Chief architect x7 (which is extremely user friendly) at the moment, but 'upgrading' today to x8 because it's really improved the cabinet functions so the Kitchen will not be too far away.

That 'CIRCULAR YOKE' is my design flair LOL
We plan to have built in sitting going around the inside, kinda like a booth.

I agree completely with you, the outside design is as basic as it gets, that's actually the main reason I threw it up on boards. But again, we're fairly low on the airs and graces, so I would just be overjoyed to get into the house as it actually is without a Mortgage that will give me a heart attack :mad:

We never planned on putting an Island into the Kitchen? (I didn't think we'd have the room, and not really a big fan of the few I've seen)

Thanks for the 2.7M ceiling, we had the measuring tape out as a coincidence last night, 2.5M downstairs in this old place and 2.4 upstairs, checked the neighbouring house to our site, and it has 2.7M downstairs with a 0.3M false ceiling, and 2.4M upstairs, so we stuck those heights, and the false ceiling in the plan now.

Going to be interesting getting a COST plan on this before planning, could be a right kick in the arse LOL

mrsWhippy: Thanks, we are very familiar with the site, and it's relatively tight, small garden, and due to council conditions, we gotta build behind a house line, and a Biocycle has a 7M Radius from it's edge, so our garden area is already predefined (we're boxed in literally..ba bom ;p). It's really just the house that's up for playing with.

I've looked at a lot of houses, and (architects please cover your eyes for this part) ....as far as I'm concerned, they are just boxes, so I get what the guy was doing in the previous youtube vid...in terms of laying out the living space.....but an awful lot of houses I look at, are basically square with a few little pretty details, like Dutch windows, windows stepped directly out, basically just the skin of the box broken up which does make it look prettier, but always adds cost.


Again, maybe aesthetics are lost on the engineer in me

I'll try to post up some design developments soon.

magnethead

locate wc to future proof ie a downstairs en-suite. Reduce the corridors upstairs and arrange hall to provide storage

I think the location of the Toilet as it is, is good enough, if the library was converted to an old age bedroom....(maybe if there was a door into the hall)
I'll get the 90 year old granny out and time her on the way to the bathroom, I could be underestimating the speed an older person needs to get to the toilet :P
but if you're referring to being in a state where, you literally need to be lifted to a near bathroom(a bad state)...I plan to travel to Switzerland, if that ever becomes a possibility.

We plan on a foldup stairs entering the Atic which is primarily used for storage...the kids rooms will have full wall cabinets...along with the Spare room becoming a dumping ground I can imagine..
But you are right, long corridors are a waste of space.....I saw that mentioned in the 'what I would do differently thread' on the stickies.

I'll come back to that, knocking out the kitchen now I got the update to x8

magnethead

Rough Kitchen design..We are going with tiles, just haven't picked them out yet...but this is the overall layout we're thinking about.

I was right about the x8...It's a piece of piss to throw this together.

The Oven in the Corner may be an issue? Do you really need access on both sides?
I've at least tried to respect the holy triangle of Fridge,Hob, Sink....
It's 2.7M to the Sink from the edge of the fridge
and it's 2.9M from the back Counter to the edge of the forward counter where the Hob is....
So a nice square of space, but too small to put an island in of course.

Lighting is terrible in this!! I haven't sorted it out yet... THere is a light source(even though you can't see it) in the middle of the room, around the height of a persons head, hence the shadows on the rear cabinets flowing up at the top.
Plan to add plenty of lights..under cabinet..etc..and inside the top glass door cabinets.

Water John

A matter of your choice. Could you make the small L that is nearside, either a little breakfast top, round it? Or else drop it altogether. Better kitchen access and make better use of the corner space if it is just straight on the wall.

magnethead

I like the breakfast bar Idea, ok, a Round piece at the end...might do away with the cabinets underneath as, purpose built one's will add up.....I'll just stick a pole under for Support.
I'll have to check with the misses if, that's enough cabinets already...Hopefully the Futility room, will Cover anything else.

It's 1.5M at the moment from the edge of the doorframe to the counter, I'll try to at least hold that distance or improve it.
The L you were talking about, was that coming back into the kitchen space(wrapping the counter around on itself), or did you mean breaking the counter and pulling the L shape down into the dining room space? I don't really want ot extend the kitchen too far south of that line.