Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

websites for good house plans

  • 21-01-2009 07:10PM
    #1
    dufferman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20 ✭


    i was looking for websites with good modern plans, does anyone know any good irish/british sites, iv googled it but all i get are these outragous american houses.thank you


«1

Comments

  • #2
    paudie2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 103 ✭✭paudie2005


    www.plan-a-home.ie


  • #3
    jay28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 441 ✭✭jay28


    www.irish-house-plans.ie


  • #4
    MeatProduct
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭MeatProduct


    www.holistichouseplans.com


  • #5
    Quazzie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 30,560 ✭✭✭✭Quazzie


    A well planned modern house can only be planned by an architect. The best houses are site and area specific, and therefore cannot be bought off a website as these are all generic plans. My suggestion would be find a plan/layout/style you like then present it to an architect to let him alter them appropriately to your specific needs and the requirements of your site. This probably isn't the answer you wanted but the truth is that its the right answer. Whilst you may find a plan on a site that you think is ideal they will very rarely stand up when compared to a well thought out design by an architect.

    btw just to add I am not an architect and am in no way associated with any so I'm not trying to drum up business by this response.


  • #6
    ben bedlam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 261 ✭✭ben bedlam


    Quazzie2002 wrote: »
    A well planned modern house can only be planned by an architect. The best houses are site and area specific, and therefore cannot be bought off a website as these are all generic plans. My suggestion would be find a plan/layout/style you like then present it to an architect to let him alter them appropriately to your specific needs and the requirements of your site. This probably isn't the answer you wanted but the truth is that its the right answer. Whilst you may find a plan on a site that you think is ideal they will very rarely stand up when compared to a well thought out design by an architect.

    btw just to add I am not an architect and am in no way associated with any so I'm not trying to drum up business by this response.


    I knew it was only a matter of time until we had the predictable "Get your house designed by an architect" post.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 44,923 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    ben bedlam wrote: »
    I knew it was only a matter of time until we had the predictable "Get your house designed by an architect" post.

    ...and your point is??.......

    Buying from a book / website serves a particular niche market... thats all.

    if you want a site specific original design go and get it designed....


  • #8
    Quazzie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 30,560 ✭✭✭✭Quazzie


    ben bedlam wrote: »
    I knew it was only a matter of time until we had the predictable "Get your house designed by an architect" post.
    It is the best way. I know its more expensive but unless you are very lucky to get a house that suits I don't think them websites work. Fair enough tehy do supply good quality drawings of generic house but personally I would prefer a house that is tailored to my needs.

    I designed my house because I am technically minded and have a knowledge (although limited) based in construction and AutoCad so this gave me an ability to do it. Not everyone can do this, and for those that can't I suggest an architect for a modern plan as requested by the OP, or an Arch tech/Engineer for a more standard house.

    Architects spend years studying and restudying house design and for a truly modern design they are the only people that can do it. I know if I was about to make the biggest investment of my life I would want to make sure a) it was done right and b) it was done how I wanted it, not how some draughtsman thought was a common denominator amongst the public, and at the end of the day that is what you buy off these sites. Nothing more, nothing less.

    I know its not nice to hear the same response but the reason you hear it is because its the best one, probably more so in this case as from my understanding of the OP an architect designed house is what she is looking for. This she will not get on any site.


  • #9
    MeatProduct
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭MeatProduct


    House plans sites are good for getting ideas and the like. A plan can be purchased from such a site and then be customised by a local architect/engineer that is familiar with the local codes and requirements. However it can be hard to work with architects on a design that they did not come up with............

    Nick


  • #10
    bauderline
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 920 ✭✭✭bauderline


    Yes, I would agree that your house plans should be drawn up by Architect with a view ensuring the design takes note of the specific features of its location.

    However the house plan sites are very useful for getting ideas about the layout of your house and how you might want it to look.

    When you go to hire an Architect you should have a solid brief for the layout, design and specification of the house and it is then up to them to provide realistic plans taking into account your brief, your budget, and site specific requirements / features.

    In my opinion an Architect's job is to advise and assist you with the design of your home... not dictate it.

    P.


  • #11
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 44,923 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    bauderline wrote: »

    In my opinion an Architect's job is to advise and assist you with the design of your home... not dictate it.

    P.

    huuummm.....

    im not sure i would agree with this... not the way its worded anyway...

    an architect should definitely not 'dictate' anything... but they should be allow enough scope to design the form, mass and shape of the dwelling.

    as far as a clients input into 'design' goes, a good architect should be able to tease out what they are into and not into...

    There is a certain market out there who only want 'plan-a-home' type dwellings .....****(is plan-a-home the new bunglow bliss?)****.....
    so its fine for them to come in with a pre-concieved design... the architect in this case can either decide of 'draw it up' or refuse the work based on principle....

    however, a client should also respect the skills of the architect... if they like his design they should allow him to produce an original design, based on their brief,... not the other way round.. ie produce their design based on regulation and policy.....


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    MeatProduct
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭MeatProduct


    bauderline wrote: »

    In my opinion an Architect's job is to advise and assist you with the design of your home... not dictate it.

    P.
    I agree, I've seen it far too many times. An architect just throwing a template at a client and making a few changes. Sure this is not across the board but it's far more common than it should be. A house is a very personal thing and that should be reflected in the design. I have only encountered a few architects to successfully achieve this balance between the clients needs and their own expertise to mesh in creating the perfect space for that client.

    Nick


  • #13
    MeatProduct
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭MeatProduct


    These guys are quite impressive, www.houseplans.com, they have a massive selection. Downside is that they are US-based but I reckon if you like one of them just get your local architect/engineer to fix it up for you.

    Nick


  • #14
    Slig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,550 ✭✭✭Slig


    Just had a brief look at that site. I have no problem with somebody buying a plan off the net, its a wasted oppertunity but its not my call.
    What I will say is that those houses are all very American which poses a few problems.

    1. You wouldnt drive a cadillac as a daily drive in this country, they are impractical in both running costs and size. Its the same with american houses. They are very big with much larger rooms than necessary.

    2. The style of the house, people would laugh at you for walking around with an elvis style haircut, the planners would take the same approach if you submitted one of these houses for planning. They don't conform with the design guidelines of any county.

    3. American houses are mostly timber stick built or post and beam, very lightweight. These systems allows for alot more flexability with projecting bays, roofs and glazing but at the loss of mass and ruggedness. Alot of these features would have to be lost in order to build in the traditional Irish blockwork cavity wall, especially as insulation thickness increases.

    If you are buying from a website make sure that the design conforms to local vernacular styles or fits into the site. Choosing a house design isnt like choosing a t-shirt. It will affect the landscape for years to come and everybody will have to look at it. The experience of living nextdoor to Graceland can soon wear thin.


  • #15
    MeatProduct
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭MeatProduct


    Slig wrote: »

    2. The style of the house, people would laugh at you for walking around with an elvis style haircut, the planners would take the same approach if you submitted one of these houses for planning. They don't conform with the design guidelines of any county.

    Lol, very good. I take your points there Slig, but that site has a lot more than just conventional American style housing however it is generally geared for the US market. I do know that Holistic House Plans are based in Ireland cause a good friend of mine built one of them recently and he went and had a look at a bunch of them already built around the country before he bought one.

    I don't know about the first two sites listed on this thread, anyone know of anyone who has built one of them? There does not really seem to be a huge rescource for house plans on the web, I had thought more search results would be coming up. Kingspan looks reasonable but a tad on the expensive side for building.

    Nick


  • #16
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 44,923 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    MeatProduct wrote: »
    www.holistichouseplans.com

    i can vouch for this architect, he is from laois and has some quite beautiful designs.
    His way of approaching a design is unique.


  • #17
    aodh_rua
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,243 ✭✭✭aodh_rua


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    i can vouch for this architect, he is from laois and has some quite beautiful designs.
    His way of approaching a design is unique.

    I was looking through them - and he seems to have some very interesting designs. I see he says that the construction cost seems to be higher than normal - I wonder if any of you have experience of such a build?


  • #18
    ThePiedPiper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,643 ✭✭✭ThePiedPiper


    Have a look at www.centuryhomes.ie too. They've a selection of house plans and layouts there that are all useful in terms of getting ideas.

    I'd be of the opinion that you should have some idea the general size, shape and layout of house you want before going to an architect. That's how we did it and were happy. My sister in law has tried the method of talking to the architect and letting him come up with a plan based on this. That hasn't worked so far and the plans and ideas given back by the architect aren't what she's looking for..


  • #19
    justflow1983
    Closed Accounts Posts: 122 ✭✭justflow1983


    The houses on http://freegreen.com/ were all designed by a friend of mine, who also has a pretty steady practice designing high end custom homes with his company.

    Its US based, but they are all meant to be low energy designs. They're generally smaller and its an interesting mix of styles. The plans are free too.

    Its not terrible to get a plan off a website, they generally were designed by an architect at some stage. The biggest problem with them is that they don't take into account things like construction types, climate, and building regulations. If you just hand them to a builder, he'll just do it in the cheapest way possible and you might end up with a damp, cold, crappy building that looks loosely like the plan you got. You're better off having a professional design a house that suits you specifically and also conforms to local building practices and regs... The comments above about style are very important too, since an Irish architect will be the most likely to design a house that will be approved by Irish planners :)

    I wouldn't assume that the US ones being designed for timber frame is a problem. There are plenty of timber houses built in Ireland, and its a very good way to build... I lived for a while in a timber frame house that was built in 1892 and was solid as a rock and extremely warm.


  • #20
    ECO_Mental
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,861 ✭✭✭ECO_Mental


    Being in the middle of designing my own house at the moment with an Architect I can assure you that this is the best way to go by far.

    What are you going to spend on these plans up to €1000 for a set of drawings of the internet. You have to look at it this way, what are you going to spend on your new sofa's for your house €3-4000. Then when you sit down on them after everything is built you realize that the view is facing the wrong way..... I managed to get one of the leading architectural firms in Cork to get me up to planning drawings for €4000+VAT. But I could have got cheaper €2-3000 and still with proper established firms.

    Anyway what I am saying is that from the first site visit my money was paid for. I had always envisaged my house being set in one particular corner of the site and he took one look at the site and said NO and walked me down to the other corner and said it should go here. I would have never thought of placing it anyway near that particular corner but it worked, better views, more privacy, better shelter, perfect.

    I think Architects priced them selves out of the market over the past few years they were their own worst enemies. They were only interested in the big housing estates and couldn't be bothered with the hassle of one offs but they are paying the price now... They are begging for work at the moment I interviewed 5 Archs late last year and got prices off all of them. Two years ago you would have been lucky if you got one or two back.

    My advice don't scrimp at this stage, what is an extra 1 or 2 K when you are going to €100k's on the build. The price of a leather sofa. Also go in with a general idea of what you want 4 beds kitchen open plan let them do the work and come up with the ideas. You can get two pigeon holed on what you want . A fresh look is what you need.

    I am not an Architect

    6.1kWp south facing, South of Cork City



  • #21
    onq
    Closed Accounts Posts: 435 ✭✭onq


    The whole profession could do with more clients like you ECO_Mental.

    Its great to hear from someone who's had a positive experience with their architect and who feels they are getting value for money.

    We've never turned down work, from housing estates to compliance work, commercial schemes to house extensions.

    Its the only way to go - it keeps you on your toes and stops you being bored.

    :)

    ONQ.


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    justflow1983
    Closed Accounts Posts: 122 ✭✭justflow1983


    ECO_Mental wrote: »
    I think Architects priced them selves out of the market over the past few years they were their own worst enemies. They were only interested in the big housing estates and couldn't be bothered with the hassle of one offs but they are paying the price now... They are begging for work at the moment I interviewed 5 Archs late last year and got prices off all of them. Two years ago you would have been lucky if you got one or two back.

    Architects weren't necessarily overcharging for their services. The reason that an architect who does large scale work would be unlikely to do a house or extension has to do with the way that their overheads scale. A sole practitioner working from home doesn't have to charge very much to cover their expenses, and you don't need much overhead to do houses. When you are set up for large work, your fee structures change by necessity.

    When you end up doing larger projects, it needs a project team of architects, technicians, and other support staff. They need to buy more advanced design software for €2000 to €7000 per person per year, plus all the other stuff that any office uses. The computers are higher end, they have to pay for private indemnity insurance, solicitors, accountants, and tech support. We even have a research assistant to keep us up to date on the technological front. Large format printers require expensive paper and maintenance contracts. Even with that, the majority of the people in the company would be making less than €40,000 a year, some as low as €25,000, which isn't really much for a college educated professional who works long hours.

    I'm not saying that some architectural services probably couldn't be cheaper in some cases. Many practices in Ireland got drunk on the Celtic Tiger like everyone else. But generally architects aren't in this game to get rich, and their fee reflects the fact that it can take a long time to work out a good design, and that they are charging for their skill and experience. The less they charge, the less thought and time you're getting.

    Sorry if I went too far off topic, the rest of ECO_mental's post is absolutely spot on. You get a lot of value from having a trained professional design and administer your build, even if it sometimes feels expensive up front. They also will be able to foresee most of the things that could send a project off the rails, meaning that you are going to get a much more painless building experience.


  • #23
    JuniorB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 379 ✭✭JuniorB


    Ref the use of a professional to design your house, an old saying from a neighbour of mine comes to mind ... if you want mass said - use a priest.

    My tuppence worth .. before you go near a designer do the following:
    - Buy yourself a measuring tape. Start to have a think about the room sizes you would like. Measure up all your friends etc kitchens, living rooms and esp bedrooms. Stand in them and visualise your own home, needs. This will give your designer a good starting point from a size perspective.
    -Start looking at house and home type mags and get a scrap book together with stuff you like. This will give the designer a feel for your taste.
    -Take photos of outsides of houses you like... your house should be designed from the inside out but again this will give them a feel for your style.

    We used a professional and are delighted with the outcome.. it took the guts of a year but it was mainly small changes.
    Best of luck..


  • #24
    MeatProduct
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭MeatProduct


    Looks like Michael Rice has been busy designing Eddie Hobb's extension, here's a link to the article in The Sunday Times: http://www.bioarchitecture.ie/article-sunday-times
    That's quite the endorsement.

    Nick


  • #25
    Toplink
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 533 ✭✭✭Toplink


    I'd like to add my two pence....

    Get a reputable architect. I found out the hard way and I have a nice house but its not anything near what it could be. I have a beautifull site and I am not using it fully.... Pity.

    My only consulation is that I still have an extension to build in about 2/3 years and by god i wont fcuk that up!


  • #26
    JuniorB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 379 ✭✭JuniorB


    MeatProduct wrote: »
    Looks like Michael Rice has been busy designing Eddie Hobb's extension, here's a link to the article in The Sunday Times: http://www.bioarchitecture.ie/article-sunday-times
    That's quite the endorsement.

    Nick

    From the graphic used in the piece that looks ridiculous. Was the article published on April 1st?? Every man to his own I suppose..


  • #27
    MeatProduct
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭MeatProduct


    Toplink wrote: »
    I'd like to add my two pence....

    Get a reputable architect. I found out the hard way and I have a nice house but its not anything near what it could be. I have a beautifull site and I am not using it fully.... Pity.

    My only consulation is that I still have an extension to build in about 2/3 years and by god i wont fcuk that up!
    It would seem that Eddie directly engaged Michael Rice in this instance rather than opting for an online house plan.

    Nick


  • #28
    Mellor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,198 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    Has this got planning yet?
    It hadn't at the time of printing.

    i agree its idiotic.
    and a "bioarchitect", :rolleyes:

    I had to laugh at the ignorance og the architect describing that house as sustainable, environmentally friendly and other catchwords.
    recycled materials mean little when you are building an extension that doubles the area to 560sq.m


  • #29
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 44,923 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    well, ill definitely stick up for michael Rice here, hes a local architect and his work is very original and definitive. he employs a stringent, holistic method of "sacred" architecture to his designs and ive never yet heard of a client who wasnt impressed by his method of work or his end products.

    "bioarchitecture" is most definitley not a catchphrase, nor does it reflect a similar attempt to "greenwash" services like others proessionals try to do.


  • #30
    imitation
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,815 ✭✭✭imitation


    The only thing I would do with online house plans is get a baseline for what sort of house I would like. When your self building your options are endless too, if you pick some cookie cutter house then your denying yourself. Id also imagine you'll have a fair job getting planning if it doesn't fit into what the local planners idea of what should go in the area.

    As for Eddie Hobbs house extension, it looks horrible. The large traditional house just doesn't go with the round contemporary structure, not that you can see much of the house anyway. In my books an extension should complement a house, not try and constrict it like some giant boa snake. And how eco friendly is 6000sq ft of house anyway.


  • Advertisement
  • #31
    ECO_Mental
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,861 ✭✭✭ECO_Mental


    ECO_Mental wrote: »

    I think Architects priced them selves out of the market over the past few years they were their own worst enemies. They were only interested in the big housing estates and couldn't be bothered with the hassle of one offs but they are paying the price now... They are begging for work at the moment I interviewed 5 Archs late last year and got prices off all of them. Two years ago you would have been lucky if you got one or two back.



    Its official guys the Celtic tiger is back..... I take back all what I said previously. Just got back the quote from my Arch to finish my house out detailed dwgs tender etc etc €15,000+VAT!! not including any engineer or QS.

    Don't know what to say really????

    6.1kWp south facing, South of Cork City



Advertisement
Advertisement