Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Feb 24, 2013 2:07 pm Hi all, Well, I did the obligatory introduction a few months back so thought it's about time I started a build thread. I'm really looking for feedback and comments on our design as we're still very undecided about what build approach we are going to take. We're very seriously thinking of building it ourselves however I do also have a good mate who's a builder and is keen to do the build for us. My dad built the home he's currently living in and I'm very hands on with everything at home so I've got no shortage of skills and knowledge to do it ourselves. Ideally we'd prefer not to borrow money for the build. We're prepared to continue saving for another year or two, and possibly live in a caravan onsite, to get us to where we'd like to be to need not visit the bank at all. Anyway, enough ramble. Below are some of the latest plans I've drawn up with trusty old Sketchup 8. The first is obviously the floor plans with dimensions etc. The master suite is actually a stone ruin that's current on the property, seen in the pic below. Hence why we've got that particular design, we'd be restoring the building and hopefully keeping all the current walls intact. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The next two pictures have a basic wall and roof structure added. The living areas face true north so we'd also have a verandah across the front of the house. We're planning on having 9 or 10ft ceilings with the main living having a cathedral roof through to the outside entertaining area. The western facing wall, between outdoor entertaining and living areas, will be built with stone from the ruin. The ruin actually has two sections, built at different times. We'd be taking down the latest built section to use the stone throughout the house, fireplace, wall etc. We plan on using Scyon Linea 16mm weatherboard to clad the house as well as many termite resistant products as possible, steel frame flooring, due to us being very close to timber and trees. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The flooring will be solid timber as well as timber frame windows with double glazed glass on the north facing windows. We've got a few big red gums on the property that we plan to use as well as a massive pine tree. These timbers will be used throughout the house. I'm not exactly sure on what you would call the style we are going for but it'll be farmhouse meets modern contemporary, being as basic as possible. The floorplan itself is as simple as it comes. It's practical whilst not being ridiculously large like a lot of places we've looked at recently. So, we're still at the planning stage and putting together the list of things required for the build to come up with a dollar figure. We've also had a builder provide indicative quotes for us, on the house only, and are very happy with that. We're looking for a good sized caravan so we can move to the block to allow us to be able to do a bit more around the place, like fencing etc for Horse and cattle. That's enough from me, let me know what you think Cheers, Scott. Re: Owner Build in Mt Compass, SA - Step 1: Design and Plans 2Feb 24, 2013 2:30 pm Looks interesting. A mate went the separate building for the master suite and thought it was great. If I was going this route i would be looking to finish the small building first rather than spending too long in a caravan. I don't think it would suit families with very young children though. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Owner Build in Mt Compass, SA - Step 1: Design and Plans 3Feb 24, 2013 3:32 pm Does look interesting. Looking at the plan I think 2 things went through my mind. The first was will the walk-way from the main house to the master be covered and enclosed? Also there seems to be a great opportunity to have a mezzanine level over the lounge area that you could make into a study and therefore allowing more room for your master. Ultimately you could have the mezzanine over all of the house except for the kitchen/living/dining area. It really looks like an interesting idea but I would have to agree that it wouldn't work for someone that has young kids or plans to start a family. But then again if you love it you can make anything work. Re: Owner Build in Mt Compass, SA - Step 1: Design and Plans 4Feb 24, 2013 3:48 pm Thanks for your input already guys. We've had two different ideas in regards to what would be built first. Essentially we've though of building the main house first and the two of us living in that whilst we built the second. As you could have guessed we don't have any kids, freshly married, and we're very undecided as to if we will have kids or not. We've designed the house so that it could accommodate two kids and possibly using the second lounge for guests or if for some reason a third one came along. We wouldn't be having kids within the next 3 years at least. Pellana, The walkway we see as being a stone wall up to about 900mm high with glass above this and a tin roof. An architect mate thinks we should keep it as light as possible so as not to take away too much from the ruin, ensuring both building appears separate. Not entirely sure what you both mean in regards to it not suiting a family with young kids? Do you mean having the master suite separate, and therefore too far away from small kids, or are you referring to the actual build process, ie a lot of work building a house if you have small children? OR do you think the design is not good for a family? And to add a little more perspective to the design. The driveway entrance will come from North west and therefore guest will be greeted with the outlook from the second picture. I've tried to mirror this part of the house with the ruin, same roofline, windows etc. This will be the focal point. Thanks, Scott. Re: Owner Build in Mt Compass, SA - Step 1: Design and Plans 5Feb 24, 2013 4:42 pm ScottsRx Thanks for your input already guys. Not entirely sure what you both mean in regards to it not suiting a family with young kids? Do you mean having the master suite separate, and therefore too far away from small kids, or are you referring to the actual build process, ie a lot of work building a house if you have small children? OR do you think the design is not good for a family? Small children who have nightmares aren't going to want to walk across a dark (and windy?) walkway in the middle of the night to get to you! The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. the step up is 30mm and wanting it to be flat . how much does the concrete have to be lowered .we plan on removing bath and lenghten shower and adding seat. the old bath… 0 11835 Do I need to concern about this pattern of crack? Is this crack showing some signs of bigger problems? Thanks for any suggestions! 1 1914 Take a pick with a level sittingo n the slab and a pick with a level sitting on the sill please. This will help us diagnose the issue and therefore a solution. RE,… 8 9387 |