Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Sep 30, 2009 9:14 am Hi all! We have bought a block of land in Wollongong (figtree) which has about a 10m sideways slope to it. Trying to decide whether we go with an architect to design the house to the contours of the land or whether a draftsman can do the same thing. We had a project home drawn up for our block but as a result ended up with over 2m of retaining wall along one side of the house plus all around the back and a smaller retaining wall along the other side but apart from it costing about 35grand would make the house quite dark. We like the design of the project home but could a draftsman change the design around to cut out most of the retaining wall or are we better with an architect? Re: Building on a sloping block, architect or draftsman? 2Sep 30, 2009 1:28 pm 10m is a pretty huge fall. I would honestly suggest an architect and perhaps one that has had some experience with your kind of contours. Good luck! Re: Building on a sloping block, architect or draftsman? 3Sep 30, 2009 2:36 pm We have a 6meter downward fall over the building zone, we designed our house using a drafty to make it work to the contours of the block, Just find a drafty that has done work with slopping blocks it cost us about $3000 for working drawings that we took to builders for quotes, a lot cheaper than an architect. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Re: Building on a sloping block, architect or draftsman? 4Sep 30, 2009 10:37 pm How about concrete pole homes. Far more stable than stumps would be and you would be above the retaining wall. Not cheap though and doesn't answer you question, sorry. Gravity. Its the law. At lock-up stage(lock-up stage) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25438 Re: Building on a sloping block, architect or draftsman? 5Oct 01, 2009 12:35 am If you have the contours of the land and the plan of the house I could have a look at it for you. Just pm me ( no catches it's just to help you ). I can give you some tips and then you could probably take it to a draftsman to design for you, or have your builder redesign. I'm currently designing homes (in Qld) for 5 to 6+m falls across 12m frontages??! Anyhow, if I can help just pm. It's all in the planning Re: Building on a sloping block, architect or draftsman? 6Oct 01, 2009 2:23 am As advised by the others, find someone experienced with this sort of work. Regardless of which way you go, some of them out there come up with a design that look and will most likely be fantastic but cost mega bucks to actually build. My house was done by a drafter and while he did a great job of using the available space and making the place look great, the engineering has cost a small fortune that I did not quite anticipate. The amount of steel work I had to do from the design and over engineering added a bit and that is without the added complexity of a steep block. Re: Building on a sloping block, architect or draftsman? 7Oct 01, 2009 9:53 am dave- ......My house was done by a drafter and while he did a great job of using the available space and making the place look great, the engineering has cost a small fortune that I did not quite anticipate..... Should you really be criticizing the draftie for that??? Pat. Re: Building on a sloping block, architect or draftsman? 8Oct 01, 2009 12:19 pm Pat the draftie Should you really be criticizing the draftie for that??? IMO yes. I believe a good designer should be aware of construction techniques and be able to come up with a plan that can still look good yet not need a team of engineers to make happen. If I was going for some out there architectural design then sure, but I wasn't. In hindsight, I should have done more due diligence but as a first time builder I expect that every trade I employee is an expert in their field. If I have to do half the work myself, then what am I paying them for? So chalk it up to a learning experience. Next time I'll be clearer with the brief and run the plan over with my engineer/trades prior to locking it in. In the case of the OP, finding someone with expertise in this design is crucial. Major earth and structural works could very well be the difference between dream home and financial trouble. Re: Building on a sloping block, architect or draftsman? 9Oct 01, 2009 5:27 pm dave- ......I believe a good designer should be aware of construction techniques...... Dave, This is your first mistake, confusing a draftie with a designer. They are to different trades performing two different functions. A draftie is lead and instructed by you to achieve your goal. A designer will advise and lead you to achieve your goal. dave- ......In the case of the OP, finding someone with expertise in this design is crucial. Major earth and structural works could very well be the difference between dream home and financial trouble. Your second mistake is relying on a draftie or a designer for that matter to cost plan your earthworks. This is civil engineering, and should be developed with the relevant professional, ie a structural or civil engineer. Regards, Pat. Give Jonathan a call. Tell him you know me. He is in my opinion the best surveyor I have ever worked with. His number is 0425 285 622 All the best Simeon 3 12372 i did click it, still couldnt make it out rofl. in any case, doesnt look like too extreme a slope, you may be in luck. Just shoot out some emails to volume builders in… 3 18545 Howdy all. I am looking for feedback on what people would do to maximise and make an area as flat as possible. First, out the front of the house is a sloping hill, pretty… 0 20138 |