Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Dec 06, 2011 11:59 am Hi all, Our current concept plan has all three kids bedrooms sitting off a playroom/activity room. This playroom then backs on the main hallway, so it does not have a window, nor is it on an outside wall. It is in between the bedrooms and the hall. If we either left the inner wall (that sits flush against the hallway) out altogether, or alternatively only had a half wall into the hall (which is my preference), would that change the status of the room from a "habitable" room? I have seen this design on several floor plans from project builders although the space is usually called "breakout room" or "kids retreat". None of them are completely closed in but they are completely internal (no outer walls or windows) and all bedrooms then branch off the space. This is what I am hoping for. However, one of our prospective builders has just emailed me and said the room would not comply as a habitable room and we couldn't do it. Now I am confused! Does anyone have any knowledge in this area please? Re: Habitable room vs playroom space 2Dec 06, 2011 3:54 pm Your layout sounds just like ours I personally wouldn't want a 1/2 wall, we ourselvs have 2 young kids & I like the idea of being able to shut the door so if we have visitors they can sleep without being disturbed, make a mess as young kids do with all their toys etc & then once they are teenagers they have their own private retreat. To get approval we were required to install 2 x vented skylights which I was happy to comply with as you can't beat natural light! Building our custom design "Dream Home" Follow my Build - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46820 Contract Signed - 28/04/11 Siteworks Commenced - 20/06/11 Re: Habitable room vs playroom space 3Dec 06, 2011 3:57 pm Thanks Broom! I have skylights noted on the concept I drew up!! The more I think about it, the more I can remember friends who have recently built who all have something similar. So it must be do-able. I am speaking to a couple of different builders and will ask the question of them too. Like you, I would prefer to have it a closed room, but if I can't I think the half wall is the way to go for interior design - it will match the lounge area. Or maybe bifolds? Thanks for your response. Re: Habitable room vs playroom space 4Dec 06, 2011 6:04 pm I've seen some like that and they have half walls with shutters on top. They look fantastic and means it can be open and you can keep an eye on the kids or close them for privacy. Would that work? Re: Habitable room vs playroom space 5Dec 06, 2011 6:55 pm Hi Rizzo, Yep, I be completely happy with that. I'm going to ask about it tomorrow - the more plans I look at, the more they seem to have similar layouts. And I REALLY like the idea of a Kids Activity Area directly off the bedrooms, as I think one of our parents will eventually come to live with us in their later years and it's a nice space to convert to a living area for them too (once the kids have moved out - we have about 20 years before that though!). Thanks for your input. Re: Habitable room vs playroom space 6Apr 20, 2012 7:32 pm Hi Shaezy, how about your plan? did you finish it? largest selection of benches on benches for bedrooms fresh idea of designing playroom on kids playroom ideas You can really use anything you want the main consideration would be how it looks once painted/finished - or the look you want. Cabinetmakers use MDF because its cheap… 2 9895 Cupcake.girl This really depends on your local council. Each one has different definitions and ways to calculate contributions. This is called a contribution… 1 3566 dimensions on your original plan are inconsistent and with accurate dimensions (including site plan, upstairs and down) i could make a proper scale drawing with furniture… 3 7485 |