Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 05, 2009 10:23 am Hi All,
I'm about to build my first new home in Canberra. I have drafted a plan now. Thought of getting your opinion on it. Please let me know what you think about it (like any improvements..suggestions..etc) Cheers, Jag Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Building my new home - throw in your suggestions 2May 05, 2009 12:17 pm Hi Jag, Could you give us an idea of how many are going to be living in it and ages? Also, looking at where the entrance to the front door and the garage is I am presuming that you are on acreage and not a 'traditional' size block? A Cheers, KL Re: Building my new home - throw in your suggestions 3May 05, 2009 12:57 pm Couple of things.... Where abouts are you building? Which way is north? Where is the street/Road? Where is the driveway? Where will guests park if you have a party? Which Bathroom will Bed 2 use? It's a long way to the shared bathroom? I'd go a single basin in the ensuite, as it looks quite crowded... Is there an alfresco area? Where would you entertain? I'd put an island bench in the kitchen so you have direct access to the family room... I'd even think about getting rid of the laundry door to outside, and instead use the garage door to access the outside... What are the doors/windows on the dining and family rooms? Do they access outside? Electrical Engineer... Don't hold that against me... And keen owner builder... Mainly the building part!! Re: Building my new home - throw in your suggestions 4May 05, 2009 1:06 pm I'm guessing it's one of the new style blocks they are experimenting with (that's actually an old idea) that have a street frontage and laneway access at the back. (Just out of curiosity which roadway do the garbage trucks use? Traditionally the back laneway was used for, ahem, things like that, but I don't know if those laneways are wide enough for modern garbage trucks. I know there have been previous problems with road design not taking into account the requirements of garbage trucks. I don't think it will be a problem for you either way though, you seem to have access down all sides so whichever side should be fine.) If Bedroom 2 is likely to be used as a study then that location is fine. I'd like to see more cupboard space. We thought with a built-in in the study we had plenty but we could still use another one. Could you push the kitchen/family room back and widen that cupboard opposite the front door? Do you particularly want a window in the WIR? chuth77 Which way is north? Isn't north supposed to always be at the top of the plan? Although it would help to have the little compass thing shown. Re: Building my new home - throw in your suggestions 5May 05, 2009 3:02 pm Hi KL, At the moment I’m a single person (aged 27) but I’m planning to settle down in life. Get married… have childrens… (say in another 5 years time). So, I had to think futuristic. Entrance is via porch (where the master bedroom and living is). I have a lane way access at the back which means, I can have my garage either at the back or in front. My block is a small one of about 473 sqm. Its at Forde in Canberra. Hi chuth77, Where abouts are you building? I’m building at Forde in Canberra. Which way is north? North is where living dining and family are facing. Unfortunately, my draftsman didn’t mention it in the floor plan. Where is the street/Road? In the front (where Porch is) is my entry via Jack Ryan St and I have a laneway at the back Where is the driveway? There is no driveway as there is no lane at the back. Where will guests park if you have a party? I guess on the street. It’s a wide street and they could get ample parking spots. Which Bathroom will Bed 2 use? It's a long way to the shared bathroom? That’s a good point; I’m planning to have one bedroom close to master bedroom so that in future if I have a child it would be easy for me to look after. Alternatively, I can use it as a study. Also in resale point of view, I had it as a bedroom instead of study. I'd go a single basin in the ensuite, as it looks quite crowded... Well, if my partner is going to work and if we need to get ready at the same time, I guess it would be good to have two basins. Again this is a debateable topic Is there an alfresco area? Where would you entertain? I have a pergola near dining area which would be an entertaining area. I know, I don’t have alfresco but I wanted to have a theatre room near laundry so I made it empty. Waiting for builders to come up with quote, depending on what they say I guess I would turn it a theatre room or leave it for future. I'd put an island bench in the kitchen so you have direct access to the family room... I thought, I would get a bigger kitchen if I have that kind of kitchen? I'd even think about getting rid of the laundry door to outside, and instead use the garage door to access the outside... That’s a good point. I may need to discuss this with my architect. What are the doors/windows on the dining and family rooms? Do they access outside? Sliding door in dining gives access to pergola outside. I’m planning to have a water feature just opposite to dining. Hi Macy, I don’t about the new style but I thought I would get a very good front elevation if I had my garage at the back (I have an option of having garage at the back or front). I have no clue about garbage trucks. My lane way is of good size, I think it should be good enough for garbage truck to pic it up. Could you suggest me where I could have extra cupboards? I have a walk in Pantry which occupies more space. The cupboard in the front is more of a coat cupboard so I thought that should be enough. Regarding window in WIW, I had it for good front elevation, it’s going to be a frosted stained glass or do you think there is any other alternative? Cheers, Jag Re: NEW HOME - YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE... 6May 05, 2009 4:58 pm I like your design It will look great from the street I think! I would keep the laundry door to outside. Trying to carry a heavy basket full of wet washing around a parked car and through two doors instead of one seems like too much effort for me The dual basins in the ensuite is nice, if we had room in our design we would have them too. One thing I would do is move the bench to the wall opposite the shower so you can have a mirror above the bench. You could make the bench longer that way too if you think it is too crowded with two basins. Re: NEW HOME - YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE... 7May 05, 2009 5:28 pm I don't get the WIR. The shelf and rail looks like it will go straight across the window. I'd sacrifice a bit of space in bedroom 3 and extend the hallway past it to bedroom 2. Forget about access to bedroom 2 from the front entry way, make the master bed have double doors off the main hallway and extend it right back in line with the kitchen and ensuite wall. The master would then have a retreat and be big enough to have a cot etc when the time comes. Bed 2 is pretty unworkable as a bedroom as it is because it's too far to the main bathroom and the hallway to it as it is on the plan is just wasted space. Quick and crappy edit job to show what I mean. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: NEW HOME - YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE... 8May 05, 2009 5:41 pm Hi digijagan, Welcome to the forum and to building in Forde, there are a few of us on here. I think your plan looks pretty good and you will gets lots of natural light through the house, when do you think you will get started? Re: NEW HOME - YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE... 9May 05, 2009 6:19 pm Hi Elli, I’m glad you liked it . After you suggested the convenience of having laundry door to outside area, I guess I would keep it for now . However, I may have to remove it if I’m placing a theatre room next to it. Having the vanity on sides, I thought it wouldn’t be appealing. Do you think it is too crowded for an ensuite? Hi Joles, I appreciate your effort in editing the floor plan . The window in WIW is just for front elevation. It won’t bring in much light to the room. I’m also thinking of swapping the WIW and ensuite. Do you think it would be a good idea ? I’m seriously thinking of having the bed-2 open up along with other bed room hallways (like you said) . What made you having a double door for master bedroom? I wanted master bedroom to be private so I thought to have a hall way. Is it not a good idea in resale point of view ? Hi Kate/Paul, It’s really great to hear from my neighbour (or should I say fellow suburbian? ). My block is 5 of 63 near the pond. I’m glad you liked the plan. I’m in the process of getting quote from builders. Who did you dealt with in Rawson? How much did they quote you? How big is your home? Why did you prefer Rawson? Sorry to ask so many questions , I’m just curious. Cheers, Jag Re: NEW HOME - YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE... 10May 05, 2009 7:34 pm I'd swap your WIR and Ensuite too - you probably don't want a shower backing on to Bed 2, especially if you are going to put a baby in there one day! I'd also, as Jo suggested, open up Bed 2 the other way... Re: NEW HOME - YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE... 11May 05, 2009 8:24 pm Oh I see, Forde. I was thinking of the lanes closer to the town centre. I like Joles idea, it makes all the bedrooms proper bedrooms with easy access to the bathroom, and the master bedroom is big enough for a cot. It increases versatility, although your original segregated master-and-study/nursery idea has merit too. My concern about the window in the WIW, apart from reducing storage, is the possibility of condensation. If the window was just there for aesthetics and you swap the WIW and en suite then you'll need to give some thought to privacy. Good point by havingfun about not having it adjacent to another bedroom. Have you thought about where you will put things, especially large things like vacuum cleaner and suitcases, once the bedroom cupboards are needed for kids clothes? Could you push the family room further north, without compromising solar access, and put a long linen cupboard along the bedroom hallway? Re: NEW HOME - YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE... 12May 05, 2009 8:49 pm Takeing up where others left off, yes I would swap WIR and ensuite- at present toilet and shower back onto wall of next bedroom, ok if you have a BIR along that wall but otherwise rather noisy Then I would make ensuite front window be at the side of room (either over the vanity or re-configure room) - more private than at front. I know this would change your front elevation somewhat but I dont think this would matter. Then dont have a window in WIR at all, I dont think they need one anyway. Re double vanities, there is no point in them IMO unless the vanity bench is wider - not enough room for 2 people to use at same time anyway Personally I'd just change it to a single vanity but then I'm not a great fan of double ones anyway B2 is better as a bedroom if moved as shown by other posters but if you want a home office or study away from kids bedrooms it is better in original spot. People often like home offices near the front so clients aren't going into main part of the house. I have an idea for storage - make the laundry come out wider - ie up to window of family room and then you can have built in cupboards on laundry wall which backs onto B4, hope that makes sense (I am too lazy to edit the plan ) Re: NEW HOME - YOUR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE... 13May 06, 2009 9:37 am Hi Havingfun, Thank you for your suggestions. I’m more inclined towards having bed-2 open on the other side. Hi Macy, What do you think is a good size for nursery? If I have a nursery there, won’t I need a bathroom near by nursery? As I said earlier I’m now more inclined to have bed-2 open up the other side. I thought I had enough cabinet space in laundry where I can put my vacuum cleaners and other stuffs. Regarding suitcases I will have a upper cabinet space in my WIW. I agree I’m lacking cabinet spaces. I will not be able to push the family further north (actually I can up to 200mm but not more than that) as I have a solar set back restriction of my block. I should leave 4m open space from north boundary for at least half of the building length. Do you have any other place in mind where I can have a cabinet? Hi Helyn, I just downloaded 3d home architect tool at home to sketch all of your views and see how it would come. Will keep you posted on updated sketch plan. Regarding double vanity, what length would you recommend? By widening laundry will give me more cupboard space I guess, but I had to work it out in floor plan. Will keep you posted on updates to plan. Cheers, Jag Hi, Looking to add an ensuite to one of the bedrooms and make it a Master BR. Please see the attached current floorplan. Need suggestions on what's the best way to do… 0 7341 ideal house depends on the site and location as much as internal floor plan....what is the distance from the house to all four boundaries, where is north, describe your… 3 15171 Suggestions please for acrylic rendering Color to match austral brick urban one pepper. Pic for reference. Thanks 0 5071 |