Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 20, 2010 8:48 pm I'm looking for the collective wisdom of the contributors to this forum!!! We have purchased a 1 acre block of land in Plenty VIC. Have been toying with various layouts and arrived at the concept drawing attached. With the drafty now looking to progress to full working drawings, we need to confirm we are happy with the concept attached. We do have a number of restrictions on what changes we can made. The house is shaped into a "U" to work around a protected tree (shown in the diagram). The block also has a building envelope, and the plan as drawn pretty much takes up the whole of the usable envelope. We have a few changes we'd like to make to this plan (i.e. entry point for garage stairs, placement of Bi Part sliders ....) but I'd love to hear your thoughts on what works and what doesn't http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9476/floorplanh.png ps. North is to the garage side of this plan Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 3Apr 20, 2010 9:02 pm Hi Rotanon, That is an impressive plan. Some of it's hard to read but I think you've done amazingly well to accomodate your significant tree. I will look forward to seeing how this goes as you progress. Good luck. Handover February 2011 Happy with our home Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 4Apr 20, 2010 9:21 pm Nice plan! I love the shape and size! And I love that it's around a tree! What kind of tree is it? Will the footings for the house damage any of the root system of the tree? There's only one thing i noted (and you have probably already thought of it) the cupboards which are labeled linen closets are so far away from the laundry and the bedrooms - where as you could use the storage room as a walk in linen? (you have probably already thought of this and they are just names I guess...) that's my 2 cents! Look forward to following your build! Sleven Moved into our Atlantique MkII 36 by Carlisle Homes Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 5Apr 20, 2010 9:32 pm hi rotanan This forum used to have some great floorplan critics, I'm not the best, but I do have some thoughts on your plan. Firstly, I'm not sure why you have some things the way they appear on your plan, so perhaps I could enquire to the reason, before I say it doesn't work - because you may have something in mind that makes it work. Starting with orientation, you say the garage wall faces north. So am I to assume that your rumpus/garage wall is the one facing north? If so, that would mean the front of house faces the west?? This is the same as our house, but we have quite a bit of living down the north side. I wonder how the sun will fall on your kitchen dining without northern sun in winter? I guess your architect can give you more confidence than I can on that one. moving on... the plan is fantastic, what a great feel to it. There are a few little things.... 1. 4 loos? I can see why the loo behind the garage would benefit those in that end of the home, but the loo next to the WI storage is superfluous, it wouldn't get used. I personally would convert that loo and the storage area in to one large open desk area as a study/IT nook... People are finding this feature really appealing in homes now, it doesn't have to be computers, it could be a reading library corner, it could be a craft corner (if you have girls!). Obviously, you still need good storage. Personally, I would extend out my south wall along that hallway between the laundry entrance and master bed by about 600mm which would then allow for a long set of BIR along the hallway, right along that wall facing the windows. This would be a more efficient use of space, and create another purposeful room. Alternatively, if you don't want to increase the house, simply cut into the IT area for BIR, not a WIR. Put some more effective storage in your laundry. 2. There is something strange to the feel of stairs leading out of your living area into your garage. I'd consider putting that door into the garage at the bottom of the stairs on the living room wall. 3. The home theatre, I'm confused why you have the hallway along the home theatre to the dead end wall. Is it to allow the light in through that window? IF so, dont' worry about the window, make your home theatre as BIG as possible, trust me, you;ll thank me for that one later on. No one will care less about a hallway to nowhere. Square it off, move loo door the other way round. I would put my double door entry between the two equal sized linen cupboards... I think you may have issues with lighting in the home facing south around the tree, but a hallway window wont' fix it. Skylights will give you best help there. I don't know how much linen cupboards you will need next to your home theatre and rumpus, but hey, storage is storage - not to be scoffed at in my books!!! Am I right that all that shading over the master is indicative of basement storage? Wow - wish we had that - what a fantastic idea...!!! Am I right you don't have doors on your lounge or study? If so, reconsider the study, this is a room that traditionally people like to be able to shut, even if it's a nice feature timber door or something... And the WIR in all bedrooms is a fantastic idea, trust me, we did it, we love it, everyone comments on how sensational it looks, it is by far the best storage for any youngen!!! in fact your whole kids sleeping quarter is a great layout, I wouldn't change anything there. (two basins in the bathroom - brilliant!) The Master is a great layout, the only thing I would reconsider is the door to the ensuite, you may prefer this layout, but I am noticing that display homes are often showcasing their ensuite's now, I guess this is due to the high quality fittings they want to show off, but it probably makes the whole master suite look larger and more luxurious, so you may want to reconsider this too. Separate loo is great! I think your kitchen/living area layout is great, very effective. 3 car garage - I'm jealous!! We will def do this on our next house too. I'd love to hear your response to some of the above ideas, so I'll watch your post for a couple of days! good luck mate! A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 6Apr 20, 2010 10:00 pm Annietom hi rotanan This forum used to have some great floorplan critics, I'm not the best, but I do have some thoughts on your plan. Firstly, I'm not sure why you have some things the way they appear on your plan, so perhaps I could enquire to the reason, before I say it doesn't work - because you may have something in mind that makes it work. Starting with orientation, you say the garage wall faces north. So am I to assume that your rumpus/garage wall is the one facing north? If so, that would mean the front of house faces the west?? This is the same as our house, but we have quite a bit of living down the north side. I wonder how the sun will fall on your kitchen dining without northern sun in winter? I guess your architect can give you more confidence than I can on that one. moving on... the plan is fantastic, what a great feel to it. There are a few little things.... 1. 4 loos? I can see why the loo behind the garage would benefit those in that end of the home, but the loo next to the WI storage is superfluous, it wouldn't get used. I personally would convert that loo and the storage area in to one large open desk area as a study/IT nook... People are finding this feature really appealing in homes now, it doesn't have to be computers, it could be a reading library corner, it could be a craft corner (if you have girls!). Obviously, you still need good storage. Personally, I would extend out my south wall along that hallway between the laundry entrance and master bed by about 600mm which would then allow for a long set of BIR along the hallway, right along that wall facing the windows. This would be a more efficient use of space, and create another purposeful room. Alternatively, if you don't want to increase the house, simply cut into the IT area for BIR, not a WIR. Put some more effective storage in your laundry. 2. There is something strange to the feel of stairs leading out of your living area into your garage. I'd consider putting that door into the garage at the bottom of the stairs on the living room wall. 3. The home theatre, I'm confused why you have the hallway along the home theatre to the dead end wall. Is it to allow the light in through that window? IF so, dont' worry about the window, make your home theatre as BIG as possible, trust me, you;ll thank me for that one later on. No one will care less about a hallway to nowhere. Square it off, move loo door the other way round. I would put my double door entry between the two equal sized linen cupboards... I think you may have issues with lighting in the home facing south around the tree, but a hallway window wont' fix it. Skylights will give you best help there. I don't know how much linen cupboards you will need next to your home theatre and rumpus, but hey, storage is storage - not to be scoffed at in my books!!! Am I right that all that shading over the master is indicative of basement storage? Wow - wish we had that - what a fantastic idea...!!! Am I right you don't have doors on your lounge or study? If so, reconsider the study, this is a room that traditionally people like to be able to shut, even if it's a nice feature timber door or something... And the WIR in all bedrooms is a fantastic idea, trust me, we did it, we love it, everyone comments on how sensational it looks, it is by far the best storage for any youngen!!! in fact your whole kids sleeping quarter is a great layout, I wouldn't change anything there. (two basins in the bathroom - brilliant!) The Master is a great layout, the only thing I would reconsider is the door to the ensuite, you may prefer this layout, but I am noticing that display homes are often showcasing their ensuite's now, I guess this is due to the high quality fittings they want to show off, but it probably makes the whole master suite look larger and more luxurious, so you may want to reconsider this too. Separate loo is great! I think your kitchen/living area layout is great, very effective. 3 car garage - I'm jealous!! We will def do this on our next house too. I'd love to hear your response to some of the above ideas, so I'll watch your post for a couple of days! good luck mate! Thanks for the comprehensive feedback Annietom. Thats exactly what I'm after. To answer your questions. I have a concern about the orientation as well. We are doing some things to allow sun into the kitechen/meals/family including the large floor to ceiling windows to the north, and glass front door, but ultimately if it doesn't work, we'll need to install skylights. With our envelope the way it is, we couldn't get a house of this size on it any other way The loo that you note as superflous is part of a grand plan. If/when the tree ultimately goes, we are looking to build a big alfresco and pool into the "U" area. This loo would then serve the purpose as a combined loo/change room. The window next to this room is incorrect, it should be a door leading outside to allow easy access to this loo without having to ealk through the whole house. I have redesigned the laundry now to have a 3.8m wall of storage; no problems there and my wife is estatic with the amount of storage we'll incorporated I have also redesigned the stairs to the garage to enter from the hallway side rather than the family area. Allows us to make better use of the family room wall as well. The basement will be brillant. Because our block slopes upwards towards the back, with the front of the house elevated by 8 steps, and some minor excavation, we'll have a massive basement (with exterior) roller door access to store all my toys... Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 7Apr 20, 2010 10:02 pm I like it. At a brief look my main comment would be that at 5X4 the home theatre is a tad small. If you are dedicating a room for this purpose then you should make it worthwhile. I'd get rid of the linen cupboards and increase the size of it - you have heaps of storage including a large storage room near the bedrooms which would be perfect for this. IMO the linen cupboards are a waste of space. Once you do that you can shorten the hall to the rumpus room making the bar more open. If the hallway adjacent to the home theatre is in fact leading to nowhere then I'd think about deleting it and rotating the home theatre round and moving the WC - you could possible move the bar towards the windows and put the WC so its between the rumpus and the home theatre - more accessable to both. Also the main bedroom - if it were me I'd run the wardrobe with the same design but in front of the ensuite and move the entrance further towards the study - I just prefer the wardrobe near the bathroom. Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 8Apr 20, 2010 10:13 pm I think it's awesome. So huge! It's enormous. One thing though the powder room behind the pantry I think it would be good to have access to it from the backyard so would that be a window just outside? I wish we had of ensured we had a near access toilet from the rear of the house to save people from having to walk through the house just to go to the toilet. Overall a fab house. Well done. Look forward to following your progress. Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 9Apr 20, 2010 10:22 pm Hello neighbour (I hail from your hood also) Love the plan; particularly the minor bedroom wing and the configuration of that area's bathroom and toilet. Perfect use of the space. I do also agree that the home theatre is a little small, so anything you can do to increase the space there slightly would be a plus. That laundry suggestion was also awesome. I'd be rapt with that storage too! I like your 'grand plan' for the outdoor area- that loo will come in handy after all! Can I just say, it's really nice to see a plan that's a bit unique? Thanks for sharing it Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 10Apr 20, 2010 10:46 pm wow guys looks fantastic love how unique this is. Looking forward to following the progress. Budde Design 3D Architecural Visualizations, Architectural Rendering, Artist Impressions, 2D & 3D floor plans http://www.buddedesign.com nathan@buddedesign.com Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 12Apr 23, 2010 8:58 am I can't believe that I missed this thread!! Haven't had much of a look yet (holed up in bed with a breastfeeding baby and only an iPhone for communications!!), but the first thing that comes to mind is the master bedroom. If you take the bedroom and walk through robe section and flip it (so that the ensuite now opens from the robe rather than opposite the bed) it would allow for a tall, thin, unimpeded northern window into your master bedroom. Also much better feng shui if you're into that (where your feet are no longer facing a doorway while you sleep) gorgeous plan!! More later when I can get to my computer =) Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 14Apr 23, 2010 12:58 pm okies - this is what I'd do. Feel free to use or discard as you see fit =) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I've swapped the bedroom around as mentioned in my previous post - this allows room for a northern window (which I haven't drawn in). I've rotated the stairs to the garage so that they open from your hallway rather than the room. If you want access to bring long things into the house from the garage you could cut back the length of the wall into the lounge area and create a kind of landing to allow for swing space. I've moved the toilet closer to the lounge area and slightly lengthened to allow a better vanity space. Rotating the stairs freed up the space to be able to move this. I've enlarged the theatre room and added double hinged doors instead of sliders. No more passage to nowhere. I think your plan rocks - well done!! There really isn't a whole lot that I would consider changing. It's really well thought out considering your limitations =) Awesome work! Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 15Apr 23, 2010 1:38 pm somewoman okies - this is what I'd do. Feel free to use or discard as you see fit =) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I've swapped the bedroom around as mentioned in my previous post - this allows room for a northern window (which I haven't drawn in). I've rotated the stairs to the garage so that they open from your hallway rather than the room. If you want access to bring long things into the house from the garage you could cut back the length of the wall into the lounge area and create a kind of landing to allow for swing space. I've moved the toilet closer to the lounge area and slightly lengthened to allow a better vanity space. Rotating the stairs freed up the space to be able to move this. I've enlarged the theatre room and added double hinged doors instead of sliders. No more passage to nowhere. I think your plan rocks - well done!! There really isn't a whole lot that I would consider changing. It's really well thought out considering your limitations =) Awesome work! [bowing and scraping on knees] We are not worthy, we are not worthy, we are not worthy Seriously though Somewoman, you have taken a fantastic plan, tweaked it and made it something I want NOW! Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 17Apr 23, 2010 6:50 pm Hi rotanon, the first thing I noticed was the 4 toilets too, I saw your reply to annietom about adding a door to the outside so I understand why that powder room is there, but do you then need the toilet outside the bathroom - it is such a short distance away? Would you consider swapping bed 2 with the laundry/bathroom? You could then use the laundry for access through to the centre courtyard, and would end up with an extra room almost, somthing like below (its a little untidy, needs a bit more tweaking but you get the idea ) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 18Apr 23, 2010 6:55 pm Shell83 - nice idea, but already accounted for I do like the access to the internal courtyard for washing, though! Mind you, the hallway almost opposite the laundry should provide basically the same. rotanon The loo that you note as superflous is part of a grand plan. If/when the tree ultimately goes, we are looking to build a big alfresco and pool into the "U" area. This loo would then serve the purpose as a combined loo/change room. The window next to this room is incorrect, it should be a door leading outside to allow easy access to this loo without having to ealk through the whole house. Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 19Apr 23, 2010 7:15 pm somewoman Shell83 - nice idea, but already accounted for I do like the access to the internal courtyard for washing, though! Mind you, the hallway almost opposite the laundry should provide basically the same. rotanon The loo that you note as superflous is part of a grand plan. If/when the tree ultimately goes, we are looking to build a big alfresco and pool into the "U" area. This loo would then serve the purpose as a combined loo/change room. The window next to this room is incorrect, it should be a door leading outside to allow easy access to this loo without having to ealk through the whole house. Yes, I saw that response so I understand that the OP wants a toilet easily accessible from the outside which is why I have suggested swapping the bathroom/laundry with bed 2. This would give them access from the outside straight into a wet area, but would remove the need for the 4th toilet and the little hallway in front of it, saving some space that could be used for something else. Or did I not see that someone else had already suggested it? Re: Give me your feedback on my proposed floor plan !!!! 20Apr 23, 2010 7:36 pm shell83 somewoman rotanon The loo that you note as superflous is part of a grand plan. If/when the tree ultimately goes, we are looking to build a big alfresco and pool into the "U" area. This loo would then serve the purpose as a combined loo/change room. The window next to this room is incorrect, it should be a door leading outside to allow easy access to this loo without having to ealk through the whole house. Yes, I saw that response so I understand that the OP wants a toilet easily accessible from the outside which is why I have suggested swapping the bathroom/laundry with bed 2. This would give them access from the outside straight into a wet area, but would remove the need for the 4th toilet and the little hallway in front of it, saving some space that could be used for something else. Or did I not see that someone else had already suggested it? I suppose that the bathroom could be used as the change room, although personally I wouldn't want wet kids tracking water around the hallway to there. Personally - for me - given the OPs intended purpose I think I'd prefer their original idea. But what works for some doesn't work for others, so your way is equally valid. When I read your response I had assumed that you hadn't read what the OP had said with regards to the 4th loo. My humblest apologies. I hadn't read that they had changed the rotation of the stairs before I posted my own changes to the plan. Hi there! Absolutely agree on the wasted space. We have no desire for the master to be that oversized, but it occurred when we increased the depth of the garage. We have… 4 12498 6 55343 Do you really want to accommodate the window? What is on the outside of the window? Do you want to be able to see your towels from outside? I would blank the window from… 2 6688 |