Floor plan - What do you think?

rerob1 · Sep 26, 2007 12:21 am

Hi all

Well I have mentioned in a couple of other posts that we are looking at JG King...or at least that we have found them the most accomodating and they have a floor plan we really like...The waterford 275 http://www.jgkinghomes.com.au/choosing/new/waterford/plans/large/

So perhaps you can help with some questions:

1. Our block is 16.15 x 42 - we need to shave off a little off the width as this plan is for a 16.28m block!

2. I wanted access from the garage into the house - should I put a door in the study instead of the porch area? Any other ideas?? Is it even an issue?

3. If we go with this plan, the bedrooms will be on the west side of the house - will the heat be too much in the afternoons? Our neighbour has a huge double storey home on that side which should provide some protection....

4. Does anyone think the laundry should be closer to the bedrooms - how do you feel about walking through the house with laundry in hand??? :oops:

5. What about supervision of the kids whilst they play in the backyard from inside the house? Is this an issue (new mum!) - I guess I could just make them play around the alfresco area??

I am sure I will think of many more issues, but its really a great plan so far, one of the better ones which captures all our needs....

Thanks in Advance

Ruth

http://lenora22.blogspot.com/

commodorenut · Sep 26, 2007 12:44 am

My thoughts are that it's quite a good design.

Personally, I'd lose the little garden alcove near the WIR and have extra storage (built in drawers & shelvs, or more hanging.

My opinionated answers are as follows:

1. Shave it off the garage. Even if you have to narrow he garage to be effectively a 1.5 car wide garage, you can use a wide, single panel-lift door, park the car in the middle, and still have accessible storage up either side.

And let's face it, unless you have bugger-all to store in the garage, you probably won't be putting 2 cars in it anyway!

2. I'n not a fan of those 'porch doors' in any house. If you can see yourself having minimal furniture in the study, then a door may be appropriate, but it could be a pain if it's in the way of your desired layout. Perhaps extend the garage a little deeper & put a door in the rumpus?

3. Have a look at the block in the afternoon, and gauge where the shadow from next door casts. Allow a further 20-30 degrees angle for the sun to move around towards the south west where it sets in summer too.

You may find it better to have the western sun on the bedroom side anyway, rather than becoming a summertime pain in the alfresco & living areas.
Brekkie in the sun on the alfresco is far better than a summertime evening barbie with the sun in your eyes.

4. Don't worry, we do the same now, the laundry is at the opposit end of our place, with no internal access, so the basket also gets dragged along the back verandah too.....

I would suggest swapping the laundry & pantry around, so you're not going through the kitchen or eating area with it - it's more convenient to come out the hallway for the 3 bedrooms, and straight into a laundry.

5. Keep them between the garage & alfresco, and you have ample windows to keep an eye on them from inside. A couple of shade sails would be ideal between the garage & alfresco for the summer heat, and you could remove them in winter to make the most of the morning sun.

Hope these suggestions help.

rerob1 · Sep 26, 2007 3:00 pm

Thanks Commodorenut, your comments are very helpful...I will particularly look at swapping the pantry with the laundry!!

I think the little garden alcove in the master room is for natural light? not sure....but you are right, we would probably have ended up putting a tall boy there or something, so built in cupboards may be the go...though I wouldn't mind some natural light in there....

As for the garage, I am afraid my other half is stuck on a two car garage - even though I said exactly that - we wont park both cars in there!! But he is adamant about the space - so perhaps shaving some off the study may have to be the go....

BTW, I am not a fan of the porch door either, so perhaps someone who is a fan can tell me if there are any advantages...

Lyn · Sep 26, 2007 3:58 pm

Hi Ruth,

I think we had a look at this design originally - nice size bedrooms compared to the modern average! From memory JG King were fairly willing to modify their plans.

1. Move the garage slightly into the study. It is quite a big study for a project home (most around 3 x 3.2). With a 5.5m garage you will only fit two cars in if there is nothing else on the sides - you wouldn't want to make it any narrower.

2. You could always try the expensive option - we inserted a glorified hallway (it is called a mud room on the plans) between the study & loungeroom, with storage for shoes, coats etc.

3. I wouldn't be so much concerned with the bedrooms being on the west ... it is more that you have service areas on the north side of your house. Most efficient way of heating the house in winter is to use the sun - therefore large north-facing windows in your living area. Your living area will be great in the morning, but a bit cold & dark on a wintery Melbourne afternoon.

4. Don't stress about the laundry - good exercise!

5. If you are really worried put some form of divider from the front of the theatre wall to your side fence for the kids to play around the alfresco. You should be able to see most of that outdoor area from the kitchen.

Love the pantry & broom cupboard (our broom cupboard is a whole 45x60cm - the vacuum is going to have to find another home!).

Good luck

Lyn

HomeReview · Sep 26, 2007 4:39 pm

Do the garage at 5700mm wide and have a 150mm side boundary clearance. Check with your local Council if a zero lot setback is permitted.

ahuang · Sep 27, 2007 3:06 pm

Have I missed something, I don't see a study in the layout?

oznow · Sep 27, 2007 3:10 pm

I haven't seen the study either.

-i would prefer an internal access for garage, so you could unload your shopping to your kitchen quicker
-i would prefer direct access to laundry

Ozn

Michelle · Sep 27, 2007 3:11 pm

I meant to have a look at this last night……but I got a bit busy.

Might try tonight, looks good to me.

donuts · Sep 27, 2007 3:31 pm

I like this house design.

I like having the laundry away from kids rooms - means you can do heaps of washing without fear of waking them (mother of a light sleeper here!). Though I liked someone else's idea of swapping the laundry and WI pantry so you don't have to go right thru the kitchen with your dirty ones!

We decided to ditch the porch/garage door too and will be having one into the study. Better for rainy days.

I reckon you'll have enough natural light from other windows in your bedroom to do without that little alcove, I think it makes more sense to have more storage there. If you are worried you could think about one of those rectangular-type windows above the bed to let in some more light.

oznow & ahuang - I think you were looking at the house that came up as default on that weblink - if you go up to the drop-down box and choose Waterford 275, I think that's the one rerob1 is looking at.

ahuang · Sep 27, 2007 3:39 pm

Thanks donut, I can see it now...

rerob1 · Sep 27, 2007 10:19 pm

thanks everyone, yes the default on the link is the 3 bedroom, but we are looking at the Waterford 275 4 bed + study....

:idea:

Lyn, I like the 'mud room' ! I may have to try and incorporate that somehow...

I am very grateful for all comments, am taking note of everyones input - many thanks!

Does anyone know anything about JG King and Steel Frames??