Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 11, 2010 1:59 pm We've received draft plans from the builder's draftsman. They've done well, it fits most of our criteria: Floor plans: http://flic.kr/p/8ZUydx Elevations: http://flic.kr/p/8ZUybF Site plan: http://flic.kr/p/8ZUyfx * Upstairs living and kitchen with large deck, to the height required to get city views * Master bedroom upstairs * Downstairs children's rooms, guest room and bathroom * Second deck downstair adjacent to games room * Extra width in the garage for work bench & storage Our design process is a little backwards; we started with the upstairs floor, we knew we had to have it at a certain height for the views. Downstairs ends up wherever it does based on 3000mm ceilings - that leaves a fall of about 1m from the lower back deck to natural ground. It'll require a fair amount of fill and low retaining walls to build up the ground floor to the required height but it seems to be do-able. The draftsman even came up with an ingenious design for the rear stairs between decks. I'm still not sure about the site layout; do I zero-lot the garage against the boundary, or leave a 1m path up the side? Any suggestions from the punters out there? Hillcrest build at Wavell Heights - Adenbrook https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=56663 Re: Plans - Hillcrest build in Wavell Heights 2Dec 12, 2010 10:58 am Gorgeous plans - I love upside down houses and skillion roofs! Will be watching your progress for sure! Have you thought about using louvre windows to catch the breeze? With the void at the front of the house you could use this to chimney out hot air from your lower levels. There are probably other opportunities with your design to get some passive cooling happening and if you can plan this in now you will save in electricity costs down the track (every little bit helps!). You have a real advantage already owning a house at the site to take note of the wind directions over summer and plan your window placement to catch the breeze. Re: Plans - Hillcrest build in Wavell Heights 3Dec 12, 2010 11:16 am good plan. If I could change or add anything I'd add a little wetbar to the rumpus backing onto the laundry sink. You could put a little bar fridge underneath and with a sink it could accomodate the downstairs bedrooms for everything bar cooking. Not sure what your budget is but if you can afford it it'd be worth it I reckon. Re: Plans - Hillcrest build in Wavell Heights 4Dec 12, 2010 9:07 pm Thanks for the feedback. Kb46: The windows above the void have been drawn as fixed panes, but I agree with you. We might do them as awning windows or perhaps two side-by-side louvre windows. The only problem will be a remote window opener (manual or electric). I'll have to look into it. Tsurf: A bar is a good idea. I have thought of that, but might leave it until after the build. Cost is one factor but mainly I'm not sure how we'll use the room yet. I'll take good note of where there pipes and drainage go, so it shouldn't be difficult to fit later. Hillcrest build at Wavell Heights - Adenbrook https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=56663 Re: Plans - Hillcrest build in Wavell Heights 5Dec 14, 2010 8:01 pm Contrary to popular belief, most louvres are less energy efficient than awning windows, and air-leakage tests verify this. To maximise opening of awnings, you can make the sash size smaller, and by placing them adjacent to one another, you will be able to sufficiently ventilate the area. Cheers, Sydney Double (and now Triple) Glazed Windows and Doors mob 0412 717 066 Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong www.doubleglazedwindows.net.au Re: Plans - Hillcrest build in Wavell Heights 6Dec 20, 2010 11:32 am Photos of views we'll get from the back deck - if we get to the right height! Lights look great at night. Towards city: http://flic.kr/p/92ECzX Close-up: http://flic.kr/p/92HKow Hillcrest build at Wavell Heights - Adenbrook https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=56663 Re: Plans - Hillcrest build in Wavell Heights 7Dec 20, 2010 1:18 pm great views! i hope that it all works out in the designing to capture it, i look forward to watching your build! Kylie handover happened 15/6/09...love living on an acre but still so much to do! Re: Plans - Hillcrest build in Wavell Heights 8Jan 24, 2011 9:23 pm Updated floor plans: Elevations: http://flic.kr/p/9cJQrt Floor plans: http://flic.kr/p/9cJQmp Changes include: * Move upstairs powder room away from living room, to other side of stair well * Change cladding from Axon panels to Linea boards * Resize kitchen (larger), study (smaller) & guest room (larger) to compensate for altered powder room * Specify louvre windows in space above portico - capture NE sea breezes into void over entry door We're in the process of getting a quote for a 19mm timber floor upstairs. It's reasonably pricey, but I think will really make the house look great. I'd love to get Brushbox, but might have to settle for something cheaper like Spotted Gum. Now I just have to figure out a way to open the louvre windows over the void - they will be about 4m up from the ground floor, and about 2m from the upstairs balustrade over the void. I've had just one quote for electric openers and they are prohibitively expensive. I guess we're back to the old aluminium pole with a hook to open them manually. Hillcrest build at Wavell Heights - Adenbrook https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=56663 Building Standards; Getting It Right! We bought a house in 2015 advertised as a 7/2/2, 4br up, 3br down (7br), and to date, it’s a great house. However, we’ve just had it valued and it’s come in as a… 0 11986 Really tight at the top of the stairs- how to get furniture into those rooms? Study books - does anyone really use them these days? Large storage closet would be more functional. 2 6884 Ask the council if there is a chance of getting build over easement exemption. Sometimes easements are unused and 24cm is not all that much. Good luck. And yes any builder… 2 13769 |