Hi all
Looking for some feedback into a house plan I made up. I contacted some builders previously. One was very helpful where we discussed my budget and house plans that would suit. He also gave me a thorough idea of what the likely site costs would be. However I could not find any designs that appealed to us. So I started making my own plan up, trying to keep it to the same constraints of others that were shown to me in the hope that I can keep it to budget.
Location: Perth Hills, City of Swan
Lot size: 50 acres
This will be a home for my wife and two young kiddies on our vacant farm lot. Although not going totally solar passive, I wanted to incorporate simple features which will assist in keeping the house warm in winter and cool in summer. I also wanted this house to be practical.
Here is the floor plan made up in Sketchup
House area is just under 200 sqm (including passageways) - not including alfresco, eaves and carport.
The view is to the west. Here is our western outlook Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ .
What I like in this design:
* The open plan living space.
* The large kitchen. It is where we spend most of our time. I like the way you can sit at the island to use the space further.
* The close connection of the living room to the "media/library/family/etc room". I never liked the idea of a "media room" and a dark, tucked away one at that. However I do like the idea of an open and airy area which can be multi purpose. For example, an area for the kids to play in while being in the vicinity of the living area. A place to watch TV without being interrupted by noise from the kitchen. It can also be fitted with a sofa bed and a place for guests to sleep over. A place to store books.
* A carport which is close to the kitchen.
* The access from the kitchen through the butler's pantry to the laundry area. This also creates another way to access the living area without creating an additional passageway.
My concerns:
* The media room being used as a thoroughfare between the living area and bedrooms. At first I thought this looked odd. However it is not too dissimilar to what I have in my current house, I never thought it as a problem. In another design I did have the passage way continuing to the lounge area by reducing the width of the media room. But I thought there were too many access ways and wasted space. However, the thought remains that this will be problematic.
* The main entrance at the alfresco. Again, to reduce wasted space with porticos and another access way, I placed the main entrance at the top where there was already an entrance. I like the idea of the main entrance opening to the living space but unsure how this will look in reality. My folks have a similar design but with a portico along the passageway. However, it is not used as most people enter near the alfresco.
*Master bedroom on the south and en-suite to the north. I had the bedroom on the south side to avoid excess sun entering it from the north. However, will this look odd from the outside?
* Master bedroom on the east. I will have this side well shaded by trees but still concerned by it as it is not ideal. I did have the carport at this end to block the summer morning sun and hot easterly winds but I didn't want a carport so far way from the kitchen.
Being a total amateur in everything to do with building and design, I've had a lot of fun with this in the design and research process but please don't hesitate in providing some critical advice here and any changes you may think of, however far off my plan. Just note that some sizes are not accurate (eg. doors, wall thickness, etc) - not that you can really tell with the picture.
The next step is to find a good (but within budget!) architect or building designer to get a tender package together and to give me a better idea of what this will actually cost.
Cheers