In need of an architect or builder for some advice please!!!

Zambi · Oct 13, 2018 8:45 pm

We are looking at purchasing a block but due to a few restrictions unsure if the design we like can be altered to work before we jump in and buy.

The block has an approx 8 degree slope from street looking down.

The restriction is that it needs to appear single level from the front and can be multi at the rear.

I assume this would mean we would step down to the living and up to the bedrooms upstairs to work with the slope.

I understand the top level would need to be altered to accommodate the single level appearance.

Any advice would be amazing.

Thanks in advance

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IamSAM · Oct 15, 2018 2:08 pm

Best to contact an architect who is familiar with the local council requirements.

alexp79 · Oct 16, 2018 5:35 am

As per your requirements, you would need putting your portico/entry/garage and bedrooms to your first level (which in fact will be acting as upper ground level) and position your living areas/dining/kitchen/outdoor at your ground level (which will be acting as lower ground or basement level).

You would need to do a lot of digging for your lower ground level basement construction and once of your lower ground floor walls will be in ground meaning no windows on that wall, advanced waterproofing, potential dampness issues, advanced insulation requirements, etc.

Alternatively, you can put all the main rooms + huge balcony/suspended deck to our entry level and only leave put some service or rarely used rooms to your basement (e.g. laundry, media room, storage, etc.) - this approach will require a bit less digging as your basement area will be smaller, however, your generic access to the outdoor areas will be limited to what your balcony/suspended deck will be able to provide.

In either way, the restriction you have limits your house potential quite significantly and if I were you, I would be strongly re-considering purchasing the block with such restrictions as yours.

Hope it helps.

StructuralBIMGuy · Oct 16, 2018 7:53 am

Zambi
If you are on a tight budget and building on a difficult block, I suggest you start with the engineering/construction costs,ie, Footings, Basement, Structure & Beams.
Alternatively walk away from that block or that design. hth

amilelka · Dec 10, 2018 11:31 am

Wow that's a very luxurious looking house!

What I would do is imagine your entry is on the top floor - where the void is now. Then reverse the staircase so it leads down into the living area.

You may end up having to cut and fill your block a bit, or raising the front entry up by a few steps to accommodate, but I think this would be the simplest solution.