Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jun 08, 2014 10:28 pm Hi everyone, By way of introduction, we have finally settled on 5 acres and are planning on OB . I have been reading posts here on different topics and look forward to learning and sharing more in due course. So we have some pretty clear ideas of what we want/don't want and are now starting to try to put them together and design our forever family home. I am struggling most with which rooms should go where for best sun orientation? Also, should we just give the architect the list of what we want and see what he comes up with vs a draft scale sketch which he would just need to make workable? What have you done in your home projects? Thanks Re: Designing our forever home 2Jun 08, 2014 10:49 pm I posted in this thread earlier today in a similar vein regarding House Orientation and two excellent sites to trawl through. viewtopic.php?f=35&t=71561 Also this thread regarding copyright viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71444 Stewie Re: Designing our forever home 3Jun 10, 2014 9:39 am "the" house orientation thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=55057 Having a draft sketch, or some 'insipiration' floor plans is useful, it's what I would do Re: Designing our forever home 4Jun 10, 2014 9:38 pm Thanks for your replies Stewie D & TinaG - I am making my way through the many very detailed (and very helpful) posts re orientation. I'm just trying to work out which parts apply being that we have such large frontage being on acreage, but from what I can tell being East facing is a good thing for passive solar?! We have so many sketches of design layouts, I feel like we'll give the architect a headache (hehe), so trying to get a favourite design together before we sit and chat with him though... Thanks again Re: Designing our forever home 5Jun 10, 2014 10:25 pm Nikita I'm just trying to work out which parts apply being that we have such large frontage being on acreage, but from what I can tell being East facing is a good thing for passive solar?! NO, as many windows as possible should be facing North, but with proper shading (see http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2012/01/sha ... n-windows/) East facing windows get far too much sun on summer mornings and hardly any sun in the winter. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Designing our forever home 6Dec 11, 2014 9:25 pm Hi all, We have been trying to design our acreage home for some time now...and would really love some feedback on what we have come up with so far - I have just posted in the Custom Design thread: http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=33027&start=2060. Thanks Re: Designing our forever home 7Dec 12, 2014 7:53 pm Hi Nikita! How are you going? We're in the process of getting our house ready for sale at the moment and looking at 5 acres or more for a future build in South West Sydney. I've been dabbling with house designs and have found that you really need to know the block before you can design a house to fit on it. . . there are views to consider, roads, preferred orientation as well as (of course) passive solar. Are you able to post any info on your location regarding preferred orientation etc? Maybe a clip from google maps with arrows drawn on top? Re: Designing our forever home 8Dec 12, 2014 8:51 pm Hi Jodge, The funny thing is we actually bought a great block with lots of potential for almost anything but with that comes the endless possibilities which can actually make it almost harder.hehe Did you check out the link I attached - it has a draft floorplan and details? Do you think you will do a custom build or go with a builder for your acreage home? Re: Designing our forever home 9Dec 13, 2014 7:51 am i have had this page bookmarked for years viewtopic.php?f=31&t=5823&start=625 hope you find something usefull Re: Designing our forever home 10Dec 13, 2014 8:27 am It sounds fab. Nikita. I'm jealous that you've already secured your land, hahaha! I don't think we'd ever build a project home as we designed the one we're in at the moment, and there are a few things we'd do differently, but we're quite happy with it. I've actually been looking at a few floorplans of 'acreage' project homes in the last couple of weeks. . . While some of them are very good, they just don't give me what I want. Most of all I want the long edges of my home to face north-south, with the living areas and master bedroom on the north side and the little-used rooms on the south. Our current house has the theatre room on the south with the main living areas on the north. . . The temperature difference between the theatre room and main living room in both winter and summer is huge.. . Which is really annoying as we live in the theatre room! People have said to us 'just put the aircon on'. . . But wouldn't it be great for your main living area to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter naturally? So. . . Next time the theatre room will be on the northern side, and we'll have a covered verandah on the south. We have all sorts of 'wants': - master bedroom suite away from the other bedrooms, with window-seat and deck outside - dream kitchen with huge walk in pantry - fireplace, preferably on the end of a wall with a raked ceiling - huge ensuite with double shower, double (or two separate) vanities - mud-room at the entrance (american style with benches, hooks and closets) - oval spa in the main bathroom (with a view) - large laundry, big enough to have a clothes line We're just not going to get all of these from a project build. . . And more to the point, the house has to suit the block. We're interested in a couple of blocks at the moment and i'm putting together a design for each. They're completely different. One block has a view to the north east, the other has no view but bush to the north, so on the first the living area is along the east with a big deck looking out towards the view. The second has the living areas in the middle of the house on the north. So. . . I suppose it would be good to have some photos of your block, maybe a list of 'wants', where you'd like to face some of your rooms to capture views or gain privacy. . . Maybe include some inspiration facade photos? Good luck! Re: Designing our forever home 11Dec 13, 2014 8:42 am Hi, I've transferred your plan to here. . . Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Seems an awful shame that you've got your garage and some enclosed rooms on the northern wall. I'd like to have a play around with a completely new design for you if I have the time, I'll try tonight. Can you maybe write a list of wants in the meantime? Is your land flat or sloping? If so, in which direction? Re: Designing our forever home 13Dec 13, 2014 11:57 pm @ aussieta - thanks for that link, definitely lots of into in there, I will be sure to sit down with hubby and go through it all! @ jodge - it sure is a great feeling when you find "the" land you've been after - our search took a few years on and off! In terms of some info about the site, it is basically level with 118 metre frontage and an access road running along the right side (north) of the block; makes it a little awkward in that you would want that open for the natural sun but closed for privacy - oh well. There really isn't much for views but land, front and back are bush and neighbours on either side. In terms of the home design. I know exactly what you mean about searching project builders, some get close but it's never perfect enough for a perfectionist.hehe Our want list is basically: • Single level with symmetrical facade • Interesting roof pitch • Higher ceiling in foyer entry • Master bedroom to have a dressing room and ensuite with double shower and double vanity • Main bathroom with bath, shower and double vanity then in separate room toilet with own sink • Powder room to have toilet with own sink, preferably accessible from the alfresco • Kitchen not near laundry or powder room • No long hallways • All bedrooms together • French doors to master • Kitchen to have a servery window to the alfresco • Lots of storage preferably built in not walk in • Internal access from garage to the mudroom • Triple stacker door to alfresco • Two way fireplace to separate probably the dining and living areas • Kids zone to be visible from main living areas and will be half wall with plantation shutters above • Passive solar principles I think we covered and stuck to most of these so gotta be happy about that, but we know it's not right yet. In terms of orientation we put all the bedrooms in the southern side, and ideally want the kitchen, living and dining to get the natural light from the north. We are working on another sketch where the cinema would be in the middle and possibly not have any or just one window, but after reading your post I'm concerned it's going to be too cold?! Thanks for your effort in having a go at rejigging our drawing. I can't wait to show hubby.hehe Anyway, enough about us, where are the blocks you've been looking at located? So excited about your want list, sounds amazing especially the laundry big enough for a clothes line! Your mud room idea sounds exactly like what I want to do too Love the oval bath in the ensuite; we did have one but decided since we barely use the spa we have now, best get rid of it and spend that money elsewhere Oh and you have to explain the dream kitchen - my favourite room!!! Btw feel free to post your sketches too so we can take a look Ok enough for now, better go get some sleep Always handy to have the facts on hand when relying on agents advice, a lot of times sale agents advice is only good anecdotally, and when you actually dive deeper it's… 33 47784 We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 16097 of course there are legal avenues. You've already mentioned it. Sue them. I find it odd that lawyers wouldnt be willing to take on the case, given CCT evidence and… 1 23758 |