Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Help with north facing block 11Mar 19, 2019 2:52 pm We have two central courtyards connected by a glass corridor. It definitely ups the cost. If you imagine a basic house shape of a rectangle, that would be the least expensive shape to build, but the cost goes up the more external walls you have. Re: Help with north facing block 13Mar 19, 2019 3:02 pm Houses with a central courtyard increase the price dramatically, and visually they often disappoint if they're not big enough. The size you have in your sketch is quite small. You may want to consider a side courtyard instead so that you can use the outdoor space all the way to the boundary. The house below does this quite well. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Help with north facing block 14Mar 19, 2019 4:04 pm Sorry, when I first mentioned a 'central' courtyard, yeah I meant a 'side' courtyard/alfresco as per what amilelka posted above. Anyhow first comment on your revised plan (not the central courtyard one), is do you need the main living zone as forward as it is, when you may not be benefiting there from the north aspect anyhow? Unless the roof design will allow this north light in? Great job playing around with the ideas though, and posting them. Although the orientation does present some challenges at least by giving it lots of thought you will end up with the best setup. It will just be a matter of compromise, which we all have to accept when designing a house. My main thoughts are:
Back to the side courtyard concept....It would add some cost, with additional articulations in external walls and hips/valleys in the roof. Also remember the more hips/valleys the less 'clean' your roof surface area is for solar panels etc. Anyhow we have visited a pretty good display house that another builder in this area has available. Although the main house design for this one is arguably for a north-to-rear aspect (as living areas are on the rear of the house), they allow north sun into the central rumpus area by creating the 'side' courtyard. Our own builder (Bryan and Petersen) have variations of the 'Barwon 214' plan that also has side courtyards. It is certainly not critical to have this side courtyard, especially if you are trying to keep costs down but it does do a couple of things including allowing some north sun into your main living zone, and also additional light into the main hallway. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Check our Homeone build blog here Re: Help with north facing block 15Mar 20, 2019 7:55 am amilelka Which side of your block faces the park - the front or side? It's the front side which faces the park. Re: Help with north facing block 16Mar 27, 2019 10:14 am We have made some changes in the floor plan and now thinking of having the lounge in the front followed by Master and then the open plan layout. Also planning to keep the rake ceiling and also incorporating velux windows. please see the attached floor plan....absolutely look forward to your input. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Help with north facing block 17Mar 27, 2019 10:24 am This is a functional and very economical floorplan. Velux skylights are great and definitely worth the cost. I would suggest making the lounge room bigger - at least 4x4m. This is the only room that will get a lot of winter sun so it's worth making it a comfortable size. Also consider how you will furnish your living/dining to make sure you have the proportions right. The warning is on the sticker on the door too. Second the aluminium powdercoat 6 18198 It might be a bit darker in the mornings but the light is still light, so you should be getting it. Similar to what you see from your western windows 3 19987 Hi i am looking to buy an investment near by North Rothbury. How is this area? is there schools inside this estate? please advice good builders around that area to buy… 0 3021 |