Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 13, 2019 5:07 am Re: Picking between 2 plans 3Dec 13, 2019 6:12 am It's hard to compare as the sizes are only on the Vienna. However, I prefer it to the Vienna as the bedrooms (except the Master) are in a separated area - with it's own hallway. Additionally the media room is separated from the other living areas. The bathroom location on the Aspire is also strange. The thing I'd be concerned about is the Master bedroom directly off the living areas. Personally that would do my head in. Re: Picking between 2 plans 5Dec 13, 2019 1:49 pm amilelka I don't think you should choose either. There are several problems with both options, and there are better plans for these that can fit on the same footprint. My advice is to keep looking. Thank you for the feedback, do you mind explaining what you think are the problems with the plans? This is our first build so seeking all of the advice we can Re: Picking between 2 plans 7Dec 13, 2019 7:02 pm The aspire has all those bedrooms opening onto public zones. Bed 4 is in a shocker and bed 2 you still walk through the entry and passage to access the bathroom. The Vienna still has the same issue with bed 4 and the media room is a bit odd just tacked on the front (unless you have teen-age kids and it's going to be there lounge. Also the master's opening directly off the main living areas would be less than ideal. It's obviously a narrow block. What width is it 10.5-11? Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Picking between 2 plans 8Dec 13, 2019 7:04 pm lauren90 amilelka I don't think you should choose either. There are several problems with both options, and there are better plans for these that can fit on the same footprint. My advice is to keep looking. Thank you for the feedback, do you mind explaining what you think are the problems with the plans? This is our first build so seeking all of the advice we can In the Aspire the kitchen and family room will be dark as they don't have unobstructed access to windows. The family room is awkward to furnish and you'll always be walking around furniture since it's a thoroughfare to the media room and master bedroom. Bed 4 door opens directly onto the kitchen. The minor bedrooms don't connect well to the bathroom, WC and eachother. In the Vienna you have a line of sight from the front door straight into your kitchen. The family dining room is too narrow to comfortably furnish, and both rooms are a thoroughfare. The media room is too small to be used as a comfortable home theatre, and your master bedroom again opens straight into the family room. I hope this helps. Re: Picking between 2 plans 9Dec 13, 2019 7:13 pm The aspire kitchen and in fact the whole living area will be sooo dark. Which way is north? Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Picking between 2 plans 10Dec 13, 2019 7:32 pm chippy The aspire has all those bedrooms opening onto public zones. Bed 4 is in a shocker and bed 2 you still walk through the entry and passage to access the bathroom. The Vienna still has the same issue with bed 4 and the media room is a bit odd just tacked on the front (unless you have teen-age kids and it's going to be there lounge. Also the master's opening directly off the main living areas would be less than ideal. It's obviously a narrow block. What width is it 10.5-11? Thanks very much, very helpful. It’s 15m Re: Picking between 2 plans 11Dec 13, 2019 7:33 pm chippy The aspire kitchen and in fact the whole living area will be sooo dark. Which way is north? Thanks for all of your comments, great points for us to consider. North is to the rear of the house. Plans would need to be flipped to have driveway on right side due to block shape Re: Picking between 2 plans 12Dec 13, 2019 8:03 pm At 15m I'd put your master at the front of the house then your minor bedrooms at the back and side all off a hallway that has their bathroom off it. That way they have their own private area, and the master is well seperated. Try and get as many windows onto the northern side as possible. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Picking between 2 plans 14Dec 13, 2019 8:42 pm The OP's original plans are quite a bit smaller in size at 213 & 216m² There may be a reason they are opting for a smaller footprint but you can definitely get smarter designs than those without maxing out the M² Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Picking between 2 plans 15Dec 13, 2019 8:52 pm chippy The OP's original plans are quite a bit smaller in size at 213 & 216m² There may be a reason they are opting for a smaller footprint but you can definitely get smarter designs than those without maxing out the M² This one is 242m² Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Picking between 2 plans 16Dec 14, 2019 2:45 pm I can understand that tight budgets = needing to look at build with a smaller footprint, But in doing that you shouldn't fall into the trap of trying to keep the same 'number' of rooms. You would be doing yourself and future sale a disservice if you create a rabbit warren of smaller rooms in a poor configuration. Instead consider dropping a room or 2 (theatre, 4th bedroom) and make the rest of the rooms larger and brighter. Re: Picking between 2 plans 17Dec 15, 2019 3:56 pm You're very lucky to have a northern backyard, with a pretty wide frontage of 15 metres. Take advantage of this fact! Neither of your plans do, wasting the northern aspect with media rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms etc. & covered alfresco areas (which actually shade the home in winter). You want your main living areas to face north! These rooms will be heated by the sun in winter - which travels across the northern portion of the sky - and will be shaded by your eaves in summer, when the sun is higher in the sky. This concept is called "passive solar design". Designing to these principles will result in a home that is more comfortable, lighter & brighter, & more energy efficient, resulting in lower heating/cooling bills. Orientation is king! Read more about passive design at this brilliant government website, https://www.yourhome.gov.au/ Arm yourself with this knowledge. Many builders won't consider orientation. Even though it will play such a crucial part in the comfort of your home, & your future expenses. Get it wrong & you could be living in a cold, dark home, which requires the lights on all day, or the heater winter. Orientate the bedrooms incorrectly, to the west & you could be sweltering on summer nights, having to run an air-conditioner far more often than a week designed home. Old Home Restoration / Renovation To reduce noise transfer without compromising the aesthetic of your exposed I beams, consider filling the 100mm gap between the I beams and the floor above with dense,… 6 9157 The engineering is the engineering. It's irrelevant how much material you have. Unless it fits the requirements of your design the engineer can't "make"it work. You might… 7 9693 |