Browse Forums Building A New House Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 2Jul 02, 2020 8:24 am Orientation is critical, & plays a huge part in the comfort & energy efficiency of a home.
https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation So where's north on the plan? If it's at the top of the image, you're laughing, & will have bright living areas, that will be warmed by the sun in winter. Though I'm not a fan of northern covered alfresco areas, as they often rob the living areas of light, & winter warmth. In this case the dining areas won't receive winter sunshine. So I'd move the covered alfresco further west, so it only shades wetrooms, the kitchen, & maybe a door to outside. If north is the top of the image you've also done a very good job of protecting the home from hot western sunshine. The only other thing I'll mention is designing a roof for solar PV, which should be very important nowadays. Again, if north is up top of the image, you've got a nice big north facing roof area. Though this may be complicated by the alfresco roof. This is particularly true of you choose a hip & valley roof, which is common in Australia. Often a poor choice for solar, with lots of small triangular areas. Depending on the house design, often skillion or gables roofs will be better, in terms of PV panel options on the roof. Especially true if the footprint is kept simple, rectangular, with longer sides facing north & south. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 3Jul 02, 2020 10:24 pm It looks pretty good, I’d be probably wanting a powder room closer to the family/dining, its a bit of a walk. If that’s the only bathroom (besides ensuite) I’d add a vanity into the toilet, not much use if someone needs to use the bathroom and cant wash their hands. I’m not sure what the point of the indent near the pantry/laundry is for, will cause a more complicated ($$) roof line. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 4Jul 04, 2020 4:54 pm A couple of things stand out to me: You have a direct line of sight from the family room to the ensuite shower. I'd try and create a dog leg in the master entry somehow so the sight is blocked. On such a large block, setbacks don't tend to be an issue, so to utilise the space better in laundry and pantry, I'd push the wall out flush with master or kitchen. The storage you would gain would set you well for future. If you swapped enrty to lounge to off the family space, (double doors would look amazing) you would gain an extra storage area, or perhaps an extra toilet/powder outside Bed 4. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 5Jul 07, 2020 4:33 pm ddarroch Orientation is critical, & plays a huge part in the comfort & energy efficiency of a home. https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation So where's north on the plan? If it's at the top of the image, you're laughing, & will have brought living areas, that will be warmed by the sun in winter. Though I'm not a fan of northern covered alfresco areas, as they often rob the living areas of light, & winter warmth. In this case the dining areas won't receive winter sunshine. So I'd move the covered alfresco further west, so it only shades wetrooms, the kitchen, & maybe a door to outside. If north is the top of the image you've also don't a very good job of protecting the home from hot western sunshine. The only other thing I'll mention is designing a roof for solar PV, which should be very important nowadays. Again, if north is up top of the image, you've got a nice big north facing roof area. Though this may be complicated by the alfresco roof. This is particularly true of you choose a hip & valley roof, which is common in Australia. Often a poor choice for solar, with lots of small triangular areas. Depending on the house design, often skillion or gables roofs will be better, in terms of PV panel options on the roof. Thank you that is super helpful! Yes that's correct, the top of the image will be facing north however it will be on a slight angle so the sun will be coming through the back and right hand side of the house. The back of our house overlooks quite a steep fall into a creek and down a valley. We will also have sky lights and a pop top ceiling in the living/dining with windows above so that will help with extra light as I like where the alfresco is located. We will also be putting in a pool to the right of the alfresco so I like that it all connects. In terms of roof, we will be having a flat roof and will be allowing for solar later on. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 6Jul 07, 2020 4:40 pm gogo65 It looks pretty good, I’d be probably wanting a powder room closer to the family/dining, its a bit of a walk. If that’s the only bathroom (besides ensuite) I’d add a vanity into the toilet, not much use if someone needs to use the bathroom and cant wash their hands. I’m not sure what the point of the indent near the pantry/laundry is for, will cause a more complicated ($$) roof line. Thank you I have actually already messed with the plan as it's only a concept until we can get the surveying done. I've added in a vanity to the main toilet and I've also put a note in there to maybe add a powder room somewhere more central if the budget allows. In terms of the indent, I too have no idea what the architects intention is but it is one of my listed questions when we have our meeting although I am not opposed to having another bench top there as it unifies the kitchen and pantry and I can always do with more bench space. Oh I also asked for a sink in the pantry (not sure why they didn't add it) and I would like the laundry benches swapped around so that the washer and dryer are not against my bedroom door as we are a shift family and I do a lot of laundry at night. And I have requested the bench tops to go all the way across as I don't want the top of my washer and dryer exposed, I would like them to sit in under the bench and not be stacked. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 7Jul 07, 2020 4:58 pm Unikitty A couple of things stand out to me: You have a direct line of sight from the family room to the ensuite shower. I'd try and create a dog leg in the master entry somehow so the sight is blocked. On such a large block, setbacks don't tend to be an issue, so to utilise the space better in laundry and pantry, I'd push the wall out flush with master or kitchen. The storage you would gain would set you well for future. If you swapped enrty to lounge to off the family space, (double doors would look amazing) you would gain an extra storage area, or perhaps an extra toilet/powder outside Bed 4. Thank you the line of sight to the ensuite has been mentioned to me already however I do not mind, as if people are over I won't be in the shower and if it's a must then I will close the master door. I also appreciate your comments on the entry however I wanted a defined entry and I wanted to be able to see from the front all the way through to the back of the house, that is why there is nothing obstructing the view down the hall. And we will be having a black steel framed glass pivot door. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 8Jul 07, 2020 7:11 pm angi.f In terms of roof, we will be having a flat roof and will be allowing for solar later on. I wouldn't be leaving solar PV for too long, as it's such a good investment. It should pay itself off in about 3 years, then will save you $1.5k+ depending on system size. You can't get those sort of returns from any other investment. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 9Jul 08, 2020 7:13 am ddarroch angi.f In terms of roof, we will be having a flat roof and will be allowing for solar later on. I wouldn't be leaving solar PV for too long, as it's such a good investment. It should pay itself off in about 3 years, then will save you $1.5k+ depending on system size. You can't get those sort of returns from any other investment. Yes look I totally agree and we would love to put it in straight away but we will see how we go with budget as I don't want to skimp on things in the house that cannot be adjusted later on. Electricity is the only bill we will have as we are totally off the grid otherwise. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 10Jul 08, 2020 8:02 am Just some photos of our block to get a feel for the views we are trying to capture. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Creek/valleyLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ House location over looking creek/valleyLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Subdivision lot plan - lot 6 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 11Jul 08, 2020 6:43 pm angi.f Unikitty A couple of things stand out to me: You have a direct line of sight from the family room to the ensuite shower. I'd try and create a dog leg in the master entry somehow so the sight is blocked. On such a large block, setbacks don't tend to be an issue, so to utilise the space better in laundry and pantry, I'd push the wall out flush with master or kitchen. The storage you would gain would set you well for future. If you swapped enrty to lounge to off the family space, (double doors would look amazing) you would gain an extra storage area, or perhaps an extra toilet/powder outside Bed 4. Thank you the line of sight to the ensuite has been mentioned to me already however I do not mind, as if people are over I won't be in the shower and if it's a must then I will close the master door. I also appreciate your comments on the entry however I wanted a defined entry and I wanted to be able to see from the front all the way through to the back of the house, that is why there is nothing obstructing the view down the hall. And we will be having a black steel framed glass pivot door. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I think you misunderstood me. I don't mean change the actual entry - that is perfect. I mean the lounge space on the far RHS - move the door to off the family room, not at end of a dark hallway. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 12Jul 10, 2020 2:04 am Unikitty angi.f Unikitty A couple of things stand out to me: You have a direct line of sight from the family room to the ensuite shower. I'd try and create a dog leg in the master entry somehow so the sight is blocked. On such a large block, setbacks don't tend to be an issue, so to utilise the space better in laundry and pantry, I'd push the wall out flush with master or kitchen. The storage you would gain would set you well for future. If you swapped enrty to lounge to off the family space, (double doors would look amazing) you would gain an extra storage area, or perhaps an extra toilet/powder outside Bed 4. Thank you the line of sight to the ensuite has been mentioned to me already however I do not mind, as if people are over I won't be in the shower and if it's a must then I will close the master door. I also appreciate your comments on the entry however I wanted a defined entry and I wanted to be able to see from the front all the way through to the back of the house, that is why there is nothing obstructing the view down the hall. And we will be having a black steel framed glass pivot door. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I think you misunderstood me. I don't mean change the actual entry - that is perfect. I mean the lounge space on the far RHS - move the door to off the family room, not at end of a dark hallway. Oh sorry, yes I absolutely misunderstood or misread, who knows - I was coming off a night shift apologies. Um if the door was off the family room it would involve another step down and also I'm not sure why they labelled it as a lounge as it is more an actual theatre room so again I don't mind that it's at the end of a corridor but I do get what you are saying too. But now you also have me thinking about it hmm. I wouldn't mind gaining room for a powder room just so there is a bathroom closer to the living area. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 14Jul 13, 2020 11:51 am Those are some amazing views! I would suggest reconfiguring the master bedroom so that you can look out onto your views while sitting in bed. In doing so I would suggest increasing the amount of hanging space in your WIR. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 15Jul 13, 2020 3:32 pm Hi, Firstly the overall house design I really like. I would personally just consider a few things. I haven't thoroughly read everyone else's comments so sorry if I am doubling up, but my main thought would be to straighten out that north side. Those current wall articulations cause a few issues like messier roof (for things like solar panels etc), it costs more, increases surface area of the building envelope, and causes shadows etc. Also you might appreciate more space in those narrow-ish pantry and laundry rooms. The other gap that might be a bit tight is between your proposed dining table and the hall entry section. Our build last year we have a very similar living space width....5370mm from memory? Anyhow with all the furniture in place it is fine but I think extending out the living zone to meet the kitchen wall would be worth considering? This is a rough idea of what I am suggesting. It won't look as pretty maybe, but will add space to several rooms without adding significant cost I wouldn't think? Our builder quoted around $1200 per square meter for additional living space. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Check our Homeone build blog here Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 16Jul 13, 2020 3:52 pm Just because I had a spare minute thought I would pass on my idea for the pantry and laundry: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Our WIP was very similar width at 1600mm and we did away with the corner bench (painful to access anyhow) and because you can also make your's longer, I would add a window (600mm x 1800mm tall). We also had our fridge/freezer cavity installed in here along with a 'pantry-within-a-pantry'. It has turned out very functional and happy with it all, except maybe the fridge overhead cupboards should have been 1850-1900mm clearance from ground. Here is our WIP looking towards the window and where our 2nd oven is installed.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This looking back the other way (fridge/freezer cavity on left of image). It show the pantry we had installed which makes it easier to stash away all the little food items.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Check our Homeone build blog here Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 17Jul 13, 2020 7:51 pm I like what darb has done, i think extending the wall out makes sense, the additional room in your pantry and laundry would allow a powder room, and make the roof line more simple yet cheaper... Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 18Jul 13, 2020 7:54 pm gogo65 I like what darb has done, i think extending the wall out makes sense, the additional room in your pantry and laundry would allow a powder room, and make the roof line more simple yet cheaper... Something like this allows for a powder, still easy access to pantry and of access to pantry from hall was important you could use some of the additional laundry space.. just a thought Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 19Jul 14, 2020 5:58 am Agree that extending out will simplify the roofline, a good thing for solar. angi.f, are you the sort of household that would use a mudroom? That could be a good use for the extra space in the laundry, somewhere to store shoes & jackets. Re: 11 acre rural build - house plan 20Jul 15, 2020 3:36 pm amilelka Those are some amazing views! I would suggest reconfiguring the master bedroom so that you can look out onto your views while sitting in bed. In doing so I would suggest increasing the amount of hanging space in your WIR. Thank you I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions, I hope no one gets upset with me when I am being stubborn. We really like the layout of the master bedroom so I'm not super keen on re-configuring however we have requested a deck off the master to take in the views. I absolutely agree with the WIR comment but having a little less space might mean I actually stop hoarding clothes I've had forever and stop me from buying things I don't need and having them sit there with tags attached for years to come haha. I like this design Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hi Renee, Boundaries in NSW are generally shown on Deposited Plans. When they put boundaries into SIX Maps from these plans, there are various reasons that these often do… 1 2029 6 55492 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17952 |