Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 47Aug 14, 2014 12:47 pm My building thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=56583&start=120 Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 48Aug 14, 2014 1:13 pm We are also in the same situation, however we are looking for a double storey plan, so the upper floor will need to be on the east side of the block, above the garage so that it doesn't block the sunlight to the rest of the house. We are wanting the kitchen/living/family rooms to be situated towards the back of the house. If anyone has any suitable plans, your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 49Aug 14, 2014 2:25 pm CluelessOne I'm late into this thread, but we had exactly the same situation, same width block, northern facing... We played around with the design forever! Looked at a pavilion style design, having a courtyard in the middle of the house, separating the garage from the home, having part of the roof skillion to add clerestory windows to the living area. You name it, we considered it. Ultimately we were restricted by the size of the block, and the depth of our pockets . In the end we have a large southerly facing entertaining area which, although not ideal, seems to let in plenty of light. We also put as many of the other windows as we could on the eastern side, and made sure that the western windows were kept to a minimum (including putting the laundry on that side. The only large window to the west we will put reflective film on. All the windows are double glazed too, so that will help. Feel free to check out my build thread if you like. What is the difference between having windows in west and east? We are planning to have big windows in West, so I am curious Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 50Aug 14, 2014 3:32 pm CluelessOne I'm late into this thread, but we had exactly the same situation, same width block, northern facing... We played around with the design forever! Looked at a pavilion style design, having a courtyard in the middle of the house, separating the garage from the home, having part of the roof skillion to add clerestory windows to the living area. You name it, we considered it. Ultimately we were restricted by the size of the block, and the depth of our pockets . In the end we have a large southerly facing entertaining area which, although not ideal, seems to let in plenty of light. We also put as many of the other windows as we could on the eastern side, and made sure that the western windows were kept to a minimum (including putting the laundry on that side. The only large window to the west we will put reflective film on. All the windows are double glazed too, so that will help. Feel free to check out my build thread if you like. Hi Thanks for your post. So will you be able to highlight the window facing on west. What size and all should be good ? Should I have swapped the living/kitchen to the west and bedrooms to the west side. Or stick with this. I hope putting reflective film and double glazing will help. thanks again..will sure follow your build.... Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 51Aug 14, 2014 3:36 pm ^ The sun sets in the west. You'd get the hot afternoon sun on your house from that direction. So, yes, fewer windows on that side would be better or else get double glazed windows. Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 52Aug 14, 2014 4:39 pm BlackPearl_CBR ^ The sun sets in the west. You'd get the hot afternoon sun on your house from that direction. So, yes, fewer windows on that side would be better or else get double glazed windows. Thanks. The estate that my block is on does required 6.38mm glazing on all windows. Will that be enough ? Is it double or not ? Do you think I will have better light in the living area if I put in big size windows in that side. I just want to have a bit of balance. Hopefully the bedrooms will not be that hot. Thanks Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 53Aug 14, 2014 10:37 pm It might not be what your interested in but for your kitchen I'd move the sink closer to the stove. It's a long walk from stove to sink and if you have guests and want them to sit at the 'breakfast bar' the sink may get in the way....I like where the door to the minor bedrooms is. One thing I wish I'd done is changed he laundry door to a standard door rather then glass sliding. Use a door with windows or add a window to still get light in. Being on the west side it may also reduce heat from westerly sun. When deciding on window positions and heights consider furniture placement. In bedrooms have them start high enough that a bed or desk could go under the window or you limit furniture placement. Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 54Aug 15, 2014 9:15 am fmac One thing I wish I'd done is changed he laundry door to a standard door rather then glass sliding. Use a door with windows or add a window to still get light in. Being on the west side it may also reduce heat from westerly sun. That's what I've done here, the laundry door faces south anyway, but I've seen all these modern homes with sliding doors in the laundry and I just don't like them. You lose so much heat (or gain it on sunny days) through the glass and also the fact that after the doors age a little, they start to leak heat through the gaps all the time. In fact that's why I went with only a 2100 wide sliding door between the living room and alfresco, instead of the more expected folding doors. I am getting the laundry door with a window in the upper half of it though, so that it allows some natural light through when desired. Owner Building at Jimboomba Woods in Logan City Qld. Blog : http://bandlnewhomebuild.blogspot.com H1 thread : viewtopic.php?f=38&t=68283 . Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 55Aug 15, 2014 9:52 am bpratt fmac One thing I wish I'd done is changed he laundry door to a standard door rather then glass sliding. Use a door with windows or add a window to still get light in. Being on the west side it may also reduce heat from westerly sun. That's what I've done here, the laundry door faces south anyway, but I've seen all these modern homes with sliding doors in the laundry and I just don't like them. You lose so much heat (or gain it on sunny days) through the glass and also the fact that after the doors age a little, they start to leak heat through the gaps all the time. In fact that's why I went with only a 2100 wide sliding door between the living room and alfresco, instead of the more expected folding doors. I am getting the laundry door with a window in the upper half of it though, so that it allows some natural light through when desired. I also really wish I had changed my sliding door to a standard door on the laundry... oh well, live and learn! My build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=68002 Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 56Aug 15, 2014 3:14 pm bpratt fmac One thing I wish I'd done is changed he laundry door to a standard door rather then glass sliding. Use a door with windows or add a window to still get light in. Being on the west side it may also reduce heat from westerly sun. That's what I've done here, the laundry door faces south anyway, but I've seen all these modern homes with sliding doors in the laundry and I just don't like them. You lose so much heat (or gain it on sunny days) through the glass and also the fact that after the doors age a little, they start to leak heat through the gaps all the time. In fact that's why I went with only a 2100 wide sliding door between the living room and alfresco, instead of the more expected folding doors. I am getting the laundry door with a window in the upper half of it though, so that it allows some natural light through when desired. Thanks for the input. May be I will put in the laundry door with window. And another question, do you think my laundry is bit big. I can do with smaller laundry if that means I can put in space in some other area of my plan. I am really having confusion as to if the entry to the minor bedrooms being right at the end is not a good idea. What do you think ? Thanks Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 57Aug 16, 2014 8:41 pm Laundry sizes are dependant on what you want to do with them. For us, it's a place to wash and dry the clothes, as well as including a linen cupboard and broom cupboard in there. A little bit of bench space if want to sneak a bit of ironing if ever needed. Others with families might need something a lot larger to do all the extra washing and ironing. Only you can decide if you want a larger or smaller laundry. Owner Building at Jimboomba Woods in Logan City Qld. Blog : http://bandlnewhomebuild.blogspot.com H1 thread : viewtopic.php?f=38&t=68283 . Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 58Aug 19, 2014 11:48 am Hi guys, We went back to the drawing board and came up with this plan. This puts the living areas facing west and bedrooms facing east. Let me know if it makes sense to flip this. And kindly provide me your comment on the design as well. http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a624/alishine143/newupdateddesign_zps1fc6c297.jpg Thanks Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 59Aug 19, 2014 1:37 pm Alishine I would definitely flip it so living areas are east facing so they get morning sun rather than arvo sun. I would also make bed 2 window smaller and perhaps eliminate the wc window altogether to help reduce afternoon heat build up. good luck Re: Selecting home design for a north facing block 60Aug 19, 2014 3:37 pm asha Alishine I would definitely flip it so living areas are east facing so they get morning sun rather than arvo sun. I would also make bed 2 window smaller and perhaps eliminate the wc window altogether to help reduce afternoon heat build up. good luck +1 The warning is on the sticker on the door too. Second the aluminium powdercoat 6 18177 dimensions on your original plan are inconsistent and with accurate dimensions (including site plan, upstairs and down) i could make a proper scale drawing with furniture… 3 7497 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 19971 |