How can you improve my design?

Paul Jones

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Attached is the proposed floorplan for a new build bungalow on a garden site.

The outer lines show the north, east, south boundaries of the site. Cannot build closer to them. Need to limit the windows close to these boundaries.
Access is on the left (west) side. Has space for car parking and turning.
Roof ridge runs east-west enabling the living/dining area to be fully vaulted.
Two skylines are shown over the living/dining area. (They should be in the roof slope, but I cannot determine how to do it in this floor planning program). How many would be best and where should they be located?

How can you improve my design? Can the house, room or furnishing layout be improved?

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Comments (6)

PRO
OnePlan
3 years ago
How large is the overall plot ? As it might be nice to have a few more southern aspect windows ? Maybe not quite so close to the boundary ?
Paul Jones
Original Author
3 years ago
The southern boundary is the most sensitive. As shown, from the south wall of the new house to the boundary is 2m and the neighbouring 2-storey houses are 15m on the other side of the boundary.

The plot is about 30m east-west and 15.3m north-south, plus an access driveway. The new build cannot move forward (west) because it will get too close to the neighbour.
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Jonathan
3 years ago
Building your own house is very personal so only you know what you need. But building a house is expensive so you have to get it right and perhaps spending some money on a professional will get you a good design.
Personally I don’t like what you have done.

I think the living area is undersized for the amount of bedrooms, it’s odd separating all the bedrooms and personally I wouldn’t want a main bedroom off the kitchen. If you can plan it to have bathrooms closer together there will be cheaper to build. In lots of areas a garage would be a resale necessity. As long as there is no planning restriction I might build further to the south since the planned 2m gap is too wide for a path but useless as garden. And the flat front could look plain and houses with good curb appeal are worth more.
Some designers can give you a concept only service meaning initial ideas of layout could be inexpensive and money well spent.
Paul Jones
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Jonathan - thank you for your comments. I take them on board and I would like to respond to some of them.

I am not aware of any house locally where a garage is used for cars. Either they have been converted into an additional room, or they are used as a shed for general storage.

The planners require that the dimensions of house complies to what is allowed under permitted development – so 2m clearance from the boundaries, 2.5m eaves and 4m ridge. The planners rejected a design with good curb appeal.

I do take your point about the closeness of the bedroom to the kitchen. It is not ideal, however I do not see the solution. Any ideas?
Alix W
3 years ago
Hi Paul, I’m not an expert but the design looks a little disjointed to me, and I would be worried that the main living space would feel a bit like a glorified hall, with doorways pointing in different directions coming off it. And arguably the bedrooms get the best daytime/evening light. I do however like the sliding door into the bed 2/bathroom/bed 3 section.

If it were me, I would seek to ‘zone’ the design, either running the bedrooms along the north wall, or moving them all towards the front of the house. This would give the living space more south and westerly light.
PRO
OnePlan
3 years ago
We do concept plans for clients who want to generate a feasibility study before they take the next leap and instruct an architect ... this sounds like the kind of service that might help you ? If you click on my name or icon it will take you to our pro page - with examples and reviews etc ... might be worth bringing a pro onboard to tweak it ! It’s a big investment to try to do in your own.

How can you improve my design?

Comments (6)

OnePlan

Paul Jones
Original Author

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How can you improve my design?

Comments (6)

OnePlan

Paul JonesOriginal Author

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Jonathan

Paul JonesOriginal Author

Alix W

OnePlan

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Paul Jones
Original Author

Paul Jones
Original Author