Home Layout Suggestion Required

johnnybravo on 19/07/2020 - 16:34

Hi All,

We are in the process of buying land and wanted to build a single storey house in it. The land size is 300 sqm (30m x 10m) and is west facing. We looked at a lot of off-the-plan houses and we rejected many of them since it did not meet our criteria so we have decided to design one ourselves. We wanted to get some thought on what we could do to maximise the natural light as well as make the most of the house area. Couple of ideas we have read so far and found it interesting.
- Put the alfresco in the north-east corner
- Put garage in south-west corner
- Place home as south as possible in the land area

What else could we do in terms of layout to make the most of the sunlight? If it helps, we are looking at 4-bed/2-bath/1-car. Other common areas would include living and dining room, kitchen and laundry.

Really appreciate any help/advice. Thanks in advance.

TL, DR: Want some suggestions in terms of layout of house to make the most of natural light and house area.

Home & Garden

closed Comments

  • dust on 19/07/2020 - 16:45
    +2

    We need an MS paint drawing for this.!

  • dasher86 on 19/07/2020 - 16:55
    +10

    Too bad jarjar closed his account

    • johnnybravo on 19/07/2020 - 17:12

      Apologies - not understanding the reference here.

    • djones145 on 19/07/2020 - 18:56
      +4

      maybe this is jar jar "friend" he is always asking for

  • ihbh on 19/07/2020 - 17:06

    land size is 300 sqm

    Are there restrictions on number of storeys? Otherwise maximize use of small footprint with 2 storeys.

    • johnnybravo on 19/07/2020 - 17:14

      Two main reasons for not considering two storeys - Partner does not want it and more cost involved for two storeys :(

      Edit - Cost is the main reason. Partner is happy to reconsider if it means a better layout :)

      • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2020 - 21:37
        +1

        On one hand you are worried about cost.

        On the other hand you want to have a custom build…

        … and you want to do it in a way that would guarantee below average resale by limiting it to a single floor.

        You're making some terrible financial decisions here. You're best getting the biggest thing you can afford and allowed on your block.

        • Banana on 20/07/2020 - 09:20

          Yeah our custom build worked out to be roughly 10k per 1sqm, is this what you want?

          • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2020 - 09:25
            +2

            @Banana: I think OP is still searching for the ideal compromise.

            He isn't alone and neither is his case unique.

            The best outcome is always to treat it like any other investment - get the best resale out of it. That means biggest off the plan that will work on the block.

            • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:27

              @[Deactivated]: @tshow - You pretty much hit the nail on the head. I do acknowledge it is a compromise and I am willing to accept that. But I would like to make an informed compromise if that makes sense.

          • KRM123 on 20/07/2020 - 13:44

            @Banana: Jeezo what did you build?

            I built a custom designed 438m2 double storey house on a 700m2 block for $600,000 ($1,369/m2) including the landscaping, outside verandah, large retaining walls on both sides (lots step down), lots of smart home features, a cinema room, walk in wardrobes in all rooms, high ceilings on both floors, Beautiful Tassie oak stairs, fully insulated on all outside walls and ceilings, etc. etc. etc. I'd genuinely love to know how you managed to spend 10k per m2?

            • corky on 20/07/2020 - 14:10

              @KRM123: You did well, regional or urban build?

            • Banana on 20/07/2020 - 14:16

              @KRM123: Very similar to what you have actually, except bigger interior (I think we are around 560m2), price did not include landscaping, we have two balconies plus a verandah, no retaining walls but reinforced foundation as the area we built in is full of clay. No smart home features (and in fact we did all our ducts, sectioning of air conditioning etc), walk-in robes in all rooms and ensuite for 4/5 bedrooms (we have 5 toilets it's a nightmare to maintain), and Tassie oak stairs too (do you find it extremely soft?? I think it's got marking all over it now from just vacuuming using my Dyson), cinema with those fancy padding you can't hear a thing from outside, two kitchens and a walk-in pantry.
              My proudest part of the house is the drying cabinet we built, it's hooked into the house's heating ducts so we can dry our clothes in there.

              • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:34

                @Banana: @Banana - Great concept with the drying cabinet idea. $10,000/m2 is definitely out of our budget so that's not going to happen for us. I guess I just wanted a simple home and maximise the space wherever I could.

              • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2020 - 14:50

                @Banana:

                My proudest part of the house is the drying cabinet we built, it's hooked into the house's heating ducts so we can dry our clothes in there.

                I wanted that in my house but I don't have ducted heating. :( Our old place had it through all the cabinets.

                It was great. My pots and pans were always warm and dry.

            • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:30

              @KRM123: That's an amazing price you got there. If you don't mind me asking, which location (I mean suburb specifically) did you buy? Also, was 600K including both land and home?

    • corky on 19/07/2020 - 17:36
      +2

      Agree with this especially on such a small block, think you may regret single story later, large windows obviously, son has a new house with sliding windows with extra fixed panes underneath, wonderful for light, view, did you look at australianfloorplans.com?

      • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:36

        Thank you for the website - never heard of it before.

    • corky on 19/07/2020 - 19:07

      Cantilevered top story would make a big difference too on such a small block

  • Downvoter on 19/07/2020 - 17:15
    +1

    I’m sure you’ll have no dramas designing something to code rather than others with years and years of experience.

    • johnnybravo on 19/07/2020 - 17:28
      +3

      While I appreciate the sarcasm, the intention of this post was simply to get ideas. We will be meeting the architect at some point in the future (probably 3 months away) but in the meantime, the idea was to ask my "extended family" at Ozbargain for ideas as I have always appreciated the help and advice I have received in the past.

  • Aap Ke Papa on 19/07/2020 - 17:17
    +2

    <Check This Out> Looks reasonable

    • johnnybravo on 19/07/2020 - 17:29

      Thanks! Will check it out.

    • silverrat23 on 19/07/2020 - 17:54

      Something to note - none of these houses fit. 10m width for a block is quite narrow.

      (If the link above is there for inspiration only, different story).

    • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:47

      Btw, checked the designs. As @silverrat23 pointed out, they are all 10.5m width and above so not applicable to our use case unfortunately.

  • Wickz on 19/07/2020 - 18:13
    +2

    Before you get too far into designing, make sure you read the design rules for your estate, if your land is in one.

    At minimum, most new estates will require:
    - setback to garage of 5.5mtr
    - setback from side boundary by 1m - 1.2mtr (exemption - Zero Lot for Garage on the boundary wall but this adds about $3k to build cost)
    - setback from rear boundary of 2mtr
    - approval of your external facade and designs (no two houses the same within 2 blocks of each other)
    - the estate also determines which blocks can have double story houses based on the houses being built around them.

    I would recommenced talking to the sales agents of the land to see what you have to do to be complaint, before designing your dream house.

    source: I am building in a brand new estate and just let my builder deal with all the external design / colour changes.

    • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:37

      Will do. Thank you for the suggestion.

  • 87percent on 19/07/2020 - 18:14
    +3

    300sqm block of land sounds really small, if you’re going for 4bd, they’ll be shoe boxes

    • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:37

      Compared to where we are living now, it would be similar sizes (based on what we have seen so far) so we are not complaining.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2020 - 18:20

    What are your neighbours building with double and single story. Might look strange if you are the only single story house on street.

    • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:42

      We are very different from a lot of people anyway so can accept the "strangeness" compared to others.

  • Neoika on 19/07/2020 - 18:29
    +2

    Most ppl build double storey house on <=300sqm land. It is a bit wasteful for the price ($400k+) you pay in Sydney to build a single storey one.

    If you are after the $25k bonus, I am sure you can find a suitable double storey one under $750k.

    • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:41

      Thank you for your honest feedback. We did consider the options and have accepted that single storey is acceptable for us. I acknowledge that it may seem wasteful price wise but we were not willing to take on massive debt just to have our dream home.

  • pegaxs on 19/07/2020 - 18:55
    -1

    300sqm?

    Have you tried one of those garden sheds from Bunnings?

    Christ, my block is 700sqm, and I have a normal sized house and no yards apart from a small strip across the back and down the side.

  • Austaurean on 19/07/2020 - 19:06
    +1

    3 to 4 bedrooms, ensuite with double door vanity mirror + main bathroom, seperate toilet, large shower recess, double garage, internal access from garage to house, single rolla door access to rear, well if any rear yard… Skylights to kitchen and bathrooms.. power points in ceiling cavity, external power points. Downlights, ducted reverse cycle, solar panels, wiring for internet to multiple rooms, and external tv aerial, wide spaced double powerpoints.

  • netjock on 19/07/2020 - 19:21

    You might feel like wrong place to ask questions. Everyone is happier criticizing size of your block and your choice of single story.

    Taking your specifications to a good architect / drafting firm would be the best. Unless there is an architect here.

    • corky on 20/07/2020 - 14:08

      Constructive criticism , it's a very narrow block and very long, it would be difficult to build any house on such an allotment

    • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:45

      Thank you. I have accepted that not everyone can give a constructive feedback so will acknowledge the ones who do take the effort to help. We do intend to go to the architect in future so will be able to give our inputs too based on some of the feedback I have received here.

  • oscargamer on 19/07/2020 - 19:21
    +2

    Do a google search for https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=10m+wide+…

    Then use these as template.

    HOWEVER, DIY designs are WAY more expensive than using a builder that already has the design that suits.

  • Euphemistic on 19/07/2020 - 19:33
    +1

    4br single story on a 300m2 block is going to have some serious compromises. Tiny rooms, no yard, minimal living areas no en-suite or 3 way bathroom, single or no garage etc.

    Go up!

    • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:57

      I acknowledge the compromise.

  • brendanm on 19/07/2020 - 19:35

    300sqm block with a 4 bed 2 bath house? You'll walk out the back and run into the fence.

    • Euphemistic on 19/07/2020 - 19:37

      More like if you trip on the front door mat you’ll fall out the back door.

  • oscargamer on 19/07/2020 - 19:48

    This looks like a start

    https://smarthomesforliving.com.au/home-designs/the-award/

    just flip it along the long axis

  • corky on 19/07/2020 - 20:03

    Doubt that would fit, double garage plus hallway plus other room, when block is only 10m wide

  • 87percent on 19/07/2020 - 20:23

    Multiple tiny houses would be awesome. All connected together

  • johnnybravo on 20/07/2020 - 14:59

    Thank you for your feedback everyone. To all who provided us with constructive feedback, thank you for your effort and ideas. Really appreciate it. For the criticisms, I apologise that this post was not up to your standard. To be honest, we didn't even think we will be able to afford a house given the prices in Sydney. And now we are getting closer to having one. So while we could have gone with the Joneses, we have decided that we will have a smaller house compared to others (and even be different or rather "strange" compared to others) but be happy with what we have. I wish there was a more easier way to explain what we are thinking about but not everyone wants a living room that you can literally run around or a large yard that will be filled with lots of people.

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