Zak S

Good idea. That will be the first thing I will do before doing any design modifications.

Very helpful tips. Many thanks. We have fixed fee agreement with the Architect and it does not include supervision to completion..... is it absolutely essential? It's definitely makes sense to ask the architect to suggest modifications to bring the cost down with respect to internal layout. We are only wedded to the architect as he has understood the brief on design and features and due to materials suggested but your suggestion "to keep an eye and challenge every thing" is extremely important.

Rebuild is simply out of question. I rather simplify the design than rebuild. There are so many limiting factors including finance etc which will make the rebuild impossible hence trying to see how can we reduce cost by modifying the design.

Thanks. Hence we are holding off any further design work until we get the cost picture a bit clearer. Ground investigation was already done by us before we even bought the house so we sort of knew the fact that existing foundation cannot take the load and we need to build at certain places aroud the house with selective piling and shift the load. Use of steelwork is also expected. Key thing for us is how do we change the existing design while keeping certain wow factors to reduce the cost and make it more manageable. I am going to see the SIP / timber company today to see what they have to say about the feasibility of the build and cost. So trying to take baby steps carefully before we come to detailed planning drawing and application.

This Angus and Mack project is amazing. I see elements of this in my project ie feature staircase, pivot enterance door etc. Our architect is quite good and the one of the reason for us to choose him over other bog standard people was his knowledge and use of of zinc cladding and other different unique materials and colour. He designed this as well not far from where we used to live (except for the roof colour - that was the owner themselves)

Thanks. That makes sense. Foundation bit does scare me a little. I have been posting here and reading the blog and do appreciate the invaluable feedback and advice provided by all. From the point of purchasing and waiting for probate (for the seller) to finish till now getting I valuable feedback. , I have benefitted greatly by this forum and thanks to all those who comment for no apparent gain except to help others. I have already taken into account the point about cost and any modification needs to keep the cost angle in mind to bring any cost risky items within control. I intend to project manage myself (at least parts of it) as have done few other properties but DIY at that level is not my remit. Where i want to save cost is the procurement. Not trying to boast....we recently refurbished the bathroom and I was able to source the material (better than any quality found in typical UK bathroom showrooms) including stone bath, smart andriod mirror, smart toilet Stone one piece vanity unit at one third of the cost. Its the procurement which we need to sort out which will help greatly to make the project viable.

This is exactly I am looking for. Insightful tips to work around and stay within limitation we have so many thanks for this. Also have written to the architect to get opinion from few contractors to see cost feasibility.

Thanks. How does that work for remodel rather than rebuild. I am happy to use lighter material where possible e.g. sip panel/sticks etc.

They have designed lots of residential as well as other projects and some of their residential where I used to live seems very modern and nice. They specialise in contemporary and modern. I am totally satisfied with external designs but it's the internal bits where I am wanting the improvement/feedback and yes cost angle is the constraint. Budget is as I mentioned above is around 600 which should not be considered small Budget. Demolition is put off question due to various limitations.

Thanks. It's a great idea to get quotes of overall build. With stairs I am flexible that it does not have to be all steel and even the shape ie let go the curved staircase. I have had quotes last year on the foundation and also there are other houses who have done the rebuild. It costed both of them around 85k with piles. VAT savings is attractive but even with that the rebuild will easily and significantly exceed the budget.

Some inspiration behind the brief. The staircase does not have to be curved but will be good if it was.

Hi please comment/feedback on my floor plans. Really keen to get opinion from those who have had similar experiences with regard to design.

Hi please comment/feedback on my floor plans. Really keen to gey opinion from those who have had similar experiences with regard to design.

Please provide the feedback on my post:

The brief was to build a stand out house and be ambitious with design but within the budget. Subsidence issue has been investigated and is limited to pink shaded area (circled in the pic) possibly due to drainage. Ground condition not so good with very soft clay and high water table hence rebuild is unfeasible. The question what are total no no (and why) and what modification can be suggested to make it more cost efficient and better use of floor space.

Thanks. Very helpful. Rebuild is totally out of question as simple cannot be afforded. That put the project at the risk of being scrapped. The outside material selected, glazing system and window plus use of zinc is very attractive so would want to keep it. The pink area suffers with subsidence so must come down in any case. With regard to inside walls, given the roof comes downs and replaced by new roof the weight will be distributed on to very large steal beams. The inside layout is totally up for debate as how much of being different is good "being different". Hence the point about fire safety is extremely important and will be raised with the architect along with the cost angle. Seems like need to involve the building contractor before we pass the sketch phase. Though I really like the curved staircase which is a feature plus the double height ceiling of living room plus the two front first floor bedrooms. Any thoughts as to how we can make it more practical/cosy efficient but still keep it radical enough to be not a bog standard house but not to scare the future buyers off too much.

The inside design is a bit radical (hence feedback required) but I think will sail through the planning as there is precedent in terms of replacing the banglows with new build (very large) properties. The outside design using charred timber and zinc fish scale cladding, spider glazing and projecting window won me over. So totally happy with outside design. Love the double height ceiling in the living room and bed room but that compromise the inside space but still achieveling more than 500sqm which is quite large.

Knocking down to rebuild will be unaffordable as the BCO is likely to insist on piles for the foundation. Plan is to use large steal beams to carry the weight on new walls ie front and back and right hand side. Foundations on that basis will cost around 80k. Budget is around £650k. Stairs will be around £50k based on architect estimates (plastered). One with curved glass will be £100k hence no.

Thanks. That's very helpful. I am at the initial sketch stage so all of this feedback is extremely important before I submit the planning application expected late Nov. Please do critique the plans and materials to be used so that I could get the changes done in a timely manner.

If by that you mean, move elsewhere, that is not an option as this is great place for a forever home if there is such a thing. Plus there is significant value potential.

Six bedroom, are they too small/less? What's are the drawback for the open plan kitchen linked to gallery and the stairs (via galllery). There is a separate kitchenette for food prep.

We live there at the moment. But have plan to build up. It currently looks like this.

Hi all. I am looking for some insightful feedback on the floorplans. Any help will be greatly appreciated. The area shaded as blue is the extension on the ground floor and pink is the removal. Currently a banglow but will be three storey house once done. Width of the property be c20m. There is a terrace onto he front on the first floor. Street scene is very picturesque and quiet. The construction will be with grey bricks, charred timber and zinc fish scale type cladding with zinc or slate roof. Glazing will be spider glazing system with windows projecting out and steal bridge in the hall and curved feature staircase. All yet to be costed. Thanks in advance.

House on the left has planning permission to be rebuilt as two story house so it will be no more. To be honest I would have left it as is if their was not so much development happening on the road. There are the 8 properties out for 20 with new roof (having either rebuilt or renovated) and three are right opposite. Probably its the competition 😀. It would get weathered soon given lots of trees around.

With few properties dotted around with new roof, dirty roof of the nanglow felt a bit dated. The view from the rear. Property to left was an example how it was before.