caliwag

Or Explore 'theweehousecompany.co.uk mentioned in an earlier blog...very elegant little traditional rural houses.

I attach some thoughts from Pinterest about small garden spaces. The key is the three dimensional nature of the designs...a clue to success. A clue to garden design is to itemise/list nice to haves, needs and wants, taking into account views, overlooking, climate and seasons, indeed not dissimilar to house layout, and of course changes in fashion, plant growth etc. Another must is to observe sun angles (OK that's climate and seasons) but it's easy to make assumptions. Obviously think about family changes, as you would for house layout. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/216454325818739013/?utm_campaign=popular_pins&e_t=ecee4d7b9e454551878dfe4f94fa37c3&utm_content=216454325818739013&utm_source=31&utm_term=6&utm_medium=2012

My twopenn'orth...I trained as a technician, HNC + with IOB exams for 10 years, and then on deciding 'there must be more to architecture than this!' studied and taught architecture and interior design for several years. To be honest, I probably became a better technician, but working with Fosters and Arup. Retired now however (if you can ever retire from architecture!) Never overlook what a good architect can 'bring to the table'. I put a book together (methods, definitions, references, reviews and thoughts called 'self build home...the last thing you need is an architect', plainly not knocking architects but appealing to people, self-builders, custom and bespoke builders and extenders and renovators, to explore their needs, wants, must-haves and all, before the professionals fee-clock starts ticking. Simple as that!

In a recent blog, I listed some of the chapters on garden design and ways to approach...clue, 'The same way as a house layout'! So it seems reasonable to list some of the chapters and book reviews in my book...'Self Build Design...the last thing you need is an architect', not a sideswipe at architects, but a review of your way forward before the architect/designer's fee clock starts ticking. The book is equally appropriate for bespoke/custom designs, as well as renovations, rebuilds and extensions. There is no padding, none of it put together by Phil Space or Phillipa Page, and few pretty, pretty snaps to make you jealous. Here goes, in no particular order... House on a narrow plot...a tale of some real, narrow houses...with clues. Character, Interest, Delight...wow factor. a reprise of earlier thoughts with a real tale Whither fashion...Some thoughts about the sale of a tired classic design, and the ability to see beyond fashion The Small House...Its Architecture and Surroundings...some thoughts about an early twentieth Century book, written by an Arts and Crafts architect, but very valid for today. The Artistic House...A book review, with reference to Tips from one of the UK's most successful Arts and Crafts architects. The Place of Houses...another review of an American House design team complete with extensive check-list. Solutions for Making small houses feel big...a further analysis of Frank Lloyd Wrights thinking. well illustrated with plans. The Sensual Home. Some thoughts about Ilse Crawford's coffee table work on the impact of a home on our senses. ever since she has contributed to a US TV show the book now retails for over £100...good luck tracking that down...time for reprint I feel! How about a garden to be proud of...My thoughts, along with colleagues, from my spell of teaching architecture. How and Where to start design...as above and self-explanatory Listing of words and descriptions (and their opposites)...used as a teaching method for 'lost' design students. Spatial Excitement...Based on A fully developed response to a question on another forum. Brief and site analysis...the 'must do' part of the design process, and the reason why pre-made plans and plan books are, IMHO, pretty pointless Above is a brief resume of just a few reviews, reiterated blogs and thoughts from teaching days on approach design...its all frustrating sometimes, but great fun. Some readers will know this already. For more info contact Jamie on lofthousestudio@hotmail.com

Thanks for your thoughts V. Aye, in one of those listed mini chapters, and touched on elsewhere, is after noting worthwhile views, bleak vistas, overlooking and overshadowing, to say nothing of sun angles across the seasons, consider the garden, on paper, to be covered in stuff, ideally three dimensional planting, shrubs or the trendy grasses and take out spaces for all the things you've listed...fragrant seating area, BBQ, football area or other game activities, fruit growing area, shed, greenhouse, bird-feeding zone, rockery (based on how nature does it!) sun-dial, herb spot and so on, depending on your hobbies and time etc. Ideally at junctions of paths and desire lines. This resists the temptation to plant willy-nilly (after a visit to a garden centre) and at random from one end to another...not dissimilar to house planning. ready made plan so long as your listing is well considered...hence the chapter called 'Survey, Analyse and Propose' Par Gustafsson's sage design advise..used all over Sweden and at Byker development in Newcastle with Ralph Erskine...one of the most complex and IMHO the most successful mass housing redevelopment projects in the UK. Happy Designing

Hello again...a recent Pinterest garden design vision of approaches...if you don't like lawns! Well you've got to pamper them and cut then 20+ times a year https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/455074737339246882/?lp=true

Just caught a piece on the Today programme (about 8.45am R4. 23:4:18) . This was a brief interview with the Editor of Country Life, gardening section, Catherine Bradley-Hole who is leaving the role after 18 years. Her view suggests that there has been a generational rise in garden design and planting as much to do with the environment, health, food and general well-being often promoted by Radio 4 and TV. I am not a great gardener, but my student and teaching experience with Landscape Architect Par Gustafsson, showed me a new way of viewing 'The spaces surrounding and in between our houses. He always used to suggest (in a school of Architecture, would you believe?) that in any project, the first person to be consulted should be a landscape Architect...well, he would do I guess! However, this all must've rubbed off as in my book "Self Build Home...the last thing you need is an architect!" equally appropriate for custom design, bespoke work and extensions, I attach a list of mini chapters, blogs, references, observations and teachings of Par, on approaches to landscape and especially garden design. The site Site Analysis Outdoor Room Repose The Seasons Threshold and Entrances Survey, Analyse and Propose Courtyards and the spaces in betwwen Transparency and Character National Garden Scheme Garden Design approach Two Gardeners How about a garden to be Proud of? The Bible...A Pattern Language, Chris Alexander et Al Wither Fashion Gardens again Amongst other chapters, I cite these chapters especially as they are about adding value and wow factor to your pride and joy...Happy designing. Email lofthousestudio@hotmail.com for more info

I do agree with the idea of God is in the detail. Particularly in relation to how things join. I mean it's all about trades meeting trades, as much about planes meeting planes. It is important to draw sections through tricky bits and how planes, materials meet. You cannot rely on one trade solving an issue with another, unless they are sharp. You should (or the architect should) should have an awareness of tricky/clumsy areas. Do a sketch or detail drawing or it'll rear it's head sooner or later...Material to material, plane to plane, structural member penetrating planes, services affecting everything...you need to be aware of the three dimensional issue or it'll compromise you and probably cost you or at worst, look awful.

I would still maintain that, as a family, you go through wants, needs, must-haves, nice to haves etc before engaging a designer/architect. Why pay fees for someone outside the family to take notes when you discuss what you might want. I do agree architects can come up with brill ideas and 'have you thought of this' ideas...they can indeed bring a lot to the table, once you've clarified what you might fancy.

I would suggest you buy my book 'self build home...the last thing you need is an architect'. This is not a technical, 'how to' book, but a guide to make design decisions of must haves, wants, needs etc before the designer/architect's fee clock starts ticking. I am not knocking architects (the title could imply that), but exploring family-wide making all those essential and spatial decisions based on memory of the best and worst places you've lived in. No flim-flam or waffle and few pretty pictures to make you green with envy.`Email lofthousestudio@hotmail.com for details. I used to teach architecture and interior design in a school of Architecture and the book is loosely based on aspects of the course...Jamie

You will need to add a disability accessible toilet on the ground floor...appreciate it's at an early non-detail stage...a simple plan so far! Ferdinand might provide a link to the free book, I no longer have it. I can sell you a copy for £15 inc P+P if you fancy...Paypal. The site is on Facebook or email me at lofthousestudio@hotmail.com You get an expanded version with illustrations (not many mind...no waffle). Technically it supersedes the freebie, but as I say, Ferdinand dug out the reference and posted it. Cost me £10 to print the thing...huh, so much for self-publishing.

Came across this earlier c/o a Homebuilding and Renovating Ad post. Fascinating outfit and based on traditional Northern vernacular...I understand that these modest houses wouldn't suit the massive collection of sofas and picture window brigade but hey what a great starter or retirement home...It's an excellent website too extending to options, interviews and videos of processes etc. Well done the team and Lady behind it all. http://theweehousecompany.co.uk/

Appreciate that this is old news but the Yorkshire Post (Yorkshire's National Newspaper!) ran an encouraging article in the farming section of Saturday's paper. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/relaxed-barn-conversion-rules-are-economic-boost-to-rural-areas-land-valuers-say-1-9080408

Some bay window/ window seat ideas in the attached, if my linkage works! https://www.pinterest.co.uk/xcutelilangelx/decor/?utm_campaign=rdboards&e_t=44868135be074260a257a7ca50666793&utm_content=465630117663191735&utm_source=31&utm_term=3&utm_medium=2004

I go along with Ferdinand re slotting the washing machine under the stairs...something I've done in the past. I'm also a fan of bay windows, so instead of folding doors could you consider that. Ideal for a work space (leaving half done work), capturing the rising sun or to act as a small breakfast space. If you're having a second floor you'd definitely need fire separation from kitchen. You mention 'lifestyle' and use of ground floor. I'd go further and list daily, weekly and monthly routines (deliveries, visitors (formal and relatives) activities around the front door, storage, coats, skateboards etc...

Will try, thanks very much

Thanks

Please click on lofthousestudioAThotmail.com if you may be interested in a copy of an E-book of 'Self Build Home...the last thing you need is an architect'

Howdy, I'm just exploring the implications/costings of selling my book 'Self build...the last thing you need is an architect' as an e-book......any help or assistance/experiences gratefully received. (Price link removed by moderator)

I don't suppose many of you see the Yorkshire Post newspaper which is emblazoned with the banner headline 'Yorkshire's National Newspaper' erm! Anyway this conversion is neatly handled, in my view, even with expensive steel doors https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/homes-gardens/for-sale-shipping-container-that-s-now-a-stylish-office-garden-room-1-8992743

Just a sort of screen grab (ignore other images until book nook pops up!). A nice idea A...if you've got book storage problems. B...a redundant closet Could even be under the stairs with an open front and different lighting, or in the generous bay window...just a thought. Ignore the decor, that's just fashion, or not as the case may be!

Aye, many thanks for your comments...Indeed my book started life as a free set of notes which seemed to be well received. The notes were essentially a set of prompts and 'don't forget' type check list, laced with some of my prejudices. Some hints and thoughts came from my teaching days and the inevitable 'essential' reading list from some of the domestic design greats, (included in this book). I don't really touch on technical stuff and Sips v brick/block etc...just use of space, circulation, entrance threshold, daylight, relationship of house to garden and so on. On first reading it might appear repetitive, but I think such reminders and reinforcements add up to an optional, and not so optional check list. I appreciate that many, on this forum, are well beyond the design stage, but hey there are a lot of dreamers out there. Thanks

Aye, of course, there's many ways to skin a cat (referring to catfish, so as not to offend!) Cheers.

Hello, A piece of 'legislation' I wasn't aware of. https://www.righttobuildportal.org/?utm_source=Custom+Build+Strategy+Main+Database&utm_campaign=f0c0a00506-NOV_2017_PROFILE_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c5b24ee15a-f0c0a00506-176850693 This info came on an email today, I guess via the people behind Buildit magazine and the Custom build strategy team ( NSB+RS) in Swindon.I assume that's all Castle Media! All very interesting and poignant. I did send them a copy of my book 'Self build home...the Last Thing you need is an Architect' but sadly not a peep. Perhaps they are inundated with literature, or believed the book to be full of b+ll-sh+t., but no 'Thank you, but no thanks'...No matter, it is selling anyway. I freely admit it's not a technical book (there's enough out there, including their own establishment, not to mention, 'The green building forum' if you really want to get into sums and err 'Dense definitional Thickets' to quote Amory Lovins.) The book is more a design check-list, don't forget and why don't you consider? thinking about space, ;light, circulation...all things architectural, and getting more wow factor value and character...and a few references and reviews of great design books.

If you are considering twin wall, consider Solotimberframe who have experience of twin wall. They appear to have a good reputation...standard internal designs and bespoke. Steamy tea, I'm a bit unsure how our 'small house' ideas differ.