CharlieKLP

I don’t feel design is subjective. It’s either good or bad. Taste is subjective certainly. But you can also have good or bad taste. But taste is not based on knowledge, design is. Good design is a response to something, an elegant solution. You need skill to create good design. Don’t devalue designers. I think the idea that anyone can design and there’s no ‘good or bad’ is damaging to the self build arena, and results show it. You wouldn’t design your own legal documents or cut your own hair, people go to university to study design and spend their lives honing their skill, stop doing it yourself. You’re civil servant/middle manager/accountant. it’s actually more like movies. There’s good and bad movies, but now and again you get a vanity project that’s ‘funny’ bad.

hmm no I mean what I said. I’ll design something of a style I dislike for someone who likes it of course. Not to the extent where I will design something objectively bad and never say anything. I’ll always give guidance. IMO people don’t need you to design things that won’t get planning, are unbuildable, over budget, overheat, etc etc I have a responsibility to be professional and I try to have integrity. (I’ve done a few stinkers but always tried anyway). I think if you want something drawn up without suggestions, thought, question you don’t need a designer/architect.

Ah Indy… I think people are saying it for your benefit, and I hope it’s constructive criticism. This is fixable, don’t worry. I’ve fixed far worse than this and I’m sure you will get it sorted once you get a plan in place. Why don’t you think you can build something with architectural merit? I’ve heard that from other people too and what I hear is ‘I want something rubbish’. Architectural merit just means someone with some skill has thought about it. No one expects *you* to become a designer, it’s actually quite hard and requires skill, practice, knowledge and flair in that area. If you can’t do it yourself (You can’t. And I’m not saying that to be cruel) you need to have someone figure out your taste and make the design decisions on your behalf. That’s the point of the design process … and I blame the designers for giving you what you want and not what you need. so, get yourself on Pinterest and pick out three 1.5 storey houses you like, a feature porch, a living area that *works* for you (a family needs quiet spaces not open plan. …then find a new architect. Sorry guys if you’re reading. You’re not a good fit for this project and client.

That actually emphasises the worst parts of the design, it’s quite the worst design I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen some very bad designs. So these changes and ideas are coming from you? What are you paying a designer for exactly? Scrap this terrible design. Make them design you something nice and for heavens sake, stop letting them waste your money because sounds like they will quite happily. Your 1st floor windows need to be 1200 or else you won’t be allowed to open them. No. I’m starting to think you are just trolling us at this point.

That’s a lovely design! Please post more updates as you build? I would go full plans, that way they can sort the detailing out in advance. To my mind, the longer you spend in design the better the result.

https://www.thewrightbuy.co.uk/cookology/cookology-cdd600bk-60cm-downdraft-extractor-fan-recirculating-carbon-filter Cookology CDD600BK 60cm Downdraft Extractor Fan & Recirculating Carbon Filter Recirculating carbon filter included so you do not need to vent it outside Discreet, stylish & sure to impress Touch control operated Lies concealed in your worktop then rises when you touch the controls Powerful extraction rate - essential for keeping your kitchen fresh

Is there a requirement for you to vent the air out, or can it be a recirculator one? and you want one that is countertop mounted I guess?

Surely you ask them to remedy or replace it, and if you aren’t happy, you get your money back?

The ikea one is £1370, is that too expensive? Its built into the hob so if you already have that it’s not right. im not sure what you mean though, would this work for you: https://modernlivingdirect.co.uk/Online-Store/product-details/Hendrix-100-x-70cm-Ceiling-Hood-with-Inline-Motor-AU-HENDRIX.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQiA0eOPBhCGARIsAFIwTs71ebChPgdDQ85Q9qgcOprl-2tpkVHAdGymkMoxQK7Y8_0XBlvi3dEaAk2yEALw_wcB Is the section of your kitchen causing the difficulty?

Ah I see. Well maybe you can get neo-Georgian - ask them. However it’s hot garbage if you do it wrong as I’m sure you probably see in your local McMansions! Usually ‘drawing things to prove it’s wrong’ is considered pandering, don’t bother with it just take their word for it. It also makes it kind of sad and ‘let she what you could have won’ *shows speedboat*. sorry if I’m being harsh but I see this every day and the clients rarely get anywhere. I’d suggest they need to tell you clearly what will get planning permission, ie, the style and size. Then you need to go on the internet and pick something nice that fits that criteria. Then let them make something similar style for you. and yes the roof… there’s hopefully a better way to do that.

Oof awkward. But massive kudos to you for rethinking. Why are they wasting time drawing up Georgian facades if they don’t match the area and have eves that are too high? (Hope that was free lol) Will what you have now even get planning at that height? The objective should be get planning on something buildable and within budget. For the price you are paying it should be attractive. I’m not sure you’re there yet on any of those. What styles are appropriate for your area? Can they give you better guidance?

I’m an architect and I feel like I need to have a badge that says *citation needed* too. If you look on your local planning website, look for the SPD (supplementary planning documents) or something that has a design guidance document in there. That’s the best bet. I’ve seen a few numbers about facing window to window and overlooking but I’ve never heard of 13 seems a bit random. Or just ask them how they got to that. When you say ‘an architect’ do you mean just some random one, or is it one your using?

What is the source for this ‘13m rule’? I’ve not heard of it.

Interesting thanks.

No I don’t do those. It always gets quiet after Xmas and very busy in summer for new builds.

What are you questioning there?

That’s a bit of a waste of an architect’s skills isn’t it? I don’t think people train for 7 years+ to convert your drawings to CAD. Like I say, it’s reasonably easy to get above building regs, some councils even require 10% above, the architects would be used to get the most out of the glazing orientation and do the certification. If you want a Passivehouse level you’re looking at SIPs and an investment in renewables. Expensive and not practical for most people.

I don’t know what you mean by ‘architects are busy’ lol, I’m not - I’m bored crazy!!! not sure you can get ‘passivehouse’ on a tight budget. You can get over the requirements, but passivehouse is difficult and unnecessary, forget about it I’d say. also pre apps are pointless. If you have a decent architect they should know what the planners will probably say, they are covering themselves and trying to get more money off you (or trying to stop your design ideas from being daft).

That sounds like the best idea definitely. It really irritates me when someone commissions a tooo and they miss out the important things because the company was cheaper. though technically you could just ask the architects what they need from the topo first and get around that.

I think there’s just something fundamentally wrong with the proportions and (not to get too architecy) hierarchy of the different parts. I don’t have a problem with glazed entrances, but they say a lot about the people who have them and I would say, use them incorrectly.

If it’s in a flood zone, I don’t think they would give you outline permission without that survey would they? You might need someone to do the site drawings, nothing too complex. maybe I’m getting confused with something else I don’t do a lot of outline planning.

Do you have a Planning Consultant on board? You don’t need all of those to obtain outline permission. You can get the outline permission and have three years to do the reserved matters. Usually you leave it open so that people can pick their own design and materials, but if you can get the important ones like a flood risk assessment that would help. A planning consultant would tell you the surveys you need.

I’d let her in unless you have something to hide, do you? If a habitable room is overlooking, that would be a concern and sometimes they condition window openings. Usually internal changes are fine and I’d imagine she’s just being thorough, but then it depends what you’ve done.

No of course not! It’s not as difficult as people imagine. Although it is very involved, and you will have to manage to sell a house and find land and a lot of other things - it shouldn’t be physically taxing and the rewards will be worth it. As you have specific needs, I’d suggest that you get a designer that is experienced in this kind of design. Not sure who you would be using and if they have ‘inhouse’ designers, but consider investing in an architect if the company you chose doesn’t have one. It’s quite specialist and most frame companies are used to standard design requirements. Even saying ‘wider doors’ is not the limit of creating a home for someone who has more complex needs, it’s about the spaces, the flow and the whole system. So my advice, get a specialist designer. This will be your pay off, a lovely easy-to-use home that will be a joy to live in.

This definitely isn’t Arts and Crafts but I can see what you mean generally. I’m talking about the parapet walls yes. They would be a brick thick if they are real stone, you don’t generally support stone on timber frame, they wouldn’t be as thick as drawn imo. There is also unsupported brickwork on the top dormer unless the cheeks are timber. I like the back a lot more than the front, apart from the balcony clashing with the roof.