We discussed from a previous post on starting to build your dream house which covers the budget, lot location, hiring a professional and so on.
This time let's focus more on the house itself, basically it is what you want to achieve for you are the architect of your own house.
It all starts with your own ideas since you will be the one spending the time living inside together with your family.
The so called professionals of architect and engineers will just be there to assist you to make that dream house come true with their design/planning or house construction expertise.
You as owner MUST know what must be included inside that dream house of yours (some samples in #3 from earlier post).
Basically, everyone would want a bedroom, a toilet and bath, a living room with dining and kitchen plus carport which is pretty common when building a house and let the architect do all the design and that's it.
You need to involve yourself in the design process and provide as much as possible all the details that you want to be incorporated while in the design and planning stages.
This will help to avoid unnecessary demolition during the construction phases and would save time and money while your house is being constructed.
SUNRISE and SUNSET
Do you want to get energized early in the morning or have a wonderful sip of coffee during sunset? If your lot happens to have access to nature without obstructions then start reorienting your dream house towards the most favorable direction.
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| image from suncalc.org/ |
Note that sun heat direction towards your house changes differently from months of October to March and April to September, so observe closely which area of the lot gets direct heat from the sun at noon to 3:00 PM the most which you may utilize for drying area for your cloths.
AMIHAN and HABAGAT
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| image from panahon.tv |
You might consider also the change in wind directions to benefit from cool air at night and avoid warm air during the day.
"Amihan" coming from North East, whereas "Habagat" from SouthWest, just imagine the two in opposite directions but will change alternately throughout the year.
The sudden change of wind direction also influences the weather condition that may bring heavy rains or typhoons in the country which is also a factor in proper orientation of your roofs and room locations to absorb less damage from destructive winds.
OVERALL NATURAL LIGHT AND VENTILATION
Regardless of space or areas, to save from too much usage of energy, as much as possible have all rooms or space acquire natural light and ventilation for your own comfort than relying too much with mechanical means of cooling and lighting up your rooms.
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| image from 07sketches.com |
Having setbacks from your property line is one way to achieve this but sad to say knowing that lots and subdivisions in the country allows very tight lot spaces for highly dense housing units giving less natural light and ventilation resorting to the use of firewalls to maximize lot .
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| minimum lot sizes |
BEDROOMS
This may be very elementary as everyone needs a room where they can spend the night and rest, but decide the location if it needs to get a view during sunset/sunrise, or you may want the bedroom to be overlooking to a particular view or vista depending where your lot is situated.
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| image from freepik (cookie_studio) |
Preferably away from busy streets /active areas that may disturb your sleep, so proper sound proofing must be considered if budget permits.
Aside from bed furniture decide how big will be your closet (wardrobe) cabinet, to be able to add up small desk or a console table if you think it is necessary.
If bedrooms located on upper floors then you may opt to provide some balconies as extension to your room if you may, or terrace if within ground floor level.
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| image from freepik |
LIVING ROOM
Aside from wanting to be spacious so you may have enough space for visitors, you might consider outdoors access or extensions to add more space to your living room specially if you have some family gatherings or events inside the house.
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| image from freepik (alexandercho) |
DINING ROOM
Same approach to your living room, you must consider any outdoor extension for your dining to accommodate more guests.
Will this be directly connected to your living area or have some screen divider in between to have some sort of privacy will be your own prerogative.
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| image from freepik (dit26978) |
If there will be enough space you may add some mini bar or some sort of breakfast nook area connecting to your kitchen.
KITCHEN
One important area in the house since this is where your foods are prepared and cooked, so it must not only have the proper space for mobility but should be well ventilated as well.
Must have its own access outdoors for your so called dirty kitchen for grilling purposes and storage for other kitchen equipment.
Will you be considering an island counter for preparatory or additional workspace for your usual kitchen counter?
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| image from freepik (wirestock) |
TOILET and BATH
More on fixtures and finishes like the type of water closet, shower heads and lavatory, soap and tissue holders, tile for walls/flooring, recessed shelving and toiletry cabinet.
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| image from freepik (wirestock) |
Shower enclosure or simply open type with water heater for hot and cold supply, bath tubs or Jacuzzi whichever suits your needs.
LAUNDRY
Most of the time located outdoors with a counter like kitchen with faucet in either tile finish or plain concrete to do manual laundries, or simply integrated inside with your standalone washer/dryer or a combo to save space.
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| image from samsung.com |
CARPORT/GARAGE
Carport is open type with roof for your car, whereas "garage" is enclosed on all sides with manual or automated roll up doors.
If security is not much an issue in your location then you can go for "carport" to save expenses from added walls and doors and will just focus on the type of floor finish for your carport instead.
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| image from thegaragedoorcentre.co.uk/ |
ADDITIONAL ROOMS (OPTIONAL)
More rooms will obviously entails additional costs, but depending on your lifestyle and profession if needed then it's a must to have it added in your dream house.
Here are some spaces that you may add depending on your needs and budget:
Office Room - either work from home or an extension office from your work of place
Gym - if your the athletic type and wants to have some space for some work outs
Yoga or Meditation - to get some privacy and away from distraction
YouTube studio - for recording videos and voices if you aspire to become a Vlogger
Study Room - for the kids or for yourself as learning doesn't stop at school
Workshop room - for your DIY projects
Entertainment/Gaming room - aside from your Living area you may have extra room for other hobbies like billiards, table tennis, chess, music, video games etc
Storage room - for your toy collections, paintings or other form of art collections, equipment, tools etc.
Meeting/Conference rooms - for your clients/colleagues or business partners to get together and have some brain storming etc.
Library - if your fanatic of books and may add some space to store your book collections for some reading from your spare time
Have ample space then you can add swimming pool, gardens and landscape or half court for basketball or badminton activities.
Ideas are unlimited provided that you have enough lot area and of course the budget to build your dream house.
It doesn't necessarily mean to finish the dream house in one go, rather do it by phase on what your budget limit can accomplish, continue to build up the next areas when you have save enough.
You are not in a competition, but take your time and start whatever you can accomplish and gradually do the next until you fully complete your dream house project.
