Update from the Planning Office

Email sent to our architect last week…

I refer to the plans submitted by e-mail and subsequently by hand on 15th June 2011 concerning the above.

I brought your proposed design to the team meeting today.   Generally the feedback is that we are more than happy to accept a contemporary design and  welcome designs that demonstrate architectural flair and innovation.  There was no adverse concerns over the proposed height of the proposed dwelling. However, it was contended that the overall conceptual design could be improved by incorporating more contemporary elements. It may be that the acceptability of the proposed design is dependant on the design statement and the supporting information that is presently awaited. If the correct materials are proposed for the finish of the dwelling, this will enhance the design. However, the planning service would be open to any further design suggestions that you may have explored and would welcome variations on the proposed design that make the dwelling appear more contemporary.

It should be noted that the presence of the horizontal timber cladding along the upper sections of the dwelling has a slight 1970′s feel and therefore it may be an idea to modify this element in some way. The submission of coloured drawings and details of materials in any subsequent submission would assist with the assessment of the design.

I trust the above is useful. Should you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Yay!  It looks like we’re going to be allowed to have a two storey house!

And just in today…

I have had a chance to review your design justification and the vision statement from the applicant’s and the content of both is noted and provides a good basis for justifying the proposed design elements. However, the following points should be explored further:
I note in your design statement, your comments on the shape of the dwelling refers to the following: “plan tends to square in it’s footprint which affords a more efficient external
wall surface area to building volume ratio as well as responding better to the client’s brief”.

In what way does the square footprint lend itself to a more efficient external wall surface? The impact that the overall concept of the square footprint has on the external appearance of the dwelling should be explored and this should be detailed further in the justification.

Justification for the proposed roof shape has not been fully provided other than a “gentle butterfly” roof that would be a green roof. This is quite a significant defining element of the overall design and needs to be justified.

With regard to the proposed windows, it was noted during our meeting that the windows do appear random and in the justification, it is stated:

The positions have been considered to take into account the client brief, orientation, views and overall balance /proportion within a building elevation.

I think that the window sizes and proportions need to be analysed more in this regard (especially in relation to the particular sizes of openings). Perhaps each elevation could be detailed separately and the defining element s relating to the overall appearance of the dwelling detailed for each one.

The external appearance of the dwellinghouse is the major determining factor in the acceptability of a project by the planning service and this should be borne in mind when providing any justification. The clients needs is not a determining factor in assessing the design of any proposal.

At the recent team meeting, it was discussed that the design could be even more creative and innovative than the present submission. This could be undertaken through the use of steel or glass in some way to the external elevations. As stated in my previous response, I indicated that the timber paneling at the top of the building could be modified in some way to appear more contemporary and again this is something that the Planning Service would welcome.
You will appreciate that the design of the dwelling is an issue where conflict of opinion can arise and therefore it is essential that relevant detail is provided in the suppo rting design statement to address any matters that have been raised. I cannot stress enough that the Planning Service fully support innovation in design. It may be that tweaking of minor detailing of the present one (through use of alternative materials) alongside further detailed justification will have a positive bearing on the consideration of the current proposal.

I hope the above is useful. If you want to discuss any matters, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I have to say that my favourite statement in the above is:

“The clients’ needs is [sic] not a determining factor in assessing the design of any proposal.”

*sigh*

And I know, I know, you haven’t see the Elevations, yet.  Those are on my laptop…which is at the flat.  Once I have the laptop back, I’ll be able to upload the elevations.  Promise.  Although I have to warn you: a very honest relative of mine confirmed that the house looks like — and I quote — a low-income apartment building built during the ’70s in a Northern Ontario industrial town.   Still, after what the planners indicated, above, this won’t be a problem for much longer.

 

15 Weeks

I promised my middle sister that I would upload a baby-belly picture as soon as I had one.  Well…it looks like I have the beginnings of one.

This is me with my stomach sucked in as far as it will go.

Until I show you in this next picture that it is not baby you are seeing, but everything that baby has babies have displaced.

That's what's keeping me warm this summer, folks.

Also, CROFT UPDATE:

The planners had their meeting and have not instantly rejected the design.  They discussed the materials (stawbale, render, metal roof, timber cladding in certain areas).  That’s all we’ve been told.  We haven’t been told what the outcome of the discussion was, but it does seem like a good thing that they are going to discuss other aspects next meeting.  Keep your fingers crossed and thumbs pressed.

 

Planning Meeting

We’ve just come back from our meeting with the planning office, after having sent in the latest floor plan and elevations.   Much to my surprise, the comments were generally positive.  I figured we’d be given a flat no for such a contemporary design.  We are to send her some new information by Wednesday of next week (e.g., information on why we chose the materials we have, why the windows are placed as they are, why having a two storey house won’t be intrusive, etc.), and on the Thursday she will take everything to her colleagues during their weekly group meeting and discuss the house.  She has been up-front in saying that whether or not we are allowed to go with the latest design is purely up to general consensus of the group.  Keep your fingers crossed for us!

 

Architect’s floor plans

UPDATE: I’ve flipped my plans so that the plans are facing the same ‘direction’ as the architect’s plans, so that you don’t get a headache when comparing.  The rooms on the left side of the plans will get the sun throughout the majority of the day (this time of year: from 09:00-ish to 19:00-ish).  The rooms at the top of the plans will get the evening sun (from about 19:00-ish).  The rooms at the right-hand side of the plans get the morning sun (this time of year:  from 06:00-ish to 09:00-ish; at high summer: from 04:00 to 09:00-ish).

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I meant to post these two weeks ago, but — again — I haven’t been spending a lot of time on the computer.  I’d like to know what you think about them.  Which plans do you like better: the ones I drew up or the architects?  Which house would you prefer to live in?  Do you like aspects of both, and, if so, which?  I can’t make up my mind.  I like some aspects of the architect’s, but I really like the upstairs open space and the living room in mine.

Note 1: the square footage/meterage is pretty much the same as in my floorplans.

Note 2: in the architect’s plans, the wall between the dining room and the ‘sunspace’ will either be removed all together, or will be replaced with an accordion glass door, or will be removed altogether.

Note 3: in the architect’s plans on the top floor, the voids are there to bring light to the centre of downstairs.  I don’t like voids.  In fact, I can say that I hate voids.  They’ll just bring noise from the ground floor to the top floor.  Why would I want that?  So, we’ll either have glass sections in the floor (but probably not, because of the expense), or light tubes that bring natural light down to the bottom floor.

Note 4:  the wall between the hallway upstairs and the room that says ‘balcony’ will be pulled back to give more space in the end room.

Note 5: both Graeme and I want the void in the upstairs end room to be straight across the whole floor and not as deep.  Strangely, we have to fight for this because the architect is adamant that we don’t want this because it won’t be aesthetically pleasing.  We’re of the mind that that a narrow strip of floor 60cm wide is useless and we’d prefer useable floorspace.  (Of course, I’d prefer not to have a void, but hubby wants one and marriage is a compromise, as you know.)

Ground Floor

Top floor

And so that you don’t have to click to the other pages, my plans are below.

Crystal's Plans

 

Still on holiday.

Sorry, all.  I’ve been taking a longer holiday than expected from the world of blogging.   Everything is fine; I’ve just not been using the computer very much in my personal time, but don’t worry, we’re meeting the architect tomorrow and I’ll have more to say after that, I’m sure.  I’ll even have some more floor plans to upload.

Architect?

More floor plans?

Can’t you make up your mind?

Well, y’all, like marriage, building a house is about compromise.  We’re both so fed up with the whole process (and the whole process not getting anywhere), that we’re not putting up as much as a fight as we would have a while back.  We just want a house to live in, because we’re sick and tired of living in a caravan or on a pull-out couch with sleeping bags in the flat.  (Although, I have to say we’ve been VERY thankful to have the flat in the middle of the coldest winter Aberdeen’s seen in years.)

So, I’ll see you over the weekend…probably on Sunday!

 

 

Strawbale House: First Inspiration

The first time I had ever heard about strawbale houses was when my grandmother told the family that my cousin and her partner had built a house made of straw. This was years ago. Every year I was home I meant to stop by and visit — seeing both them and the house. This year — what seems like a kazillion years later — I finally did.

And the visit unquestionably solidified my desire for a house made of straw.

 

Thanks, J & B.

 

Authoritative Articles on Eco-Building (see above)

No.  Further above than that.

Look at the very top of my blog page between ‘Home’ and ‘About’.

I’ve been trying to find articles that I can cite as justification for our choices when presenting to the planners.  They need to be scientifically sound and/or the planners need to recognise the source as an authority.  Finding such articles and authorities has been like trying to wring blood from a stone.  Hence the new page, so that others who stumble across this site have an easier time of it.

What you’ll find there is a list of journals, authorities, and studies.  I will post links where possible, but I won’t post the articles, as that — I am pretty sure — would be illegal.

The only problem is that the page isn’t very noticeable, so I doubt very many people will see it.  I’ve an idea though: I’ll put a badge or the like on my sidebar pointing people in the right direction.

Anyway,  have a good nose-about.

 

Happy Husband.

(Not sure if it runs, mind you, although hubby assures me it does and is dead fun to play with.)

 

Stonewalled – updated

Mrs Mutter from Mutterings from the Moor kindly pointed out that going with Option A means there will be a stove pipe smack in the middle of Bedroom 3.  *head-smack*  It’s back to the drawing board, folks.

* * * * * * * *

Yes it’s going to be a super-insulated house.  Yes, we are going to have underfloor heating.  Yes, I’m still going to have a woodstove.

Power cuts, y’all.  And to be prepared for end-of-the-world apocalypse-type stuff.  Either way we’ll need something to heat the house with and cook our food on.

And there will be times of the year when we won’t be able to justify putting the heating on, but will want a cozy area, and a wood fire is just so lovely, and cozy, and I’ve never lived in a home that didn’t have one.

As well as being farmers, my grandfather and great-grandfather became stone masons as a way to supplement their income.  The houses I and my family and a lot of my neighbours grew up in had a stone fireplace built by my grandfather.   I currently live in a country of stone walls and stone houses and stone fences, and I can say with honesty that I have never seen anything to rival his work. He is a master artist and I grew up accepting his standard as the norm.   Unfortunately for me, Grandpa has retired, but — oh, so thankfully — my youngest sister has taken up the mantle.  She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to fly her over here to build my stone wall.  Who else would able to understand exactly what I wanted?  Of course, this means I’m going to have to stay well clear of the premises while she does the work.  We love each other, but my god we fight like two tomcats in a sack whenever we’re involved in the same activity.

Which reminds me of a very funny story about my grandfather, his fur cap, climbing the ladder to the grain bins in the barn, and — when grandpa’s head reached floor level — an old tom mistaking it for a rival.  Next thing grandpa knew there was a spitting, hissing fury landed on his head.

But I digress.  To return to the point…

I can’t decide where in the living room to put our stone wall and woodstove.  Do I make it into a main feature — the first thing you see before you even step into the living room, giving it a certain je ne sais quoi ? (Option B)  Or do we build it off to the side, where we can create a cozy space with a couple of comfy chairs, a rug, a lamp, and various (live) furry animals?  (Option A)

Most days I lean towards option A, but other days option B definitely seems the way to go. Hearing what others think might help me make up my mind. (Yes, yes, I can hear you, T and K, sniggering to yourselves.  Ha. Ha.)

To help me out, please do complete my poll:  if you were coming to visit us in our house, where would you want the fireplace to be so that we could cozy up for a good chat and a cuppa; if you were going to buy our house after we moved back to Canada, where would you prefer the stone wall and woodstove to be?

P.S. At times I lack perspective. These drawing are evidence of that. P.P.S. Click on the picture to see a larger version.

 

 

Ahhh…to live in country that doesn’t need double glazing and insulation.

I stumbled across the webpages of Flying Concrete last week.  From an ecological point of view…not the most friendly construction.  But from a purely aesthetic view?  See me turn in to a puddle as I view grace and elegance embodied within a house.  (And, yes, a puddle of envy.)

*sigh*