04-16-2009, 06:33 PM
Some good ideas Mark. Look around, you should see many of them already incorporated.
Having designed and built the house we now live in...
As Carey said, design for your lot, not just an area, a neighbor half mile in any direction of me would have different considerations. Just as a perfect house on the mainland could be problematic here, the perfect house on Beach Rd HPP might be horrible in Glenwood or WaaWaa
Single level, slab on grade. Not all single story houses are boring, but the majority of multistory can be challenging in a wheel chair. Taking groceries etc upstairs is a pain (IMHO) and one reason I never cared for apt dwelling.
Roof extends over the lanais, 3 ft extension elsewhere means I can usually walk next to house even in the rain. Outside seems an extension of the house.
All walls and roof R20 makes for pretty even temps. Fireplaces in LR/Kit/Dining and the bedrooms. Ambiance when wanted, take the chill off when needed. Metal roof, concrete SIP walls. Flexibility demonstrated in Oct 2006 and recent earthquakes.
And because a wheel chair is possible in our future, no hallways, 3 ft doors and minimum 4 ft passage areas like in kitchen, ADA considerations, easy access showers.
All major room exterior exits are combination of french doors and sliders, plenty of windows (vinyl sliders) - lots of natural light and airflow. All interior doors are solid core pocket doors.
Exterior walls are 8', 9', and 10'. All ceilings open beam. The only flat, 8ft ceilings are 2 closets.
All roof is simple gable design with 2 ventilation windows in each opposing gable. These have never been closed since moving in (1.5 years), even when using fireplace.
3 bedrooms, each with its own private full bath, plus a full community bath.
House sited for views, for trades, for morning sun. There are times when blowing rain is a nuisance factor, but depending on time of year all sides are involved, hence no perfect solution.
Living room, kitchen, dining is one large room divided only by the kitchen counter. Seems to work well with people.
Doggie door from bedroom into fenced area, means the spoiled ones can take care of business on their own.
Master suite has an exercise room (doubles are dog feeding area) with a non kitchen area with small fridge, sink, micro so nurse can take care of me in my dotage.
Every now and then, I'll think how I may have designed something differently, but usually somber up when I remember the cost aspect. We had seriously thought about skylights, but would be wondering when they'd start leaking. Overall, we are very very pleased with our design and it is pretty darn close to the model I made years ago.
Best of luck with you quest.
David
Ninole Resident
Having designed and built the house we now live in...
As Carey said, design for your lot, not just an area, a neighbor half mile in any direction of me would have different considerations. Just as a perfect house on the mainland could be problematic here, the perfect house on Beach Rd HPP might be horrible in Glenwood or WaaWaa
Single level, slab on grade. Not all single story houses are boring, but the majority of multistory can be challenging in a wheel chair. Taking groceries etc upstairs is a pain (IMHO) and one reason I never cared for apt dwelling.
Roof extends over the lanais, 3 ft extension elsewhere means I can usually walk next to house even in the rain. Outside seems an extension of the house.
All walls and roof R20 makes for pretty even temps. Fireplaces in LR/Kit/Dining and the bedrooms. Ambiance when wanted, take the chill off when needed. Metal roof, concrete SIP walls. Flexibility demonstrated in Oct 2006 and recent earthquakes.
And because a wheel chair is possible in our future, no hallways, 3 ft doors and minimum 4 ft passage areas like in kitchen, ADA considerations, easy access showers.
All major room exterior exits are combination of french doors and sliders, plenty of windows (vinyl sliders) - lots of natural light and airflow. All interior doors are solid core pocket doors.
Exterior walls are 8', 9', and 10'. All ceilings open beam. The only flat, 8ft ceilings are 2 closets.
All roof is simple gable design with 2 ventilation windows in each opposing gable. These have never been closed since moving in (1.5 years), even when using fireplace.
3 bedrooms, each with its own private full bath, plus a full community bath.
House sited for views, for trades, for morning sun. There are times when blowing rain is a nuisance factor, but depending on time of year all sides are involved, hence no perfect solution.
Living room, kitchen, dining is one large room divided only by the kitchen counter. Seems to work well with people.
Doggie door from bedroom into fenced area, means the spoiled ones can take care of business on their own.
Master suite has an exercise room (doubles are dog feeding area) with a non kitchen area with small fridge, sink, micro so nurse can take care of me in my dotage.
Every now and then, I'll think how I may have designed something differently, but usually somber up when I remember the cost aspect. We had seriously thought about skylights, but would be wondering when they'd start leaking. Overall, we are very very pleased with our design and it is pretty darn close to the model I made years ago.
Best of luck with you quest.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident