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HOME DESIGN "How to design your own Home, Extension or Alteration"

CHAPTER ONE : ADVANTAGES OF GOOD HOME DESIGN

CHAPTER TWO : HOW TO ANALYSE YOUR REQUIREMENTS

CHAPTER THREE : HOW TO ANALYSE YOUR SITE

CHAPTER FOUR : HOW TO DESIGN

CHAPTER FIVE : DESIGN STYLES

CHAPTER SIX : DESIGNING IN PRACTICE

CHAPTER SEVEN : DESIGN DETAIL

CHAPTER EIGHT : HOW TO SELECT A CONSTRUCTION TYPE

CHAPTER NINE : HOW TO SAVE ENERGY

CHAPTER TEN : HOW TO CONSIDER THE DESIGN OF PLUMBING (HEATING & HOT WATER ) DRAINAGE & ELECTRICAL SERVICES

CHAPTER ELEVEN : DESIGN & BUILDING COST

CHAPTER TWELVE : HOW PLANNING & BUILDING REGULATIONS AFFECT YOUR DESIGN

TYPICAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS

CHAPTER ONE : ADVANTAGES OF GOOD HOME DESIGN: 10 pages (inc. illustrations)

  • What is good design in respect of new build; extension or alteration?
  • Advantages of Good home design : How good design saves money; How good design can improve market value & saleability; How your lifestyle should affect your design;
  • How to achieve good design (new build, extension or alteration).
  • Useful tips & references.

    CHAPTER TWO : HOW TO ANALYSE YOUR REQUIREMENTS : 8 pages (inc. illustrations)

  • How to set out your ideals; considering your lifestyle; planning ahead.
  • How to collect information : visiting people’s homes; going to exhibitions & seminars; keeping records.
  • Home owners’ checklist : what you should have considered before proceeding with a new build; Extension or alteration.
  • Useful tips & references

    CHAPTER THREE : HOW TO ANALYSE YOUR SITE: 8 pages (inc. illustrations)

  • What to consider in terms of a site for: A new build plot ( Examples of each Site for an extension ) with the important : Alterations to an existing building ‘Design’ considerations
  • Importance of good survey information : appreciating the whole picture; use of different scale drawings; photographs
  • Useful tips & references

    CHAPTER FOUR : HOW TO DESIGN: 15 pages (inc. illustrations)

    A step-by-step guide taking you through the Design Process (alteration, extension or new home).
  • How to carry out a measured survey for a new build, an extension or an alteration
  • Design tools and techniques in developing your design : use of ‘scaled’ paper; templates, models and computer software (GBA design kit).
  • Your thought processes in relation to the design of new build; extension or alteration:- Room size; Furniture requirement; Movement through buildings; stair position / size; Door & window style, size & position; Changes in level; Site curtilage; Design detail.
  • Useful tips & references.

    CHAPTER FIVE : DESIGN STYLES:10 pages (inc. illustrations)

  • How to understand design styles (e.g. medieval, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, contemporary); the characteristics of a new home or an extension based on a particular design style.
  • Useful tips & references.

    CHAPTER SIX : DESIGNING IN PRACTICE: 10 pages (inc. illustrations)

    Practical tips when designing: A new home; An extension or a Home alteration.
  • Be honest about where things should go.
  • Finding and working with a Home Designer.
  • Importance of good / accurate survey information (see Chapter 4).
  • Understanding existing structure / drainage etc. (Chapter 8)
  • Using space in a different way (i.e. integral garage conversion).
  • Use of simple models to understand furniture layout etc. (Chapter 4) (www.homedesign-online) .
  • Space saving techniques (i.e. use of roof spaces, cupboards understairs, use of hall, utility room combined with a bathroom, garage as a living space etc.)
  • Working with local authority officers. Avoid conflict.
  • Importance of good gardendesign.
  • Useful tips & references.

    CHAPTER SEVEN : DESIGN DETAIL: 15 pages

  • The importance of ‘building’ detail in your design.
  • External details : windows (including bay, roof and oriel type windows), external walling, roofs, front doors / porches, external lighting.
  • Internal details: staircases, fireplaces, floor finishes, mouldings, panelling, use of colour.
  • Useful tips & references.

    CHAPTER EIGHT : HOW TO SELECT A CONSTRUCTION TYPE: 15 pages inc. illustrations

    Brief explanation of the following construction types, their appropriateness to a particular design solution; Construction type and its suitability for basements; Comparative order of costs.
  • Timber frame
  • Bricks & mortar
  • Wall construction systems
  • Flooring systems
  • Underground construction / basements
  • American style post & beam
  • Building conversions.
  • Steel frame
  • Straw bales
  • Concrete frame.
  • The future
  • Useful tips & references
    Illustrations showing different construction types.

    CHAPTER NINE : HOW TO SAVE ENERGY: 10 pages inc. illustrations

  • Why energy efficiency?
  • How to ‘design in’ energy saving in your building construction
  • Energy & waste management in your home.
  • How to save on fuel bills.
  • Useful tips & references.

    CHAPTER TEN : HOW TO CONSIDER THE DESIGN OF PLUMBING (HEATING & HOT WATER ) DRAINAGE & ELECTRICAL SERVICES: 10 pages

  • How to heat your home.
  • Plumbing : pitfalls, importance of professional help, selection of sanitaryware, heating, air conditioning, fresh air systems, vacuum systems.
  • Electrical : points to consider in the design of different rooms.
  • Foul and surface water drainage: design considerations (i.e. avoid under building drainage, ensure ease of flow and good access).
  • How to be safe not sorry:
    • Fit child resistant window locks but
    • Make sure there are escape windows, ref. building regulation requirements.
    • Fit smoke detectors, mains operated, battery back up.
    • Fireguard & secure.
    • Safety gates, top and bottom of stairs.
    • Keep areas where small children can hide locked (often seek refuge during a fire).
    • Concept of child proofers!
  • Useful tips & references

    CHAPTER ELEVEN : DESIGN & BUILDING COST: 15 pages

  • Having achieved a dream design can I afford it? How to assess approximate costs of your design. (Step-by-step guide).
  • Factors affecting the cost of your design : cheaper to alter than extend, size & shape, type of construction & details, time of the year & market conditions, size & type of contractor, site, garden design etc.
  • VAT
  • How to build : Different options open. Financing the project, Finding a builder, Obtaining an accurate price for the work; Building contracts; Building programmes.
  • Useful tips & references

    CHAPTER TWELVE : HOW PLANNING & BUILDING REGULATIONS AFFECT YOUR DESIGN: 10 pages

  • Planning Policy and the planning system : how it works.
  • Planning applications : keeping in touch with the Planning Officer, making applications;
  • Building regulations : what they are and how they are applied; how planning/building regulations will affect your design. Alternatives to building regulations.
  • The future.
  • Useful tips and references.

    TYPICAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO : 17 pages

  • We need more space
  • We want a games room for the children.
  • The company wants me to work 2 – 3 days from my own.
  • I want a really special bathroom
  • Our home needs a really nice drawing room or lounge.
  • We want to create a really impressive entrance hall.
  • We want a new kitchen
  • In our new home we want a focal feature
  • We want more space for the children
  • We want a conservatory
  • We have found a small building plot and want to build a home for our retirement
  • We want a unique family house in a modern style making the most of a superb site.
  • We want an energy efficient design.