After much round and round we have refined our needs and hopefully be within budget. The original idea *sigh* was way to big and expensive for us to accomplish. So now to our refined plan.
The least expensive design is a square house with a hip roof. We worked with the rooms and room sizes we could live with and worked our way outward. We were able, with many design iterations, to come to a design that will give us what we feel we need, what we will use, and what we can afford. We settled on a footprint of 36 feet by 36 feet square. The total square footage of the house will be 2,592 square feet.
The house covers only 22% of the property which is a low percent and we will have plenty of room for a boat and the required swale. The swale will be an area that will collect water on site and allow for water percolation, rather than more storm run off on to the street.
We are going with the ICF form walls and floors and a concrete roof, for safety.
The ground floor will have a 3 car carport (one enclosed as a garage) and an entry, stairs to the main living space, elevator shaft, bathroom, and a storage/work space.
First-ground Floor
The second floor will have two bedrooms, two baths, an office, a utility room (laundry and mechanical) and an area for the stairs and elevator shaft.
Second Floor
The third floor will have the kitchen, dining area, living room, 1/2 bath, and the outdoor loggia with a BBQ area.
Third Floor
The next step is a last look at the concept, make any changes, define materials, finishes and fixtures and work with contractors to get a preliminary construction bid to see if we really are in the financial ballpark.
The next post will show the proposed elevation of this design concept.
2 comments
I built a bunch of homes in the Hurricane wind zones in the Myrtle Beach area, where lots are tiny and every square inch counts. It appears from this drawing that you are doing the same. One lesson I learned was that the sound of the a/c compressors was magnified by the close proximity of the neighboring homes, and being outdoors when they were running required a near yell to be heard. Consider putting them on the roof so the sound is not trapped between the buildings. You are going to lose them in a hurricane anyway if they are on the ground. Some people make the mistake of covering them, but that keeps the fresh rainwater from washing off all the salt in the air, and that salt eats them fast when they are uncovered. These ideas are probably worth exactly what I am charging for them, which is nothing, but if they can save you money or aggravation, so much the better. Good luck! Tim
Yep, money is an issue. We are trying to design this thing to be as space efficient as a submarine. As for the A/C compressors we are going to build with a ductless system. I think the compressors are pretty quiet. As for the roof, being concrete, it is best not to pierce the roof with any material.