At our
consultation meeting with Griff Morris of Solar Dwellings we were given a
Context and Content document to complete should we wish to have a Concept Plan developed for us. This forms the basis of a brief to the architect. The details of the brief we subsequently provided to Griff is given below.
UsTwo adults and one child.
We are moving to Mosman Park to be near the school attended by our daughter. Therefore,
- we intend to be in the house for at least 14 years, hopefully even longer.
- we want to be able to walk or cycle to and from the school campus.
One adult works full-time from home.
Initially, we would like the master bedroom to be situated close to the second bedroom (on the same storey). We'd also like the flexibility to change bedrooms when later.
Having thought about this, we think the following would be most suitable:
- master bedroom, second bedroom, living areas downstairs.
- guest suite and study upstairs.
The LotWellington Street, Mosman Park.
Our lot is 642
m2 with a 16.7
m frontage and 38.42
m length. The block is flat. The rear of the block faces north.
There is a large Moreton Bay fig tree in an adjoining property that shades the northeastern corner of our lot. The property has changed hands so we are considering contacting the new owner regarding their intentions for the tree.
There is a sewer line running along the western and northern boundaries of the block. We have been informed that we can build to the minimum setback (1
m) of the sewer line provided we use supporting pilings.
The block currently has a 1950s home on it that is tenanted until November 2007.
The House
Our broad requirements are as follows:
- three bedrooms: master, daughter's and a guest bedroom.
- three bathrooms: one being the master bedroom en-suite.
- study/home office.
- double garage.
- sustainability: energy and water efficiency.
PART A. INTERNAL LAYOUT
Garage
- two car parking spaces: we have only one car (sedan) with no plans for a second for a long time.
- space for secure storage and easy access for three bicycles (side/rear?)
- remote-control garage door.
- secure access to interior of house.
- rear (roller) door providing access to the back garden with sufficient width for small box trailer.
- we dislike obtrusive garages that dominate front elevation e.g. no further forward than rest of house.
- we prefer a gentle arch above the opening to flat top of opening.
- updown lights either side of garage door.
Store
We would like a decent-sized storage area at the rear of the garage, screened off, and if possible an additional small storage room, e.g. under stairwell with external access, for frequently used garden implements etc.
Entry
We would like a wide entry hall leading straight into the hallway (probably useful as far as ventilation is concerned) with double (French) doors at the far end of the hallway.
We would prefer that doors, e.g. from the garage and bedrooms, do not open into the main hallway.
Master Bedroom
Parent's bedroom.
- preferably at front of house.
- room for a small sofa or easy chair and table.
- not adjoining garage.
- entry not directly off front hallway.
- WIR
- We'd like the master bedroom to have a walkinrobe. We prefer that access to the en suite not be via the robe (not essential though).
Master en-Suite
- double basin vanity.
- (corner) spa bath.
- shower.
- toilet (separate room leading off en-suite bathroom).
Bedroom 2
Initially envisaged as daughter's room with potential to become the guest bedroom at a later date.
- located close to master bedroom for ease of access.
- located close to downstairs bathroom and powder room toilet.
- spacious enough for bed, desk, bookcases and dresser.
- must have a WIR with sufficient space for clothing and toys.
- should be large enough for double bed should it becomes the guest bedroom.
- not adjoining garage.
- entry not directly off front hallway.
Bedroom 3
Initially this will serve as a guest suite with the possibility that it will become daughter's bedroom when she is older.
- WIR.
- similar specifications to bedroom 2.
- not directly above garage (noisy).
Study
One adult works from home so this will be used on a daily basis. It should be
spacious enough for two people to work at once.
- room for desks, computer equipment, book cases, filing cabinets, drawers and other storage.
- well-lit, taking advantage of natural light where possible.
- Bathrooms / en-Suites
- Second Bathroom (downstairs)
- single basin vanity.
- shower.
- easy access from second bedroom but not en-suite.
Upstairs Bathroom- single basin vanity.
- shower.
- easy access from upstairs bedroom and study but not en-suite.
Toilet / Powder Room
We would like a downstairs powder room for use by visitors and as daughter's toilet while she occupies the downstairs bedroom.
- toilet.
- single basin vanity.
- easy access from living areas.
- easy access from second bedroom.
- easy access from rear outdoors.
Toilet (master bedroom)
We would like the master bedroom's toilet to lead off the en-suite bathroom, i.e. in a room separated from the en-suite by a door. We prefer this to a stall screened off within the en-suite bathroom.
Toilet (upstairs)
We would like an upstairs toilet separate from but adjacent to the upstairs bathroom. Must be accessible even when the upstairs bathroom is in use.
Activities
Initially, this will serve as a playroom, so visibility from the kitchen and living room is required. However, we would like to be able to close it off so it can be a 'separate' area from the living room. Needs easy access from outside.
Flexibility: the use of this room will change with time, e.g. playroom, to (home)work room (desk, bookcases, PC) and music room, to A/V room or sitting room later on.
Living Room
We would like a raked ceiling leading to a gable(?) window looking outside (possibly continue lofted ceiling outside to the alfresco area if this doesn't compromise winter sun penetration).
Sitting Room
Possibly at top of stairs. Possibly opening onto a balcony.
Meals Area
Adjacent to kitchen.
Kitchen- Walk-in pantry.
- Room for side-by-side fridge-freezer but not excessively wide as we currently have an “upsidedown” fridge-freezer.
- Large double-bowl, double-drainer sink.
- Dishwasher.
- Appliance cupboard.
- Microwave hutch.
- Stone benchtops.
- Prefer separate oven and hob to freestanding range/oven.
- Prefer wall oven to underbench oven.
- Glass splashbacks. Splashbacks on bench so can't see kitchen mess from living areas.
- Would like to be able to see activity room, living room, meals area and outside when standing at kitchen bench/sink.
- Breakfast bar/bench.
- No island bench in middle of kitchen.
Laundry
Walk-in linen cupboard (but not necessarily in laundry). Trough, (frontloading) washing machine, wall-lmounted dryer and storage space. Storage space for ironing board, mops, brooms, buckets etc.
Other
- Skirting boards
- Timber floors to living areas, stairs and hallway.
- Carpets in bedrooms and study.
- Moulded cornices.
- Timber window sills.
PART B. EXTERNAL LAYOUT
Garden
- Native.
- Productive – vegetable garden & work farm
- Low water requirements – water supplied entirely from rainwater and/or grey-water supply.
- Small lawn at back for play area. No lawn at front.
- Would like a decent-sized backyard for play area.
- Poured limestone driveway, pathways and paving.
- Room for a rotary hoist clothesline with easy access from laundry but out of view from living areas.
- Don't want a small fold down line in drying courtyard. Room for wet weather drying line under back verandah/eaves.
Entertainment
Covered and paved alfresco area with gaspoint accessible from living areas but without compromising winter sun penetration.
PART C. SYSTEMS
Heating
As little as possible (passive). Nonetheless a gas bayonet to be provided in the living area.
Cooling
As little as possible (passive). Prefer not to have overhead fans.
HWS
Solar with gas or heat-exchange booster.
Security- Alarm system.
- Front and rear exterior lights to be activated by motion sensors.
- Deadbolts on exterior doors.
- Window locks.
- Smart Wiring
- Cat5 computer networking with outlets in study, living room and activities room.
Other
- Grey-water system for toilet cisterns and garden.
- Rainwater tanks.
- Energy efficient lighting.
- Photovoltaics / grid inverter?
PART D. YOUR HOUSE- Double Storey
- Maybe a verandah at the front/west side of house?
Ceiling Heights
Higher than usual ceiling height – what would this be?
Building Materials- Windows – timber for front windows aluminium for others.
- Roof – tin (light colour).
- Internal Walls – brick with plaster.
- External Walls – (insulated) double brick, rendered with possible limestone cladding feature on front elevation.
- wall and ceiling insulation.
" (revised and expanded edition) by James Kachadorian. It is written from the perspective of house design for the USA and Canada. However, the key principles are applicable globally. The table of contents is as follows: