The Architected Mother

Kitchen splashbacks

2008-11-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

Kitchen splashbacks: Why do we use them, are they really needed, and what kinds are out there?

The kitchen is a fairly messy area in many households and generally a difficult space to keep clean due to all the water and grease that goes with food preparation. A smooth surface allows for easy cleaning and thus there is less chance for bacteria to build-up.

Various materials can be used for splashbacks, but they must be impervious to water. Stainless steel, tiles, stone, pre-made composite sheets (caesarstone) and glass are the typical products that come to mind, but there are many other materials that can be used.

• Clear acrylic sheet splashbacks: they look like the sleek full-glass option, but sell for a fraction on the price. (For more information check out OzzieSplash's website.)

• Solid acrylic free form products such as Corian
and (Laminex 'freestyle'). These products are flexible and warm to the touch and cost about the same as natural stone

• Laminates - 'Aquapanel' . This product can also be used to line the inside of showers and is a very economical option.

• Terrazzo is a made to order products and can be resin based.
Terrazzo has been improved greatly over the years and is no longer used just for toilet partitions and thresholds. Terrazzo can look stunning and the options of colors and additives such as pebbles and even personal items make it a very unique product.

• Galvanised steel - role formed steel can be used – often used for flashing it will add a 'retro-look' to your kitchen.

• Polyurethane panel – most kitchen manufactures can organise this in any 'Dulux' colour.

Note: None of these products will withstand heat very well; they will either crack, burn or discolour.

So use your imagination and don't be limited in what you are fed through that mass media advertising channels; there are loads of options out there.

Building products and fire ratings

2008-10-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

One thing that constantly frustrates me as a professional in the building industry are fire ratings and requirements for building in bushfire prone areas; especially for windows and doors.

There are 4 levels of construction that a building may be required to comply with depending on your location to the bush or fire source (AS-3959-1999: Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas). These are levels 1, 2 and 3, and the one they don't like to call level 4, but it really is, "the flame zone".

Most of the buildings I design are expensive homes that are close to scenic bushland and require level 3 compliance and flame zone compliance. Did you know that currently there is only one window and door manufacturer in the whole of NSW that has units that comply with flame zone construction?! It's frustrating for many reason, but the main one is that the windows available are of a poorer quality and aesthetic than the top-of-the-line non-compliant competitors.

It is my understanding that the reason these windows comply and the others do not is that the cost of having the individual units tested and certified is approximatly$10,000 per unit. Of course if your unit does not stand up to the test - you lose $10,000. A large manufacturer could bear these costs, and has, but many of the manufacturers I deal with do not have that kind of money to waste. And you know what I have been told that the main cause of failure is? The rubber seals that hold the toughened glass within the unit; sounds so simple, but obviously not.

It is also my understanding that the CSIRO's method and processes of testing other building products has not been updated since the 1920's and the method of testing does not allow for composite products, only poducts that are of one material. So a great composite product like American Shingle can not be tested because the bureaucartic idiots who run the CSIRO and the NSW government can only test single component materials like colorbond steel or terracotta tiles; hence no certification and loss of business.

So I am trying to design million dollar homes that have aesthetically sub-standard windows and I am struggling to use non standard products. But... you can get around all this the cheeky way, but that is a blog for another day.

American shingles

2008-09-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

As an alternative roofing material to tiles and colourbond, consider American shingles, a commonly used roofing material in the United States and Canada.

They are made from a base of asphalt and each shingle is recyclable at the end of it's life. Shingles are lightweight in comparison to tiles and have a high level of wind resistance as well as being hail proof.

Shingles are laid on a plywood base and come in a range of profiles and colours. For more information go to the local American Shingles web site.

Beachside housing styles

2008-08-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

Touring around France recently I spend time in various coastal towns. I was impressed with the quality and consistency of the local beach side residences.

Unfortunately there is less aesthetic in Australia. Beach side housing is often a 2nd (holiday) home and owners often come from different demographics. They build what they can afford with little consideration for the immediate environment and the result is often a formless collection of buildings lumped together in an ugly mess.

In France it seems to me this almost never happens, probably because both local governments and owners seem to have a sensibility not present down-under. All the houses and apartments here are in the same residential beach side street. Owners are from all parts of France. Some houses are more expensive than others. Nevertheless they all sit beside each other in harmony.

Australian beach side suburbs under local government control have generally not been able to delivery anything like this French aesthetic. (One exception might be Noosa.) More often if some aesthetic exists in coastal towns (like Red Rock, Hardys Bay or Pearl Beach) it is the result of community action. One wonders if the new planning laws that take away control from the councils will make our suburbs better or worse.

Anyway, enjoy these pictures...

What's wrong with Australian domestic architecture?

2008-07-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

I am on holidays in Europe right now and I've got to ask: What's wrong with Australian domestic architecture?

The more I travel the more I realize how much boring contemporary residential architecture there is in Australia. There are too few attempts to step outside the brick veneer mindset that seems to have taken a pathological grip on the thinking home builders and housing estate developers. One rarely sees poor residential housing in Europe and never in France. Is it because the average French home builder, due to his country’s aesthetic history, appreciates architectural form more than us uncultured, beer swilling, yobbos in Australia?

It seems that many European developers are much more willing to step outside the box and produce innovative, attractive residential environments.

Here’s what a Dutch developer is trying to do. They take a street and build ten modestly priced houses that are all quite different but still sit harmoniously together. This streetscape works because it plays with volumes. Has any residential developer in this country ever tried to be so innovative?

DIY decks and patio design

2008-06-26T00:31:00.000-07:00

Outdoor living areas like decks and patios have the potential to improve the usability of your house more than you would think possible, but there are a few essential design considerations you should consider before you invest your hard earned cash.

Where is North? Orient your balcony to the North or North-East. Avoid locating decks and patios to the South or West of your home, there will be too little sunlight and the deck will get limited use.

Locate the deck or patio directly off your main living space. Decks and patios work well and get used constantly off main living spaces. Spaces located off areas such as bedrooms and hallways get minimal use.

Ensure your deck is a minimum of 2 metres in depth, anything less than 2 metres is too small for any serious use.

Think about deck furniture and what the deck will be used for. Will the outside table and chairs take up all the deck space? Do you want space for the kids to play? Take measurements of the items that will be located within your new deck or patio area and base its size on these measurements.

Unfortunatly may realise that you can’t afford the optimal size that will function best for your family, but at least you will be well informed about what you want, what you need, and what you are happy to settle for.

Housing affordability

2008-06-14T05:38:00.000-07:00

My partner, a Canadian ex-pat, is convinced that most Aussies are mad. One of his reasons for this is that he believes we pay far to much for our homes.

Because he is an engineer he likes to make his point with numbers and statistics. For example,
according to a report he read the average Australian family spends 6 to 8 times their annual income to buy a house. In Canada and the United States it is 3 to 4 times.

So are we Aussies mad? Or is it a conspiracy by the State governments and the banks to help keep us enslaved with debt?

Personally I worry about how my children will ever be able to afford a house.

But perhaps there will be correction, as I believe there was from the late 1980's to the mid 1990's. We shall see.

Home construction costs - just how much will they be?

2008-06-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

The most common question my clients and friends ask is: "How much will my new home or renovation cost?" You would think there is an easy way to determine an answer to thus simple question, given the maturity of the construction industry, but you would be wrong.

Building professionals and architects will balk at this question because there is so much detail they need to know before they can give an estimate.

You can get an approximate costing estimate by working out the possible "meterage" of the new home and multiply that figure by a per-square-metre amount, which will (of course) vary from region to region. A cost estimator that uses this approach can be found online here.

Even project home builders with their "$265,000 mansion package" can not provide an accurate upfront total price. That will depend on site conditions, the changes you make to the basic plan and the options you choose.

Here is a good rule I like to tell people when thinking about building costs – have a figure in mind and then double it; that’s what it will cost you to build that beautiful home that you have been "pining" for.

So keep it simple and always assume it’s going to go over budget. Don’t "lash-out" on that nice tap fitting or that expensive bi-fold, and do DIY whenever possible.

Seven deadly sins of home design

2008-06-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

It has to be bright, open plan and roomy!

There are seven common mistakes that people make when designing their home and here are some ways to help you avoid them.

The 1st deadly sin: Not orientating living spaces to the North.

This is the biggest mistake most people make when designing their home. There is nothing worst than living in a home that is cold in the winter and hot in the summer

Ideally if you can have all rooms facing north you will be able to have perfect sun for every room in the house but if you are restricted by a suburban block the following rules generally apply.

(1) Locate all living areas to the north of the floor plan.

(2) It is preferable to locate the kitchen to the north or north/east.... so you can enjoy that beautiful morning sun while sipping your cup of tea…

(3) The main bedroom is preferable on the north/east.

(4) All bedrooms should be protected from western afternoon sun as much as possible – buffer these areas with the laundry, store rooms, the garage or a heavily insulated wall.

(5) Window overhangs/shading – 900mm is the optimal shading depth over windows to the north on home sites with excellent sun penetration – if your site is shaded by trees or neighbouring house you will need to vary this accordingly.

(6) Minimise window and door opening sizes on any west facing walls.

(7) Insulate all external walls

The 2nd deadly sin: Not enough research

Many people don’t research enough before they purchase their property. Site constraints will greatly affect the design program of a home and it is important to purchase well to avoid headaches with the plan program and budget blowouts.

Remember these few points before buying your property

(1) Site slope – the flatter the site the more economical it will be to build.

(2) Call your local council and ask as many questions as you can – always ask, “Is there anything else I should know or is there anyone else I should speak with”? If you don’t ask quite often you won’t get all the information you need for a well informed decision.

(3) Uncommon land zoning (other than standard residential) may require that Flora and Fauna studies maybe carried out. This report is an extra cost and may restrict the building envelopes and the proposed dwellings’ siting.

(4) Avoid geotechnical nightmares by thinking twice about purchasing sites that; are steep or rocky, have clay substrates, noticeable fill or are surrounded by lots of vegetation.

(5) Bushfire prone land – if your site is considered prone to bushfire attack (by the Rural Fire Service) your budget could also suffer another blow during the council approval stage. Bushfire reports and sprinkler systems maybe required before your development can become a reality

For more information about the site analysis read:
http://homedesigndirectory.com.au/articles/HomeDesignSteps.shtml
http://homedesigndirectory.com.au/articles/DesignYourOwnHome.shtml

The 3rd deadly sin: Too open plan

Open plan is not the 'be all and end all' and can often cause privacy and acoustical problems difficult to reverse.

The modern trend for living spaces is to actually design houses so that there is a good compromise between the large open space and the intimate cosy spaces. Large open internal spaces, combined with flat walls and hard floors increase the internal reverberation of all noises created inside and outside the home.

The reverberation of noise can be reduced by:

(1) Design the open plan area with a few more walls than you had planed on – see the ‘quiet - open plan’ example below.

(2) Install more absorbent flooring such as modern rubber, new age linoleum, cork or carpet
Apply soft furnishings to windows - curtains over blinds as they absorb more noise and the more folded the curtain the better absorption quality it will have.

(3) Use soft fabrics on lounges, extra cushions and large rugs – they all absorb small amounts of noise.

(4) Plan to have standard height ceilings - 2400 or 2700 - to reduce noise.

(5) Install noise reducing products – Both Boral and James Hardie manufacture insulation batts as well as panel applications to reduce noise entering spaces. Speak with your local paint supplier about acoustic applications.

The 4th deadly sin: Not designing your house for your family

It is very important to analyse the way you and your family live and ensure this is reflected in the design of the home.

For example if you have a partner and three small children the following would need to be expressed in the design program:

(1) Family/play room – to be located next to kitchen which has doors out onto a sunny and safe outdoor play area – the kitchen can view this outside space easily.

(2) Lounge area - close to kitchen but can be acoustically cut-off from noisy areas such as the kitchen and family room.

(3) En-suite in main bedroom – very private from main area of bedroom – not to open onto main area of bedroom.

The fifth deadly sin: Inappropriate external finishes

Once the final moments of construction are coming to completion it is easy to rush the final finishes. Take your time, a rushed or forced decision, can make or break the visual appeal of your home and possibly future resale.

Undertake some essential research to ensure you are able to make a well-informed choice about how your house will fit into the landscape

(1) Pick external building claddings that age well – note clay bricks will only date well if they are of good quality and used appropriately.

(2) Look through old magazines/books from second hand retailers to see what would still look good today .

(3) Drive through your neighbourhood – what products fit into the local area? .

(4) Talk to people who are building – tell them about your project – its amazing what kind of leads you can get by just talking to anyone!

(5) Get well informed about any choices you need to make and beware of people that try to convince you by saying, “trust me I’ve been doing this for years”, what this usually means “ Lets do it my way and when you’re not happy with the final product I’ll charge you to fix it”! You need to feel confident about your decision and keep asking questions until you do.

(5) Visit your local real estate agent and ask them what they think about external and internal finishes and resale –BTW take note of these ideas but don’t adopt any if they can not work in with all the other things you are trying to juggle into the design

The 6th deadly sin: Making spaces too big in the wrong areas

People usually over compensate in space in the wrong areas

When professionals are costing new homes they generally describe spaces in per square metre costs so if you are on a budget only make it big where you really need to.

Reduce the size of your home by including multifunctional areas with out reducing the spacious quality you’re looking for:

(1) Reduce halls areas but don’t reduce the width to less than 1000mm (1 metre)

(2) Ask yourself “Can I deal with a Plantation Louvred fold-away laundry in the bathroom instead of a separate laundry room”?

(3) Think about designing the lounge area to be easily converted into a guest bedroom instead of two separate rooms.

(4) Plan your furniture to fit into a space well - windows that go to the floor do not work well with furniture planning

The seventh deadly sin: Not using standard construction techniques and material

Keep it standard silly – using standard type construction will keep the costs of your building down.

For example:

(1) Use 2400mm high flat ceilings – any higher and costs go up – raked ceilings are even more.

(2) Square set or shadow line corners are lovely but they are more expensive than cornices.

(3) Detailed lighting bulk heads look great but they will also cost a bundle.

(4) Use trusses in roof construction over rafters – rafters cost more and are more expensive to finish.

(5) Only design large spans where you need to, to reduce the requirement for engineers details – an extra cost.

(6) Single skin timber framing is the most cost effective to install and alter in the future if required.

(7) Sub-floor construction – the most economical is concrete pad footings with brick piers supporting a timber floor frame. Concrete slabs are more expensive.

(8) Avoid wall mounted lights that illuminate down the wall – this will require the plaster finish to be of a top level of finish – very costly

The trick of designing a well functioning home can be difficult for the lay architect and there will be many people during the construction process that will influence the final built product. You need to keep these influences in check and remain focused and vigilant about keeping your original design ideas in your plan.

Yes, designing and building a house can be an unrelenting juggling act but if you at least plan to avoid the seven most common design mistakes hopefully it will result in a well functioning and cost effect house that will sit well in the local landscape for many years to come.

DIY Renovations

2008-05-27T16:41:00.000-07:00

So, you've decided to renovate and you have decided to do as much as you possibly can yourself.

As an architect who has done it myself a few times (both for myself and helping-out friends) here are some pointers:

Put your money first where the water is; the kitchen and bathroom.

Start with a small task. Build up your experience.

Keep your renovations in character with the architectural style of the house.

Period and older style homes are hard to cost control.

Simplicity reduces cost. Every additional corner adds cost.

If you are interested in learning more check out these 3 articles:

DIY Renovations

DIY Kitchens

DIY Bathrooms

Renovations - how not to blow your budget.

2008-05-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

Renovation costs always blow out no matter how much I try as a professional to keep it under control. The client always wants more than they can afford

As an architect with heaps of experience in renovations there are some golden rules I would like to pass to the home owners out there to help them keep their projects on budget.

1. DIY as much as you can. Do the painting and get a flat pack kitchen. However Tiling is also not that difficult and there are heaps of DIY books out there - just hire a professional to do the waterproofing if you are unsure of that part.

2. Go through the tendering process with 3 plumbers or builders - if they are too high for your liking wait 6 months and try the process again or keep getting quotes until someone comes in at the price you are happy with. I am always amazed at tender differences if you are prepared to be patient.

3. Never buy any PC items like bathtubs, taps or basins at regular price. Wait for a sale, or go to builders and other applicable auctions. Your local newspaper will have a building supplies section selling anything from pre-loved windows to new baths and granite pavers.

4. Confirm your plans and budget and stick to it. This may sound simple but it is where most people ruin their budget.

5. Ask yourself "Is it a need or a want?". Yes you need a tap but you don't need a tap that is $400 dollars. A lot of small savings add up to thousands of dollars very quickly.

6. Stage your construction into financially manageable amounts and be strong, renovations can be frustrating to live in but would you rather be frustrated or have the pressure of a bigger mortgage?

7. Keep a log book of invoices and receipts so you have a mental record of costs. Once you see how much things cost you are less likely to splurge on that new heated towel rail.

By following these simple rules you will save a great deal of money and will also be mentally satisfied with your renovation.

School: almost back to normality

2008-02-16T00:49:00.000-08:00

The kids are all in school! Our five year old twins started kindy this year! No more preschool fees! Five days a week of free daycare! I can pick up all 3 kids from the same place! No more worrying about whether or not my mother-in-law can take care of the twins on the 2 days per week they were not in preschool!

As for the Christmas holidays... are they really a holiday?? Or just an exercise in patience as you try to find stuff to do to keep the kids amused and out of trouble? What happened to that quiet time off work – reading a book for hours – a nap after lunch - in my dreeeeeeams

Don't misunderstand me I adore my three little men but they are still small, demanding, unrelenting and have unfortunatley inherited selective deafness from their dad. Where is the time for me – time alone in the laundry sorting clothes just does not cut it!

But this year will be better... they are all in school... and I almost feel free!

Time to have some fun

2007-12-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

Now I can have some fun... I am about to start designing a dwelling on the beautiful shores of Lake Macquarie in Australia.

The site is located on the end of a head land that juts out into Lake Macquarie and is surrounded by native Australian bushland. The allotment is also absolute waterfront and the restrictions on development are significant due to these surrounding issues.

Keep in mind that you can considerably reduce construction costs if you research a potential property before you buy. That will alert you to unusual site conditions and thus give you understanding of why the site may be expensive to develop.

A great deal of research and effort is impregnated into a project before pencil meets paper and for this job about 15 hours worth of research has occurred which includes discussions with council, clients and other regulatory bodies. A full site analysis has also been completed see:site analysis for a basic outline of a site analysis

So if you engage an archtect or building designer and receive your first bill and think "but this person hasn’t produced anything yet" be assured a great deal of reading and discussions have occurred so that the designer understands all the conditions and limitations of your individual site.

Dealing with tradesmen

2007-11-20T18:45:00.000-08:00

When you commence a Do-It-Yourself improvement, or you operate as a home builder then you are going to have to deal directly with tradespeople.

Tradespeople are now highly paid workers, and sometimes not as skilled as you would expect. In the last decade there has been unprecedented demand for their services and their charges have skyrocketed.

When you engage a tradesman, ideally you get a quote from more than one person but often on small jobs this is not possible. It is essential to determine their hourly rate before you hire them. If you don’t inquire about rate it means that you are a greenhorn, you know diddly squat about anything and will cough up whatever they charge you. Also: make sure you hide any affluence you might have. Some have been known to vary their rate according to postcode, i.e. the residents of more wealthy/trendy suburbs are charged more - especially if no rate has been set in advance.

Also ask the tradesperson how many of them will turn up to do the job. Some tradespeople work in a two man team and you will have to pay for both.

Scheduling how long jobs take, and who comes when, is a big part of being a home builder or renovator. Despite promises, there will be many times when tradesmen do not appear (actually this is almost a defining characteristic of all tradespeople - if they are on time its almost e a miracle!). They may have multiple clients and may not have finished the job before yours on time- and have no time to tell you that (they are so busy in fact that even a quick mobile phone call is simply too stressful to deal with). This may completely wreck your masterful building schedule but there is nothing you can do about it. That’s part of the overall frustration that runs with home building.

Quality control is another tricky area; they can’t read your mind. Often it is good to stick around while tradesmen work which will frustrate the hell out of them, but it may be the only way to get what you really want.

But watch what you say, or rather how you say it. They have a very high opinion of their own work, and should you not agree, they don’t take to criticism very kindly. Prefix your criticism with a compliment e.g. “great tiling job here, but…” If something is wrong and needs to be done again, you can question whether you are paying for that time, but this is dangerous negotiation territory and should be approached with caution. You don’t want the tradesperson to spit the dummy and storm off the job.

Wherever possible it’s a good idea to hold back on payment until you can review or test work. This is particularly important for anything to do with waterproofing- tiles, ponds, roofs.

And often, if your tradesperson has no apprentice or assistant there is a good chance they might have a dog which will stray every hour and require retrieval from next door’s swimming pool. Unfortunately this distraction is at your cost. The dog is of course a necessary part of a tradesman’s security. And if they have no dog or assistant they may well have a loud radio designed to scare you away.

It’s hard to pick the tradespeople that do their work in an unassuming and professional manner, but they are around and when you find them, they are a joy to work with.

Building - it always costs more than you expect

2007-11-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

Building – it always costs more than you expect...

Brace yourself...

So you have a budget of $200,000 for your new home... you will need to put in a great deal of your own time and effort to achieve this.

Most people don’t expect a new home to cost as much as it does. Be prepared, if you are not willing to do a lot of the leg work yourself double what you were planning to spend. Yes, trust me, I've seen it too many times, and been caught doing it on my own personal projects, even though I should know better.

Most people will go through the construction process only once in their life and construction costs change considerably over time; so much so that even the professionals have a hard time estimating what a completed building is going to cost until the tendering process is complete.

So if you are serious about keeping costs in check, perhaps a good place to start would be our construction cost estimator.

2007-10-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are currently looking to buy a new house and part of the reason I want to leave our current home is because we have a serious Bush Turkey problem.

One of my passions in life besides architecture is gardening and this week I am at WAR, yes WAR with those DAMN BUSH TURKEYS! (Australia has its own native turkeys - of the feathered variety, that is).

Ironically I was recently at a client's house discussing their renovation requirements when the client suddenly said “Oh, look somebodies turkey must have escaped!". "Oh yes, how sweet", I thought maliciously!

Keeping this "protected species" from digging up everything you have just planted is virtually impossible. They are capable of short flights and are more than able to jump/fly onto second storey veranda's to dig out the soil from your pot plants and rip into your garbage bags.

Our next home will have to be in a turkey free zone! :-)

2007-09-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

I am really getting over home renovations and DIY clients, the clients are great but the jobs are always tedious and the costs are never known until the job is done – usually much more than the client wanted to spend. Take it from me: don’t undertake large renovations - just knock the damn thing down and be done with it.

Anyway...

Just about to design a new home on an inspiring site. Whenever I am commissioned to do some really modern architecture I pick-up my Paul Rudolf book "The Florida Houses". The homes shown in that book are elegant, simply designed and easy to build. Paul's long gone now but between 1940 and 1960 he designed some amazing new homes.

So... I’m thinking conceptually about simplicity of natural elements that exist on the site - large boulders - the shore of the lake – surrounded by Australian bush – something that may have been washed up on the shore... mmmm...

This is how the design of a building starts and if this concept flows through in all aspects of materials, feel, layout, etc - the entire building will read well as a whole and it will "work" visually and functionally. See this helpful article at The Home Design Directory if you'd like to learn how to design your own home.