| It's a year 2007, and you're planning to build a new | | | | to the architect, so that he can better blend the |
| house for you, and your family. | | | | design to the surroundings. This will benefit your |
| Let's assume, that the question of where, has | | | | future gardening and landscaping works, as well as |
| already been answered. Yes, the location is where | | | | the Nature left virtually intact. |
| your design ideas should originate from. | | | | Final word of advice: try to avoid "ground breaking" |
| Providing you've done your research correctly, the | | | | designs. You wouldn't want to be the guinea pig, |
| only place you'd come up with would be somewhere | | | | testing it for others. |
| in the middle of the rural America. Kansas? Wyoming? | | | | After the draughtsman put your architect's vision on |
| Both are good places to move your family to, and | | | | paper, time to contact the builder who will carry on |
| put your house plans to reality. | | | | the construction phase. |
| Designing your home will entail two distinctive parts: | | | | Before even your first load of building materials |
| architectural and that encompassing construction and | | | | arrives at the home site, make sure that your builder |
| materials. Both are equally important. Your enjoyment | | | | clearly understands your preferences. Yes, I'm talking |
| of living in a nice looking house is hard to | | | | about using, wherever possible, ecologically friendly |
| overestimate. Also, your standard of living will depend | | | | materials. All timber should be free of preservatives - |
| on how functional the house is. However, the quality | | | | choose cypress with its natural insect repelling |
| of construction materials and the process itself, will | | | | properties. Instead of chemicals-oozing carpets, |
| determine the comfort level, and how healthy your | | | | choose slate or pine floors. Don't use Besser blocks; |
| dwelling is. Each of those critical parts will be | | | | mud bricks or stone blocks are much healthier. Try to |
| examined below. | | | | reduce use of cement as much as possible, due to its |
| Architectural aspects of creating house plans. | | | | high energy use during the manufacturing process, |
| Choose design concept that all people who will live | | | | and residual harmful substances. Instead of rendering, |
| there, do like. Compromise may be hard to achieve, | | | | leave walls to show the natural beauty of stone, |
| but it's worth the effort. After all, you don't want | | | | clay, or timber. Try to limit use of paints, as much as |
| anybody who would say: "I hate this place." | | | | possible. If necessary, use odorless and |
| Knowing how difficult it is to combine beauty with | | | | chemicals-free kinds. There are many harmless |
| functionality, tell your architect the main elements | | | | pigments available, that when combined with water |
| that your new house should incorporate: useable | | | | and lime will deliver stunning color finishes, free of |
| area, how many levels, number of rooms and their | | | | harmful solvents. In place of glues, use mechanical |
| purpose, position of entry doors, etc. Any special | | | | methods during the construction process. |
| requirements imposed by the fact that a | | | | House plan, no matter how detailed, in the reality is |
| handicapped, or senior persons will be living there, | | | | never possible to adhere to a 100%. Be prepared to |
| should be stated at the outset as well. | | | | make "on the run" changes, still keeping the initial |
| It's recommended, that you show your building block | | | | vision of your ideal home intact. |