Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Outdoor stairs
Checking possibility of putting staircase outside, in order to increase the living space indoors. This search is prompted by an initial planning department response that the proposed plans may not be accepted due to "size and layout"
Building control have confirmed that exterior stairs are allowed for first floor access to dwellings, and furthermore a first floor open porch is also allowed. View from planning department maybe another story though.
Some ideas from google search. Any more stairs suggestions welcome. Bear in mind the British weather!
Building control have confirmed that exterior stairs are allowed for first floor access to dwellings, and furthermore a first floor open porch is also allowed. View from planning department maybe another story though.
Some ideas from google search. Any more stairs suggestions welcome. Bear in mind the British weather!
Fake it till you make it
As I'm not, by trade, an architect (or anything else for that matter), a little study is in order, so I don't get stuck in a stickler with my building conversion project out here in the country, as I did in the last one. So with help from the UK professional body for architects, RIBA, and the internet, here it is in layman's terms: how to manage an architectural project.
Firstly, it's not (as I had thought) only two stages:
1. Planning to do stuff
2. Doing it
It's 11 ! Thankfully, they're not numbered, they're lettered, so it seems a little more friendly:
A - Appraisal: does your idea even stand a chance? Or if multiple ideas, which are feasible?
B - Design Brief: what you going to do?
C - Concept: sketch some plans and see what it's going to cost. Maybe change your mind.
D - Design Development: make it legal - apply for planning permission
E - Technical Design: work out all the details, like how to build it
F - Production Information: the same as stage E, but something extra for architects to bill for (or..?)
G - Tender Documentation: work out what you're going to ask builders, plumbers, carpenters etc to do
H - Tender Action: ask builders, plumbers, carpenters etc to give you a price, and choose whose going to do the work
J - Mobilisation: ask them to come to work
K - Construction: build, crack the whip if they don't
L - Post completion: check the building is all ok and get it legally certified
Click here for a more formal description.
Is it better than a 9 to 5?
One of my aims in this project is to work out if I can make a better living from this than just going back to the office. So I'm keeping a detailed time-sheet. Here it is summarised to date. It seems I like to spend half my time doodling with ideas ("concept"), pretty much the same as I did when I worked 9 to 5, only then I was keeping quiet about it.
Ok, back to "work"...
Friday, March 4, 2011
Window design - east wall
The following picture shows the east wall of the property as it currently stands, with a dotted line indicating how the property is divided internally. On the left-hand section there is a single window set within a larger opening which was previously partly bricked in. This red brickwork jarrs somewhat with the rest of the wall which is of original vernacular stonework.
The proposal is to re-open this window to the original size, improving the character and giving some historical echo of the former use it may have had as a stables hay loft door.
Additionally it is proposed to place an additional window aligned below this, to provide better lighting internally to the ground floor. Furthermore, on the right hand section, it is proposed to add some small fixed windows again to give some additional lighting to the interior, and also to add some interest and character to the expansive stone wall. These windows should be of a smaller size and at a reasonable height, for both security and privacy reasons.
The proposal is to re-open this window to the original size, improving the character and giving some historical echo of the former use it may have had as a stables hay loft door.
Additionally it is proposed to place an additional window aligned below this, to provide better lighting internally to the ground floor. Furthermore, on the right hand section, it is proposed to add some small fixed windows again to give some additional lighting to the interior, and also to add some interest and character to the expansive stone wall. These windows should be of a smaller size and at a reasonable height, for both security and privacy reasons.
Below are a couple of proposals for these windows. Your comments, preference, or suggestions are welcome.
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