Home  5  Books  5  Magazines  5  News  5  GreenPro  5  HelpDesk  5  Your Cart  5  Register  5  Green Living Forum
Not signed in (Sign In)

Categories



green Building Press Book offers




Vanilla 1.0.3 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome to new Forum Visitors
 Join the forum now and benefit from discussions with thousands of other green building fans and discounts on Green Building Press publications: Apply now.




Housing - New Build: Is there such a thing as a good off the peg house?

Bottom of Page

1 to 19 of 19

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeSep 24th 2012
     
    Ive got the plot now all I need is the house. So would you go for an off the peg flat pack or an an architect designed house?
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeSep 24th 2012
     
    I think that there must be enough houses already designed but finding and choosing might be more difficult than deciding what you want, write a must have list first then look then if you cant find it draw it up.

    Hope you find what you are looking for.
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    tell us about your plot and well done

    off the peg and project manage your self - should be cheaper than off the shelf
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    The plot is in a National Park and is around 2.75 areas, about 2/3 of which is a SSSI. Luckily the bungalow and surrounding garden (the other 1/3) are outside the SSSI. The plot is elevated with great views over the local village and estuary beyond

    The plot contains an existing dormer bungalow which we will live in whilst the design and planning are sorted out, at which point it we will move into a caravan in the garden during the build phase.
    • CommentAuthorfinny
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    try scandia hus? my parents built one of the first in the UK..35 years on it still beats most eco houses for efficiency
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    Posted By: finny</cite>try scandia hus? my parents built one of the first in the UK..35 years on it still beats most eco houses for efficiency</blockquote>

    I'll second that finny. Roughly about the same time as your parents were building I visited a Scandia Hus house in N' Yorks. I remember being taken aback by the 3" thick double rebated external doors that closed like safe doors, and the MVHR that was largely unheard of in the UK then, and insulation everywhere. I think the houses still look good today.
    • CommentAuthorJonti
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    It would be nice to have a shell, with the floors in but still giving the flexability of internal walls and type of external render/cladding/brick/stone work.

    Jonti
  8.  
    I was also impressed with Scandinavian houses and was going to build a Brahus which needed no heating, instead I ended up in this Grade 2 listed fridge.
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    Spell it out, why you're going to demolish the
    Posted By: Triassicexisting dormer bungalow
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012 edited
     
    I'm not averse to doing something with the existing bungalow, but its a post war construction with stick thin walls (weather board, 3" cavity and hardboard internal wall coverings), a cedar shingle roof (patch repaired in places) with little or no insulation and what looks like 1/4 inch double galazing in rotten timber frames.

    Having renovated a number of homes, experience suggests a ball and chain and start again would be the cheapest option, but I am open to suggestions.

    I've taken a look at Scana Hus and Viking and I'm impressed with both offerings. My design consultant (the wife!) likes the Scana Hus chalet bungalows best as she finds them visually more interesting!
    •  
      CommentAuthorjoe90
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    zero VAT on new build over renovation (even if you demolish to do this):bigsmile:
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    OK, in this case ...
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    Chalet bungalows can be charming, just make sure it makes the most of your plot! I'd never go for off the peg.

    You've got this amazing sounding plot with views. I'd want a house that framed the most beautiful views when standing and seated, including perhaps some surprising ones (I once rented a lovely old house with an outstanding view from the bath). Maximum solar gain but avoiding overheating, something for all seasons. I'd think carefully about lighting, ventilation and heating/hot water strategy. Add lots of storage of all sorts.

    Also worth thinking about how you or others would use the house at different life stages, if you became infirm would you have to move on or could it be adapted?

    Enjoy the adventure!
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012 edited
     
    If newbuild, and intending to make best use of solar i.e. not merely Passivhaus, then it couldn't possibly be off the peg. Anything PH and off the peg, I'd expect to be a premium-price product. If not that, but looking at 'ordinary' house designs, presumably uprated, what kind of standard are you thinking of, that could work with that kind of add-on tinkering strategy?
    • CommentAuthorPugliese
    • CommentTimeSep 25th 2012
     
    RobinB beat me to it. Design it for the plot and views. It should also be cheaper. Looked at Scandis Hus ourselves, nice quality but you pay for it.
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeSep 26th 2012
     
    Posted By: TriassicThe plot is in a National Park and is around 2.75 areas, about 2/3 of which is a SSSI. Luckily the bungalow and surrounding garden (the other 1/3) are outside the SSSI. The plot is elevated with great views over the local village and estuary beyond

    The plot contains an existing dormer bungalow which we will live in whilst the design and planning are sorted out, at which point it we will move into a caravan in the garden during the build phase.


    Sounds perfect, I look forward to following your build
    • CommentAuthorqeipl
    • CommentTimeSep 27th 2012
     
    Design it for the plot and solar gain. If you know what you want in way of layout, draw it yourself and get an energy savvy technician to do the planning and warrant drawings for you.
    • CommentAuthorwavy
    • CommentTimeSep 28th 2012
     
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: qeipl</cite>Design it for the plot and solar gain. If you know what you want in way of layout, draw it yourself and get an energy savvy technician to do the planning and warrant drawings for you.</blockquote>

    ...and you'll likely miss out on some of the magic that the process can bring.
    Spend the time finding an Architect on your wavelength then be very firm with him about your budget and the fact that it is your house not his!
    • CommentAuthorwavy
    • CommentTimeSep 28th 2012
     
    I should have added that any good Architect should start with Site Analysis, (Solar Orientation, Views, etc)
    Your plot sounds like it deserves every effort to get the design just right. Good Luck.

1 to 19 of 19

  1.  
Add your comments

    Username Password
  • Format comments as
 
Back to Discussions Top of Page
   
The Ecobuilding Buzz
Site Map    |   Home    |   View Cart    |   Pressroom   |   Business   |   Links   
Logout    

© Green Building Press