WHAT ARE YOU ESCAPING?
You’re not planning a new home because your current home perfectly satisfies your needs – make use of your current home’s shortcomings and create another list of the things you feel it lacks. You can use this list throughout the design process to make sure your new home has the features you want and solves any design problems you’ve experienced with your past home.
WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?
Good things come in threes — and that applies to lists as well. The last list I suggest making is probably the most challenging: the list of the future. Some things to consider as you compile this list include how you see your lifestyle changing in the future (10, 20, 30+ years from now). You may be embarking on a burgeoning career that may one day require a home office, or you may think of your home as a multi-generational haven for your children, and perhaps grandchildren to live with you. While you can’t predict the future, you can create a space that’s in line with what you foresee. Whether it’s building an addition for your aging parents, a pool, or a garage, it’s important to dream a little and make sure your design will be able to accommodate important changes in your lifestyle.
Is there more information on the house from picture #2 from the slideshow? Green Guide to Prefab: Finding a prefab home that works with your lifestyle.
Prefab does not necessarily mean predesigned.
My girlfriend and I had some ideas for a home worked out after we found a plot of land. We then went to see an engineer to, as you put it ‘refine it and put it to code’.
We then took the plans and went to several prefab builders and window making companies and got quotes for the wooden frame and the windows.
In 12 weeks, the wooden frame will be delivered. My father and I are going to help the prefab guys putting it together. The prefab builder said it should take only three days.
For budget-reasons we unfortunately had to let the passive house idea go, but the house is still insulated very well (±Rc 8) and triple glazed all around.
That was a GREAT article. I’m not that old to plan for my own house yet, but I think this article is a great starting point when I start preparing. It was informative and detailed, but without getting bogged down with unnecessary details. Thanks a lot!
Juan Miguel Ruiz
http://www.GreenJoyment.com