Zimbler0:
Re: “Or is the plan for the garage to access the basement from behind the house?”
The garage will be beneath the Master bedroom - a part of the basement. It won't be a second structure, so there won't be need for a breezeway.
Re: "The house does look nice though."
Thanks. We had a long list of requirements:
1) No peninsulas. Rooms that stick out make for a cold house. So the house has to be shaped like a shoebox or square.
2) Shallow footprint - because a footprint that is deeper than it is wide would necessitate moving a LOT of earth in order to level a large enough area. Building on a hillside has disadvantages.
Between requirements 1 and 2, we already knew the house would be need to be rectangular.
3) Must have a basement.
4) Garage must be part of the basement.
5) The Master bedroom must be on the main floor.
6) The Master bedroom must be at least 18' x 15'.
7) One wall must be appropriate for a Trombe wall.
8 ) No split-foyer. We decided we didn't want one of those houses that force you, when you enter, to then climb up or down 5 feet of stairs to get to the floor you want.
9) The Master bedroom must not easily accessed from the entryway. A surprising number of single story homes are like that. You walk in and the door immediately left leads to the Master bedroom.
I went through about ten books of house plans before picking this one. Then, when I went to the website to buy it, I found that it's no longer for sale! LOL. That figures. Fortunately, I know an architect. Getting a similar design from him will probably be cheaper anyway. And since I made design changes to the main floor, and the roof and basement will be completely original, there shouldn't be any copyright issues even if someone were to find out.
Getting a house built custom is an interesting process... but it's far more work than just buying something that's already there or that a new development is cranking out en masse. I've heard horror stories from people who tried to get a house built on their own. But I know how permitting process works now... I have a lot without troublesome bedrock... water is almost certainly available... and I've got an experience builder who I trust. It should be smooth sailing ONCE I GET SOME %@#$~! ELECTRICITY.
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