Feel disappointed by architect-help!

[dancingqueen345]

Have just received a first draft of our extension plans through from the architect and I am disappointed to say the least.

It isn't what I'd imagined, I feel like there's loads of 'dead' space and not come up with any of his own ideas/suggestions.

Please can someone tell me that this is what always happens with a first draft?!

Or help me fix it please!

[minipie]

I'm a bit lost dancing - on your pic the bedroom extension does seem to come out as far as the ground floor? (at least it does above the kitchen area)?

[SocksRock]

You will need to check if the wall I've highlighted orange is loadbearing or not... I suspect it might be. Quick way to get an idea (although not a definitive answer) is to look at which way the floorboards span. The will generally run parallel to a loadbearing wall. Although the fuckers who put down a second set of floorboards at right angles to the first did catch me out once... you will need a structural engineer for this work so I'd get them to check this wall for you.

[CaurnieBred]

You would need to make the other window facing to the front smaller though

[CaurnieBred]

My suggestion for the master bedroom would be to move the back window more to the right, bring the bed forward into the room against a false wall and put the wardrobes behind the false wall to give a walk-in. Maybe false wall isn't the right term but hopefully you know what I mean! You could then do away with the cupboard by the ensuite and make the ensuite bigger.

[dancingqueen345]

Minipie - not a great pic, but as the bedroom extension doesn't come out as far as the ground floor I could do something like this for light?

Don't know if you can really see on the pic but basically angled windows all along the top!

[dancingqueen345]

Kokusai- we did think about blocking the rear door up but just thought it would be a bit of a pain walking round to get to the kitchen for a brew!

[dancingqueen345]

Minipie- ahhh I hadn't considered the loss of the roof light- good point.

Coats and shoes I would have opposite the downstairs loo somehow.

[Kokusai]

@dancingqueen345 MUCH better although I would only have one door into the sitting room.

[RTKangaMummy]

Light tunnels are absolutely amazing, get the biggest ones you can afford and put them in where velux Windows won't work out

Especially if you have a southerly direction to point it

[mum2015]

extension of bedroom 3 would depend on if your house is a detached or semi detached house and how the windows of houses next to you are placed for 45 degree rule.

[minipie]

Looks good (and avoids the big structural work to the downstairs back corner) just one suggestion, you need a coat/shoe cupboard. You can put it next to the Wc (under the stairs I guess? ) if you change the WC door to be on the other wall. Also use pocket doors for your utility, will save a ton of space.

Re upstairs, can't quite picture how the roof will work/look so have a think about what you want... also you have lost a skylight into your kitchen area which would bother me. I think I would extend the bedroom 3 in the other direction so I could keep the kitchen skylight (dining area v light anyway due to big glass doors) but it's a personal thing!

[tabithasgran]

Aesthetically might be better to make bedroom extension just run along the back only, not back and side.
So make bedroom 3 a child's room with bedroom 2 next to it over extension too . Enlarge bedroom one into a bit of bedroom 2 to make a master suite with ensuite bottom left of plan.

[dancingqueen345]

Had a go ourselves last night and this is what we've come up with! Still not there but it's much better than before I think!

Also, GardenGeek, you are a star!

[Kokusai]

I'd be inclined to make the current family bathroom the ensuite to the large front bedroom too.

Me too.

[Deux]

Also I agree about the existing area labelled Kitchen on the plan. That will just be like an extension of the hall. But. You could make it work as a space to put a desk/computer/home office. Floor to ceiling cupboards on one side and desk on the other.

There'll be a lot of traipsing through that area though.

[Deux]

I'd be inclined to make the current family bathroom the ensuite to the large front bedroom too.

Other things to consider is built in cupboards and also a large larder cupboard in the kitchen.

All food is stored in the larder or the fridge.

[SocksRock]

Like this. The pink blobs are potential columns, if the masonry capacity isn't enough to carry the green beams.

[SocksRock]

You can do it without a column to support the corner of the house in the middle of the room. It's quite major structural works though, it's possible you might need a column butting up against the existing house if the existing masonry can't carry the load from the beam that would be needed. In turn, a new column carrying that load might require a new foundation.

[RTKangaMummy]

I like the design of @OverOn but would not bother with door from utility to toilet, just door from hall to toilet making easy access for everyone

Iirc new toilets have to meet building regs of big enough for wheelchair user, if not enough room just put toilet and utility together in one large room

Also utility door could then be from the U IN UTILITY into kitchen

Store at front great for bikes etc

[Mu123]

The kitchen being plonked in the middle seems so odd with all the wee rooms off them

Upstairs is odd too i think id make bedroom 1 and the bathroom the ensuite room.

[OverOn]

Tried to show what I mean on Gardens designs, but am not as good!

[OverOn]

I like Gardens designs. If your budget can stretch to it, I'd make the new upstairs bedroom bigger. Also have the door to bedroom back in original position with the wardrobe and entrance to en-suite within the 'old' space, so you have a nice amount of space in bedroom itself.

For downstairs, I like the second design. But I'd like a store to put camping gear and bikes, so would steal space out of new kitchen for the utility.

[bojorojo]

Do not be afraid of having a large hall. A specious hall looking out to the garden is a bonus. You may be able to create a built-in work station where the door is into the sitting room and it will get light from the kitchen area/extension. Or you could have coat and shoe storage. There are lots of uses for this area that would help with the overall daily use of the house.

[dancingqueen345]

Can't reply to all at the moment as in work but have read all the comments and am so grateful for all of these suggestions!

I'm printing a load of copies out and will sit with a marker pen tonight trying things out.