Design brief

Dec 2009

A design brief is important, and to have it in writing. It lets the architect know what you want. Also, later (as I came to find out) it can be used when the plans come back and they're not what you wanted.

Here is my design brief:

Both houses
• ~24sq
• Living, dining, family areas
• Prefer 4 bedrooms, otherwise 3 bedrooms plus 1 rumpus room – folding doors opening onto landing
• Upstairs kitchenette
• Master bedroom – min 15sqm, WIR or full length wall BIR if more space
• Other bedrooms – min 3mx3m, exc BIR
• Kitchen – galley (island) unless it consumes too much space
• Laundry - preferably with outside access but not essential
• Utilise space under stairs
• 9 foot ceilings – ground floor, can be less upstairs
• Windows – northfacing, total windows approx 30% coverage of house
• Outdoors – decking
• ‘Build for life’ www.buildforlife.com.au

Dwelling 2 (disabled access – limited mobility)
• Entrance – 1 step with potential for ramp, Double doors (or 1 ½), Covered porch
• Stairs – leading off foyer entrance
• Bathroom - Recessed basin, Wet area shower, Shower away from door to prevent water overflow, Australian standards
• Kitchen - space 1500mm
• Master bedroom - double door (or 1 ½)
• Garage - Internal access, preferably to kitchen, +/- step – don’t want flooding issues with house
• Corridors –1050mm, but preferably none
• On one level – master bedroom/ensuite, kitchen, laundry +/- garage
• Downstairs Rumpus room or close off living area (so can open up to make bigger entertaining area)