The design and layout of the new home has changed quite dramatically since we started this project. As I mentioned before, we had originally set out to build a rather “traditional” home, but we’re clearly very far from that point now. So I thought I’d take a moment and share the various design iterations the house has gone through so far.
The Old Timer
This is our existing home, in all it’s glory. We’ve been here for almost 5 years now, and while she’s been good to us the entire time, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to her replacement.
The Traditional
As you can see by the first set of drawings, we were originally going for something far more traditional. In fact, these turned out far more “traditional” than I was expecting, which is why I put stop to everything and took a moment to reevaluate what we were about to do.
The Sketch
This (and the image at the top) were included in the first set of sketches that Altius gave us. Looking back now, it’s actually quite surprising how much we’ve stayed true to them. We’ve obviously changed a few things, but the original vision is still very much intact.
The Cardboard Model
We had seen the elevation drawings many times, but this really put things into perspective for us. Coincidently, I had been planning on putting up this website for weeks prior to seeing this, but I started coding the same day I took this photo. I suppose I had something to actually show now.
The Latest
This is where we’re at today. It’s stayed true to the original sketch in many ways, but we’ve had to make a number of changes and compromises along the way. It’ll definitely be interesting to see where things will net out when we’ve selected the cladding materials.
Can’t wait to see the progress! Though one thing you definitely need are some neutraface house numbers from DWR
Umm, yeah. Those are hot. And they’re also expensive. But they’re hot, which means I’ll inevitably end up getting them.
Sigh.
Wow. I am happy for you and I hope it turns out to be EXACTLY what you want. I wish I had the cash flow, creative talent, vision, and persistence to build a house like this. People like you inspire me.
Thanks Cynthia – I really hope it turns out too
I’d be really curious at some point to see your budget for this. I’m having a hard time coming to terms that it might be a better option to demolish your current house and build on that lot, than to sell the house and buy an existing one somewhere else in the city.
This blog is fantastic, btw. Just finished reading all your posts so far and looking forward to seeing it through the rest of the project.
Thanks Rick – I’ll actually be posting the budget in the near future, so stay tuned.
As for building vs moving, it’s a tough call. Unlimitedly, we decided we liked our neighborhood and felt that making an investment such as this would payout in the end. That, and we looked at a number of places that we simply didn’t like. Some were nice houses on bad streets, others were nice streets with a poor house.
I wouldn’t say a project such as this is for the faint of heart, but if done correctly you’ll get exactly what you want
On the money front it’s always interesting to add in real estate fees, legal fees, etc PLUS the inevitable cost of making your new purchase feel like yours ie $5,000 can fly out the door on paint, a bit of hardwood, a few new door handles etc. Add that stuff up and maybe the math is not so bad!
Good luck on the journey! Certainly much prefer the current design to the disney-trad earlier version. Of course that’s only a skin-deep flip comment. Although since we don’t drive around in fake Model T’s, not sure why we would want to live in fake Model T houses!
Cheers
Paul