Architects own house

[tdmc]

Its been around two years in the making, various concepts tried and discarded, but I think I'm just about there this time.
This is a house for two people (and two dogs)
Small 300 sqm allotment, inner city, but suburban
Surrounding housing is plain, mixed and not interesting at all
Some distant views to the north from upper level
Southern hemisphere - and the road frontage is north
Concept is clean lines, leaning to minimalist, regular "grid" patterns, glazed openings that fold open to remove and impediment between internal and external
Generall a concrete panel construction - internally left raw, externall clad with an aluminium panel. Compressed fibre cement sheet panels over openings/windows - left raw/grey

Comments and observations very welcome as I refine and prepare for engineering input

[tdmc]

Some resulution of levels required - around a 300mm change of level between footpath and entry point - and I don't want a step if at the entry if I can avoid it

[tdmc]

Includes a study area, concealed behind cupboard doors
One person works from home full time, the other works from home occasionally

[tdmc]

My design model and slide show
Slide show ends with a quick sun pattern assessment - equinox, and summer and winter solstices at midday

[cacapis]

So the house is for you? My uncles did at least 15 different designs to what was going to be their house. In the end it turned out to be a beautiful and very usable house, except that it has huge windowpanes that are not very suitable for this climate.
Anyways, I think your house is too spread out in the lot. You're generating a lot of different small outdoor spaces. Can't you take the whole house to the back and eliminate that strip behind the kitchen?
Also I think the design looks really plain as it is. It needs more expression, something that makes it more interesting and cohesive. Probably needs one of those "concepts" that have been intensely discussed lately in the forum LOL.
I also can't help but noticing that the house looks off scale related to the lot. My house is around 250sqm all in the ground floor in a 350sqm lot (10x35)and it looks like it has about the same amount of open space. It probably is how yours sits in the middle while mine is in a corner.
The laundry and bathroom could be more related to the kitchen and probably next to the yoga/guest room. It might be good also that the bathroom has a shower for the guest room. Personally I would integrate a washer, dryer and a basin all in a cupboard continuing with the kitchen. The bathroom could help you also to create a buffer and give some more privacy to the guest brm.
Upstairs it looks like you have too much circulation space. Maybe placing the bathroom in the back on top of the kitchen would give you more freedom to place the rest of the spaces. It would be good if you wanted to integrate all the space in that level.
I think that's it for now! Keep us updated!

[cacapis]

this looks better.
and by the way a few SU tips: Try to work grouping the elements, it helps you a lot when you want to edit and it saves you from complex geometry problems (ie: faces not closing). Also try to use wider angles for the views, particularly the interior ones where 30 degrees is really narrow and doesn't show well the space.

[tdmc]

thanks for the comments - really appreciated!
In terms of concept - The Meis Barcelona Pavilion is the look that I will be striving for, With exposed concrete walls internally and very clean lines. Polished concrete floor at ground level
The bathroom ideas are interesting - placing them at the far back of the house may work.
I just realised that the stair position was determined by a previous position of the study - so I need to think about that as well - I can slide it further forward - although i'm trying to keep the main bedroom spacious
Storage is a big issue - we want to hide everything away.
I can't push the buildng back on the bloock - by regulation I will need a 1.9m setback for the two storey section.
Thanks too for the SU tips - i'm still learning, and not very good with CAD - most of my work is by hand

[cacapis]

Dude, that regulation sucks bad! 1.9m generates a no-space worth for nothing. I guess you have a setback to the side of the lot where the guest brm is, right?

[tdmc]

you got it!
it's a height - setback ratio - supposed toprotect daylight to the adjacent site
Non-habitable rooms on the bounday (to 3.6 m in height are ok - eg the garage), but the rest is controlled by the ratio

[MICHEL]

Tdmc, here's my quick try...
Plan is working pretty well but volumes could be worked out in a much more expressive way. I would let light in the staircase hall, magnifying it as the circulation element, as well as for ventilation purposes. Adding horizontal sun shades on the western façade could allow you to open more generously on that side... dunno, as I said, it's a quick try. If you want to stick to the "miesian" look of the Barcelona pavillion, better try to dettach roof slabs from walls...