Your task is to design and create a dream house which will be located in an empty lot together with 15 more houses (each one belonging to one of your classmates). The house should meet the needs of your client (you) and it should be a part of a harmonious living environment (village) that consists of houses, and commercial buildings (shops, services, etc). Important thing to consider is that the growth and development of our communities has a large impact on our natural environment. In order to live happily we need to meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is called a sustainable architecture.
Think about (research):
Where would you like you community to be location? Why? Explain positive and negative implications of the location.
Consider biotic and abiotic factors in your chosen environment.
What is a predominant architectural style (and this) in the wider community (villages and cities around your chosen location).
What type of home do you want to live in? How your needs match the needs of other people in your wider community?
What are different exterior and interior architectural concepts you have take into consideration?
How will you build a sustainable community/house?
Practical task:
Based on your research, you are going to create sketches, and final drawings (floor plans, and cross section).
You are going to make a prototype (a 3D digital model).
Using the prototype you will create scale model (architectural model). You may use styrofoam, cardboard or wood to build your model.
Be creative! Make it look nice—this is your dream house!
What decisions you need to make before you begin?
Designing a house involves several steps, and it can be a complex process. Here are some general steps you can follow to create a design for a house:
Choose a site: Select a suitable location for your house, taking into account factors such as elevation, neighbourhood, access, etc.
Determine your needs and requirements: Before you start designing, you need to determine what you want and need from your house, and the community. Consider the number of rooms you need, the size of the rooms, the layout, and the style of the house. Consider your neighborhood and wider area: roads, utilities, shops, schools, etc. Consider limitations: a house is maximum 100 square meters, size of your chosen plot, vegetation, climate, etc. Consider cultural factors of the wider community: dominant architectural style, traditions, history, etc.
Develop a floor plan: Create a floor plan that includes the layout and dimensions of each room, as well as any special features such as porches or garages.
Design the exterior: Determine the style and materials for the exterior of the house, including the roof, siding, windows, and doors.
Choose interior finishes: Select finishes for the interior of the house, such as flooring, paint, and trim.
Furnishing: Decide about furniture