House reno design challenge

[notfarnow]

I'm having drain tile done, replacing a foundation wall on the garage, and redoing all the landscaping around my house. While it's torn apart, I'm also having them pour footings between the house & garage, pour a pad and frame up between the house & garage. THis will be a HUGE improvement to the house, allowing easy (and inside) access to the finished loft above the garage.

Here is what I have right now:


We've got enough brick pavers to make the main landing a really nice patio area.

We need to come up with a design for:
-Windows and doors for the new enclosed breezeway
-stairs leading from the patio up to the new breezeway (4 steps)
-stairs going down to the driveway (2, maybe 3 steps)

Here is a "blank slate" that I'm using to draw up some ideas:


Ideas?

[porsche4life]

Seating and a stripper pole?

[look 171]

INclude a BBQ and a sink somewhere in the plan. Out door Kitchens / bbqs are huge in the
upper end homes here in CA.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by look 171

INclude a BBQ and a sink somewhere in the plan. Out door Kitchens / bbqs are huge in the
upper end homes here in CA.

That is a great ideer, although I may do that on the other side where the deck is going. That's where we tend to hang around in the evenings

[kach22i]

Needs a rotating platform and a lift so you can double stack them.

MBM - Box Car System - Lift parking systems



What's that box with access doors doing there?

Looks too tight to me.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

I'm having drain tile done, replacing a foundation wall on the garage, and redoing all the landscaping around my house. While it's torn apart, I'm also having them pour footings between the house & garage, pour a pad and frame up between the house & garage. THis will be a HUGE improvement to the house, allowing easy (and inside) access to the finished loft above the garage.

Here is what I have right now:


We've got enough brick pavers to make the main landing a really nice patio area.

We need to come up with a design for:
-Windows and doors for the new enclosed breezeway
-stairs leading from the patio up to the new breezeway (4 steps)
-stairs going down to the driveway (2, maybe 3 steps)

Here is a "blank slate" that I'm using to draw up some ideas:


Ideas?

Holmes on Homes

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Needs a rotating platform and a lift so you can double stack them.

Nah, teh garage is 24*30, to the left in that image. No issues there other than not enough heigh for a lift, and not enough depth for 4 cars. It is what it is.

Originally Posted by kach22i

What's that box with access doors doing there?

Looks too tight to me.

That's the old hatch to the cellar/basement, where I bring the firewood in.

Originally Posted by kach22i

Looks too tight to me.

Too tight for what?

Originally Posted by red-beard

Holmes on Homes

Some of the additions on this house would have made the cut for a Holmes on Homes episode. Getting it done right now, and it puts my mind at eaze. Shoulda seen the water draining out of that earth when they got the trench dug down the side of the property. Soggy! Fixed now

[look 171]

I was involved in a project a couple years back that called for a elongated fire pit at the edge of a deck that acted as a fence. There's photo I posted in the kitchen cabinet thread. You might think about that as well for the other side or even an out door fire place. I will try to get a pic of my fire pit for you when I have a chance.

You seem to have a lot of room on you property so you can do a lot of interesting things in terms of design. Ulike here in LA, but we still manage to cramp them in there to make it work. Space planning is king here.

[john70t]

I'm assuming from the light that the existing red door faces west?.....
And there will be no carport and/or car access?....
And that box is for some kind of storage, and doesn't block up an existing basement exit?

You're going to end up with a big blank wall if the carport is filled in. You need to get some light in that transition, and possibly put some curves on the outside.
Here's one idea:

[john70t]

You could also put french doors and make a walk-out patio with benches/grill, but next to a garage it's a little wierd(except for men I suppose).

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by john70t

I'm assuming from the light that the existing red door faces west?.....
And there will be no carport and/or car access?....
And that box is for some kind of storage, and doesn't block up an existing basement exit?
You're going to end up with a big blank wall if the carport is filled in. You need to get some light in that transition, and possibly put some curves on the outside.

I guess the pictures I posted don't do a great job of showing where that corner fits in to the overall layout. It's not a carport, that's a breezeway between the house & garage. The access to the basement will stay, with a hatch that I can lift when needed.

Here's another pic of the area:


Here are some pics from when we bought the house:

Originally Posted by john70t

Here's one idea:

Great stuff, thanks!

[gassy]

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Too tight for what?

I assumed that you were trying to park cars in the carport. Now I'm forced to assume this is the main entry to the house, or at least the one most people will be using.

Based on yet another assumption (lack of information and context);

1. Simple glass and wood entry/breezeway to preserve the existing architecture.

2. Grand steps with generous landing platform with chairs and potted plants which can be placed off the main egress path offering the visitor a welcoming stage. Will need a handrail on one side and some lighting with motion detectors for safety.

That's all you are getting out of me unless I see some checks coming my way.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Are they smoking wacky-tabaccy?

[jyl]

Not enough info.

What is the breezeway used for now? Is that how people get from garage to house? When you enter the red door, what's there? Is that the main/only entrance to the house, or is there a main/formal front door somewhere else? Does your weather suck or is it nice? Where is south, where is the sun? Does wind currently whip through that tunnel or is it sheltered? Do you already have plenty of patio space? Do/will you need ramp (handicap) access? What problem/need are you trying to solve/address? Or are you simply looking to fill the hole with something better-looking?

My 2/10th of a cent, without actually any info, is -> if the house doesn't have a well-defined main entrance, I'd make one. If the wall between the red door and the basement access is the logical place, then the area you've dug up seems big enough for broad steps, an entry deck/porch, something to frame the entrance. Or, the breezeway could itself be the made into a main entrance, assuming the red door leads somewhere appropriate, not to a kitchen or mudroom.

My impression is that this is a nice big house with that grand tree and all that beautiful shake. It needs an entrance with some drama and grandeur.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by gassy

Now THAT'S funny

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by jyl

Not enough info.
What is the breezeway used for now?Is that how people get from garage to house?

Yep, from the garage to the house, but also serves as the primary entrance into the house. It's the area you see when you park in the driveway. It's also the way to the loft above the garage.

Originally Posted by jyl

When you enter the red door, what's there?

Cramped entranceway between the kitchen & livingroom, with very small coat closet. A major bottleneck when we have company. That's why we like the idea of a breezeway with lots of room & storage, where people can gets their boots off sitting on a bench.

Originally Posted by jyl

Is that the main/only entrance to the house, or is there a main/formal front door somewhere else?

There's a front door too, but we rarely use it. I'm doing a simple staircase there for now.

Originally Posted by jyl

Does your weather suck or is it nice? Where is south, where is the sun? Does wind currently whip through that tunnel or is it sheltered?

This area faces north west. Nice weather, this area would get the evening sun if it weren't for the 4 maples that shade it a bit too much. We're axing a couple of them in the fall.

Originally Posted by jyl

Do you already have plenty of patio space?

No patio space, but there is a large deck going on the other side.

Originally Posted by jyl

Do/will you need ramp (handicap) access?

nope

Originally Posted by jyl

What problem/need are you trying to solve/address? Or are you simply looking to fill the hole with something better-looking?

As I said above, the side entrance is VERY cramped, and 99% of traffic comes through this area. Having a roomy mudroom/entrance will really improve the flow in & out of the house and garage.

And yeah, where this is the primary focus when you arrive, we want something prettier.

Originally Posted by jyl

My 2/10th of a cent, without actually any info, is -> if the house doesn't have a well-defined main entrance, I'd make one. If the wall between the red door and the basement access is the logical place, then the area you've dug up seems big enough for broad steps, an entry deck/porch, something to frame the entrance. Or, the breezeway could itself be the made into a main entrance, assuming the red door leads somewhere appropriate, not to a kitchen or mudroom.

Bingo, Great!

Originally Posted by jyl

My impression is that this is a nice big house with that grand tree and all that beautiful shake. It needs an entrance with some drama and grandeur.

thanks for your thoughts, I think that's where we are headed but I am not sure I have great eye for design. I've been imagining something like this:

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Are they smoking wacky-tabaccy?

naw, their dads are working just behind the house. They caught $hit for having a cigarette!

[notfarnow]

to continue on gassy's fine work:

[pete3799]

Ahh yes...
Can't forget the VW fire pit.