House Design Online

[ad#Commission Junction-1]The most important thing you will need is your imagination and time and space to let your creativity flow. Discuss your ideas with your spouse, partner or family. What is your ‘Dream House’. You know your ‘Dream Home’ might just be possible. Don’t compromise on what you really want.

But we can’t afford it! Perhaps if more had heeded this advice we might not be in the global situation we are in right now. Price, however should not be a limiting factor at this stage. Write down everything you would dream yourself doing in your dream home: entertaining friends, playing music, raising your children in a safe, secure and loving environment, growing and eating you own vegetables, having an indoor cinema.

You know, I’ll bet that most of the things on your wish-list don’t have a big price tag. In my own home I wished for all of these things and most I’ve managed to fit into the design of my own home into a relatively small place. Most were things that didn’t cost a whole lot of extra money. The one extravagance was an indoor sauna which we built into the downstairs bathroom. We’ve haven’t used it just yet but when we do, it will be just a matter of hooking up the stove.

The point about it is Don’t be afraid to Dream!

Next useful tool is a blank sheet of paper (or several) Write. Draw. Scribble. Sketch. Keep all you efforts in a file together. It is such an interesting exercise to look back at earlier efforts and remark how you’ve progressed.

Next step might be to get your hands on some Computer Aided Design Software (CAD). Now in the past CAD software was hugely expensive, completely non-user friendly and in the end presented you with a one-dimensional set of black and white drawings which very often didn’t in any way reflect your vision of the house.

CAD software has undergone a revolution over the past few years with many programmes available to download for trial or for very reasonable fees. Even the most basic packages out there allow you to create realistic 3D, walk-through visualizations of your home without even the smallest degree of technical skill.

Newer packages such as PLAN3D – Home Design for Home Owners allow you to design your own house online for a small fee, while others offer a range of products for the amateur to the professional architect.

Minister Ryan announces National Insulation Programme

16m in insulation grants for up to 12000 homes

Unprecedented level of interest in Home Energy Saving Scheme (more…)

Centre for Alternative Technology,  Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ, UK

ONLY A FEW PLACES LEFT SO BOOK NOW IF YOU WANT A PLACE!

This course is suitable for builders, architects and anyone who wishes to undertake the refurbishment of an existing building with minimal environmental impact both on-site and in use.
It accepts that 99.9% of us are never going to design
and build our own eco-houses, and outlines best practice (and the compromises involved) in eco Refurbishment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

An important starting point in designing and building your own home is a visit to self-build exhibitions which are happening in most towns.

The Self-Build -Entend & Renovate show is happening at the Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit.

There will alsobe a full programme of seminars delivered by professionals from the construction industry covering topics such as Building Energy Rating, Planning Permission and Passive Housing.

If you are thinking of building or renovating, the Seld Build shows which are held at different venues  throughout Ireland over the year.  You get the chance to talk to a number of suppliers in the one place. It’s also a good place to haggle.

If you have a sketch or a plan bring a few copies along.

For more information click … SELF BUILD – RENOVATE & EXTEND 2009