Design Archives - Page 10 of 27

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in Advice, Construction drawings, Designing the outside space, Pre design, The design brief and getting the space right, Working out your requirements

Designing a house that’s easy to get around

The design flow of your house deals with access points, stairways, hallways and other circulation spaces, plus how to integrate storage. In this article we cover: How to make your design layout flow, basic principles Tools to use to make sure your layouts work Furniture placement Kitchen triangle and other basic concepts Access points through […] More

by Astrid Madsen September 20, 2022, 1:11 pm
in Advice, Design, Kitchen and bathroom designs, Pre design, The design brief and getting the space right, Working out your requirements

Room by room design

How you want and need the house to function will determine the room design, and how they will connect to one another. In this article we cover: Room uses and sizes and how to think about space in the home Living room: seating arrangements and what to include Kitchen: how to think of organising the […] More

by Myles McCAnn September 20, 2022, 12:34 pm
in Design, Heating systems, On site, Renewables & Sustainability, SB+ TV, Ventilation and heating systems: Watchpoints

Solar Power Explained

We chat with Killian Murphy from Start Solar, a company that operates in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Killian answers all the key questions about solar PV – photovoltaic panels that generate electricity. Find out more here – https://www.startsolar.ie/ Recorded at Selfbuild Live, Dublin in March 2022. Favourite More

by Killian Murphy September 12, 2022, 3:30 pm
in Advice, Collating your ideas, Cost savers, Design, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Pre design, The design brief and getting the space right, Working out your requirements

How to design a house in Ireland

Where to start with your house design in Ireland, from getting your design brief just right to house shapes and sizes. In this article, Les O’Donnell talks about: The design brief: what to include in it, what to avoid Working with an architectural designer: what to expect Common house shapes and sizes to maximise energy […] More

by Leslie O'Donnell September 5, 2022, 3:10 pm
in Advice, Choosing an architectural designer, Design, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Pre design, The design brief and getting the space right, Working out your requirements

Introduction to practical house design

Practical house design is a balancing act. At the end of it you will get a beautiful, functional and affordable eco home. In this article, Les O’Donnell talks about: The basic principles of good house design How to approach your self-build How to design a contemporary home suitable for modern day living How to define […] More

by Leslie O'Donnell August 31, 2022, 11:02 am
in Advice, Design, Designing the outside space, Exteriors & Landscaping, Landscaping: Watchpoints, On site, Pre design, Working out your requirements

Debate: Is fake grass a good idea?

Artificial grass is low maintenance, but should you have it in your garden? We look at the fake grass debate on Twitter. In this article we cover: Benefits of fake grass Why people are installing it Drawbacks of fake grass Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Pros/cons of fake grass if you have children It’s made of […] More

by Astrid Madsen August 31, 2022, 9:46 am
in Block, Choosing external finishes, Construction overview, Design, Direct labour tasks, Getting started on site, New Build, On site, Planning red flags, Projects, Site assessment, Two Storey, Ulster

Budget friendly new build in Co Tyrone

How David and Christine Adams’ contemporary new build house came in £20k under budget. In this article David and Christine Adams share their experience building their new home, including: I grew up on the farm, and my plan was always to move back home,” says David. “A few years after Christine and I got married, […] More

by Christine Adams August 23, 2022, 3:14 pm
in Advice, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Provisions for on-site electricity, water, Wastewater systems, wells: Watchpoints

How to go off grid

The pandemic has focused self-builders’ minds on the already popular topic of going off grid, meaning no electricity, gas, water or sewerage connections. But how feasible is it to totally disconnect, asks Patrick Waterfield. In this article we cover: The prospects of freedom from utilities, a more sustainable lifestyle and overall greater independence, especially in […] More

by Patrick Waterfield August 19, 2022, 10:45 am
in Basic site checklist, Before you start to dig, Block, Budget & Financing, Building methods, Choosing an architectural designer, Choosing external finishes, Choosing the bathrooms, Choosing the kitchen, Choosing wall and floor finishes, Collating your ideas, Cost savers, First fix: Watchpoints, Joinery: Watchpoints, Landscaping: Watchpoints, Living Arrangements, New Build, Other key structural decisions, Planning red flags, Projects, Provisions for on-site electricity, water, Road openings, Roofing & External finishes: Watchpoints, Securing planning permission, Self-build Projects, Site access, Site assessment, The design brief and getting the space right, Two Storey, Ulster

Building the tin house

Matthew and Hannah Sterrett of @ourweecountryhome share their story of building what they call the tin house: how it started and the obstacles they came up against. In this article they talk about: Contents Part 1 – Avoiding the rent trap – Skip to Part 1 Part 2 – The tin roof – Skip to […] More

by Astrid Madsen August 11, 2022, 9:49 am
in Building methods, Choosing wall and floor finishes, Choosing windows and doors, Collating your ideas, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Foundations, subfloors and screeds: Watchpoints, Heating systems, Insulation and airtightness: Watchpoints, Podcast, Pre design, Roofing & External finishes: Watchpoints, SB+ Podcasts, Ventilation, Ventilation and heating systems: Watchpoints, Windows and doors: Watchpoints, Working out your requirements

Ep52 – What to consider when self-building plus thoughts about the mica grant scheme

Resident construction expert John Corless chats about flash points to consider when building your home, including: • Managing heat loss, U-values and airtightness• Ventilation• Insulation• Space and water heating including thoughts on PV• Intermediate floors• Roofs• Contracts• List of other considerations: security, waste, health and safety, equipment hire, etc. Michael Doherty of the Mica Action […] More

by Astrid Madsen July 25, 2022, 3:35 pm
in Budget & Financing, Choosing an architectural designer, Choosing external finishes, Choosing windows and doors, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Heating systems, News, Other key structural decisions, Ventilation

New grant for upgrading old buildings

Local authorities are offering up to €50k for you to renovate a vacant property to live in. In this article we cover: In a bid to tackle dereliction and encourage people to move back to rural towns and villages, the ROI government is now offering renovators up to €50,000 to refurbish vacant buildings. Croí Cónaithe […] More

by Astrid Madsen July 22, 2022, 12:42 pm
in Advice, Budget & Financing, Building methods, Choosing windows and doors, Design, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, First fix: Watchpoints, On site, Other key structural decisions, Pre design, Quality control inspections, Second fix: Watchpoints, The design brief and getting the space right, Windows and doors: Watchpoints

Step by step guide to window design and installation

In this windows step by step guide, find out when and how to order your windows and what to expect at the end. In this article, we cover the stages of choosing and installing your windows including: Step 1: Design and shop around for your windows The planning stage is the best time to get […] More

by Myles McCAnn July 18, 2022, 10:37 am

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Design

More stories

Designing a house that’s easy to get around

Room by room design

Solar Power Explained

How to design a house in Ireland

Introduction to practical house design

Debate: Is fake grass a good idea?

Budget friendly new build in Co Tyrone

How to go off grid

Building the tin house

Ep52 – What to consider when self-building plus thoughts about the mica grant scheme

New grant for upgrading old buildings

Step by step guide to window design and installation

Costed new build in Co Tyrone

Scandi design for Co Meath new build

Traditional build in Co Down

Cottage with brick extension