₦airaland Forum

Marpol: Oga Spyder, pls how thick shd the decking be?

It should be as thick as your structural drawing requirement . Not more, not less!

I got 24 pcs of this pathway solar light (with day/night sensor) from Westinghouse for the Chateau. I just love it simple. Meanwhile, the tiler is doing justice to the gate pillars with Country Clay tiles from Home Depot and my kids are supervising this stage. Hopefully you'll like it when I update this thread with finished pictures.

Chateau De Brabus - Uniting the built and the natural environment

The time is ripe to landscape this project. However, I'm doing it small because it's better to be proud of a small garden than to be frustrated by a big one! Watch out this space

When I grow up, I want to be like Oga Spyder880 doing the impossible. Following you like a baby monkey.

Interesting or Not? You'll find out later on this thread how the little boy DAVID killed Goliath

The Chateau - Delays, Issues and Resolves

We experienced a lot of challenges in this project but we are so determined to successfully deliver the project within stipulated time and budget. Did I just say budget? As result, the project was prioritized based on factors of time and quality. A preliminary assessment of the project site was carried out before we broke ground to determine the factors that might cause delays. Of course, the driveway (accessibility) is the major culprit. The factors were prioritized based on severity.

1. Driveway (Accessibility)
2. Quality of materials supplied (sand)
3. Quantity of materials supplied
4. Lack of experienced local workers
5. Lack of machineries
6. Weather condition

More updates later this evening. Its time for work!

The Chateau Story - The Original Designed Chateau vs NextHome Redesigned Chateau

Having spent the over 6 months (Oct 2012 - April 2013) consulting with my client over the concept design for the Chateau, the redesign of our second project was done. Of course, the client gave me his design points and we designed the house to reflect these points.

Do the REVISIONS on paper!

After the designs were sent to me, I came up with a review and here it is. My client's response to the review is in blue

I'm taking good look at the 3D again. I still have a feeling that something is not right. HAPPY TO HEAR YOUR VIEW. I WANT TO GET THIS RIGHT AND I STILL DONT THINK I LIKE WHAT I HAVE

Was there any input from you to the architect on this drawing? I just want to know if there are reasons why the arrangement was so. MY INPUT WAS LIMITED TO A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT I NEEDED - ONE BEDROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR, DINING, FAMILY LOUNGE, AND LIVING. I WANTED A LOT OF FREE SPACE ON THE GROUND FLOOR IN CASE I NEED TO HOST PEOPLE. I ALSO WANT A FAMILY AREA UPSTAIRS AND THREE ROOMS.

I actually want to avoid a redesign but my heart keep pricking me. I think something is not right. HAPPY TO REDESIGN. NO NEED TO HURRY INTO CONSTRUCTION PHAZE

I notice the following:

1. The position of the visitor's toilet in the ante room didn't cut it for me. I AGREE
2. The entry didn't create the much needed spark. I AGREE Such a massive edifice needs a 'Grand Entry' lighted in a welcoming way that sets tone for the house. I AGREE
3. I have a feeling that the single point of entry at the main lounge isn't enough or right. An access from the carport into the family lounge won't be a bad idea. I can understand that was the reason we have 2 (4ft) doors at the ante-room. In fact, it will be 3 doors in the ante-room by the time we add the visitors toilet to it. Too much for such a small room. HAPPY TO REDESIGN
4. The curvature nature of the front facade left much to be desired. I'm still looking at the front facade. JUST GO AHEAD AND WOW ME

At first look, I actually fell in love with the massive nature of the structure and not the elements that make it up. I love the arrangement and not the features. They're just too simple. The first thing i want to see in a massive building is the 'WOW' effects. Thinking mode activated again. I NEEDED THE WOW EFFECT, IF I DONT ACHIEVE IT I WOULDN'T BE GIVEN A CHIEFTAINCY TITLE

Let me sleep over this and see what I can come up with. I hope I'm not taking this too far. TAKE IT AS FAR AS YOU WANT - JUST GIVE ME THE WOW EFFECT

Below are the original design of the Chateau before I was contacted

The Result

Imagine if we build what was given to us without recourse to alternative offerings.

The Chateau - The Story

When I first received a call from my client in October 2012 requesting for my service, the terms of engagement was simply to provide consultancy for a project in Lagos.

It was nice talking to you this morning. As discussed, please find attached the building plan I told you about. Also attached is the block model and the roof plan.

I would appreciate your thoughts on the material and labour cost breakdown. Also, I would be looking forward to a reasonable time schedule for the project and your fee schedule for consultancy services.

Given that the project will commence in a few weeks, it would be useful to get your estimates asap to allow enough time for next steps etc. Many thanks.

Of course, I was so glad to receive the offer and requested for the details of the project including all the drawings which were prepared by another architect who's a friend now, anyway. Why do I need the drawings? I needed to know and simply review the design and offer my professional advice on the project.

Success Factor: Collaboration between clients and designers in the design phase plays an important role in reducing the design changes during construction.

Right from the design phase, you (clients) need to know if the design will be able to satisfy the size and the demand of the project. Hence, you must be very strict in choosing the consultant, designer and perform your due diligence on their capacity. Unfortunately, many simply ignore this and only jump at whatever design they can find online and eventually make headline story of another failed project.

At NextHome, one thing drives us to do better each day: We are only as good as the last home we build. Every house we build is carefully designed with an end in mind.

Based on my review and the assessment of the drawings for proposed development and understanding of the clients demand after series of cross-examination, I asked the client to throw away the design and allow us to come up with something more functional and moderately priced to meet the clients taste and budget. Not minding the extra cost and time delay, I was given the go-ahead to redesign the project.

When my clients say jump, I simply ask how high?

Here are the revisions:

1. 3025mm is just 9ft (a standard bed is 6ft, while kingsize is 7 - 8ft) and that's too small for a study not to talk of Master Bedroom. The Master bedroom is spacious and well ventilated now with a private terrace overlooking the front yard.
2. I see no reason having another toilet in the family living room upstair when all the rooms are en-suite. I believe the family lounge is private. All guests stays on the ground floor and uses the visitors toilet downstair. 6 toilets in a 4 bedroom house is a waste of space and resources.
3. In this revised design, the family room is the first thing you see at the landing of the stair on the upper floor. I think that makes more sense. Having a private terrace for the family room is not a bad idea either, its about bringing the outdoor inside. I don't like it when you can't have a feel of the outside world from the comfort of your living areas.
4. I really don't know what the architect is trying to achieve but 1375mm lobby (less than 5ft) is too small for the stair landing, 3 room doors. I can only imagine how you'll move stuffs into the rooms when moving-in.
5. The house needs breathing space and cross ventilation. The lobby lacks one which means you'll constantly need fresh air in the lobby space. Only God knows where that will come from when all doors are locked.
6. Master Bathroom in the center: truth be told, there'll always be one issue to deal with especially in the bathroom. The plumbing pipe may leak or the drain may block. it will be near impossible to fix problem in the master bath as there'll be too many bends to deal with. One major problem here is the design may cause damp on the living room ceiling downstair if there's a leak. Best design, have your baths close to the surrounding walls.

Some things will not matter in life, the cost of getting it right the first time is one of those things.

First of all, let me say Good morning to you all and say my prayers to the One and only who has been keeping us alive to give us this day (bright, sunny, accident-free, speedy progress and argument free) before I start blogging again. BRB

Yawnn... Hey, sorry my people! My system enter "Sleep Mode" unexpectedly. Back to the topic before the morning bell rings and project resumes

Nice

Fence for the Chateau - Design Inspiration

What do you think?

The Chateau - Nature View Residence in Ile-Oluji

What is the life? Life means different things to different people

For me, I believe Life is waking up to a day of perfect bliss — bird trills, the rustle of leaves in the cool morning breeze, the sweet scent of green forest, and majestic views as far as the eye can see. The best part of all this may be enjoyed in a home at the hillside of a small gated-community in Ile-Oluji highland. A place reserved for people with style.

The project location offers home-owners a chance to go wild with their imagination , building and designing a home they will love and can truly call their own in every respect. I think I'm cherishing this site so much cos that's what I like.

When designing Chateaus, I always think of a spacious landscape with beautiful scenery that invites your being amidst natural surroundings, far from the hustle-bustle and hectic commotion imposed on us. I always think of a place where you can breathe in pollution free O². A place you can call home.

Features of this Project :

* Every room breathes luxury — from the main lounges’ high-ceilinged room to the large bedrooms with walk-in closets and en-suite toilets and baths.
* Balconies and decks with spectacular views.
* Sitting on over 1 acre of dramatically rolling terrain (you call it slope)
* State-of-the-art reticulation system
* Landscaped garden
* Tree-lined entranceway

and many more

Checkitaut,

I decided not post project cost and breakdown again cos there are few unsuspecting clients who waste their hard-earned money on hideous contractors and yet come online to argue blindly that N10m cannot finish a foundation.

Gatehouse for the Chateau - Inspiration pictures

A home is where memories are made. From its well-established neighborhood to the familiar scenic views and large yard bursting with trees, the Chateau is a special place. And every details need to reflect the style of my client.

Here's a gatehouse design inspiration for the Chateau, what do you think? More gatehouse picture coming soon..

mufutau55: Thanks for quick update.. I beleive there may be a cost difference in Sango-Otta (along Lagos to Abeokuta highway) in Ogun State.
About what percentage should I add for the zone difference, given the same building size? Thanks.

Hajji Mufutau

I think the cost difference should be a downward review and not upward because the material cost here are not cheaper than what's obtainable in Sango-otta (except for the bamboos, woods and planks).

1. 350 pcs of 1 x 12 x 12 planks @ N800 - (N280,000)
2. 150 pcs of 2 x 3 x 12 planks @ N250 - (N37,500)
3. 170 bags of cement @ N1750 - (N297,500)
4. 3 bags of Nail @ N5,000 - (N15,000)
5. 2 bundles of binding wire @ N6,000 - (N12,000)
6. 1/2 ton 10mm iron rod @ N120,000 - (N60,000)
7. 3 ton of 12mm iron rod @ N115,000 - (N345,000)
8. 2 ton of 16mm iron rod @ N115,000 - (N230,000)
9. Granite (60 ton) - N300,000
10. Sharp sand (80 ton) - N160,000
11. Stone Dust (20 ton) -
12. Labour charges - (Terrain dependent)
13. Miscellaneous - N150,000
14. Electrical/Mechanical works -
15. Bamboo - 350 pcs @ N150 (N52,500)

Thats it. Check the reinforcement details and the formwork to ascertain the quality of the work.

It doesn't have to be overly expensive for it to make meaning.

mufutau55: Thanks for the updates Oga Brabus. You are really progressing nicely.
I will sure be very interested in the cost of the First floor flab (Decking) work
as that is what is scaring me on my project now.. Thanks.

Hajji Mufutau

Less than N2.5m

The Chateau

Reinforcement Detailing

Cement Delivery

Transloading the Granite

It has been almost a month since we break ground in this project and as you may expect, there has been considerable progress. In fact, we are over two weeks ahead of schedule on this project. This is largely because we are committed to the successful completion of the project. All of the buffers that had been put into the work schedule for work stopping due to rain have not been needed.

So, since my last update a lot have transpired at the site.

1. We have completed the first floor slab formwork and proceeded to the staircase
2. We've received 200 bags of cement for the casting of the first floor slab
3. We've transloaded some granite from the dump site to the project site
4. We've completed the first floor beam reinforcement
5. We've also added the flower trough to the structure as specified in the drawing.

Here are picture updates from the construction site.

Fhemmmy: Back to class to learn oh

Welcome back Chief Prefect! Today's class is gonna be an interesting one as we are going to be talking about the amazing features of this project. What makes this building a Chateau! More interestingly, we are going to be looking at the challenges and the success factor.

Lots of progress pictures coming in today.

BRB

Nice one my Oga by the side. Hopefully before your return, we'd have poured the slab of the Chateau.

Greet Enugu people for us o! 60 days delivery date on course.

Hi bro,

My live.co.uk email has been experiencing some issues in the past few months and I've been trying to sort it out with hotmail technical team. In the meantime, I can be reached via this medium:

SMS only: 07066843060

I've stopped using BB since last year but I can be reached via iMessage.

Thanks.

Well done, bro!

Putting finishing touches to the reinforcing beams....

And..

Reinforcement and Formworks

And another person is busy stabilizing the driveway... we need all materials uphill!