₦airaland Forum

Mayor78:
Looks nice but those high steps have defeated the purpose. By the time you finished climbing that much steps, your are halfway into your room upstairs.

Talking of bungalow at old age, first you have to think of being alive to such old age that you cannot be able to climb stairs. For that, you have to think security first with an eye on old age when planning your residential.

So knowing that it would be easier to breach security and enter into a bungalow than it would for a duplex, going for duplex if the option is there will make more sense.

It would be fair while you are still young, strong, capable, and exposed, to live safe, enjoy the security, the ambience, and view of your duplex from top floor balcony while it last.

When you survive all other exposures and live to such old age you arent capable of climbing stairs, well you may then chose to relocate to your guestroom as your bedroom or transform your living room and dinning as a palatial ensuit Senior Bedroom.

While you plan your build, spare a thought for your aged period.

Baba, I’ve had both for years now but I’ve been living in the bungalow side.

My building has a very large frontal balcony on the upper floor but I’ve not so keen to use it. You’ll see me more at the large porch in the ground floor than the upper floor.

As for security, it has never been an issue of concern for me.

Maybe it’s me tho.

mufutau55:
Se you go secretly share the plan?

Hajji M.

Hopefully, doing some edits right now.

Badgers14:
You are on point but..

Like we all know design is a collaborative effort between the client and the architect.

A client supposed to know what they want, considering the lifestyle they want, the purpose of the build , the family etc.. if they want to have a home office etc. Then Oga architect will put those dreams down on paper throwing in advise where necessary and the builder will bring the "clients dream house" to reality.

My point on the previous quote and my examples where based on clients that did not participate on the "corroborative efforts " then blame themselves or the architect at the end.

Here’s from my first build here on Nairaland. The client and the architect have finalized the design and are ready to move to site before sending me the plans. I did a redesign and below is my review:

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 new 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. Imagine 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 when there's a leak. Best design, have your baths close to the external walls.

I came up with a new design and Ihebrooke was engaged to flesh it up and come up with a 3D design. That was our first job together.

The first architect was a Project Director in one of the most popular estate in Lagos.
You know I’ll mention names if you want it.

I think I took over about 3 other projects from him that we had to redesign all over.

Dennis3D:
Bros, people have spoken so much ill words against the architect here. I would advise let the client sort it out with him by reviewing the design with him over again before bringing it here.

From what I have observed here, clients here are always right. Vendors, contractors and other workers are always wrong. No matter how they present their case.

Most of the people writing already did so in their own accord whether justifiable or not. So I will leave it at that. This place is a faceless community where everyone volunteers to help and assist each other in one way or the other.

In my opinion, I don't think the forum in recent has been fair on both a service provider and a service receiver.

The question remains “Are those reviews right or wrong?”

- Will the lobby be dark or not?

It’s just a matter of presenting your defense on why the architect is right and why everyone complaining about the design are wrong.
The client brought the design here for review and everyone has the right to express their mind.

It’s not about the people but the design.

Badgers14:
Ma'am, I am just a Nairaland trained Engineer

But let me take a stab at this thing...

Well, I would say yes!

But I would highly suggest bringing in our real world expert on the subject matter.

Spyder880,
Aventure,
N3xt
Dennis3D
Segzy14

And host of others I don't remember their monikers.

Cheers!!

Abolarin91:
Someone like me can never accept assumption, never! I must have my own dream before even thinking of consulting you, I tell you what I want and you make it work or suggest your own professional experience to me.

Well that’s if you and your architect know everything.

I can see you’ve been talking about courtyard as a solution to dark lobby. How about atrium or sunroof?

You need not just an architect but someone who can translate your dream into reality.

Ibk2020:
Since the previous design is condemn, I want to safe myself the stress... Please I will appreciate if anyone can come up with a decent and functional floor plan only for me. Free or paid... Thanks

The land is 435sqm (20.50m X 21.46m)


* 1 master bedroom, master bathroom with walking closet
* main lounge
* dining area
* bed room 1 en-suite
* bed room 2 en-suite
* visitors toilet
* kitchen *average size**( only dining door and exit door behind)
* ( kitchen store should have ventilation)
* entrance porch
* ante room
* laundry
* lobby (should have a window, to avoid **dark** lobby)

Cc
Abolarin91
EgunMogaji2
Horlardorjah
n3xt
mrsteel
vickzie

Do you have a survey?

Badgers14:
I respect your opinion but ...

Actually the better wordings would be , clients should learn to communicate to the architect what they want and what they can afford.

The client owns the build , he is the employer of the architect. Lots of times people contact an architect to design a 4 bedroom duplex for them with a masters bedroom. That's it!! Then the architect will go wild

Some folks are regretting their build because they weren't fully involved in the design process, the build did not capture the "dream" that they wanted to bring to reality.

I was driving with a friend one time, he saw a duplex under construction, liked it, we meandered to the site and he asked for the engineer.. they swapped contacts and he told the engineer to build exactly the same for him. All my effort to have him look at the floor plan, critique, make adjustments etc before the build fell on deaf ears.. well, in his defense, he was building with his money not mine... fair enough !!

But that building have been on the market for sale for quite some time now because he didn't like the layout of the build.. it didn't feel right he said... this is after 40m+ spent on the build. He could have identified these things at the design stage.

Another guy in my what's group commissioned an architect for a 4 bedroom bungalow. And oga architect delivered. He returned to the country to visit but wasn't happy... venting.. hin must kill the architect, architect built nonsense for him

I asked , what was his brief to the architect.. he said to build a 4 bedroom bungalow! I asked how many rooms are they, he said 4 and I said very well then, you got 4 bedroom bungalow
He said the architect should have known to make it all ensuite, this and that... hmmm... seriously? An architect should tell you how to spend your money? Should tell you what to like??

Sir, that’s why a novice has engaged a learned professional.

An architect should know that having 5 doors in kitchen cum laundry would cost the client more. He should know that having too many walls will affect air circulation. He should understand having large windows to take advantage of natural lighting.

All the best architects on this platform that I’ve worked with knew what it takes to get past me. I’ve been drafting since the age of 10.

flekky07:
i did not receive the contact.

I’ve sent it twice. You should check your email.

flekky07:
Due to Covid-19

No!

My complete living space is downstairs. I see the upper floor as a bonus.

Bungalow Lovers

Here’s something simple for starters and retirees.

#designs #inspiration

omanzo02:
I am beginning to develop disdain for stairs.....I use to consider it a cardio exercise but it's no longer fun, it's easy to install stair chairlift here as one ages or developed bad knee.... Bungalow is cheaper and eliminate stair climbing.

My master bedroom is on the ground floor. My office is upstairs. There are weeks I wouldn’t step upstairs to do anything.

Stair chairlift is cool but a nice bungalow is better as we age.

flekky07:
Check your mail.

I’ve replied your email.

omanzo02:
I look forward to setting something like that up with 4 bedrooms, I am still considering a location in Nigeria.
It's simple and better for my knees lol.

Hmmm! This is very important.

My next build is a 2 bed bungalow just for me and my wife. Nothing too serious.

Who big house epp?
I’ve not used my upper floor main terrace more than 30 times since the house was built 8 years ago. It always feel like I’m traveling climbing upstairs.

omanzo02:
Really?, I thought it has increased with cement and iron rods lol.

No!

omanzo02:
Those 2 little bungalow doesn't look bad for a retirement home, the green lawn makes it even more simple and appealing.

Yep! Pretty simple.

flekky07:
thanks God bless u.

Learnt he’s now a chief supplier in the area now but I believe he will accord me my respect.

flekky07:
Brabus this is an excuse, i went to the market to buy tomatoes association of tomatoes will come to my house stopping me from using my tomatoes, pls tell me is the association a professional one, with course in Nigeria university?

...pls say something else.

Well, just give it a trial ma!

@flekky07

If this looks good, I’ll see if I can get you the contact of the guy who supplied this to men at cooperative villas.

He’s one of the most responsible supplier on that axis. I really mean responsible.

He has been in that area for years.

I’m not guaranteeing he’ll be cheaper or not but I’m sure he’s very reliable and no one can stand in his way in the area.

_____
I’m talking about granite. The sand were delivered using NextHome dump truck.

omanzo02:
With increases in building materials the smaller houses design are getting expensive to carry out and complete.

Off topic question: Please, what has been the effect of the recent inflation on labour daily charges for bricklayer, mixer and helper?
I am still in the dark there.

At my side, I’m still paying same rate.

flekky07:
i did not call you a supplier, atleast recommend, all this cheap materials you get lets benefit now...

My people association of DIY is my volume ok or i should increase it.

I don’t have anyone who will sell cheap to you in that area. All the suppliers in Unity/Cooperative Villas/Badore environ knew me and I know their prices.

That’s why I decided to do my own dump truck because they’re in business to make profit and I can’t stand in their way.

I’d suggest you talk to your supplier and discuss getting further discount with him.

These things ain’t easy as it was presented.
Any truck you bring into the area that’s not working with the suppliers will have serious issues.

I’ve been a resident of Unity and Cooperative Villas and know almost every suppliers and block makers in the area, I can tell you this won’t come easy.

flekky07:
Good day every1 i hope we all had a lovely day? Since i hv posted this i can not find response to it, only from Chekitaut requesting volume required.

I also read he did something to a popular builder in the forum, we are all the suppliers in the forum or his he the only one here?

Brabus, Rotech77, Great Hajji, Egunmojaji(my baba oko) segcymore, Aventure, saydfact, diordaves, abdulwastecx, mrsteel etc. We are not seeing any recommendations, only 1 person talking on building materials.

Jesusson2020 pls send me a mail let communicate or give me your number via mail.

I’m not a supplier and no longer a resident of Unity Estate. That used to be my residence.

diordaves:
So over the years you have aquired structural and civil engineering qualifications right? And architectural qualification to boot? You now have the qualification and expertise to interprete geological/seismic reports and translate same into civic structures and even certify them? If the answer is no; I now have closure why you kept getting into difficulties.

Sigh!

Don’t you read the part we have the team “in-house?”

Anyway, I’m not here to trade words sir.

Let’s understand what’s wrong with the foundation design from the professionals who have the certificates.

That’s the Simple Question begging for answer! Abi learned professionals have absconded like suppliers ni. We want to learn.

Leave me out of it.

If the next comment is not an answer to the bolded part, I’ll simply take a pass sir.

Peace!

Any doctor who have answers to every ailment without proper diagnoses is overzealous.

Pic: The project architect

In 2012, when a professional builder asked similar question, here’s my response below:

Perfectly understand your question above bro.

Actually, I've spent a lot of time researching alternative building methods in order to reduce cost, save time and produce quality house. This is what I found out.

Foundation

1. All objects and structures transfer their load either directly or indirectly to the earth.
2. The capacity of the earth to support such loads depends on the strength and stability of the supporting soil.
3. Not all soil possess the required characteristics to carry imposed loads or to resist it.
4. There is no one-size-fit-all design when dealing with foundations.

So, when designing foundations, it is essential to consider the optimum alternative based on the superstructure requirements and subsurface conditions. Take note of the two above.

With these in mind, we need to ask ourself the following question:

1. Is the project a new commercial building, a residential building, a new bridge, a replacement bridge, a retaining wall etc.?
2. Will the building be subjected to any special design events such as seismic, landslide, vibrations, etc.?

Piles can be driven manually or driven hydraulically. However, the use of manual labour and lack of fancy machines doesn't mean it isn't a pile. It's just about what's needed to get the job done. Remember, the main scope of the job is to support the imposed load.

In the course of my research, I discovered the use of pressure timber piles to support all kind of structures.
For example, the city of New Orleans was built on timber piles. Yes, Timbers! I'm going to put that into test in one of my DIY projects.

It's good to explore the alternative methods and the endless possibilities.

Most of our designs especially the most complex builds at NextHome are done in-house. We have the team!

Peace!

diordaves:
This is well said but my question in situations like this as always; is it not a Structural/Civil Engineer like you working with the Achitect that designed and pass off the foundation for approval? The builder is just there to implement the design. If the design concept is wrong like you asserted, why did it pass at the council? Builders don't design concepts for all I know; they only implement the QUALIFIED engineer's/Architect's concept.

I like your take but don't you think some other expert in the field will differ? Is this a case of expert personal interpretation of same sitution? We have such application in Economics as well. I may profer a solution to an economic problem for example and some other economist will defer and profer somthing radically different for the same problem. Even medical doctors as well.

I expected NEXT (Brabus) to say "I did not design the foundation, a qualified engineer did and the plan was passed by the council (Local Government)" or maybe NEXT was building without structural drawings or has usurped the duties of the resident engineer and architect.

When I read posts on Nairaland, I just smile because a lot of people don’t really know me and I keep good records.

I designed the structure based on the geotechnical survey test carried out by team of experts from NNPC Headquarters. We worked together on this particular build.
The owner is NAPIMS Geophysicist and she supervised the geotechnical survey. So no “magomago”

Before an architect or a structural engineer, there are geoscientists who provide and answers to questions regarding the physical aspects of the land such as its composition, structure, properties, and also give information about its past, present, and future.
They give you the bearing capacity and can recommend the foundation type in their survey report.

I hope I’m able to find the survey report for this project and share.

We were engaged to handle this project because we successfully executed a similar project for the niece of this client in Ajao Estate (Aloysius Odulukwe street) very close to the airport.

Pic 1-4: Ajao Estate

Nice

omanzo02:
My initial plan had a bar and toilets for every bedrooms, my first question was "did I asked for that?", Some architect just assume every client might embrace their exaggerated fantasy.......we sometimes assume to be in Hollywood.
They should learn to communicate and find out what the client have in mind and could afford.

The bolded part above sum up everything.

EgunMogaji2:
Baba, I forgot to add that

I saw what you did in the last page

I’m learning fast these days sir.


_____
Special thanks to all the people making this place worth coming back to.
Together we can make this country a better place.

EgunMogaji2:
I’ve used version of this. It’s not the same as natural light. I was disappointed.

I’ll never build a house where I’ll intend to substitute natural light for this.

It is not bible!

Ibk2020:
Thanks sir, please kindly name all the issues so I can discuss with him to adjust accordingly, thanks

You can present all the above as your suggestion to the architect. Let him play with the options.

Let him understand your preference is functionality.

Don’t tell him someone said

Peace!

vickzie:
I'm not focusing on this plan because it obviously needs upgrade, I'm talking about situations where it's almost impossible to get natural light from Windows, like big hospitals and similar structures. for example in schools in the US, their lobbies are devoid of natural light there make use of electricity to light up certain spaces 24/7. besides it's still natural light from the sun.

Very correct sir. Hotels are perfect example.