For quite sometime I have been discussing with one of my friends, who is on vacation and is planning to build a dream house in the portion of ancestral land partitioned for him. A successful professional with the backup of a happy, contented family, he could easily translate his dreams into squares and rectangles on paper!!!
At this stage we casually shared our opinion…which was a continuous process for some days. This took me back to my home renovation phase, few years ago…I am sure it will throw light into various aspects that anybody would encounter during a similar process…hope it will also form some basic tips for everyone venturing into this stage of life…As for a layman, who builds a dream home only once in a life time, it’s a journey on its own.
To formulate a plan to build ones house, start from scratch. Never rely on anybody. DO all your homework by self. Discuss with all family members including kids’ right from the beginning until finalization. Create a spirit of imagination and simplicity. Demonstrate if required on dimensions and anticipated positions…Always bear in mind about the recurring expenses for maintenance. It’s not advisable to convert all savings into brick and mortar. So design the budget accordingly. Also keep in mind that once our kids grow out, they may have entirely different views and tastes…
Those who doesn’t own or inherit a piece of land may initially begin with the idea of flats, apartments, villas and then into purchasing land and building on it. Here the major criterion is budget, the availability of which facilitates our decision. On the other side, I know many families, where all their kids are engaged overseas, mostly with siblings and the grandparents are left alone. In such cases also, they opt for flats and apartments which enhance their security and community living experience. It also helps reduce the feeling of isolation at an old age. Accessibility to educational institutions, transport facilities, hospitals, markets and so on also form an attractive component while choosing the location of land, flat or villa.
Generally, people prefer immediate vicinity or walk able distances from locations that offer basic amenities, which is again dependant on the budget. A vegetable shop, a grocery shop or supermarket, medical shop, auto rickshaw or taxi stand or bus stand are the most common. Then comes extent of land required and long term needs including investment options for kids…
Everyone, however rich, would have an allocated budget for the dream house. Initially we can visit recently built flats, villas, independent houses of different ranges and gather details on the materials used, the merits and demerits of each component, space demarcation, supplementary aids and pattern of layout. Always keep an eye on dimensions of interiors also, especially if it has caught your heart! As we decide on the location, it is always advisable to choose one that best suits your wavelength in similarity and capacity to the practical extent possible. Never try to be an odd man out in a locality!
Now start your own work plan. Decide the components required. Say for example, my friend X thought about an inevitable “long charupadi verandah”, another wanted it to be one of the best in his locality!! While yet another said there should be adequate light and ventilation, while his wife demanded only a bath tub and a modern kitchen!!! While some prefers a cozy exclusive office space, others wish the house to be spacious enough so that mobility is easy…Children think about adequate play area, kids room, while some may wish for a beautiful garden…Tastes vary with each individual even within a family. Some ladies prefer open kitchens and two living rooms- one general and another exclusively for the family. Those who have or intent to engage servants should consider their quarters also. Porch and Garage, drive in are other requirements. Those who wish to buy a car in the future must envisage space for that….Thus the initial plan is an exhaustive comprehensive and holistic effort where every team member has an equal and relevant role. To balance the budget, compromises can be made accordingly, after market assessments.
The range is as wide from spacious, cost effective Habitat or Cost ford technologies to limited, high quality construction. The floor may be red oxide or ceramic tiles or vitrified or marbonite; walls may be exposed bricks or partially plastered or well plastered. Interiors may be with antique or imported furniture or existing old furniture or branded furniture or built-in wherever feasible. Type of wood, paint or polish, the type of glass and frame, number of pieces, divisions required, type of anchor used are all to be thought about. Doors may be single piece or double or a mix. Kitchen slabs may be concrete or granite or modular type. Make sure ladies can close windows standing beneath the slabs…Also remember to use standard sizes for doors, slabs, staircases etc and unique ones wherever its an extra necessity. Paints can be the same or multiple that ensures color therapy also. The material may be distemper or emulsion of any suitable range.
Always ensure that the whole building is on the same level in every floor. Better there aren’t any sharp corners at all. Keep in mind the cleansing part of crevices, storage spaces, space beneath ladders, shelves etc. Think about the use of each room, alignment of proposed furniture and the lighting efficiency. Use task lights and concealed lights wherever required. Provide adequate plug points initially. Exposed neat and piped wiring is easy for maintenance rather than concealed type. Similar is the case with plumbing. Use ISI quality materials as cables and pipes.
Incase the living room is surrounded by rooms then take extra care to ensure adequate lighting therein by adjusting the roof level as it’s the place most used.
A Pooja or prayer room is better made spacious if you are God fearing and follow even minimum rituals. All members of the family should be able to assemble and pray together and conduct rituals with ease.
Study, reading space, office space, library, meditation or yoga space, exercise or fitness spot, computer, music, pantry, foyer, spaces for pets, newspapers, magazines, footwear, school bags, wet umbrellas, raincoats, brooms, brushes, and tools are all unique components. Similarly, there should be a consideration for spaces that are easily accessible from the outside also and undisturbed for tuition classes or dance and music sessions. More better if it’s in a position that normally spans within your attention always.
The number and facilities of toilets is another major factor. I have been to many houses wherein small nuclear families have built toilets more than the number of all inhabitants in that house…
I have also seen ladies struggling to have their late lunch and dinner in the work area of a house with more than 3500 sq feet plinth area, while their servants were busy cleaning served and used vessels just above their heads!!! This happened because they didn’t take into consideration a supplementary dining space in the kitchen or nearby even though their family is used to dine with strangers on most occasions at noon for years!
In situations where working mothers are involved lot of considerations are required. A breakfast table in the kitchen, arranging the study in such an area that she can monitor kids in between domestic chores, easy access to phone and entrance door, a bath attached bed room near kitchen for bedridden patients, an exclusive work area that can be left for the part-time servants who may do the chores in our absence, lockable storage spaces- with adequate space and lighting, accurate heights and distances for the kitchen triangle and shelves, proper positions for supplementary machines, a chair to recline during recess !!! - are all matters that would help working ladies in a long way.
Upper living rooms and kitchens can be of the open type wherever feasible.
Not only that it has a cost reducing factor, but also, there’s better circulation of air and better communication and visibility.
In houses designed with long verandahs and without sunshade slopes, ensure that the “ beautiful charupadis” are not drenched in rains and the whole space inaccessible and unusable during the rainy season.
Whatever these options may be, what is important is that we decide on our choices in every aspect, after assessing the pros and cons and minute details, understand and compromise, right from the beginning and become adamant never to change them…it is your own house and you are going to live there, not the ones who comment on it.
In cases where existing houses are involved, especially with aged parents or grandparents or kids and relocation during construction period is not easy, people opt for renovation of part of house, keeping the demolition and reconstruction of the existing part for future. This in my opinion is one of the worst decisions practically from all points…It is always advisable to relocate for a year, demolish the existing one completely, sell off all non-reusable materials and start fresh.
Once the land is finalized, we generally approach an engineer to draft our plan. It’s always better to clear the land. Peg the area for foundation and mark the outline for floor plan. Assess the space in the draft plan for actual dimensions. Now think and rethink on this draft plan before final approval. At this stage seek expert advice from architect in addition to the engineer, if not already consulted. Encompass landscaping of the exterior including drainage and water fountains or ponds and interiors also in the preliminary draft plan itself. When and whether you achieve the whole picture is not the criteria, rather that you have looked into every alternative and anything can be added on anytime without difficulty is the achievement here.
In my personal opinion, whether you believe in Vaasthu Shastra or not, try to leave the central point of the plot and building free. Keep the way from gate to entrance door free of all obstacles. Consider the wind patterns for positioning windows and permit entry of adequate sunlight into the building. Never permit exposed beams in the construction. Try not to use the space beneath staircase if it can be avoided. Also better avoid construction of bedrooms immediately above garage. Don’t stuff your house with materials and don’t keep clutter anticipating usage in future…
In our place, we generally start with building of compound walls, digging of wells followed by a tool room. Into this we can apply for temporary electricity connection. Sloping of land so that there is adequate light and ventilation and drainage is proper once the structure is completed is also important. Never make any changes hereafter in the proposal. Make mutual agreements of execution, ensure adequate cash flow and stick to all schedules. Never leave out any item for later, never remove or add on components. You have made your plan and you are aware of your resources, requirements and needs more than anyone else. Bear that in mind and move ahead with confidence. Scrutinize every aspect and monitor the whole process personally to the extent possible. Imagine completion of the dream house and its transformation into your dream home….Breathe this IN every moment…
