Building with the Future in Mind: How to Plan for Home Expansions

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Introduction

Undertaking a new home-building project is a significant commitment, one that comes not only with a hefty price tag but also with intense emotions. When we speak of a “sense of place,” that term seems to imply something broad and public, as if it only pertains to the city or neighborhood in which we live. If you’d like to know more about home design in Melbourne check out Carlisle Homes.

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It certainly frequently serves that function. But I think we should also consider the “sense of place” at the much more intimate level of the individual dwelling. Since a home most definitely also provides necessary and sufficient shelter, it seems well worth inquiring into what we mean when we use the phrase “sense of place.” And, for that matter, what do we mean when we use the phrase “home”?

Why Plan for Future Expansions?

The home can adapt to these changes easily, stopping the need for costly renovations or even a move. Renovation can mean too much attached to a past that you no longer need or want—a change of identity or use that you are resisting. The physical structure could become unrecognizable—the house floor plans you knew is no more. In comparison, the successful expanded home doesn’t look like something newly grafted onto your old place. Instead, it “reads” as if part of it, at least, always existed just as it is. And unlike the old place, you can still live in it during the expansion.

Key Considerations for Planning Future Home Expansions

  • Analyzing the property and the regulations related to it is the initial step for any development. It is the most important and is usually the part that takes the most time. Figuring out how best to develop the site and weighing the impacts that proposed projects will have on the site and the surrounding neighborhood is the next step.
  • It is essential to comprehend the zoning regulations that apply to your property. These laws state what you can and cannot do in property development. When you understand your property’s zoning regulations clearly, you can begin to see the outlines of your building; that is, the building or buildings that could be developed within the zoning laws’ established footprints and setbacks.
  • Examine how much space you have and what the lay of the land is in order to uncover some promising locations you might choose for growth in the future.
  • When it comes to choosing where to expand, factors such as how much sunlight gets into the space, what the view is like, and privacy are all key elements to consider.
  • The planning and design of buildings and spaces, as well as the production of technical drawings or architectural plans, is a complex and iterative process. Decisions made in the early stages of a project are as important as decisions made at the very end, because what is designed at the initial stage has a direct impact on the final product. The design process is a back-and-forth conversation among the stakeholders—architect, engineer, client, public, etc. Once all the parties have reached a consensus, the design can be considered final, and it can then proceed to the next phase.
  • Collaborate with an architect to produce a fluid floor plan that accommodates future expansions.
  • Contemplate the possibility of reusing spaces like basements or attics that can be developed at a later date.

Tips for a Successful Expansion Plan

  • Plan ahead for the next 5-10 years. While you and your family may be happy with your home as it is right now, don’t ignore the possibility of future changes. If your kids are young now, will they still be comfortable living in the house when they’re teenagers? If your office is currently located on the bottom floor, could you eventually benefit from moving it to the top floor? Could a basement be transformed into a suite for an aging parent or a child who’s come back from college? Life happens. And, sometimes, it plays out much differently than you anticipated. Thankfully, home design can account for all these scenarios. All it takes is a little forethought to make sure your design has what it needs to make life work for now and for the future.
  • If at all possible, try not to box yourself in. A lot of homeowners are happy to have a ductless mini-split system in a new addition. That kind of heating and cooling system allows for wholly independent climate control in the new space, which is nice if you have a large extended family with very different ideas of what amounts to a comfortable temperature.

Conclusion

Investing in quality home construction ensures that the space you create remains a comfortable and functional home for years to come. By planning for and, yes, even anticipating changes in your life, you can ensure that the home you build or renovate is flexible enough to retain those traits that make a structure a home. After all, whether you’re single, married, or have kids or no kids, a home should reflect your life and the way you want to live it.

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