One story long house. Comfortable life in a narrow area
A house project for a narrow lot will always be carried out with a number of restrictions. But today there are already several well-established circuit diagrams such a layout that will provide comfortable living despite the elongated shape.
How to plan the layout of the house
If a narrow lot house has a width of no more than 6-8 meters and an area of up to 120 square meters, then its shape will be elongated. Of course, it is preferable that the house be attic or two-story.
The windows located in the long walls of such a house will not receive enough light if they "rest" against the neighboring house. Accordingly, for better natural lighting, it is necessary to use to the maximum the area of favorably oriented short walls - southern, northern (if the entrance is located standardly to the north).
As a rule, in this case, the main premises are oriented towards the most illuminated spaces. From the side of the main facade there is an entrance hall and a kitchen, and the living room is planned so that its windows overlook the garden. In the middle part of the house, the rooms will be in conditions of limited insolation, therefore, a dining room, a hall, a dressing room or bathrooms, as well as utility rooms, including a boiler room, are located here. When the entrance to the site is provided from the north side, then on the second floor of such a house there are several bedrooms with windows in narrow parts for better insolation.
In the event that projects are created for the location of the house in the depths of the site, then its basic layout will be somewhat different. Then the terrace and the living room are oriented to the platform in front of the house. Maximum convenience will be provided if the entrance to the building is placed in the corner - so it will not occupy the main facade area, where the kitchen windows will be located. And the location of the entrance on the long side will avoid long corridors when passing into the central part of the house.
In such areas, houses are always designed for cramped conditions, so it makes sense to plan it vertically. Those. desirable to implement basement house designs or ground floor. This space is often used to accommodate technical rooms - pantries, laundries, boiler rooms, which will free up space on the main floors.
Using special tricks
When drawing up a layout, you should take into account certain, already proven "tricks":
- to increase the area of windows in the side walls, non-standard house designs provide for ledges, bay windows, bevels and cuts on the facade. This will allow not only to get more light, but also to close from the neighbors;
- in order to hide the terrace, use decorative walls. Or projects of houses with a terrace provide for its location in the building body;
- in order to have the maximum amount of light inside the house, there should be a minimum of internal walls in it, and sliding or glass partitions are used to separate the space. Windows in this case are as high as possible;
- house plan with atticnecessarily includes skylights, not lucarnes - both to receive more light and to protect against neighborly curiosity;
- the overhanging second floor, which is larger than the first, will save space on the site. Under such a second floor, a terrace is often located.
Economic aspects of construction
Building an elongated house on a narrow lot will be somewhat more expensive compared to building a square structure. After all, the total perimeter of the walls of an elongated house will be larger (with the same area): an elongated house with an area of 100 square meters. m will have wall dimensions of 16.6x6 meters, and a square one - 10x10 m. This means that the difference in the total perimeter and in material costs will be about 10-15%, and in the case of a two-story building - even more.It should also be borne in mind that the energy-saving qualities of a narrow house are worse than those of a square one. The most advantageous option can only be obtained if the long wall is oriented to the south, and the northern one is completely closed. The need to build a basement or build a basement will also increase the cost of construction.
But the construction of blocked houses with a common wall is considered beneficial. Such a house will be more economical than a free-standing square house by 8%, and a long one by 18%. In this case, it is also possible not to insulate the inner long wall. In addition, blocked houses are more efficient than detached ones and in terms of energy-saving qualities - by 25-35%. Given all these nuances, you can achieve good savings without losing the aesthetics and comfort of the building.
See, also, what a narrow house was built in Japan: it is more comfortable than many of our apartments and houses!
The restrictions that a narrow plot imposes on building a house are significant, but if desired, comfortable housing can also be built in cramped conditions. To do this, you will have to use the entire arsenal of ergonomic secrets.
The configuration of the cottage project is largely determined by the shape of the site, as well as its topography. In spacious areas, there are no problems with zoning. The ideal ratio of the area of the plot and the area of \u200b\u200bthe cottage is considered to be 10:1, respectively. In this case, you can freely choose the orientation of the building, the layout, the location of adjacent zones, and so on.
But as the difference between the numerator and denominator of a given proportion decreases, one problem after another emerges, limiting the freedom of action. In addition, the shape and topography of the site are also important. However, if these values are, one might say, constant, then the project of a cottage on paper lends itself to change and adaptation to cramped conditions.
Narrow sections and their problems
Narrow sections are those whose width does not exceed 15-20 meters. A plot of 10 meters wide is the narrowest. A house acceptable in terms of comfort cannot be already 6 meters, while according to regulatory requirements, there must still be space between it and the boundary of the site.
Elongated sections, as a rule, adjoin the street (road) on one of their narrow sides. For example, if the width of the site is 12 m, then theoretically it is possible to build a house 10 m wide on it, which is quite enough. It could be wider, but the regulations prohibit the construction of houses closer than 1 m from the border neighboring plot. In addition, there are standards for the minimum distance between buildings, depending on their fire resistance class.
At the same time, even the highest I degree of fire resistance allows the construction of a building no closer than 6 meters from a neighboring building. It turns out that the tightness on the site can be caused not only by its small width, but also by neighboring buildings erected almost close to your fence. Therefore, before buying a narrow plot, especially if its price is significantly underestimated, you should consult with a specialist who will outline the possibilities for building this allotment.
There are other inconveniences as well. For example, in a narrow area it is much more difficult not to catch the eye of neighbors. The design of the house and the zoning of the landscape must be drawn up taking into account the so-called. intimate comfort of living. In this case, a high fence is not the best way out, since it will visually make the site even narrower.
The narrow width of the site means the narrow width of the house, and this, in turn, will affect the layout and energy efficiency of the latter. To get enough living space, you have to choose two-story projects with a basement, which will also affect the cost of construction. If the neighboring areas are also elongated, then, most likely, the houses built on them will significantly reduce the insolation of your rooms, and the side windows of the first floor will overlook a closely located fence.
Minimizing the disadvantages of bottlenecks
First of all, I would like to note the value of the length of the narrow allotment. The larger it is, the correspondingly more chances to build a spacious dwelling. For example, if a neighboring house is located deep in the lot and close to your border, then it is possible to build your house closer to the road in order to increase its width without violating the regulations.
The long plot also makes it possible to separate the ancillary premises from the house, thereby expanding the living space. Bath, gym, workshop, garage - all this can be built separately. Quite a bold, but original and practical solution - dividing the house into two remote halves, interconnected by a covered passage. In this case, a swimming pool, terrace, playground, etc. can be conveniently located between these halves.
In a better position are those owners of narrow plots whose neighbors have not yet lined up. In this case, there is a good opportunity to coordinate with them the layout of the house and the site. Coordination is beneficial to everyone, therefore, as a rule, even not entirely tolerant neighbors are willing to negotiate, but this matter requires a diplomatic approach. The mutual arrangement of windows, the obscurity of terraces, pool areas, the height of the fence and, most importantly, the location of buildings on the site, should be the subjects of coordination.
The most successful is the orientation of the site in length from north to south. In this case, the ends of the house also face north and south, and then all the rooms receive enough light. At the same time, it is better that the site adjoins the road precisely on the north side, so that the living room faces the south side with windows to the garden. But the entrance from the south side greatly complicates the comfortable layout of the house on a narrow plot.
In neighboring areas, trees with large crowns can grow, the shadow of which extends to your allotment. It can be beneficial if you place a recreation area on a shaded area in the afternoon. In another case, the tree can block the insolation of living quarters, which is undesirable. The close proximity of the trees of a neighboring site can also interfere with the placement of a pool or ornamental pond, since in this case, fallen leaves will fill up the reservoirs.
The areas are not always flat, but for a narrow area, a certain relief can even be useful, for example, a slope. It can provide additional space for windows on the main facade if it allows the garage to be located in the basement.
Site zoning and general development plan
A house on a narrow plot should not occupy its center and shade the garden. The front and private areas are often separated by the building of the house. Ahead of him is the entrance to the garage, a paved area and a front garden. Behind is a well-lit garden and a seating area isolated from the street. There is a place for a swimming pool, a playground and outbuildings.
As for the size of the house and its place on the site, it all depends on the initial conditions, such as the location of the houses in the neighborhood, their fire resistance class and the topography of the site.
First of all, it is necessary to draw a plan with all adjacent areas and their buildings, indicating their fire resistance class. Then, on the plan, areas inaccessible for construction should be shaded in connection with fire regulations. Thus, the plan will clearly indicate the spot of the territory for possible development. Already, based on the shape of this spot, the architect comes up with the most good decision future home project.
With a southern orientation of the entrance, it is better to place a two-story house at the end of the site, leaving behind it a small area for outbuildings. In this case, the house will not obscure the garden, and all primitive architectural forms will remain out of sight. But the garage should be moved forward - then it will not be necessary to make a road through the entire site - at the same time, the garage, having a low height, will not create much shade.
If possible, the building of the house should be moved to one of the sides, unless, of course, the conditions of neighboring buildings allow it. The equidistant location of the house from the borders of a narrow lot will create too narrow passages on both sides, which will be difficult to use in any way. Shifting the house to the edge of the lot can also allow the entrance to be made from the long side, and the building itself to be moved to the beginning of the lot, which will allow carving out additional meters behind the house.
When distributing the zones of the site, one should take into account the location of the corresponding zones of the neighboring sites. So, recreation areas where a stationary barbecue or barbecue oven is installed should not be opposite each other. Companies by different sides fences will surely interfere with each other with loud music, noise and everything else.
Cottage layout
It is difficult to make a long and narrow house super comfortable, but it is still worth making the maximum effort for this. Living quarters should be located mainly on the sunny side. At the same time, the opposite long wall may not have them at all, especially if they face a high fence.
One of the obvious solutions is a long corridor on the side of low insolation and a row of living quarters on the other side. The staircase to the second floor in this case will be in the middle, in order to be symmetrically removed from the rooms. Or you can make two stairs - one at the entrance, the second - in the living room, located at the end. In general, there can be a lot of solutions, but they all solve the same problems:
- uncomfortable elongated shape;
- lack of insolation;
- visibility of the premises through the windows from the neighboring areas.
Bathrooms, pantries, a boiler room, a laundry room, a dressing room and other auxiliary rooms in a narrow house are best located closer to the center in order to leave the windows of the facades of the premises representative. If the house is located at the very end of the plot, then the living room and the terrace are brought forward - this is a standard scheme.
On the second floor there are bedrooms, each of which has a window. However, if instead of a picturesque landscape, a neighboring plot appears from the bedroom window, then it makes sense to think about a skylight - the sky is better than forced observation of someone else's private life.
Garden on a narrow lot
In conclusion, I would like to write a few words about how to create a garden on an oblong section, the width of which does not exceed 15-20 meters. You can only deal with tightness in the garden, the so-called. optical methods. To make the territory visually wider helps:
- division of the site into levels (retaining walls, terraces);
- conditional division of the site into zones using pergolas, translucent hedges, arches, trellises;
- winding paths that "break" the linearity of the site and change the perspective with each turn;
- transverse and zigzag rows of shrubs and trees, not planted in length;
- the location of landscape lines along the diagonal of the site or in an arc.
It is impossible to consider a narrow and long section as problematic. Whatever the configuration of the land allotment, the design will not be easy. Everything must be taken into account: the terrain, the occurrence of groundwater, the wind rose, orientation relative to the cardinal points, the composition of the soil, the proximity of urban objects, and many other factors. It is not always possible to choose a plot of the desired shape - we can inherit it or it is very important for us to build a house in a specific area, and we think about its shape last.
At the time of buying suburban area we often pay attention to its price and convenience of location. Only after a while, having started planning, we think about whether a long section is suitable for us.
Advantages and disadvantages of a narrow long section
Of course, if we are going to use most of the plot of 5 acres for a garden, and we have it long and narrow, and even with a northern orientation, it will be difficult to solve the problem. But if the site is large, or our acres are well lit, it will be easier to plan the site.
The advantages of a long section include:
- It is easy to break it into zones;
- If properly planned, every piece of land will find a use;
- The design of a summer cottage may not include a garden. But if you really want to plant at least a small piece of land with vegetables, it will be easy to fence it off so that the beds are not conspicuous;
- For fanatical lovers of vines or grapes, a long narrow section can be a real find.
The disadvantages include:
- It is not always possible to build a house of the desired layout on a narrow plot;
- The fence enclosing land ownership cannot be high and deaf, even if you strive for maximum privacy - it will simply block the access of light;
- The landscape design of a narrow area, even a very large one, does not provide for the presence a large number large trees, including fruit trees - they will obscure and hide the space even more;
- If the site is located along the road, it will be difficult to achieve good sound insulation;
- The planning of a long section should be carried out by an experienced specialist.
Layout Features
It should be noted that with inept planning, you can even put on the most advantageous configuration, with the most successful location, turned into a dull space unsuitable for life. On the contrary, properly designed, it will look so that it would never occur to anyone to remember what shape it is and whether it is well located.
Even if you have the necessary skills to arrange the site with your own hands, it is better to give the design to a specialist. If the garden plot is very small and there is no extra money, use our advice.
House location
In any land ownership, the main element is a residential building. If you just have to build it, keep in mind that the orientation of the end walls to the west and east will be the best. Thus, the dwelling will receive the greatest amount of light during the day. The best will be a rectangular elongated shape. Moreover, in small areas, the building can be built along the entire site, and access to the street is possible directly from the rooms.
As an option, it is possible to lay out a house of the so-called “carriage” type, when the rooms are located one after the other and all of them, with the exception of the one located at the end, are walk-through. But you can’t build a building too narrow - its width should not be less than 6 m, otherwise it will be very uncomfortable to live there.
You can build a two-story building or equip an attic. It would also be appropriate to make a vast basement, which can be equipped not only with office space, but also with a sauna or a gym.
Usually the gable of the house is directed towards the street, but on a long stretch it can be just inconvenient, do it the way you need it.
If there is heavy traffic or a restaurant on the street adjacent to the property, or night club, it makes sense to locate the house as deep as possible. Green spaces will protect you from dust, noise and prying eyes.
Site zoning
If your plot is tiny, zoning it will be difficult. But it will be quite easy to arrange an extensive allotment. Must be present:
- Representative zone. It immediately precedes the entrance to the house, it is also called the front area. On a large plot, it can be represented by a framed lawn alpine slides, flower beds, small decorative landscape groups. Here should be the most decorative showy plants, it requires especially careful care.
According to the laws landscape design the size of the lawn located in the representative area and the house should be related to each other 3:1. For a narrow area, an asymmetric lawn is desirable; small flower beds can be set up on it, slides can be arranged, or several rose bushes can be planted. We will talk about the color filling of flower beds below.
If your site does not allow an optional buffer zone in front of this zone, there should also be a parking lot for the car, if you have one. Parking should not be located strictly in the center of the site.
- Private zone. It is usually separated from the representative area by pergolas, trellises, a low picket fence or a backstage. The design of a narrow long section requires that the separating zones of the structure be low, the plants involved in their creation seem light and delicate, by no means bulky. Well if flowering plants and creepers used to separate zones will bloom pink, blue, or white.
We deliberately do not write what exactly should be in the private zone, it all depends on the size of the site, your preferences and capabilities. It can be a gazebo, a green study, a terrace for relaxing framed by a wide variety of plants, or something else.
- Specialized zone. It may involve the presence of a wide variety of buildings, and may consist of stretched ropes for drying clothes. In any case, it should not be viewed from the recreation area; it is fenced off in the same way as the two previous zones. It should be easy to access.
If space allows and there is a need, it makes sense to arrange: - Buffer or transit zone. It is located right behind the gate, between the street and the front area. It is desirable to arrange it, where you can leave your car, counters can be placed there, and if there is a need for any delivery, you will not need to let strangers into the front area.
It is possible to separate the buffer zone from the representative one more solidly - tall dense shrubs or Smaragd arborvitae planted close to each other would be appropriate here. You can put a brick wall or a high fence, if they do not obscure the main space. This will create the illusion that the section does not begin in front of the transit zone, but behind it. It will also protect you from noise and dust. Of course, they arrange a transit zone only if there is a large area.
- Playground. Another optional area. Usually it is located between the recreation area and the specialized area.
- Playground. Even if there is a sports area, it should be located directly behind the recreation area and its separation should be purely symbolic - adults should always see what is happening with children.
- Garden must adjoin directly to the specialized zone.
Tools to visually expand the site
In fact, there are a lot of them in the arsenal of a competent landscape designer. Each has its own secrets and tricks. To make the design of a narrow area not so difficult, we will give you some tips.
Color game
With the help of color, you can visually enlarge or reduce the area. In our case, it is necessary to visually bring the back wall closer and push the side walls apart. But if we have divided the space into zones, there is no need to bring the end of the site closer. Let's just look at what we can achieve by playing with colors:
- Blue flowers planted against the wall visually move it away.
- To expand the space, blue, pink and white flowers are suitable, planted in flowerbeds and flower beds in the foreground.
- If you have a small area, fill the flower beds with white and blue flowers, plant white and pale pink roses - it will be beautiful, the area will seem larger than it actually is, it will even become easier to breathe.
Optical illusion
The visual illusion allows you to create the effect of more space due to decorative leafy plants. garden plot seems more spacious if.