Airy gate with a breeze
An airy gate that lets the breeze into the house.
For the architect
Gate, yard & garden
12 notes
Step 1
Before signing the contract
Get to know each other and make both sides' expectations clear before signing with the architect.
Step 2
Guiding principles
Apply to every item; restate them to the architect and contractor from the start.
Step 3
Design & preparation
Things to settle before construction starts.
Step 4
Structure & rough construction
Foundation, floors, walls, concrete, waterproofing.
Step 5
In-wall building systems
Electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning, network — done before plastering and tiling.
Step 6
Surface finishing
Floors, walls, ceilings, doors, paint.
Step 7
Equipment & built-in cabinetry
Kitchen, sanitary ware, built-in cabinets.
Step 8
Furniture, lighting & decor
Loose furniture and lighting, done last inside the house.
Step 9
Garden & exterior
Gate, yard, plants, irrigation.
Question
Self-opening gate
A gate that opens by itself - drive home without getting out to open it; it latches itself when closed, no need for a sliding bolt. What is the difference between a spring self-opening gate and an automatic gate? Which should be chosen?
Kitchen / house opening to the garden
The kitchen / house opens onto the garden.
Sun shade that still looks good
Sun shading that still looks good (if needed).
Rockery and guppy pond
A small rockery + guppy fish pond in the front yard; a place to hang a hammock in the yard.
No hand watering
No need to water plants or spray water to cool the yard by hand every day.
No rain splash
No rain splashing onto the front yard / porch, the back yard (BBQ, laundry drying), the balcony / roof terrace.
Yard and road lit at night
The yard and the road in front of the house are bright enough at night (the road in front of the house is rather dark).
Durable garden electrics
Garden electrics that last, not damaged by tree roots and water; outdoor cables safe during gardening and digging. Plan the yard lighting scenarios in advance; leave wires / sockets for later connection (solar power, generator, bulbs, BBQ area sockets).
Easy-to-clean yard, walls and features
Yard, walls and landscape features that are easy to clean - plan this right from the design stage.
Question
Two large mai (yellow apricot) trees
2 large mai (yellow apricot blossom) trees in the yard; 1 pomelo tree - can it be planted on the balcony? When advising on plants in the garden and in the house: state clearly the plant type, plant shape, care notes and the reason for choosing that plant.
Outdoor motorbike parking
A place for motorbikes outside the house, but refined enough and discreet. The residential land area may have to be increased.
Step 10
Handover, operation & maintenance
Checks before taking over the house and after moving in.