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Which plan for new build

6 years ago

We are building a house on the California coast with nice views to the west. One challenge is that the property has an existing octagonal structure on it at the high point of the property. The existing structure is quite nice - it’s easily a $600k structure so I want to keep it.

Option 1 has the master as a separate structure connected by a breeze way.

Option 2 has the master as part of the main structure.

We will reconfigure the deck around the octagonal structure (pictured below)

Which do you prefer?

Comments (12)

  • 6 years ago

    No matter the weather I don't like anything that requires me to walk outside to get from my bed to get a drink or eat something. I just like to hang in my PJ's in my house and not be outside in them. Especially since this looks like a setup of having small cabins where you might have people living in those and being out and about.

  • 6 years ago

    It's not that I mind going outside, I rather like it, but it's the late-night "I forgot to take the Frozen thing or if the freezer to the fridge"run that would get me, with all the unlocking and licking of doors. I also would just feel odd leaving the house so by itself. I did have that situation one weekend and it made me so uncomfortable. I'd at least have the breezeway be an enclosed be walkway instead.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I would think tying in the new structure with the existing structure would make sense at many levels, but I don't know all the facts. Will there be any continuity between the two structures setting next to each other on the same site?

    Will there be an approximate 18 feet difference between the garage floor an the proposed kitchen floor? Or will the site be built up to be flat like they do in Texas?

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I think that should be "locking of doors", unless there is more that I don't know.

  • 6 years ago

    I would also want the master bedroom connected to the main house via an indoor space.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks for the comments. Let me reply to the questions that were asked:

    1. For sure there will be enclosed space between the master and the rest of the house. It will be via an enclosed, climate controlled breezeway.

    2. The entire property slopes and thus the garage will be 18’ below the floor of the main house. No way around this one on the sloped site. To accommodate we put parking near the main house.

    3. There is 26’ feet between the existing structure and the proposed house.

    Thanks

  • 6 years ago

    I think over time you'd get tired of dealing with the breezeway and want the whole thing integrated together. Buyers would probably think the same, wondering why it's separated so.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Why isn't the existing structure integrated into the design of the new structure?

    Would it make more sense to locate the garage closer to the road to minimize the length of the driveway and the amount of site it would take up?

  • 6 years ago

    How much square footage is in the octagon? Looks like it would make a nice pool house/sauna/hot tub/game room location separate from the new build if you're into any of that.

  • 6 years ago



    Here is the topo to give a sense of elevation.


    Regarding the cost of the existing structure, it is 1200 squarefeet on two levels. It is post and beam construction and the posts are old growth redwood. The center of the cabin is a cylindrical river rock fire place

  • 6 years ago

    I like the idea of a breezeway connecting the master. I allows for some privacy from the rest of the house. It also adds a unique aspect to the home. I dont want to be rude, but I’m not a fan of the existing structure. What is it?