Hello Client,
The idea was inspired by the your request of a terrace on the 2nd floor. For this reason I chose to design a modern villa whereby both occupants,(in the case that it is occupied by two individuals), can connect with and enjoy the outdoors from different rooms without the need to intrude on any ones space. Leading to the introduction of terraces at different points of the house, on the first and second floor. To help emphasize on this concept I introduced floor to ceiling height sliding glass panels on the first floor as the highlight of the design. This serves various functions:- First, it allows as much natural light as possible into the living and dining rooms. When the glass panels are open, it brings a sense of connection to the outdoor environment without the need of a terrace. This also improves cross ventilation across the entire open space especially during summer. And finally, if coupled with some selected trees of your liking planted around the compound, the glass panels will act as perfect view to the vegetation outside. Just infront of the glass panels are thick vertical galvanized steel bars bolted to the slab and they too have multiple functions. First, they act as a privacy veil especially since there are roads next to the plot. But if you couple the bars with a nice subtle vegetation, privacy will not be a concern. Second, they help highlight the glass wall. This is most evident at night when light is shining form the living spaces. The steel bars create a unique and eye catching pattern that can be appreciated from a far. The steel bars also provide security from falling below. Enabling the occupant to confidently open up the space and let all that natural light and ventilation in, without worrying for their kids safety. Not to forget, they also act as sun shading elements for rooms behind the glass panels. Finally, they act as a secondary support structure to help support the cantilevered sections of the design. Another highlight of the design are the terraces. Terraces will have cantilevered timber pergola roofing for various reasons too. First, this will help enhance the design pattern derived from steel work (from the floor to ceiling galvanized steel bars to the steel stair railing and structure). This creates a coherent design across all floors. They also act as sun shading elements. Enabling one to get benefits of daylight within the rooms without the harsh solar radiation that comes with it. Another advantage of pergola is that it creates interesting shadows within the terrace space. this greatly improves the experience of the terraces making them seem beautiful, modern and yet serene. The pergola should be cantilevered to enhance the idea of openness throughout the design. Coupled with that, terrace walls will be cladded using wooden planks to elevate the cantilevered timber pergola pattern. This makes the terrace feel as one wholesome space. The presence of large sliding doors or windows beside them enhance fluidity between the spaces. The final major feature of the design are the floating stairs. Floating stairs helps modernize the house making it seem more exotic. When coupled with the galvanized steel bars, it helps create a beautiful, simple yet seemingly sophisticated entrance design that may even act as a conversation starter. The external stair can be constructed using a stair beam firmly embedded into the walls and a center stair beam both connected by steel strips beneath each step. It would be advisable to be guided by an engineer on how to achieve this. The steps and landing may be finished with either wood or plastered concrete depending on your preference. When it comes to the internal stairs there are various ways to support it. One can opt to make use of the thick steel column found at the center of the stair as an anchor. The design is elongated to take advantage of the whole site while still having the 5m allowance across all borders needed. The heights are unchanged and designed to your specifications. Entrance to the site is still along the current street. The choice of flat roof was guided by the pergola-like terraces the building is to have. Rooms have been arranged in a North to South orientation to take maximum advantage of daily sunlight. Living and Dining room to the Eastside to enable one to have a serene well lit breakfast. Kitchen and Bath to the west to have a well lit space while preparing dinner. Bedrooms have also been designed to take advantage or minimize disadvantages depending on the orientation. Bedrooms to the east have large windows to allow morning light in. Bedrooms to the West have a terrace alongside them to block the harsh West sun. Rooms are large open spaces to reduce light blockage across the room and to allow maximum cross ventilation within the spaces. Large windows should be installed to for these reasons too, while still seamlessly fitting in to the surroundings. The building also has nice clean edges to it resembling modern architecture. Entrance doors should be metallic sliding doors while doors out to terraces should be glass built as they also serve as sources of light. I hope the design is to your satisfaction, I had fun trying to find solutions to your brief. The design is still easily customizable to fit your exact preferences. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about the design. Thank you.