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Hermi19825 Mar 2013 01:14Hello home builders,
The time has come: we have purchased a plot of land measuring 15 x 28.5 meters (49 x 94 feet), and construction is planned to start in about 1.5 years. Since the bureaucratic processes here are a bit slower than in Europe, we are already beginning to think about the build.
One important point to mention: the plot is not in Europe but in Brazil. Since during our "winter" it can sometimes get quite chilly for about a week (+8°C (46°F)), we want to actually feel that in the house and therefore plan to build without heating (like 99.9% of houses here).
What must definitely be included are practical air conditioning units and a pool. Both are already accounted for in the budget.
The garage will be located in the basement, and the other basement rooms will only be used for storage, workshop, and technical purposes.
The house dimensions should be around 12 x 13 meters (39 x 43 feet). There also needs to be space for a pool of about 6 x 8 meters (20 x 26 feet). At the front, 4 meters (13 feet) must remain clear, and on the other three sides, a 1.5-meter (5 feet) setback from the neighboring properties is required. Since the house will be built within a gated community (condomínio fechado), which has several rules, I need at least 175 m² (1885 sq ft) of living space. With two floors at 12 x 13 meters, this should be easily achievable, right?
If you have any other ideas for houses of this kind, please share them here.
Don’t even ask about a soil report; those don’t exist here.
What I am a bit worried about is moisture, especially in the basement. I have already asked if it is possible to use watertight concrete (WU concrete) for the basement, but nobody seems to know about that here. Twice I was advised to simply cast the basement with regular concrete and then plaster it with a special watertight plaster. But then I wonder, "Why bother casting concrete if I have to seal it afterward anyway?" Do you see it the same way, or does this advice make sense?
What you need to know is that we have extremely high humidity levels of 80%–90% for many months here, and during the rainy season it can pour down heavily every day. I want to avoid using wood as a building material as much as possible. The roof structure will be entirely concrete, and of course, there won’t be any wooden windows or doors—only PVC windows from Weiku (they have a factory almost at our doorstep).
The house will not really be insulated because you simply don’t need it for the two cooler weeks a year. Instead, every room will have an air conditioner, which can also provide some heating if needed.
I am currently deciding which architect to hire for the planning:
1. Someone with several years of professional experience, or
2. A cousin who just finished her architecture studies and would practically do it "for free" to get her first reference project.
Who would you choose?
If you need any more information, just ask.
Greetings from Brazil
Hermi
The time has come: we have purchased a plot of land measuring 15 x 28.5 meters (49 x 94 feet), and construction is planned to start in about 1.5 years. Since the bureaucratic processes here are a bit slower than in Europe, we are already beginning to think about the build.
One important point to mention: the plot is not in Europe but in Brazil. Since during our "winter" it can sometimes get quite chilly for about a week (+8°C (46°F)), we want to actually feel that in the house and therefore plan to build without heating (like 99.9% of houses here).
What must definitely be included are practical air conditioning units and a pool. Both are already accounted for in the budget.
The garage will be located in the basement, and the other basement rooms will only be used for storage, workshop, and technical purposes.
The house dimensions should be around 12 x 13 meters (39 x 43 feet). There also needs to be space for a pool of about 6 x 8 meters (20 x 26 feet). At the front, 4 meters (13 feet) must remain clear, and on the other three sides, a 1.5-meter (5 feet) setback from the neighboring properties is required. Since the house will be built within a gated community (condomínio fechado), which has several rules, I need at least 175 m² (1885 sq ft) of living space. With two floors at 12 x 13 meters, this should be easily achievable, right?
If you have any other ideas for houses of this kind, please share them here.
Don’t even ask about a soil report; those don’t exist here.
What I am a bit worried about is moisture, especially in the basement. I have already asked if it is possible to use watertight concrete (WU concrete) for the basement, but nobody seems to know about that here. Twice I was advised to simply cast the basement with regular concrete and then plaster it with a special watertight plaster. But then I wonder, "Why bother casting concrete if I have to seal it afterward anyway?" Do you see it the same way, or does this advice make sense?
What you need to know is that we have extremely high humidity levels of 80%–90% for many months here, and during the rainy season it can pour down heavily every day. I want to avoid using wood as a building material as much as possible. The roof structure will be entirely concrete, and of course, there won’t be any wooden windows or doors—only PVC windows from Weiku (they have a factory almost at our doorstep).
The house will not really be insulated because you simply don’t need it for the two cooler weeks a year. Instead, every room will have an air conditioner, which can also provide some heating if needed.
I am currently deciding which architect to hire for the planning:
1. Someone with several years of professional experience, or
2. A cousin who just finished her architecture studies and would practically do it "for free" to get her first reference project.
Who would you choose?
If you need any more information, just ask.
Greetings from Brazil
Hermi
There is a saying among architects:
The first house you build is for your enemy,
the second for a friend,
and the third house is for yourself.
It’s already difficult enough to find someone familiar with the local regulations, so I would rely on an experienced architect. Of course, for a beginner, this could be a great project—maybe they could participate as a cooperation partner, learning on the job with the ongoing construction.
Consider the consequences if your cousin makes a serious mistake here… could you live with that, and could she?
With strangers, insurance usually covers everything, and you rarely have to see each other again, but with family… well, you do cross paths every now and then, don’t you?
The first house you build is for your enemy,
the second for a friend,
and the third house is for yourself.
It’s already difficult enough to find someone familiar with the local regulations, so I would rely on an experienced architect. Of course, for a beginner, this could be a great project—maybe they could participate as a cooperation partner, learning on the job with the ongoing construction.
Consider the consequences if your cousin makes a serious mistake here… could you live with that, and could she?
With strangers, insurance usually covers everything, and you rarely have to see each other again, but with family… well, you do cross paths every now and then, don’t you?
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