The Drawing Board Studio » Custom Home Design

SketchUp Construction Documents

Brandon — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:36:55 +0000

I decided to try this despite the controversy on the subject. Here is a plan I drew (to be built mind you) all on SketchUp and LayOut. I quite enjoyed it. I had a few bugs and kinks with LayOut which kept kicking me out, but I forged thru them. Lets just say I will be doing this again shortly. Let me know what you think.

Tuscan Villa

Brandon — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:12:53 +0000

The buzz lately especially within the bounds of this website has been small house plans. I am intrigued with the response my few really small plans have received. So I have created this little beauty to add to the hype. You can purchase this plan immediately here. Interested in this plan but not ready to purchase, or have reservations? Please leave your comments below. Thanks.

Teeny Home

Brandon — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:36:33 +0000

First of all I came across this website sometime last week and I loved it. If you venture to it check out the videos of Jay’s personal home. I dont know Jay-never even heard of him or his homes until I found his website. I love what he is doing.

Personally I am a huge fan of small homes but I dont think I could manage in such a small space (especially with my kids) but this weeks Plan was inspired by Jay Shafer and his Tumbleweed Homes.

I put a lot of time and thought into this plan. It utilizes every space. For instance The closet in the main room hangs on a pole and slides out into the main room. Pulled out it covers the windows and helps turn the main room into a bedroom. A wall bed above the couch folds down over the couch finalizing the conversion. Place dirty clothes in hamper in closet at bedtime, in the morning get dressed push closet back into place and have access to the dirty clothes hamper in the bath room next to the stacked washer and dryer. Computer desk, wood burning fireplace, built in dinette, and ladder access to the loft and storage in the basement. I left the basement open but you could utilize that space how ever you needed. You can purchase this plan here

2009 Parade Home Sneak Peek

Brandon — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:23:39 +0000

We were just informed that one of our homes will be featured in the 2009 St. George Parade of Homes. Here is a sneak peek. This home is 5000 sq.ft. give or take. It was designed for a local builder as his personal residence. Be sure to catch this one during the parade. Yes with the economy in turmoil, this years parade will most likely be more down scaled than last years parade.

Passive Solar Design

Brandon — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:06:00 +0000

With temperatures well into the 100’s and rising, and living costs rising its hard to listen to the AC unit outside run all day long and especially all night long. Living in the desert brings several building practices to a higher standard, including building design practices.
Todays topic is Passive Solar Design. Basically passive solar design is the practice of building design that utilizes the layout of the structure, its materials and its orientation with the sun to create an environment that reduces the need for heating and cooling systems while maintaining a desirable level of comfort. While I do not profess to be an expert on this topic, I understand the principle and continue to study and implement certain design/layout specific issues into each custom home design. Many factors play a key role in designing a passive solar home. Here are a few that fall under my own criteria:

Orienting the building so the kitchen, dining, and or great room capture the morning sun.
Adequately-sizing windows to face the midday sun in the winter, and be shaded in the summer.
Minimizing windows and placing garages on western facing side.
Erecting correctly-sized overhangs, or shading elements (shrubbery, trees, trellises, fences, shutters, etc.)
Using thermal mass to store excess solar energy during the winter day (which is then re-radiated during the night).
Using and correctly placing operable windows throughout the home to allow proper ventilation and allow hot air to escape to the outside.

We use computer programs that allow us to determine the exact location of the home so we can study how the suns travel during each season will react with the layout of the home and then design accordingly. Lets plan your next home together.

Here are some ideas that intrigue me:

The use of a Trombe wall
Cooltowers (like those used at the Zion National Park visitor center.)
Daylighting
Geothermal energy
Photovoltaics and Solar energy

Southern Utah Housing Market

Brandon — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:06:00 +0000

Well, just kinda browsing this morning and found an article on KUTV.com talking about the “iced” So. Utah market. Check the article out here. I know a few business that are sweating this down market. I also know a few businesses that are trudging along. So much of this community lives on the construction industry. I bet now would be some good times to build if you can.

Sneak Peek

Brandon — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:36:00 +0000

Here is a peek at one of the 2008 Parade Homes we did. You will not want to miss this one. It has a full size bowling lane, amongst other great features. Be sure to check it out in February.

Home remodels and additions

Brandon — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:43:00 +0000

Since the price of land has jumped since 2005. People have chosen to upgrade their existing residence instead of starting from scratch. I have seen a lot of these lately. Here is a preview of one home that we have recently done.

Before:

After:

2007 Iron County Parade of Homes

Brandon — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:17:00 +0000

This year I was able to design a home for the Iron County Parade of Homes. The builder Black Springs Homes did an excellent job building my ideas. Check it out here. I will post pictures soon.

P.S. Everyone always misspells my name

Why do Custom plans cost so much?

Brandon — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:57:00 +0000

I am going to build a house where do I start? What options do I have available? If you are asking yourself these questions, or feel you will be asking these questions in the near future, you have come to the right place.
You need answers before you spend any money on something you may regret. First of all you may need to know the difference between an architect and a draftsman. The most common difference with the most distinction is PRICE. An architect will be well versed in products and material integrity. In most cases the architect will oversee the project to ensure the home is built precisely as planned. A great service but is not free. A draftsman will prepare construction documents as outlined by a plan designer. The plan designer may be the owner, the general contractor, an architect, or even the draftsman.
Don’t be fooled by the cost of “Blueprints” and the cost of “Architectural Services” or “Designing Services”. If you have seen the Home Plans books that have hundreds of plans to choose from and notice the cost of those plans compared to the cost you may have been quoted from an architect or plan designer. The cost is significantly different. The reason being the designer of those pre-drawn plans has already made his money on designing that plan. Why not re-sell the plan to make a few more bucks.
You need to determine which choice best fits your interests.

1. If you can find a pre-drawn plan that you love and could see yourself moving into then that is your best bet. It will be the cheapest and fastest route during the planning stages. DO NOT purchase a plan if you think you can just change a few things and be happy.

2. If you have a basic idea or concept and would like to be involved in the designing, or have a floor layout that needs a few changes, or have no idea and would like something to match your lifestyle then a plan designer may be your best bet.

3. If you would like the person involved in the design to oversee all aspects of construction and design, from interior furnishings to exterior finishes, negotiating contacts with General Contractors and even Sub Contractors, and possibly providing an overall theme to your house (inside and out) than an architect may be your best bet.
The most important thing to know is that you are the person who will live in the house. Ultimately you need to be comfortable relaxing in your recliner enjoying the view from your perfectly placed window. You need to have the proper space available when entertaining family and friends. You will enjoy the cozy window seat as you catch up with your favorite book. And unfortunately you may need to be real comfortable with the payment. The choice is yours. Here is a quick list of things you may want to consider before consulting with an Architect, Engineer, Designer, Draftsman, Planner, or Builder.
• What does my State/County/City require of me before I can break ground on my project?
• Where am I going to build my house?
• How much house can I afford?
• Spending more time during the planning stage can save more time and possibly money in the long run.