Fine Homes » Remodeling http://pppfinehomes.com Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:53:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 How to design and build a town house on a slopping terrain http://pppfinehomes.com/how-to-design-and-build-a-town-house-on-a-slopping-terrain/ http://pppfinehomes.com/how-to-design-and-build-a-town-house-on-a-slopping-terrain/#comments Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:29:04 +0000 http://pppfinehomes.com/how-to-design-and-build-a-town-house-on-a-slopping-terrain/
Andrew Karundu asked:


In the construction of town houses, the topography is critically assessed. In flat sites, the house is set out and the construction commences. In the design of the building, the topography of the land is considered. If the land is level, the entrance to the house remains on the ground floor. Since town houses have three levels of floors the entrance can be moved from the ground floor. The house plan should have ample lighting on the lower floors.

When commencing to build the town house on a sloppy terrain, mass excavations have to be undertaken. The procedure is to cut the ground at least one floor level below the natural ground level. The cutting of the soil should be done wider than the area of the house. The house design should have the main entrance facing the slope upwards. It is then bridged from the natural ground. A covered walk way is done joining the staircase at the first floor level.

The town house plan is then drawn on the new cut surface. The distance from the building to the soil embankment is at least ten feet. This will allow light into the windows and give access of walking round the house. The soil wall is retained and landscaped to give good aesthetics. On the opposite side the soil is filled and compacted to allow a garden in front of the lounge or veranda. This will allow the building and yards to be placed on a flat ground.

The town house design is set out and construction starts. The landscaper should provide stepped levels to create a benched terrain. This can be done using short retaining walls. The entrance door way should be large enough to allow movement upwards or downwards. In the design the entrance on first floor should be into a family room. The kitchen, dinning, lounge and guest wing are put on the ground floor. Bedrooms are put on first and attic floors.


]]> http://pppfinehomes.com/how-to-design-and-build-a-town-house-on-a-slopping-terrain/feed/ 0 The Wonder of Green Technology http://pppfinehomes.com/the-wonder-of-green-technology/ http://pppfinehomes.com/the-wonder-of-green-technology/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:36:24 +0000 http://pppfinehomes.com/the-wonder-of-green-technology/
Joe Cline – Austin Real Estate Broker asked:


“Modern technology, owes ecology, an apology” is an old saying. In the case of the new technology in building homes, this proverb seems to be false. Those energy and resource efficient green homes built in Austin are real gifts from modern technology to the environment. Green Homes have become a buzz word in Austin and with technological innovation leading to more energy savings, green technology is making progress towards becoming synonymous with ecology.

Breathe Easy

Many green homes are built using toxin-free building materials like bamboo or straw inorder to combat indoor air pollution, which is much worse than outdoor air pollution. Unhealthy air inside a room is capable of causing serious health problems like cancer and respiratory ailments like asthma. The non-toxic building materials used, include paints without volatile organic compounds and toxin-free insulation materials made from soybeans. This means that you can breathe fresh, non-toxic air.

Energy Dependency

The demand for Green Homes has steadily increased nowadays as they attempt to totally eliminate the impacts of buildings on the environment and human health. These green homes take advantage of renewable natural resources, where possible. These green homes reduces our dependence on conventional energy sources as they generate energy from alternate energy sources such as sun, wind, geo-thermal energy and bio-mass for their energy needs. Moreover water conserving irrigation systems help green homes use 50% less water than standard homes. Water conservation such as this has become very important with many places experiencing less rainfall and longer more intense dry weather conditions.

Green Homes, Cost-Efficient Too

The net cost of owning and operating a green home is usually far cheaper than owning a standard home. Upfront costs may be higher because most of the architects and home builders don’t have the knowledge and experience to build green homes as efficiently as standard homes. However, people living in these green homes save money month by month, as many green homes use 30% less water and 30% less energy than standard homes. Over the years these moderate savings, add up to BIG savings. Green Homes will also keep you healthier, which means, fewer expensive doctor visits and fewer days missed to work.



Regarding design, green homes can be every bit as welcoming, cozy, and spacious as non-green homes. Additionally, there are a wide range of designs available from which to choose when selecting your green home. You can go modern, traditional, neo-classical or for the adventurous even go geodesic dome style. The trend in going green in Austin has grown rapidly. With more and more builders, architects, and contractors learning about Green Homes your choices in a healthy, efficient, and green home are growing!

SO, what are you waiting for? Get your own Green Home and hold the keys for a greener and healthier tomorrow.


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