DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTS AND IDEAS
Plus:
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The curved exterior walls look awesome and are very different
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Would show a high level of skills and a high degree of difficulty
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Uses creativity and individuality to come up with an interesting feature building
Minus:
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Would be very hard to draw in ARCHICAD
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Would be difficult to sketch and create plans for.
Interesting:
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You could be creative and design it however you want to and make it really random.
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Garage under the house
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Curved exterior lighting looks awesome
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Large whole-wall windows are really cool as they make it feel really open
Evaluation:
A random types of building like this would be too hard and although I want to get marks for level of difficulty, I am going to stick with something a bit more simple.
Plus:
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It looks really modern and awesome from the outside with the huge windows and range of different materials
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Wouldn't be too hard but would still show a high level of skills
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Has cool features such as modern outdoor pools, stairs, big windows, glass walls and textured walls.
Minus:
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ARCHICAD wouldn’t offer the features to make it look as cool as it does in photos
Interesting:
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Could make it your own and be creative in the design of it
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Could add any interesting features to make it stand out
Evaluation:
Is a really good idea and It could turn out really cool but I feel like I would never be able to make it as cool as it looks in pictures. I can't decide on this or the ski lodge but I think if I did the ski lodge, there is a lot more I can do with it.
Plus:
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The entrance that juts out, the large back windows and the pentagon shape all make it look awesome
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The Pentagon shape is really cool
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Has a cozy feel and atmosphere about it as it is in the mountains.
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Has potential to add my own features and interesting aspects to it.
Minus:
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Really small
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Quite simple to draw and not difficult enough to display my skills
Interesting:
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Pentagon shape looks really cool
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Jut out feature at the entrance
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Glass wall at the back with a mountain view
Evaluation:
I started to design this in ARCHICAD for my major project as it was the idea I had decided on originally but as I was drawing it, I decided that it was too simple and I wanted to do something a bit more difficult to display my level of skills and get marks for level of difficulty.
Plus:
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The wooden exteriors give it a cozy and wintery feel
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Wouldn't be too difficult but would still get good marks
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Has a really cool atmosphere as it is in the mountains and I could focus on making it luxurious and cozy.
Minus:
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I will have to come up with a design that is good for hosting guests, entertaining and has a relaxing and luxurious flow.
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Is quite big and might be hard to include all of the details
Interesting:
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I can make it my own touch by adding different feature such as making it out of logs.
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Grand staircase
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Private balconies
Evaluation:
After starting to design a mountain cabin and deciding it was too simple, I made the decision to upgrade to a ski lodge. This mountain chalet is not too easy and not too hard and I could make it look really cool by adding different features and using my own ideas. I have decided to make the lodge out of logs to give it a cozy wintery feel.
Rough sketch:
Evaluation:
This is definitely not the floorplan I am going to use as it is too small and cramped and needs a lot of improvement to fit the customers needs. This plan doesn't have enough bedrooms, is not spacious enough, doesn't have any spa and massage facilities and there is no outdoor area.
Floor Plan:
Plus:
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Windows at the back with amazing views
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The two wings on each side gives it a symmetrical feel and makes it more functional and practical as the dining is on one side and the entertainment and facilities on the other.
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Staircase at immediate entry makes it easy for guests to find their way upstairs.
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A bookcase upstairs so the guests can help themselves to a nice book while enjoying the scenic view
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Large games room to entertain the guests
Minus:
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Is too cramped, there is not enough space
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There are no spas or pools in this design, which is a crucial part of a luxury ski lodge
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The shape is too boxy and rectangular
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Reception desk is not at the front which makes inefficient and awkward for guests
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There is only 10 bedrooms which is not enough for a luxury ski lodge. The amount of bedrooms does not balance the amount of tables and seating.
Interesting:
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Voids on the first floor gives it an open feel as anyone upstairs can still feel the atmosphere of the ground floor
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Circular driveway- ease of access and aesthetically pleasing
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Grand staircase- makes the lodge feel more grand and luxurious
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Grand pianos on both floors add to the luxurious, grand atmosphere.
Rough sketch:
Evaluation:
This design is way too big for my ski lodge as it is 70m x 120m it has way too many bedrooms and way too much wasted space. The negative aspects of this design definitely weigh out the positives and most of the bedrooms and ensuites have no windows.
Floor Plan:
Plus:
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Lots of space and lots of bedrooms, spacious eating areas
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The storage area is a good 'back of house' area for the workers
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Void gives the lodge an open feel
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Large games room for entertainment
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The reception desk is in a much more practical and accessible location.
Minus:
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The lodge is way too big, there are too many bedrooms and a lot of wasted space
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Wouldn't work as not all of the bedrooms and bathrooms have windows
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No outdoor seating areas
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The windows on the first floor look down straight onto the cover of the storage zone.
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There are no public toilets- they could be added on the ground floor as there is a lot of space for them.
Interesting:
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All of the large windows and views are centered at the front of the lodge, instead of the back.
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The back area is used for storage and loading
Rough sketch:
Evaluation:
This design is a much better size and shape than the last design. In this design I have changed the void to give the building more flow, added an outdoor area on the ground floor and a spa and pool area. These things help add to the clients needs and wants and make the lodge more luxurious and practical.
Plus:
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Shape of this building looks better than the H shape
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Added outdoor area that steps down so the view can still be enjoyed by those on the ground floor
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Reception desk is in a more practical position
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Public toilets on the ground floor
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There are now spas which is a critical aspect in a ski lodge
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Kitchenette upstairs for guests to serve themselves and make their own coffee.
Floor Plan:
Minus:
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Shape of the building means that some rooms are a very awkward shape, including the male toilets on the ground floor and some of the ensuites on the first floor
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The spas have replaced the games and media room which was a good addition, so I need to find a way to fit both the spas and the games room in.
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There is no 'back of house' areas or private areas for the workers
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Eating areas are still a bit cramped
Interesting:
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Spas and an Indoor pool is added and is inside as it is not heated.
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Outdoor area with fire pits and a benchtop with bar stools looking out to the amazing view
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Void is now in the middle and is larger- spreads the open feel to all the bedrooms and the whole of the first floor, rather than just to one side
Rough sketch:
Other possible rooftop layouts:
Floor Plan:
Evaluation:
So far, this is my current design. I really like it and there are a lot of positive aspects to it. The entertainment and flow is good and I am very happy with the rooftop layout and infinity pool. Although it's good, there are a few negative aspects to it that I need to fix up for my final design, such as the fact there is no 'back of house' or private section for the workers.
Minus:
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There is no 'back of house'/ storage/private section for the workers
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The rooftop spas could potentially get snow as it is uncovered- could have added a cover of some sort.
Plus:
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Added rooftop level for spas, massage rooms and a heated infinity pool to make space on the ground level for more entertainment and also to make the spas more special with a high mountain view
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Games room is back- downstairs and a cinema/Media room is added to provide more entertainment for the guests
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Shape of building has improved to make it more practical, now there aren't really awkward shaped rooms and ensuites
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Void is now a rectangle which makes it a better and more practical shape compared to the last design
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The upstairs walkway around the void now joins up- makes it more practical
Interesting:
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2 Master suites- bigger rooms with better views- accommodation for these rooms would be more expensive.
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Sunken outdoor area
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Luxury heated infinity pool on the rooftop, all the way around the edge- with a glass wall edges- This gives the pool an amazing open feel, almost like you’re swimming in mid-air with an amazing high mountain view
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Private spa rooms on the rooftop for the guests to purchase time in- they are raised higher than the infinity pool with steps so they are more private and have a view of the mountains past the people in the pool.
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Covered glass roof over the void
The things that have changed from my final floorplan sketch to my current design are...
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In my final sketch, the heated Infinity pool went all the way around the outside of the building at the back and the private spa rooms were set back from the edge of the building. This changed in my final design as I couldn't create a pool that was any shape I wanted, the only pool I could create was a rectangle shape. I decided just to create two Heated pools either side of the building and move the spa rooms to the edge of the building. This worked well in the end as the spa rooms could have large windows overlooking the mountain views.
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The door to the rooftop comes out the opposite side of the void to my original idea. This was because I needed more space for the stairs so they could reach the rooftop as it is a large slab made to fit a pool inside it. I had to make the stairs go up to the original side, create a landing then go up the other way and come out the opposite side.
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Most of the dimensions have completely changed.
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The Outdoor area is not sunken in the final design. I think the sunken outdoor are is a cool ide but as that part of my mountain was flat, it would involve either raising my lodge or altering the land in which case, I decided not to worry about adding steps down to the outdoor area.
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The Restaurant and Bar has changed and is now placed on the front wall rather than the side.
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The sitting and eating areas have slightly changed layout, mainly in the furnishings but also in the placement of the fireplaces.
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The grand staircase is much closer to the front entrance as it is the only way I could fit the stairs in and make them reach the top of the first floor, while making sure they aren't too steep.
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The position of the kitchenette on the first floor has changed, it has been moved more to the side to allow a sitting area with window views.
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The covered roof over the void is not made of glass, the walls are but the roof is made of color bond to match up with the other two roof parts.
Façade sketches
Façade sketch 1...
Evaluation:
This design is not the design I want to use for my façade because it is too light and I don’t love the vertical log look. The rendered strip in the middle of the lodge looks a bit ugly and overall the whole design doesn't comply with what I am going for with the look of my ski lodge.
Façade sketch 2...
Evaluation:
I like this façade better because I like the dark wood better than the light and I also would prefer the horizontal logs. There is still a large practical driveway and now it is made of stone rather than of concrete. This gives it a more detailed look but would be much more expensive and not as simple. This is currently the design I am going to use for the façade of my Major Project.
The things that have changed from my final façade sketch to my current design are...
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The driveway is not made of stone, It is made of concrete with a brushed finish. This makes it more simple and less expensive.
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In my sketch, the roof is flat, which doesn't make sense for a place that gets snow as the snow would build up. I have created a sloped roof for my ski lodge, even though some sections of the Rooftop are not covered, including the heated pools.
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There are no Pot plants at the entrance.
Building Materials
Wooden Log exterior...
I have chosen to build my ski lodge out of logs as they will make it look more and feel more cozy and comfortable while also keeping the lodge insulated and warm. The log exterior will also give it the rustic wintery look I am going for.
Different types of wood...
Evaluation:
I have chosen to create my ski lodge out of cedar log exteriors as cedar is the best and most popular type of wood for log homes and exterior walls. The reasons for my choice of wood are that cedar is strong, insect-resistant and has a lower shrinkage rate than most types of wood therefore it doesn’t need to be kiln dried. Cedar is a good price as it is not too expensive compared to cypress wood and even though it does cost more than other varieties of wood, it is worth its value.
Roof...
The most common roof materials in Australia are Roof tiles and metal sheeting or color bond. I have chosen to create my ski lodge roof out of Earl Grey Color Bond as it is long lasting and doesn't require much maintenance, it is very sturdy and environmentally sustainable while also completing the stylish rustic look.
Logo
Evaluation: I created a logo for my designing company that I can place on my plans to make them more professional. I created 4 similar designs and have chosen the first design as I like it the best. It is simple and easy to read and the image resembles both the letter A and a mountain, implying that my company doesn’t just design houses but bigger projects such as ski lodges.
