Posted on

Favorite Links

Doll House Plan

Favorite Links leads to products that the designer prefers

These days it’s common to see elevators in high end residential homes that have more than one level. Luxury and convenience are top priority, and elevators deliver, however, what could be more exciting than a vacuum elevator. The round cylinder shapes work well with any style home

Vacuum Elevators

Windows and doors have come a long way over the years, but Nanowall takes the cake with sliding doors that disappear into walls, or bifolding exterior doors. It’s a new world

Nanowall systems

Here’s a window that looks fantastic, lasts a life time, and keeps the weather out

Weathershield windows

If you love round or curved walls, visit this website to see what new products they have. Building will be a breeze, and time is money

FlexAbility Concept

This company can create gorgeous molding custom fitted to your curves

Trimster

 

Posted on

House plan design criteria

Barndo home plan

House plan design criteria

Provided by Unique House Plans

Copy and paste the info below into a word program or email form, and then describe or answer as best you can

Where are you building?

Heated and cooled square feet?

Unheated square feet?

Garage? How many stalls? Special requirements? Storage or work space?

Do you prefer the garage doors to be hidden from front view?

Portico (carport)?

Basement or walkout lower level?

Work out room or area?

Swimming pool? indoors or out?

Do you enjoy spending time outdoors dining or lounging?

Bedrooms?

Bathrooms?

Should the master suite have a separate shower and bath?

Should each bedroom have it’s own bath or shared or accessed from hall?

Types of closets in bedrooms?

How many levels not including basement or lower level?

Fireplace(s) wood burning, gas, or gas starter?

Exterior and interior style?

Do you prefer hardwood, tile or marble, stained concrete or carpet flooring?

Would you like round, curved or angled walls incorporated into the design?

What type of front entry do you prefer?

Where do you prefer doing laundry? Closet set up, laundry room fully equipped?

Is the kitchen important? Do you cook or bake frequently?

Do you have a large family?

Covered porch or decks?

Screened porch? Sun room or green room attached?

Do you have inside or outside gardens and plants?

Exterior materials?

Do you prefer a steep pitched roof or low?

Covered patio or deck?

Describe your lifestyle and family

Do you have pets or livestock?

What are your hobbies?

Do you entertain often? Formally or informally?

Do you collect anything?

Do you have live in servants?

Does mom or dad live with you?

Do you have children?

Are they living at home or grown?

Do you watch tv?

Listen to music?

Play piano or other instruments?

Do you work at home?

Do you need a study, library, office or game room?

Do you prefer high or low ceilings or combined?

Vaulted or cathedral ceilings?

Do you like arched, squared, or round headers?

Do you like seeing exposed beams? Columns?

Have you established a building budget? (do not include property cost)

Have you decided on a builder or will you be your own builder?

Posted on

Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City Hotel cluster

Unique House Plans                                                                                                                                                                Silver Dollar Holler proposal
417.370.2782

Greetings

Back in 1968, my granny took me on a little road trip. We visited Eureka Springs, Dog Patch, and Silver Dollar City. We had a ball. Decades later, I found myself back at Silver Dollar City; not as a tourist, but as a free lance, architectural designer. I’d been doing quite a bit of work in the Branson area, and was referred by a client. My assignment; sketch ideas for booth’s. What great fun it was. That was over thirty years ago.

Recently, I was thrilled to learn about Silver Dollar City’s plans to expand. I saw a picture of the proposed hotel, but was unpleasantly surprised. Forgive me, but is that what Branson really needs? People come here for an experience, which is why your theme park is so popular. It’s one of a kind.

If I may be so bold. I propose you scrap the idea of the giant hotel, and give the people what they yearn for; an escapade. Out of the hundreds of acres you’re obtaining, there’s plenty of space to include ole timey hotels. We could build clusters on the sides of hills overlooking each other, creating a holler in between. Rustic on the outside, with modern convenience on the inside. Let’s consider saving some space to let for meetings, or even a wedding venue. Maybe we’ll build our own chapel on one of the hilltops, We could have a few shops in the holler, along with the depot, and call it, ‘Silver Dollar Holler’

Guests could access the hotels from the main highway, however, on the far side of the hill, down in the valley, a quaint, ole timey depot awaits Silver Dollar City’s train, as your hotel guests line up for a ride to the park, or perhaps they’ll prefer taking the stage coach. This is what the people hunger for; adventure. If the budget allows, imagine the thrill of riding in an areal cable car. The sky’s the limit.

At the top of the hill, reaching up to the stars, let’s create the best restaurant in Branson, or Missouri for that matter. Come one. Come all. Let’s call it, ‘Top of the World’

The restaurant could be three levels, with the first level being the most casual. It walks out to an enclosed playground; a place where the kiddies can play no matter the weather. Level two will walk out onto a roof top patio for an additional outdoor dining experience. Maybe we’ll have a telescope on the rooftop, because the view will be fantastic. The third level will be for fine dining; reservation only. Seen from miles around, the restaurant will advertise itself.

Because people love them, we’ve included a paddle wheel as seen in the image, and because moving water makes people happy, we’ve also included a manmade stream that winds around the clusters. We’ll landscape these areas, and include some picnic areas or benches

For variety, we could scatter some tree houses around the hillside, and maybe some single dwelling, vacation homes as well. Fun trails with some fun surprises, could wind around, or lead to them from the holler. I’ve included potential designs for both structures if you’re curious.

Last, but not least, I’ve also included short term, condominium plans, that could double as long term,
apartment plans for your marvelous employees. The structures are very affordable to build, yet the floor plans are luxurious. During my years in Branson, I became acquainted with these people. I learned that most of them drive great distances. The housing in Branson is out of their price range. They deserve an affordable, convenient, wonderful place to call home.

My daughter and I have a great deal of experience to bring to the table, and even greater imagination. If you would like to hear more, let’s meet.

Respectfully, Brenda Rand and Jacquelynn Thompson

Click to View
Shanty house plan
Tree house plan
Family Tree apartments for employees|
Shop

Posted on

Are you in a Flood Zone

Water front house plan

Are you in a flood zone? If so, here’s what you can do

Few people know if their property is at risk for flooding, however, every section of land is rated for flooding by years; 0 to 100. For example, if your lot floods every fifty years, referred to as a 50 year flood plain, it’s a safe bet it won’t flood in your lifetime. The higher the number of years, the greater, or higher, the grade elevation

Before you purchase land, request the flood plain; also known as a flood zone

If you’re land has a substantial number of acres, obtain a topographical map. This is a plat, showing the grade elevations. Grade elevations indicate how low the grade falls, or high it rises. The grade elevations are shown on the plat as lines. If you study the topo, you’ll be able to determine the lowest portions of the property. It’s best to build on higher ground, however, some lots, such as lake front, or ocean front properties, are in a flood zone naturally. Typically, homes on these kinds of lots are built up on poles, or stilts as shown in the image top of page. It’s not uncommon. The ocean’s surface, referred to as sea level, is the lowest point on earth, zero. It is the starting point

High water houses are not uncommon in regions that are water front, or in high risk areas. The grade elevations in the plot plan shown below has a very low grade elevation, because it’s located in a sea coast city. Grade elevations start at zero, which is referred to as sea level. Natural bodies of water always sit at the lowest levels, so this is our starting point. In mountainous regions, grade elevations can reach thousands of feet. The highest grade elevation in the world is on the border of Nepal and China, reaching an amazing altitude of 29,031.7 feet

The image below shows a plot plan, a plan required by the city that shows how the new home will sit on the lot. This assures the city the home will not encroach the property (dotted) lines. Property, or building lines are put in place to keep homes from being built too close to each other in case of fire, however, these same codes assure everyone a little privacy. The existing grade elevations are noted, and typically boxed. They refer to the free form horizontal lines that represent the fall or rise of the grade. The home also has an elevation. It’s referred to as finish floor level, whereas the natural grade is referred to as existing grade. Grade that’s manipulated or disturbed is referred to as finish grade

Depending on your location, you may want to get flood insurance. Regular home owner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so check with your agent. If you’re in a 50 year flood zone or lower, you should get the insurance. In fact, most of us should have it, because Mother Nature is full of surprises

Need a plot plan to complete your set of drawings to submit for permit? Plot Plan

Consider a Custom home design

All rights reserved
Author: Brenda Rand

Posted on

Protect your Home

Protect your home from aging

Protect your home from the elements, and it will never age. This can be accomplished by spraying a sealant on the exterior materials. Thankfully, the interior of your home isn’t exposed to weather; just wear and tear. To upgrade it, we paint or stain. We replace old appliances with new. Upgrading the exterior facade isn’t quite so easy, and is very costly

Few people realize it, but the exterior materials can be protected from weather simply by spraying it with a good sealant. Siding, be it wood or vinyl can be sealed. Roofing, no matter the material, can be sealed. Concrete porches, or walks, concrete, or asphalt driveways, wooden decks, brick or stone walls. No matter what materials or products your home is constructed with, it can last more than a lifetime if it’s sealed

Your home can last a lifetime

There are several good all purpose sealants on the market today. Do it yourself, or hire a handy man, but if you choose the latter, make sure you have insurance to cover accidents

Depending on your location, and the product you choose, your home will need to be sealed once a year, to every five years

Consider a Custom home design

All rights reserved
Author: Brenda Rand