Many people assume that building a house requires a significant amount of money. They also believe that an ideal home is one with separate living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and various other segregated spaces. With such considerations, the assumption is that a spacious plot of land is needed for construction.
In reality, a residence can be built on a small plot of land with a limited budget because the essential aspect of a home is its functionality. As long as the house functions well and meets the owner's needs, it can be considered ideal. In this post, I present a design for a two-storey residential house on a plot measuring 4 meters wide and 15 meters long, with a construction budget of less than 150 million.
Land Size
The land for this house measures 4 meters by 15 meters, which is quite narrow for a housing plot. The plan is to develop the house gradually, following a growing house concept. Therefore, I position the house structure at the rear of the land, with the consideration that the second phase will be built at the front, and the land supports this plan. This way, the residents won't be too disturbed by construction activities and the traffic of workers and materials during the second phase compared to if we were to build at the front first.
Lay Out
I have always been impressed by small spaces showcased on the YouTube channel Never Too Small. They excel at maximizing space efficiently, even in the smallest corners. This project follows the same principle. The limited land size requires the design to be as functional as possible.
For the first phase, I designed a two-storey house with a total floor area of 34 square meters. The first floor consists of a central space serving as both a living and dining area, a bathroom, and a kitchen. The bathroom is placed in the middle of the building, acting as a separation between the living and dining areas. This way, if there are guests, the kitchen remains out of sight.
Additionally, the back of the land is transformed into a 2-meter-wide garden to facilitate air circulation. The second floor comprises a bedroom and a workspace. The bedroom is open, without walls, giving it a more spacious feel. User privacy is maintained as it is situated on the second floor.
Another consideration for building this house as a two-storey structure from the beginning is to avoid the need for roof and structural demolition when developing the second phase. This would incur additional costs.
Facade
The front facade is designed to be simple yet aesthetic, minimizing the need for extensive demolition since the second phase of construction will take place at the front. The roof is slanted to one side to minimize leakage.
Air Circulation and Lighting
Despite its small size, the house is designed to have openings that allow air and light to enter every corner. The living area has wide openings, consisting of one door and four window leaves. These can be dismantled during the construction of the second phase.
At the back, a 2-meter-wide garden serves as air circulation and lighting for the kitchen. Even though it is located at the farthest part of the site, the kitchen still receives natural light. Front and back doors are aligned to provide cross-ventilation, maximizing air circulation.
The second floor, mostly in the form of a void, is expected to maximize natural ventilation within the house. This void enhances air circulation from bottom to top. The staircase area has a transparent roof to allow more light. Ultimately, every area of the house is designed to receive natural light.
Cost
Now, let's talk about the budget. With a building area of around 34 square meters, the cost to construct this two-storey house is approximately 139 million, averaging around 4 million per square meter. This is a reasonably ideal cost for a two-storey house. The budget includes expenses for building a carport and surrounding walls. Therefore, the construction budget for the second phase is expected to decrease, as these tasks were completed in the first phase.
So, what do you think? A small plot and limited budget don't have to be obstacles to having a functional two-storey house, right? In the next post, I will discuss the construction of the second phase of this house, turning it into an inspiration for a Growing House Development.
