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10<br />
[Edition datE] 1<br />
Your guide to Show Homes & New Sections<br />
in the <strong>Selwyn</strong> District<br />
BUILDING SITES AND SECTIONS<br />
What comes first, selecting a house design<br />
or the building site?<br />
RatheR than a chicken and egg<br />
situation, the building site should<br />
generally be chosen first. It does help<br />
to have a conceptual idea of the home<br />
desired including its potential size and<br />
important features like plenty of outdoor<br />
living space. address the details once a<br />
section is secured or the location of the<br />
home determined.<br />
Sections vary considerably in size.<br />
Smaller sections start around the 350<br />
square metre mark with many in housing<br />
estates ranging between 600 and 800<br />
square metres. Larger sections around<br />
the 1,000 to 2,000 square metres, or<br />
larger can also be found in some subdivisions<br />
while lifestyle properties and<br />
farms usually offer plenty of room to<br />
build.<br />
Sub-divisions often stipulate minimum<br />
and maximum floor sizes for the<br />
varying section sizes. There will also<br />
be requirements on recession planes,<br />
building distance from each boundary<br />
and type of fences allowable, influenced<br />
by local council regulations. Other<br />
factors will be how the land is zoned and<br />
covenants such as not having a caravan<br />
on show at the front of the property.<br />
It can be tempting to leap in and<br />
choose a floor design before the land<br />
space is chosen however, it is better to<br />
hold off as the size and orientation of a<br />
section will impact on the suitability of<br />
the house design especially if the section<br />
is smaller, narrow or oddly shaped.<br />
The section’s orientation towards the<br />
sun and direction of the prevailing winds<br />
are also considerations. For example, it<br />
may be nice if the morning sun comes<br />
into the living area but only having a<br />
north east outdoor living space may not<br />
be so appealing, especially if entertaining<br />
in the afternoon when a cooler easterly<br />
breeze is up. It might also be nice to have<br />
an extra seating area that is away from<br />
the northwest wind which can be quite<br />
strong at times.<br />
Ideally, family living is most desirable<br />
in a north to northwest orientation<br />
Match the section size to your lifestyle needs.<br />
though designs can be created that make<br />
the most of any section. It might involve<br />
stepping the plan in and out or having<br />
two wings with a recessed area that offers<br />
shelter. Fences and plantings might also<br />
be incorporated to form shelter belts for<br />
secluded and pleasant outdoor garden<br />
settings and a private space fenced off<br />
for a swimming or spa pool. The house<br />
might also be set back from the street to<br />
allow more off-street parking, something<br />
that might also influence the size of the<br />
section chosen.<br />
Before deciding on a section, narrow<br />
the options down to several that you like<br />
then ask a designer or builder to look<br />
at them to give their opinion on how<br />
a house could be built for best effect,<br />
taking account of the elements and the<br />
lifestyle you want to have in your home.<br />
Fences and plants provide privacy and shelter.<br />
Ideally the building site is chosen before the house plan.<br />
Ideally family living is sited north to northwest.<br />
A design can be stepped to capitalise on sun and allow shelter.<br />
Proud to have been building<br />
homes for Cantabrians for<br />
over 25 years.<br />
Ph: 348 1994<br />
www.peterrayhomes.co.nz
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