As mentioned in my previous post on A plan is one thing, planning is everything… , the unquantifiable aspects of good architectural design sometimes causes a house to feel right rather than to look nice. The design of your house can have a profound effect on how you feel in it although this is often attributed to aesthetics. In fact, it’s about so much more. Good design should enhance our experience of a space, and the way a room looks is almost the icing on the cake. Here are some key tips for achieving a comfortable, well-thought-out home.

Just as different styles of cuisine contains specific characteristics unique to that style of food, so does certain architectural styles contain characteristics that are distinctive to that architectural style. Good food comes in many different styles but it is not required to use one specific style to make great cuisine. Well designed houses come in many different styles, but it is also not a requirement to design in a specific style to create great architecture.

Hopefully at this stage you already own a stand, you have taken due cognisance of all the restrictions and opportunities offered by the property, you are aware of all the statutory enforcements applicable to the erf, you have applied your mind regarding the spaces and linkages to make up your new home, in fact, you are already the proud owner of an approved building plan for your new dream home. Now is the time to contemplate the actual building process.

BuildingBlog.net is a blog full of building blocks on planning, designing and building your own home in South Africa, where most houses are built brick-by-brick. Brick walls may be left uncovered if face-brick is used, or plastered and painted if stock bricks are used. Fact of the matter is, during the construction of a house, various materials are used, which must all be sourced and bought in the correct quantities before or during construction of the house.

One of the basic statutory requirements of the National Building Regulations (discussed under the post First things first – site specifics), is that nobody may start with the building of any house without the prior approval of the house's building plans by the relevant local authority. This requirement is applicable to all buildings erected within the boundaries of jurisdiction of all local authorities in South Africa.

Sometimes one can enter a house and everything just looks and feels right, while sometimes one can enter a house, and even although everything looks acceptable, with quality materials and expensive appliances, something just doesn't feel right. What is it that stimulates these feelings and perceptions that differentiate between a home and just another house? The unquantifiable aspects of good architectural design sometimes causes a house to feel right rather than to look nice.

Whether you plan to design your new house yourself or whether you plan to appoint a draughtsman or architect, you will have to consider a variety of important issues in the planning process. Once you have made the decision to go the brand new house way, the first stumbling block rolls into your path: You are going to need a building plan to be approved by the relevant local authority! (See I need a building plan!)

Once you have taken the decision to build a new house, or have one built for you, you will need a property (also called a stand or erf) to build the house on. Erven come in all shapes and sizes, with different virtues and restrictions. In urban areas, all stands have one thing in common: They are all part of a proclaimed township. Being part of a proclaimed township in the jurisdiction of a local authority has various advantages, as well as certain restrictions.

When the need arises for a roof over your and your family's heads, you basically have to contemplate three choices - to rent a place, to buy a place, or to build your own place. Each option has its merits and drawbacks and there are no rights or wrongs. The choice you make depends on your own circumstances and are usually linked to your current life-stage.