Thread by @dnahinga

How to Build a Comfortable Big House Slowly starting with Kes. 1m and a piece of land.

This comes from lessons learnt over the last 15 years and building my own house.

Or

"How to proceed from Necessity to Luxury."

1/n

#SketchItBuildIt
#Consult
#DesignBuild
#BuildSlowly

Step 01. Vision.

Building is Sacrifice. Be driven by a Vision that is greater than a pile of stones

This can be to create a home for your children (we fight harder when fighting for others)

This can be to cut off that annoying Landlady. You run faster when running from Poverty

I did not start building until I saw a composition written by my son. In it was embedded an infectious Bigger Vision

It switched something in me and I woke up

Prior, I was OK building for others. And fighting that necessary monthly nonsense of Tenancy

https://twitter.com/dnahinga/status/1098302364040286208?t=H0a8sMqAkBErst8O4LGCFw&s=19

Step 02: Literally #SketchIt

Don't even run to an Architect or a Contractor

Just get a sharp pencil ✏ and a plain piece of paper and sketch whatever comes to mind. Your Needs

Make your vision plain as the Scripture has said in Habbakuk

If you can Sketch It, you can #BuildIt

For a residential house, the sketch will need more thinking.

You can clarify your Vision for Building using a Tool i call the Design Brief.

Here is an example and this is the sketch I used to build my house:

An experiment in Improviso Architecture

ub.co.ke/index.php/hous…

Step 03: Approach a Design & Build Firm or an Architect to Convert your Sketch into Building plans with dimensions.

You can also build from your heart depending on how good you are at Design Thinking.

But, to avoid making Original Mistakes which can be costly, Consult. ✍🏿

Step 04: Determine the Buikding Phases.

If you plan to build slowly, the various parts of the house must create a coherent whole even after the parts are built up.

I will use one example to clarify this.

(Next few tweets).

Guiding Notes by Christopher Alexander.
✍🏿🏗

Background Information.

The Assumption is that one would be having a Savings Mechanism.

You can easily spend Kes. 100,000 in a day when building. So, be prepared to spend.

Related Post:

https://twitter.com/dnahinga/status/1465198903075262468?t=h0Y5Zn2Rd99u2Y1N0hYzWQ&s=19

Step 05 Example of Phased Construction.

The Design.

Ground Floor:
Master Bedroom
Walk in Closet
Master Bath

2 Bathrooms each with Bathroom
Guest Toilet
Living Room/Lounge
Kitchen

Outdoor Patio
Attic Room in Roofsoace above Master Bedroom

Double chimney for Patio and Lounge

The layout of this house has factored both the Vision of the Home Owner

And,

Most importantly, Intentionality (To build it slowly).

There is no time the owner will be overburdened by any part since the house can be pulled apart and get built from Necessity to Luxury.

I will explain so you understand what I mean by #BuildSlowly

Phase 01: Master Bedroom Kitchen and Porch + Fireplace

This will allow you to have a place to sleep/rest, Cook and Relax Outdoor

What else do you need if you have a good book, cooked food, a home and a bed?

#Freedom

Phase 02: Build 2 Ensuite Bedrooms and Guest Toilet/ Can be Shared with one bedroom.

✍🏿This will allow you to host at least 2 extra guests.

At this stage, you can do the lounge as an outdoor space but later on upgrade it in Phase 03 as an indoor space. (Will explain).

Unless you are naturally Timid, building a house slowly like this can never intimidate you.

Let us assume you do not have money at all after building Phase 01.

No Problem. Buy outdoor seats and then do the floor like this.

When it starts raining go to the Master Bedroom.

If you proceeded from Phase 01 to Phase 02, you might not be having a front door or entrance porch.

You can build those ones at this stage.

Even without a roof at the mid-section, you can still live comfortably as you continue with your Freedom Plan. This is how my Phase 03 was

I asked my Architect colleague @afriWeichi if it is possible to swap Phase 01 with Phase 02 using a Shipping Container.

It appears, this is very possible.

Later on at Phase 04, you can use the top as a Terrace.

Related Thread: A Terrace is a Luxury

https://twitter.com/dnahinga/status/1515391203415580674?t=es2c9a_cdjPQuJBWz0tH9A&s=19

Phase 03/4. Now that you have the Executive Master Bedroom, Kitchen, Open to Sky Lounge and 2 Other Bedrooms...

Roof the entire thing such that you create an Attic Space.

If you built Phase 02 with a SC, you can then finish the Terrace. That is it.

Necessity begets Luxury.

As you go through this fulfilling process, people will talk a lot of shit.

As the Scripture has said, there is a Cost.

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4

Be fortified with the right Philosophy. Arm yourself with Knowledge.

And don't forget the Vision that set your feet on this path.

#SketchItBuildIt
#BuildSlowly
#FreedomWork
#TheWay
#TheTimelessWay

And consult, so my sons and I can eat your money. God Bless You 🙌🏿

We remixed the original Sketch I did and incorporated the example used here for Building Slowly

"I start with an idea and then it becomes something else." Pablo Picasso said

This search for something-elseness is thrilling! @afriWeichi

#SketchItBuildIt
ub.co.ke

**typo: 2 bedrooms.**