What is more benefial , void or extra usable space ?

9 months ago

Hi all,
We are building a double storey house in Melbourne , and currently, our plans have been drawn up with a void over the living room with a raked ceiling. My wife is of the view that void is useless, and it's better we utilise the space above to add a theatre room instead. Would love to have some feedback from people who have been in similar position before ? Void or extra living space ? Pros and cons of having the void ? How much extra will it cost to build one ? Approx

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Comments (4)

Kate
9 months ago
Voids are for looks. You have to ask yourself at what cost? They can let heat and noise escape to upper level. You are not building a section of floor but there is higher cost in plastering and painting the double height walls and installing and then ongoing window cleaning costs. Firstly you must be satisfied that the house provides the floor space you need to function well. Do you need the theatre room? Which will provide more ongoing satisfaction?
siriuskey
9 months ago
A floorplan would help
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dreamer
9 months ago
What are the ceiling heights in the rest of the downstairs? are they 31 course (2700mm) throughout already, or higher? The void has wow factor, but in practical terms is a waste of good space, if you require the space. Heat rises up to the void, so harder to keep ground floor warm, how would you service any lighting, how would you clean cobwebs. Will cost more than standard when painting is required. But it would look good……

There are many factors to consider including window orientation, use of spaces, acoustics, and the usual design issues of insulation, glazing, ventilation.
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Paul Di Stefano Design
9 months ago
It's easy - functional requirements wins, any day of the week - if you need the use the space for a theatre room then there's your answer, but don;t just do a theatre room for the sake of it - there needs to be a reason for any design move. In the whole picture costs unlikely to be dramatically different one way or the other (ie whether a double height space vs a two level / two separate spaces). Voids are not a a "waste of space" if the serve a clear purpose such as bringing welcomed light or ventilation into a space, and they can make an otherwise tight/dark space feel so much better and therefore make it actually livable and appealing to use....so it totally depends on your context and goals for both your overall home and the specific spaces........FWIW whenever we've designed them into spaces clients never regret it, but if the opportunity is available and not taken then likely you'll regret down the track not having done it

What is more benefial , void or extra usable space ?

Comments (4)

Kate

siriuskey

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