The most beautiful 8x12 frame house - Project overview, floor plan and price. One-story house in a warm sketch. |
This is a truly unique project, and today, I’ll share its construction journey. The clients first reached out to us in July 2020 and visited our Novgorod office in August to discuss their vision for a one-story house. We created preliminary designs and waited for the right moment to start. However, when 2021 arrived, we faced an unexpected rise in the cost of materials, including wood, insulation, and paints. The pandemic had increased demand and disrupted supply chains, particularly in the U.S., where the cost of wood surged, impacting global markets, including ours.
Due to this price increase, the clients were no longer able to afford the fully finished exterior and interior that we had planned in 2020. Instead, we switched to a mid-level package, which I’ll explain in more detail today. This package includes a fully finished exterior, while the interior remains unfinished, allowing us to install vapor barriers, insulation, and wiring without rushing the final finishes.
One of the advantages of this approach is that we can now work with the clients to install hidden electrical and plumbing systems neatly before completing the interior. If we had gone for a fully finished interior right away, much of this would have been done visibly. We will share photos of a recent Scandi Karelia project where the clients opted for exposed retro-style wiring after the structure was completed.
Now, let's look at the house itself. The overall dimensions are 8 by 12 meters, though with the finishing touches, the measurements are slightly larger at 8.3 by 12.3 meters. Despite the size, the house has a cozy and compact feel, thanks to its well-planned design. One of the highlights is the terrace, which features a floating effect due to an elevated platform we designed. This same attention to detail extends to the porch, which is designed for comfort and aesthetic appeal.
We used high-quality materials for the exterior finish, including imitation timber. The dark sections are installed horizontally, while the accents are vertical, giving the house a distinct, stylish look without being overly flashy. The windows are another important feature. We used the Kaba E70 profile with titanium hardware, which includes multi-stage micro-ventilation and a lock to prevent accidental opening.
At the entrance, we installed a warm, durable Finnish Finestra door with company-grade locks and a thick sandwich MDF design. I’ve had this same door on my own home for about ten years, and it has never let me down. Inside the house, we have left space for the installation of heated floors, and the framing is ready for interior doors and windows. The clients can now safely install their communication systems before finishing the floor.
The interior is thoughtfully designed with a balance of functional spaces, including a small boiler room, a bright and spacious master bedroom with large windows, and plenty of storage areas. I’m a fan of built-in wardrobes, so we made sure to include niches for convenient storage. When designing a home, it’s essential to consider practical elements like storage space for seasonal clothing and daily use items.
One of the benefits of working with a construction company like ours is that we design homes with real-life experience in mind. We live in houses like these ourselves, so we understand the need for efficient layouts, ample storage, and comfort. While many homes look appealing on the outside, it’s the thoughtful, practical design inside that makes a house feel like a home.
This project represents not only our ability to adapt to the needs of our clients but also our commitment to creating homes that are both beautiful and functional. Every house we build has a soul because we put our heart into the design and construction process. While you can’t reinvent the wheel, you can certainly make sure it rolls smoothly, and that’s what we strive to do with each of our projects.
We always prioritize listening to the customer, starting with a new preliminary design and carefully planning every detail. We offer advice based on our experience of building over a thousand homes, ensuring that we recommend solutions for comfortable living. However, in the end, we make sure to incorporate your preferences. This is a major difference from buying an apartment, where you're stuck with the existing layout and have to find ways to adapt using whatever creativity you have, perhaps even relying on IKEA furniture to make things work.
Now, let’s continue. This layout includes a large bathroom where we've already installed important features, such as an exhaust hood, ventilation pipe, and a window. The window is designed with a multi-function handle that allows it to open in various ways for both ventilation and security. Moving on to the second bathroom, it can also be used as a kitchen pantry due to its location next to the kitchen.
Speaking of the kitchen, it's crucial to consider how you'll run utilities, especially if you’re building on stilts. In this layout, the utilities are routed through a box from the boiler room to the kitchen, allowing flexibility for the future installation of any kitchen style, whether U-shaped or L-shaped. The kitchen overlooks a beautiful plot surrounded by forest, providing a serene view while preparing meals.
The main living area is expansive, perfect for large gatherings, decorating a Christmas tree, or simply relaxing with a book or TV. With built-in forced ventilation, fresh air circulation is guaranteed. From the living room, you can step onto a large terrace, which offers open-air relaxation. We’ve left the pergola open, but it can easily be covered with transparent roofing for protection from rain, should you prefer.
The windows, featuring a premium E70 profile, offer several ventilation options. They are fitted with anti-burglary hardware and armored with safety film, ensuring both security and functionality. What I appreciate most about this layout is the minimal use of doors in the central zone, allowing for a seamless flow from the kitchen to the living room.
Finally, the rooms are smartly separated by partitions, with niches built for cabinetry. These partitions not only provide privacy but also enhance sound insulation. The additional cabinets absorb noise, creating a quiet environment in the bedrooms, even when others are active in the living area. This layout also separates vapor barriers between outer and inner walls, allowing you to modify internal partitions without worrying about damaging the main insulation layer. This is both practical and efficient.