Indoor Cat Garden Design

One aspect of our house design which is a bit unique (and a lot self-indulgent) is that it has an indoor garden. But not just any indoor garden. Our indoor garden is principally for the use of our indoor cats.
So when it came to designing what the garden would look like, we had to put a bit of thought into it.
The following three photos formed the basis of what we were thinking of in terms of style...

But because it is a cat garden, it had to be not only cat friendly, but also provide stimulation for the little fuzzies too.
So we had the idea of fusing the above concepts with something resembling a big cat enclosure as seen in the (more reputable) zoos...

So while Viktoria was bed-bound post foot-surgery, she drew the following (using a 0.5mm Pacer pencil, as the Android wouldn't let her play with her willow charcoal in bed). This is what you would see if you were standing outside the house looking in....

...there are some big flat rocks for basking on, a selection of tasty cat-friendly grasses for chewing, and a recycled stump from when we cleared the land for climbing and claw sharpening.

In plan view, it looks a bit like this...





...the perimeter of the garden is paved to allow the human inhabitants an easier way to walk around. And you will be able to see into it from both Viktoria's studio and the kitchen.

As we are closing in on when we need to submit the Building Application, we will continue our metaphorical walk-through of each room to make sure we are happy with the details. As Neal-the-architect didn't recoil in complete horror from Viktoria's dodgy cat-garden sketches, we'll let you know how we get on with the other rooms.

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Development Application has been submitted!

It's official... we have actually submitted the Development Application.
The Huon Valley Council now has up to 42 days to consider our application.
Depending on the outcome, we can then submit the Building Application.
(A very tired and somewhat bewildered) "Yay!"
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Submitting the Planning Application ... nearly....

Neal-the-Architect has been busy busy busy getting the documentation together for the Planning Application. The biggest hurdle has, of course, been the driveway design (which needed to accommodate a turning circle for a fire truck).
But Neal, the engineers and a lot of work seem to have prevailed - we have the Planning documents! There is still the final blessing to be given by the bush fire expert, but given that the new drawings tick everything off his wish-list, that should be only a formality.
Apart from containing lots of engineering-type diagrams, the Planning drawings had some neat 3D images of the house, which we share with you now:


Overhead, looking South - the view seen by the local cockatoos



From the North, looking South - we love the way the glass unfolds the house



From the South, looking North - the side facing potential bush fires

And just because of the trauma that was involved (for Neal, mostly), here are the engineer's drawings proving that a truck can do a 3 point turn in the driveway:

Needless to say, it's actually starting to feel real, and we are very excited. The Android even did a little happy dance when he saw the 3D drawings.
Once again, it has reinforced to us the importance of having a great architect, not only who has the skill to translate your wishes into form, but knows how to negotiate the muddy waters of building documentation, and is someone with whom you can communicate. And although we are constantly being told that the worst is yet to come, we have been very happy with our decisions and the process so far.
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WARNING!!!

GRAPHIC PHOTO!!

DO NOT SCROLL DOWN IF SQUEAMISH

 

 

 

 

 

 

As indicated in an earlier post, Viktoria has returned from her period of confinement following reconstructive surgery on her foot. Nasty bone spurs have been chiseled away, and necrotic cartilage removed. The stitches came out just 4 days ago, and she is well on the mend (though a bit hobbly).

For a photo taken just before the stitches were removed, see below: