A valuable part of the design build process is exploring design ideas. Both on paper and on site it is always informative to talk, draw, mock up, change, and reexamine the details. Mocking up a design element before proceeding can be both fun and useful. How much more satisfying to make adjustments early on with all parties participating. This is the mock up of the entry porch, with ramp, or bridge and stairs, to see how it looks and feels to use. Note: deck is gone and patio furniture (far right) is where the future patio will be located!
The mock up process is especially useful when using recycled material. A particular siding might be called out but because of some recycling opportunity, another material might become available. Hanging the new material on the building to "try it out" is exceedingly informative and enhances everyone's ability to envision the change. On the Fredley project (fredleyonwhidbey.blogspot.com) we had always planned on using HardiePanel for the siding on the main building. Then one day Brad noticed the barn at the Fair Grounds was getting a new roof. What were they doing with the old roofing? An inquiry was all it took and the old roofing was ours. We couldn't have planned on getting this material but once we did we needed to mock it up to see if we liked the change over our original design. The rest is history -- we loved it.
I do like your idea of not doing the ramp, but incorporating a porch and patio instead. The house is going to look so nice when you are all done! Marlys
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