How to equip a plot of 8 acres?

Features of improvement

To begin with, let's try to imagine what 8 acres is. Many or few? In fact, it is enough for a full-fledged country residence, because it is as much as 800 m², almost a square kilometer.

Land improvement begins with an analysis of its features:

• geometric shape;
• terrain and slope;
• soil quality;
• depth of groundwater;
• location relative to the cardinal points;
• climate and prevailing wind directions;
• presence / absence of natural reservoirs.

This is necessary in order to understand where and what buildings are best located, what type of foundation to choose for them, what to plant in the garden and vegetable garden, whether a drainage system or soil drainage is needed. The analysis of the terrain should be entrusted to professionals with special equipment, they will also give practical advice on all the above issues.

Layout

When the analysis of a plot of 8 acres has been carried out, and you have already decided which objects will be located on its territory, you need to move on to drawing up a detailed plan... You can make a copy of a drawing from a cadastral passport, draw a diagram on graph paper, or use a program for developing architectural projects on a computer - whatever is more convenient for you.

1. It is better to start the layout with the main buildings (residential building, garage, bathhouse, greenhouse, premises for keeping animals) and communications (electricity, gas, water supply, sewerage).
2. Then you can move on to the location of secondary architectural forms: flower beds, flower beds, gazebos, fountains, pergola, swings, ponds, pools, benches, barbecues.
3. It remains to decide where the garden and vegetable garden will be, outline the hedges and track, think over the lighting.

In the photo, a computer model of a plot of 8 acres of an elongated rectangular shape with a one-story cottage, a garage and a garden

First of all, the layout of a plot of 8 acres depends on its shape:

1. Rectangular plots are found most often, they are most convenient, especially when the aspect ratio is one to one and a half, that is, approximately 36x22 meters. In this case, large objects are usually located closer to the borders of the territory, and in the center, protected from prying eyes and blowing drafts, they equip a playground or a spectacular landscape ensemble with a recreation area. If the rectangle highly elongated, the feeling of crampedness can be leveled by building a house at one end and setting up a garden or vegetable garden at the other.
2. Square areas of the correct shape with sides of about 28 meters are also easy to equip. It is better to build a cottage approximately in the middle, slightly shifting to the road, and scatter the rest of the buildings around the perimeter so that cozy nooks form around the house.If the road bends around the allotment, and it is too clearly visible, a high hedge will save the situation - live or capital.
3. L-shaped a plot of 8 acres is also a good option. Then it is better to build a dwelling house in a short part, and to break a vegetable garden in a long one.
4. Triangular territories are much more difficult to plan. As a rule, household objects are located in the corners, thus trying to create a protected space in the center for the home and recreation area.
5. Land owners have the hardest time complex shape with ragged borders. Each case requires thoughtful planning, but the result can exceed expectations. In such areas, it is better to refrain from strict lines and right angles. Asymmetric landscape compositions and smooth turns of garden paths will look good.

The second most important factor that determines the layout of the suburban area of ​​8 acres - relief... Some buyers refuse options with a significant difference in elevation or a slope to one sidefor fear of difficulties with the location of buildings and decorative elements of the landscape.

And very in vain, because in such a territory you can make an amazing alpine slide, multi-level garden, imitation of a mountain stream or waterfall. And in itself, the placement of functional areas at different heights delimits them from each other and creates harmony.

An important point: on a site with a strong slope or hilly terrain, large buildings should be located on a hill so that they are not flooded during precipitation.

The photos above and below are examples of how you can successfully beat the significant difference in heights on a plot of 8 acres

Site zoning

The general principle is as follows: a residential building occupies no more than 12% of the total size, household, entertainment and decorative objects - about 18%, and at least 70% is allocated for green spaces. But, of course, it is up to the owners to decide. Maybe people are not at all interested in gardening and floriculture and come to the dacha to relax, and not dig in the beds.

Only one moment is unshakable - the cottage should not "eat off" more than the recommended area of ​​the site, ideally 8-10%. If the family needs a more spacious house, it would be wise to build a second or even a third floor.

The photo shows a spectacular entrance area of ​​a country house, paved paving slabs and decorated with a flower garden

Consider zoning in detail:

1. Welcome area estates are her calling card, so I want to equip it not only correctly, but also effectively. No more than 6% of the area is allocated for these purposes. The zone includes an access and pedestrian path to the house, a gate or a gate, a covered parking or a full-fledged garage, as well as decorative objects: flower beds, flower beds, fountains, benches, living sculptures - everything that the owners' imagination and budget are enough for. The path should slope away from the house so that water does not stagnate, and it is better to pave it with reliable and beautiful material: natural stone, paving slabs. The garage or parking lot must be away from green spaces, barbecues and a playground.
2. Living sector represented by the house itself and its annexes. It is necessary to arrange the cottage taking into account the cardinal points. Let the main windows face west and east, so that during the daylight hours maximum sun rays pass through the rooms. On the east side, which "wakes up" first of all, a kitchen, dining room or study would be appropriate. Cozy bedrooms face the west, and the living room - south, and it's good if there is an exit from there to the terrace and further to the garden. In the north, there may be a blank wall, which is adjoined by a garage or any other functional extension.
3. Recreational area usually includes a gazebo or pergola, comfortable seating, outdoor cooking equipment, sometimes a corner for children with swings, a sandpit and other playgrounds, a sports field, a pool, a pond and an original landscape composition. For the leisure of adult households, a quiet secluded corner is suitable, from where an overview of the most beautiful part of the garden opens, and the children's territory should be clearly visible from the house and be as far as possible from potentially dangerous objects: cesspools, wells, wells, panel boards.
4. Economic zone may include a toilet, a bathhouse, a sauna, a greenhouse, a greenhouse, a barn, a barn, a poultry house, a pigsty, a workshop and any other building required by the owners. These buildings often have an unsightly appearance and / or exude an unpleasant odor, so you need to place them, firstly, away from the house and recreation area, and secondly, taking into account the prevailing wind direction. Usually, the northern or north-western side of the site is allocated for household needs.
5. Green Zone occupies up to 80% of the territory and consists of a garden, a vegetable garden, a flower garden, and sometimes it is a real work of landscape art - for example, a small shady park with a labyrinth of paths, a cozy gazebo, a pond covered with duckweed and the soft diffused light of lanterns. This is exactly the place where site owners can unleash their creativity and then take moments of relaxation from the bustle of the city.

The easiest way to separate zones from each other is with the help of paths, hedges and curbs of different heights and density, gabions and embankments. And since it will not work to set up a large garden on 8 acres, you can use fruit trees and shrubs, vertical and modular vegetable gardens, wooden and forged partitions entwined with creepers for zoning.

What is the best way to place buildings?

When placing buildings on a plot of 8 acres, it is necessary to push off from a residential building - all other objects are located along the perimeter in such a way that it is convenient to move between them, and a comfortable protected space for rest and leisure is formed in the local area.

In the photo, a diagram of the arrangement of buildings on a land plot of 8 acres, made in a special planner program

It is important to proceed from the principle of rationality: if there is a pool on the site, the place is right next to the bath or sauna, and the shed with agricultural implements should be located near the garden and vegetable garden. Sanitary standards and fire safety rules cannot be ignored yet.

Pictured is a hexagonal stone alcove, brick oven and beautiful landscaping in a suburban area of ​​8 acres

According to SNiP, between objects in residential areas, the following minimum distances must be observed:

• from the house to an outbuilding - 6 m, to a livestock or poultry farm - 4 m, to a well, septic tank or cesspool - 8 m, to tall trees - 4 m, to shrubs - 1 m, to a forest belt - 15 m, to the border of a neighboring site - 10 m for stone houses and 15 m for wooden houses;
• between buildings from non-combustible materials - 6 m, from combustible materials - 15 m, one flammable, the other not - 10 m.

Recommendations for the decor of the site

Landscaping of a plot of 8 acres also depends on the residential building, in this case on the chosen architectural style.

Drevenskaya manor, especially a log house from rounded logs or a log mansion with low ceilings and small windows, and asks to add a rural flavor with the help of a carved hedge or wicker fence, a well in the yard, a massive wooden table with benches, spreading apple trees and cherries, a fragrant raspberry tree, a modest flower garden with chamomiles and sunflowers.

The western one is very close to this direction. country style... A wooden house is optional, a stone manor house with a tiled roof or a squat brick cottage with a veranda will do. Let ivy thickly cover its walls, a green lawn will spread out at the entrance, poppies and tulips will dazzle on the flower beds, hyacinths and cornflowers, and in the depths of the garden lures the cool pond, overgrown with ferns and reeds. The invariable attributes of country - log gazebos, outdoor fireplaces made of rubble stone, hammocks for a nap in the shade of trees.

Chalet style, which originated in the Swiss Alps, can be recommended to owners of sites with a hilly, rugged landscape.A typical house for this direction is a two-story house, the first floor is stone, the second is wooden, the roof is sloping, the windows are panoramic, the exterior decoration is minimal or absent, and there is almost always a terrace and an attic.

Around such a manor, a careless, maximally natural landscape with alpine slides is deployed. Flowers and trees grow as if by themselves, wherever they like, and winding paths are trampled down on a whim.

For the romantic french provence characteristic light plastered stone mansions with wrought-iron fences, balconies and wide terraces, spacious wooden gazebos and swings entwined with wild grapes, garden furniture with a touch of noble antiquity and lush flower beds where peonies, roses and lavender are fragrant.

For those who prefer modern minimalistic design and erected a villa of glass and concrete for himself, it is better to adhere to the same mood when decorating the site. Long live right angles and strict lines, green lawns and neatly trimmed bushes, cypresses towering in even candles and thuja, stylish metal garden furniture, sculptural compositions in the form of cubes and balls, outdoor pools and tennis courts!

Fans of Asian culture may be interested in the idea of ​​landscaping a plot of 8 acres in Chinese or Japanese style, but in order to maintain harmony, you will have to use the appropriate architectural techniques when building a house. Then the gazebo-pagoda, and the garden of stones, and the blossoming sakura, and thickets of bamboo, and ponds with koi carp will look appropriate.

Beautiful examples of landscape design

Here are some inspiring photos for those who are thinking about setting up their site right now:

A summer cottage plot of 8 acres is not enough for people with serious agricultural ambitions, but for those who dream of a modest country estate, it will be just right. There is enough space for life, for recreation, and for the implementation of creative ideas!