Build a house that suits your needs

There are several house styles on the market today and whether you want to build a new house, remodel or add extra rooms, knowing the style helps you and your family members live comfortably.
Moses Kinobe, an architect at Kinobe and Partners, says many social, economic and environmental factors influence the choice of house styles. Many people want to build houses that make a statement about who they are. For instance, some people want privacy and will look for a detached house while others like to refurbish older houses.

Disability
If there is a physically disabled person in the family, the style of the house should also favour them in terms of mobility especially around the house and the places of convenience. “The elderly can also be considered in the same category especially if they are weak or move in wheelchairs. Building a storeyed house with stairs will not suit the disabled or elderly. In this case, consider building a house with an open floor style that will also incorporate wide doorways,” Kinobe advises.

Duration
The length of the time you will be staying in the house also affects your house style. If you are planning to stay in your current house temporarily, your style should suit a temporary house and will automatically change when you plan to occupy a bigger and more permanent house.

Family size
“There are house styles designed to suit smaller and bigger families. The size of your family will, therefore, affect the style of house you want to have. It is important that your family house has sufficient space for all family members to live comfortably,” Kinobe says, adding: In case you have children that will at some point move out, have a house style that gives you the freedom to break down walls and remodel.

Income
Your income will determine whether you can buy your own house, build or rent. The style will also depend on your income. Detached houses are more expensive than terraced or semi-detached. Also, the larger the house the higher your bills will be.
Godfrey Mukasa says he always wanted to build a storeyed five bed-room house with each room self-contained. However, a few years down the line he wants to remodel the house since the power bills are too high. Sometimes, he says, Shs10,000 worth of Yaka will only last two days.

Location
Where you want to build affects the style. For example, if you buy land in a place that has a particular house style, you might be forced to build the same way to avoid looking out of place. You should also put in mind the surrounding areas because your house should get enough light into main rooms. If on a gradient, houses may need to be split-level.
“Existing regulations in an area will affect the style of the house, Kinobe says. For instance, in Kampala, the Kampala Capital City Authority determines and gives planning permission. You may, therefore, have to follow the authorities’ style recommendation if you are to build in the city.”

Sometimes the weather will determine your house style choice. For instance, your house should be able to withstand very harsh weather such as prolonged dry seasons or stormy rainy days. Other factors include availability of the materials for the style you want. This is because some styles require materials which may not be readily available. Common house styles in Uganda include:

Bungalow
Bungalows are a popular choice for a first home. They are usually small, cozy, and affordable. They may vary in appearance from house to house and era to era, but they typically contain: a porch, open floor plans, and low roofs.
“Bungalows are usually one storey or one-and-a-half storeys, with one or two bedrooms, but they can on occasion be larger. Bungalows sometimes come with a half storey that can be converted into a bedroom, a studio, or home office,” he says.

Contemporary
Contemporary style houses are often greener than older house styles, using energy efficient appliances, sustainable materials, and windows that fill the space with natural light. They try to dare the statusquo of housing styles through bold architecture.

Ranch style
Ranch houses are characterised by being low to the ground, wide with simple, open floor plans. They usually include a garage and a basement which can be converted into an extra bedroom. Kinobe says, “The space and simplicity makes them perfect homes for families and retirees alike. Ranch style houses can also appeal to young professionals or students who like the “retro” outward. These have windows in the front and sliding glass doors in the back to let the light and outdoor views into the home.”

Colonial houses
These are the more luxurious houses commonly found in the upscale suburbs of Kololo, Muyenga, Bunga, Mbuya and Bugolobi. Many of the houses were originally owned by colonialists but were later sold off after Uganda’s independence.
This type of house is typically spacious with a separate living room and dining room. They have a large compound with a number of trees and a veranda.