JeffKNH Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 I am designing a split level house w/ walkout basement, on a sloped lot w/ approx. 4' down grade front to back. I want a 4' front foundation wall, which needs to extend down to 8' on the sides for just part of the length of the side walls (just 6' and 4'), and then the side foundation wall height drops back to 4' height running to the back of the house. I have Home Designer Suite, happy to upgrade if necessary. Would appreciate guidance on how to do modify foundation to accommodate these different wall heights. Rough drawing of foundation and a picture of similar style of house attached. Related question about the walls and floors. The builder is specifying a 4' framed front wall and partial side walls (to make the 8' ceiling height in the basement) before I add the main floor, which extends 2' front/back beyond the foundation. the exterior side walls need to change from 4' to total of 12' (foundation to attic) from the point on the side foundation that that changes from 8' height back to 4'. It seems that wall heights can only be indirectly manipulated by changing floor and ceiling heights, but perhaps I am wrong about that. Pardon the new user questions, I have been trying to figure this our for a few weeks. I am not a professional designer, just a serious DIY'r. I can break this into two separate threads if that's easier. Thank you for any and all guidance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffKNH Posted May 23 Author Share Posted May 23 I should also add that the builder knows exactly what he's doing, he's built this house several times but is a bit old school and has never had any actual plans. He roughs it out on the back of napkin. For this build he wants plans and I volunteered as I'm doing my own house design, which has a much simpler foundation. Great opportunity to help a good friend and learn a lot in the process. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_Ann Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 The entire basement should be set to the 8' ceiling height you specified. The terrain is then adjusted to expose the amount of foundation wall that you want exposed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffKNH Posted May 23 Author Share Posted May 23 Thanks for your reply, Jo_Ann. Is it possible to have different foundation heights, even if I use cut outs to accomplish? I'm trying to do this design the way he's going to build it. He's trying to stay with the 4' foundation wall where possible to cut down on cost, and he doesn't want to have 4'+ of exposed foundation at the back of the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rookie65 Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 You use "pony walls", which I don't know if Suite has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 To create accurate plans, you probably need to upgrade to Pro. Suite and Architectural lack the ability to specify important parts of the structure, like for the floor. For how to info, search the Home Designer website (it also searches this forum). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffKNH Posted May 23 Author Share Posted May 23 Thanks Rookie65, Solver. I will upgrade to Pro. I also found this article on creating Stepped Foundations in Chief Architect, but not sure if that's available in Home Designer Pro. Will upgrade and go from there. Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 25 minutes ago, JeffKNH said: I also found this article on creating Stepped Foundations in Chief Architect Articles list at the top what software they apply to. The basics of Chief and Pro are the same, Chief just has more features and options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_Ann Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 To create different foundation heights, wall off the area you want to change, open the new room, and change the stem wall height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_Ann Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 Example done with Suite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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