Save thousands on Architecture costs with SketchUp 3D Modeling for your Scandi house in Latvia

Updated: 27 March, 2023 seen 165

This Spring we are planning another awesome DIY project - to build a Scandinavian-style house in rural Latvia.

A simple, one-storey building, with a total area slightly under 60m2.

The local construction law in Latvia classifies buildings under 60m2 as Group 1 buildings, which requires fewer loosened rules, just a description of the construction plan, and a minimal building plan is required to be submitted at bis.gov.lv

I'm planning to build this house myself, thus saving a lot on construction. There is no set timeframe for the project, but I would say it looks like a two Summer project. Fulfilling Summers.

For the past few weeks, I have been in touch with a few architects, looking to order a project for our house to submit to the local construction board to get a construction permit.

So far I have got two offers - an individual offer for about EUR 7,000 and a project from a template for about EUR 650. 

The price for the individual project seems way too high, while the reputation of template project authors raises some doubts. 

In my opinion - a house is just some square shape with a triangle roof, I don't see a reason for an individually shaped square. The inside-room planning also doesn't sound like rocket science. 

Anyhow, I decided, to screw you guys - I will design the project myself using Sketchup 3D Modeling. 

After a good afternoon watching some YouTube videos and drawing the design of our house, I decided to look for ready-made projects and found this awesome project: Modèle Nordique70

I downloaded the project files and started to experiment - wow, just awesome

3D Modeling Scandi House
3D modeling Scandi house

SketchUp for a web app is just awesome. Also the ready-made and shared project for the Scandi house is awesome. Exactly what I was looking for.

Now I will need to spend some time to understand how to actually edit this project and make it smaller under 60m2.

Also, I wonder, will the local construction board will accept my own drawings without a signature from the architect.

3d modeling
3d modeling back view of the house

Another thing I need to learn from SketchUp - how to see actual inside floor plan.

But, here you go - in case you are looking to save huge  - think SketchUp app.

Update: Our project got approved in 3 days. Follow up this project at: Frame House

about

Hi! My name is Reinis Fischer (38). Dad, husband, options traderdividend income investorcrypto hedge fund manager, drone enthusiast, world traveler, photographer, and passionate lover of Georgian cuisine (vegetarian). 

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