Template Project: Houses (Compiling)

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Minibit

Returned from the Void
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Genres
Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Quest, Sci-Fi, Time Travel and World Hopping, Steampunk, Action/Adventure, Modern Drama, Mystery, Slice of Life, Romance, and many more.
Houses have more than enough info!
Let's start designing for forests

This is a compilation thread for the Worldbuilding Templates project! In this thread, ask questions about a house. The point of this thread is to compile a huge list of questions that we can turn into a mini, a medium, and an ultra template to help users create houses for their roleplays, so get creative and get posting!

I find it helps to think of a specific kind of house and what makes it different from other houses; ask a question that would highlight that feature.

Here's what we got so far.


Architectural Style (A-frame, Etc)
Year Built: How old is the house
Additions: any expansions since original building, such as a balcony, new storey, or shed.
Creator: Who built the house
Owner: who owns it now?
Age:
Secrets: passages, ghosts, etc
History:
Square Feet/meters:
Storeys:
Room count: How Many Rooms?
Bath Count: How Many Baths?
Bed count: How many Bedrooms?
Residency count: How many Living Suites (basement suite, Servant's quarters, etc)
Entrance/Exit Count: How many Entrances?
Layout/floor Plan:
Decor: Describe the colours, built in units such as alcove shelves or closets, furniture, and other decorative aspects of each room.
Entryway:
Living Room:
Bedroom:
Bathroom:
Kitchen:
Laundry/Utility Room:
Attic:
Other Rooms:
Square Feet/meters
Exterior walls: Brick, Stucco, panels, etc.
Yard: Is there a yard?
Yard Layout:
Fencing: How is it bordered?
Parking: Where do vehicles park?
Decoration: Are there any decorative items?
Fun: Any recreational items?
Natural Flora:What kinds of plants grow?
Garden: Is there a garden?
Domestic Fauna: are there outside accommodations for pets/utility animals?
Natural Fauna: any uninvited critters?
Maintenance: Is the yard well tended?
 
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Some ideas to throw in. It's also 11 at night so I may be suggesting silly things <~<

Lighting styles: skylights, lamps, sconces?
Roofing: roof tiles, stone, perhaps a sheet of tin?
Appliances: what all is decking out that kitchen of yours?
 
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City district it's located in?
Neighbourhood?
Neighbours?
Staff?
Regular sounds within and without?
Smells?
Blueprints? (if you're so inclined)
Level of cleanliness for each room/area/hallway?
What food in the kitchen?
Plumbing?
How 'green' is this house?
 
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I think for these templates it's best to start with some a little more abstract, conceptual questions. Such as the building's environment and it's impact on foundation and materials. Or the concept: who/what was the home built for? Culture is relevant to this as well. If you've got those kinda things figured out, you have a general template in which you can start filling out details.
 
Criminal History: Did spooky sh*t happen here, murders or violent attacks? (Legal questions for building inspections and such)
How well has the property been treated? (Are there marks on the walls, rusted nails on the outsides, old cracks that need repairing)
Previous tenants: What was the context of their departure?
Landlord (if rental): What is the landlord/lady like? Cantankerous? Boisterous? A kind old lady? A big butch body builder with a deep love for baby animals?


More to be added.
 
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Neighborhood- is it similar to the other houses around it?

(Neighborhood?)Class- what social/economic status do residents usually belong to that live here?
 
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How in depth are you wishing to go on the structure itself?

Foundation type [slab, crawl space, basement, stilts, etc]
Wall construction [2x4, 2x6; aluminum or pine studs; etc]
Wall composition [drywall, plaster, paneling, etc]
Heating/cooling systems?
Water source [city, well (there are several types)]
Power source

I realize that these go into a layer of detail that most would consider excessive but I also know there are some here at Iwaku who crave such lengths.
 
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Which utilities does the house have and of what kinds? Electricity, water, telephone, television, internet?
Water heating: Electric, natural gas, or none? If there is one, how much water does the water heater hold?
Cooking: Electric, natural gas, wood burning, or no cooking fixtures?
Temperature control: Does the house have heating, cooling, both, or none? For heating, is it electric, natural gas, or wood burning (such as fireplaces), and exactly how is the heating done (forced air/convection, radiators, electric resistance heating, portable heaters, etc)? For cooling, is it done through air ducts, ceiling fans, or window-mounted air conditioners?
Luxury fixtures: Does the house have a pool and/or hot tub? Does the house have a sauna? Does the house have any sporting fixtures built in (basketball hoop/court, tennis court, etc)?
 
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How many previous owners did the house have?
Have there been any deaths in the house?
 
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Wow, a lot has been said already, but I agree with Kestrel that the sheet should begin with more abstract concepts and then slowly move into detail. I also believe that the sheet should be divided into sections with space between them. Perhaps they would be labeled as "General house information", "General room information", "Room specifics" and "Additional house information". From what has been suggested until this point, here is how I suggest things should be sorted:

General house information

Address:
Nickname: ( a legendary name or simply how it is known around the block )
Year of initial start of construction:
Year of completion of its original state:
Year of last external modification: ( additional room, wall, increase/decrease in domain, etc. )
Creator:
Past owner(s):
Present owner(s):
Total domain size:
Total house size: ( height, storeys and square meters/feet )
House condition: ( renovated, decaying, stable and the like )
House status: ( bought, rented, government property, etc. )
Number and location of entrances/exits:

General room information


Total number of rooms:
Types of rooms in the entire house:
Number and type of rooms on the first floor/storey:
Number and type of rooms on the second floor/storey: ( if any )
Number and type of rooms on the third floor/storey: ( if any )
Number and type of rooms on other floors/storeys: ( if any )
Number and type of rooms in other places: ( sheds, towers, attic, basement, etc. )

Room specifics

First floor/storey

Number of rooms:

Shape of entrance room: ( If this function is carried out by another main room, this and the related may be left blank. ) ( square, rectangular, T-shaped, X-shaped, etc. )
Size of the entrance room:
Location of the entrance room on the floor/storey :
Floor type: ( wood and its type, concrete, stone, etc. )
Wall size and thickness:
Wall material: ( rock, concrete, wood )
Wall decoration: ( painted walls, wallpapers, paintings, mirrors, etc. )
Lighting:
Number and location of windows: ( if any )
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Furnishing and its location: ( hangers, closets, slipper cabinets, etc. )
Additional: ( stairways up or down, holes, etc. )

Shape of the living room:
Size of the living room:
Location of the living room on the floor/ storey:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall material: ( rock, concrete, wood )
Wall decoration: ( painted walls, wallpapers, paintings, mirrors, etc. )
Heating:
Lighting:
Number and location of windows:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/exits:
Furnishing and its location:
Technological items: ( television, radio, computers, laptops, sci-fi gadgets, etc. )
Occupants: ( if any )
Additional: ( stairways up or down, holes, etc. )

Shape of the kitchen:
Size of the kitchen:
Location of the kitchen on the floor/storey:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall material: ( rock, concrete, wood )
Wall decoration: ( painted walls, tiles, etc. )
Heating:
Lighting:
Number and location of windows:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/exits:
Furnishing and its location: ( cupboards, cabinets, bar, refrigerator, microwave, etc. )
Technological items: ( fans, television, radio, etc. )
Food storage: ( Where is the food stored? Where are the spices stored? The grains? Anything else that is edible or poisonous?)
Type and number of items required for eating: ( utensils, plates, pots, pans, bowls, etc. )
Storage place for the items required for eating:
Additional: ( strings of beads on the entrance, charms, clocks, etc. )

Size of the dining room: ( if there is one )
Location of the dining room on the floor/ storey:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall material: ( rock, concrete, wood )
Wall decoration: ( painted walls, wallpapers, paintings, mirrors, etc. )
Heating:
Lighting:
Number and location of windows:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/exits:
Furnishing and its location:
Technological items: ( television, radio, computers, laptops, sci-fi gadgets, etc. )
Additional: ( stairways up or down, holes, etc. )

Size of the bathroom:
Location of the bathroom on the floor/ storey:
Floor type: ( tiles, concrete, etc. )
Wall size and thickness:
Wall material: ( rock, concrete, wood )
Wall decoration:
Lighting:
Number and location of windows:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/exits:
Furnishing and its location: ( toilet, sink, bath, shower, etc. )
Additional: ( hangers, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc.)

Size of the game room: ( If there is one )
Location of the game room on the floor/ storey:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall material: ( rock, concrete, wood )
Wall decoration: ( painted walls, wallpapers, paintings, mirrors, etc. )
Heating:
Lighting:
Number and location of windows:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/exits:
Furnishing and its location: ( chairs, carpets, tables, etc. )
Games one can play:
Gaming items: ( PSP, television, laptop, cards, billiards, etc. )
Additional:

[Name(s) of the character(s)] 's bedroom size:
Location of the bedroom on the floor/storey:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall decoration:
Heating:
Lighting:
Number and location of windows:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/exits:
Bed type: ( double, single, bunk, canopy, etc.)
Bed size:
Additional bed information: ( preferred sheets, covers, pillows, stuffed animals, bookcases, etc. )
Furnishing and its location: ( closets, bookcases, chairs, tables, etc. )
Technological items and their location: ( laptops, computers, air-conditioners, etc. )
Additional:

Size of the laundry/utility Room: ( if any )
Location of the laundry/utility on the floor/storey:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall decoration:
Lighting:
Number and location of windows:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/exits:
Furnishing: ( cabinets, boards, etc. )
Number, location and type of washing machines:

Size of the storage room: ( if any )
Location of the storage room on the floor/storey:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall decoration:
Lighting:
Number and location of windows:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/exits:
Furnishing: ( cabinets, boards, etc. )
Storage type: ( food, clothes, junk, etc. )

Second floor/storey

Number of rooms:

Methods of reaching the floor/storey:
( If it exists, the sheets can be copy-pasted. )

Third floor/storey

Number of rooms:
Methods of reaching the floor/storey:
( If it exists, the sheets can be copy-pasted. )

Other floors/storeys

Number of rooms:
Methods of reaching the floor/storey:
( If they exist, the sheets can be copy-pasted. )

Attic

Number of rooms:
Methods of reaching the attic:
( If it exists, the sheets can be copy-pasted. )

Basement

Number of rooms:
Methods of reaching the attic:
( If it exists, the sheets can be copy-pasted. )


Additional house information

Roof style:
Roof size:
Roof colour:
Roof decoration:

Water source:
Plumbing:
Water conservation method(s): ( if any )

Energy source:
Energy conservation: ( if any )

Residents: ( list the names )
Servants: ( if any )
Pets: ( if any )
Ghosts/ spirits/ supernatural beings: ( if any )
Wildlife: ( ants, ticks, squirrels, sparrows, swallows, etc. )

Garage location: ( if any )
Garage size and shape:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/ exits:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall decoration:
Heating:
Lighting:
Furnishing:
Items stored in the garage:
Number of vehicles:
Type of vehicles:
Vehicle brand(s):
Additional:

Yard/garden type: ( front, back and the like )
Yard/garden size:
Fencing: ( type, size, endurance, state, etc. )
Gateway:
Grass: ( natural, artificial, none at all )
Plants: ( type, location, height, etc. )
Decoration:
Furnishing: ( tables, chairs, swings, slides, etc.)
Additional: ( hot tubs, graves, shrines, etc. )

Pool location: ( if any )
Pool size:
Type of water:
Water heating:
Decoration:
Additional: ( slides, stairways, wave simulators, etc. )

Type of construction outside: ( shed, hen house, stable, etc. )
Location on the domain:
Size:
Number and location of entrances/exits:
Type of entrances/ exits:
Floor type:
Wall size and thickness:
Wall decoration:
Heating:
Lighting:
Furnishing:
Occupants:
Additional:

Secrets:

City name:
Area name:
Neighborhood name:
Neighborhood reputation:
Neighbors:




Please, excuse me if this was not something that should have been done on this thread. I am new to the site and this is my first time posting on a thread such as this. Others users were throwing in their ideas and I merely thought that I should construct mine in this fashion.
 
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Wow, you guys really ran with this! I think we're read to move on to the next Template compilation while the House questions get arranged and sorted in the back rooms; there will be probably less of an emphasis on stuff IN the house (food in cupboards, appliances, etc) but given all of your impressive attention to detail; we may just sort those kinds of questions for room templates like Kitchen, Living room, or Bedroom!
 
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