YES — let’s build a hexagonal house that feels like a fortress, a temple, and a living machine all at once. Below is a complete conceptual design you can hand to an architect/engineer to develop: site strategy, footprint, floor plans (single- and two-story options), structure, roof, materials, daylighting, MEP strategy, sustainable features, furniture layout, construction notes, and a rough cost guide. I made practical dimension choices so you can visualize real rooms; tweak sizes to suit your lot and budget.
Overview — concept & vibe
A regular hexagon footprint gives equal radial views, efficient perimeter-to-area ratio, and a dramatic centrality. Program: open-plan living + kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths (single-story) or 4 beds/3 baths (two-story). The plan uses a central core (vertical circulation, services, and a skylit light well) and three primary “facets” dedicated to living, sleeping, and workspace. Crisp modern materials (exposed timber, steel, glass) with strong overhangs for weather protection.
Site & orientation
- Place a flat facet facing the primary view or solar axis (e.g., south in northern hemisphere).
- Primary glazing on the southern facets for passive solar; northern facets contain bathrooms/utility.
- Low driveway approach to one vertex with covered entry. Wrap deck on 2–3 facets facing outdoors.
- Rainwater capture on the hex roof feeding cistern; PV on southern-facing roof slopes.
Geometry & sizes (example base model — modify to taste)
- Regular hexagon across flats (distance between parallel facets): 40 ft (12.2 m).
- Side length ≈ 23.1 ft (7.05 m).
- Usable floor area ≈ 1,384 sq ft (128.6 m²).
- Ceiling height: main living 10–12 ft; bedrooms 9 ft. Two-story total ≈ 2,700–2,900 sq ft depending on mezzanines/overhangs.
Single-Story Floor Plan (3-bed version) — spatial program & circulation
Imagine the hexagon with facets numbered 1→6 clockwise; front entry at vertex between facets 6 & 1.
Central Core (skylit): mechanical closet, pantry, vertical light well, optional fireplace chimney.
Facet 1 (South-facing) — Living / Dining (open plan): 20’ × ~12’ opening to deck; large triple-panel sliding door.
Facet 2 — Kitchen along an interior wall + island facing living; pantry in central core.
Facet 3 — Master suite: bedroom, walk-in closet, ensuite with shower and glazing to private patio.
Facet 4 — Bedroom 2 (guest/child) with wardrobe.
Facet 5 — Bedroom 3 / Office.
Facet 6 (North-facing) — Utility/laundry, main bath, mechanical room.
Circulation: short radial corridors from central core to each facet; no wasted long hallways.
ASCII-ish footprint (very simplified, not to scale):
/‾‾‾‾‾‾‾\
/ Facet1 \
/ Living \
| Central |
| Core |
\ Kitchen /
\ Facet4 /
\______/
Two-Story Option (adds loft/extra bedrooms):
- Lower: living, kitchen, 1 guest bedroom, utility.
- Upper: master suite spanning two facets as private wing + two small bedrooms / office and a balcony overlooking living.
- Stair placed in central core hugging light well — dramatic vertical connection and natural ventilation stack.
Roof & canopy design
- A low-pitched hexagonal hip roof with six planes meeting at small ridge or central skylight dome. Alternative: butterfly roof with alternating slopes for PV and rainwater choreography.
- Generous overhangs on sun-facing facets to shade summer sun, expose low winter sun.
- Structural ridge/skylight aligned with central core to bring daylight deep into plan.
Structure & foundations (practical approach)
- Foundation: perimeter reinforced concrete strip footing or slab-on-grade with thickened edges. For frost areas use deeper footings.
- Framing: option A — light-frame wood construction with engineered timber beams across facets and radial interior posts at vertices; option B — steel frame (HSS/pipe/rather) for long clear spans and dramatic cantilevers.
- Roof: engineered trusses sized for hex geometry or glulam beams that span from vertex to vertex carrying roof loads.
- Lateral system: shear walls located in the utility/central core and selected facets; cross-bracing at corners if steel frame.
Envelope, windows, and daylighting
- High-performance triple-glazed windows on living facets; narrow punched windows on bathrooms/utility.
- South and southeast facets maximize glazing; north minimized.
- Skylight over central core: continuous tubular or a 4–6 ft diameter glazed lantern.
- Insulation: R-20 walls, R-49 roof (or local code-plus targets). Airtight assembly with continuous exterior insulation for thermal bridging control.
Mechanical, plumbing, electrical (MEP) strategy
- HVAC: ducted mini-split multi-zone or small hydronic radiant slab with a heat pump (air-source or ground-source if budget allows). Central core houses equipment.
- Ventilation: ERV/HRV unit placed in mechanical closet in core for balanced ventilation and heat recovery.
- Hot water: heat-pump water heater in utility.
- Plumbing: stack through central core to minimize runs.
- Solar: roof-mounted PV along south-facing slopes; battery-ready electrical panel.
Sustainability & resilience features
- Passive solar orientation and thermal mass (concrete slab) to stabilize temperature.
- Rainwater harvesting from roof to cistern for irrigation and toilet flushing (local regs permitting).
- PV + battery for partial off-grid resilience.
- Durable exterior: fiber cement siding or charred timber (Shou Sugi Ban) for low maintenance.
- Stormwater permeable paving, native xeriscape planting, and a septic-ready layout if needed.
Interior finishes & furniture layout ideas
- Living: sectional oriented to view, low-profile built-ins along facet walls, dining next to sliding door to deck.
- Kitchen: island 8’ × 3.5’ with seating; appliance wall near core.
- Master suite: bed on interior wall, exterior glazing to private terrace.
- Use built-in benches in corners (takes advantage of angled geometry).
- Modular furniture to avoid awkward corners; floating storage to emphasize open geometry.
Outdoor / deck strategy
- Wrap deck across 2–3 facets with transitions to lawn/terrace.
- Covered entry at a vertex with a small vestibule to stop heat loss.
- Optional roof terrace atop a single-story hex for views (ensure structural support and waterproofing).
Accessibility & adaptability
- Single-story design inherently accessible; ensure 36” clear paths and zero-step threshold at main doors.
- Bedrooms designed so one can be converted to a master if mobility needs change.
- Central core makes future MEP upgrades easier.
Construction sequencing & cost considerations (ballpark)
- Phases: site prep → foundation → shell + roof → windows/doors → MEP → interiors → landscaping.
- Ballpark cost (US, 2025): variable by region, finishes, and structural choices. For a well-finished modern build expect $200–$450+/sq ft. Lower-cost region + simple finishes might approach $150–$200/sq ft; high-end or steel/glulam will push $400+. Consult local contractor for precise estimate.
Quick pros & cons
Pros: efficient envelope, strong visual identity, excellent views, usable corners for private patios, good daylighting if oriented well.
Cons: custom geometry raises design/permit costs, cabinetry and wallfurnishings need special treatment for angled walls, roof detailing is more complex.
Working drawings & next steps (practical checklist)
- Sketch site plan on your lot — mark views, sun path, wind.
- Decide single- or two-story and final square footage.
- Hire an architect to convert concept into permit drawings — provide this brief.
- Structural engineer to size glulam/steel or conventional framing for hex spans.
- MEP engineer for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing sizing.
- Get 2–3 contractor bids and refine cost per square foot.
- Consider building a small scale model or 3D model early to validate proportions and daylight.
If you want, I can:
- produce a scaled 2D plan with precise room dimensions for the 40 ft-across-flat scheme;
- generate an exploded materials list (rough quantities); or
- adapt the design to a smaller footprint (e.g., 30 ft across) or a larger luxury hexagon with courtyard central atrium.
Which do you want next? I’ll turn your favorite option into detailed room-by-room dimensions and a layout you can hand to a designer.