This overview describes the house layout and design of the tri-unit dwelling offered as “Triplex House Plan with 825 Sq Ft 2 Bedroom Units (Plan 51202MM)”. It’s a cost-efficient, space-saving design ideal for a multi-family building or small rental property — or even a multigenerational home under one roof.
Exterior & Overall Dimensions
The building footprint spans a width of 90′ 0″ and a depth of 45′ 6″. 1 The maximum ridge height is about 18′ 6″, and the ceiling height at first floor is the standard 8′. 2 The roof style is a hip roof with 8-on-12 pitch and standard stick framing construction. 3 The external walls are designed with 2×4 framing (with optional upgrade to 2×6). 4
Unit Layout — What Each Apartment Offers
- Each of the three units (labeled Unit A, B, and C) offers 825 square feet of heated living space. 5
- Each unit contains 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. 6
- One of the bedrooms in each unit is a “master suite,” with a full bath and a walk-in closet. 7
- Other features per unit include built-in storage (closets), and access to a patio for grilling plus a covered front porch for entry — giving the units a sense of privacy and functionality despite being part of a shared structure. 8
What Comes with the Plan Set & What You’ll Need Locally
The plan package includes:
- Architectural renderings / exterior elevations. 9
- Full floor plan(s) at scale, including door and window schedules. 10
- Foundation plan and details. 11
- Electrical plan showing suggested locations for lights, outlets, switches, etc. 12
- Roof drainage layout. 13
- Interior elevations (cabinets, wall-specific detailing), building sections, and structural details. 14
What’s not included (to be handled locally): mechanical drawings (HVAC, ductwork), detailed plumbing drawings (pipe sizes/locations), energy-use calculations, and a site plan. 15 This means you’ll need to adapt the plan to local building codes, foundation requirements, and climate considerations where you build.
Why This Design Works — Strengths & Use Cases
This triplex plan is an efficient and value-oriented design for several reasons:
- At 825 sq ft per unit, the layout is compact but full — each unit has 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths, including a master suite with a walk-in closet. This makes each unit viable for small families, couples, or roommates who need more privacy than a studio or one-bedroom.
- The use of a hip roof, modest ceiling height, and straightforward framing reduces material and labour costs compared with more elaborate designs. 16
- The shared building shell helps you maximize land usage while still offering personal living units — which is ideal for rental investment, generating income, or housing multiple related households (e.g. parents + adult children). This flexibility reflects the broader advantages of triplex designs in modern housing. 17
- The inclusion of porches, patios, and built-ins helps the units feel more like individual homes rather than “one big block with subdivisions”, improving curb appeal and livability. 18
What to Watch Out For / What You’ll Need to Adapt
Because the plan comes as a “generic” set — without mechanical, plumbing or energy calculations — you will need to customize those parts for your local climate and building codes. For example, plumbing layout, drainage, and roof drainage must reflect local rainfall and soil conditions. Electrical layout may also need adjustments depending on local utility standards.
Additionally, building code — especially around foundations and structural loads — will vary significantly depending on soil, weather, and seismic/ wind risk. The plan uses 2×4 exterior walls by default, but upgrading to 2×6 might be wise depending on local building regulations or insulation needs. 19
Suitability for Tropical Climates (as Thought Exercise)
If you were to consider building a similar triplex in Dar es Salaam or another tropical region, here are some reflections and considerations, based on general principles of floor-plan design:
• The compact footprint and efficient use of space help reduce construction costs. • The hip roof design is advantageous for heavy rain, if properly built and drained. • You would likely need to adapt wall materials or insulation to handle heat and humidity. • Mechanical systems (like ventilation, possibly split-AC units) and plumbing layout need careful design tailored to local climate and water-drainage conditions. Considering these, the design could serve as a useful template — though localized adaptation is essential.
Overall, this plan offers a solid balance between cost-efficiency, livability, and flexibility. It’s particularly appealing if you want to maximize land use (e.g. for rental units or multi-family accommodation) without sacrificing too much on comfort or privacy. Please
