Before placing a single decorative block, you need a solid structural plan. Layout and foundation work shapes everything that comes after. Get these right and the rest falls into place.
Layout
The first step in any build is planning the structural frame. Start by constructing a wool outline of your building. This gives you a clear sense of the footprint, scale, and how rooms will sit relative to each other before you commit to anything permanent.
A layout serves two purposes: it shows you whether the size feels right from the outside, and it forces you to think about the interior before the walls go up. A building that looks fine from the outside can turn out to have unusable rooms if layout isn't planned upfront. Avoid 2-block-tall rooms by mapping out ceiling heights in your wool frame.
Shape matters. Avoid symmetrical square footprints. They read as flat and generic. But don't add wings or offshoots just for the sake of variety either. Every part of a building should have a reason to exist. L-shapes, T-shapes, and slight offsets all add visual interest while staying grounded in function.
Take inspiration from completed builds in your region. Look at how project leaders handle irregular terrain, how they break up long walls, and how they vary rooflines. Your layout should fit the land it sits on, not fight it.
Foundation
Every structure needs a foundation: a base of stone that anchors it to the ground and makes it feel like it belongs there.
The foundation should extend far enough into the ground that no dirt or sand is visible beneath the walls. A building that appears to float above the terrain, or shows exposed earth under its walls, looks incomplete and breaks the sense that it belongs there.
Foundation depth depends on the terrain. On flat ground, a few blocks is usually enough. On a slope, the foundation may need to step down significantly on one side to keep the base fully covered. Take the time to check all sides of your build.
Foundation material should match the region and building class. Stone variants are most common, but the specific type (rough cobble, dressed ashlar, fieldstone) should align with the style guides for your area.