ᐅ Exceptional and spacious – how to proceed?

Created on: 16 Apr 2016 14:23
T
timbolo
Since I plan to build next year or at the latest the year after, I am now starting to look more closely into the topic of house construction and hope to get some suggestions or answers to my questions.

The plot (2400 sqm (about 26,000 sq ft)) is already available, approximately 40 km (25 miles) south of Hamburg. I am not allowed to build a two-story house; otherwise, everything is allowed.

Basically, I want two things: unusual architecture and a very spacious, open design.
- Point 1 is very important to me. I want to stand in front of my house and be impressed by it every day. It should definitely not be a standard design. I have many pictures of houses from magazines and the internet that I like, but I never know what such houses cost or how large they need to be at minimum to realize them. I do not yet know exactly what I want.
- Point 2: I expect a lot of criticism or comments that it is too large, but I am planning about 400-500 sqm (4300-5400 sq ft) of living space. I currently live alone in 190 sqm (2045 sq ft) and do not consider that too large.

Rough idea:
Ground floor: 100 sqm (1075 sq ft) living room as the heart of the house, with ceiling height over two floors. Kitchen 40 sqm (430 sq ft), dining room 30 sqm (320 sq ft), bathroom 15 sqm (160 sq ft), guest room 20 sqm (215 sq ft), utility room 30 sqm (320 sq ft), office 25 sqm (270 sq ft).
First floor: Bedroom 35 sqm (375 sq ft), bathroom 30 sqm (320 sq ft), walk-in closet 30 sqm (320 sq ft), small office 15 sqm (160 sq ft) (all en suite).
Three children’s rooms each 30 sqm (320 sq ft), full bathroom 20 sqm (215 sq ft).
Currently, the area distribution between the ground and first floor does not quite fit yet, but these are just my initial ideas without having spoken to an architect.

Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to find information online about projects of this size—prices, floor plans, pictures, etc.

What is the best way to proceed now? I have two architects nearby who have built quite unusual reference projects that I like and plan to schedule appointments with them soon. Does anyone have recommendations for architects in Hamburg and the surrounding area who could realize such a project? An architect who typically works with more traditional single-family houses is probably not the right contact. Where can I find an architect suitable for my building project?

All trades will be contracted separately. Would the architect also handle the tendering, negotiation, and acceptance, or should I hire a second person for this?

How much time should I plan for the entire project? Three to six months for planning and then another six months for construction, or is that too long or too short?

And now perhaps the most difficult question: What kind of budget should I expect? The house fully move-in ready—meaning kitchen, flooring, painting, lighting for all rooms, incidental construction costs, but excluding garage, furniture, and landscaping, which will be extra. Of course, this question is very general. You can spend $5,000 on a kitchen or $200,000. It should be very high-end quality but no golden faucets needed. Can I expect to manage with around one million euros?

I appreciate any suggestions or experiences; feel free to contact me via PM as well.
P
Peanuts74
27 Apr 2016 06:12
Ah, so the budget ran out after all for the lights in the swimming pool.
There are many beautiful things...
MarcWen27 Apr 2016 11:47
Peanuts74 schrieb:
Ah, so the money ran out for the lights in the swimming pool
There’s a lot of nice stuff...

Compliments... I was just about to ask about the stylish lights. In the last picture, you installed two downpipes for the rainwater... not sure if it would have been practical to connect them.

There are some great ideas and implementations, but I’m not sure if I should take some tips from here, as it would probably fail due to the costs.

I have a question about the lighting in the first pictures... the ceiling spotlights are visible, but what kind of accent lighting is that around the edges?
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maniac669
27 Apr 2016 12:23
Hi
There was no other way to handle the downpipes.
This is indirect lighting integrated into the decorative moldings.
Attached is a photo of the moldings with the lights off and the swimming pool with the installed lamps.

Innenraumecke mit weißen Zierleisten an Decke und Wänden, neutraler Farbton.


Innenpool mit Glasfronten, Blick nach draußen aufs grüne Gelände; Wasser spiegelt Decke.
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Peanuts74
27 Apr 2016 12:27
You couldn’t just let the lamps slide like that, right?
But don’t tear the floor out just because I say I’m not too fond of dark wood. The rest can mostly stay as it is...
tabtab27 Apr 2016 12:41
I like the style! Especially in the bathroom! Congratulations on the house! Above all, I find it brave that someone actually shows what they have. In America, this is quite common, but in Germany, it is completely frowned upon. So: hats off and congratulations!
Uwe8227 Apr 2016 12:48
tabtab schrieb:
In America this is quite common, but here in Germany it is completely frowned upon. So: hats off and congratulations!

I usually don’t agree; you just need to be a bit more tactful so it doesn’t come across the wrong way.

By the way, I really like the house too. Apart from a few things (like the dark floor), I would like it as well. The kitchen and bathroom are really great.