ᐅ A first draft of the floor plan from our architect... Please share your opinions.
Created on: 7 Apr 2016 15:43
G
Grobi82
Hello dear forum members,
I have been following this forum for a while and have now decided to start my first thread.
A brief background:
We recently purchased an unfinished shell construction, where the partial basement with stairs and the slab foundation are already in place. We were aware that our design options for the interior layout would be limited. The original design did not really meet our expectations, so we hired an architect to design our dream home based on the existing structure. The original plan included a recessed upper floor, which did not meet our space requirements with two children. This is the reason for the redesign.
We are currently in the very early stages of discussion, so I would appreciate any feedback on our first draft. What do you like, what don’t you like? Is something missing? Because the basement stairs are already installed, we are somewhat restricted when it comes to the upper floor. Nevertheless, we have tried to make the best possible use of the available space.
Here are a few notes I’d like to share:
- Two full stories with a hipped roof
- Partial basement (already built)
- Slab foundation poured in the area without a basement
- Double garage
- The living/dining area is designed as a split-level, meaning it is about 50 cm (20 inches) lower than the rest of the house
- The connection from the master bedroom to the walk-in closet is not ideal but likely cannot be changed due to the already built basement stairs
- Outdoor areas (except for the covered terrace) are not yet planned
Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Best regards,
Grobi
I have been following this forum for a while and have now decided to start my first thread.
A brief background:
We recently purchased an unfinished shell construction, where the partial basement with stairs and the slab foundation are already in place. We were aware that our design options for the interior layout would be limited. The original design did not really meet our expectations, so we hired an architect to design our dream home based on the existing structure. The original plan included a recessed upper floor, which did not meet our space requirements with two children. This is the reason for the redesign.
We are currently in the very early stages of discussion, so I would appreciate any feedback on our first draft. What do you like, what don’t you like? Is something missing? Because the basement stairs are already installed, we are somewhat restricted when it comes to the upper floor. Nevertheless, we have tried to make the best possible use of the available space.
Here are a few notes I’d like to share:
- Two full stories with a hipped roof
- Partial basement (already built)
- Slab foundation poured in the area without a basement
- Double garage
- The living/dining area is designed as a split-level, meaning it is about 50 cm (20 inches) lower than the rest of the house
- The connection from the master bedroom to the walk-in closet is not ideal but likely cannot be changed due to the already built basement stairs
- Outdoor areas (except for the covered terrace) are not yet planned
Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Best regards,
Grobi
What kind of thermal separation are you referring to? Is it to isolate the basement?
I don’t really see a problem there since the basement only has a small hallway. I would rather seal the basement stairs on the side and install a door from the ground floor to the basement stairs.
I grew up in a house like that; to this day, the basement stairs are not sealed off, and they lead directly from the ground floor hallway without a door. As long as all doors in the basement are closed, you don’t notice any thermal issues.
However, yours is a new build, so the basement should be better insulated from the start compared to a house from the 1980s.
I understand the architect’s concerns but think they might be a bit exaggerated. I definitely wouldn’t divide the hallway so drastically.
I don’t really see a problem there since the basement only has a small hallway. I would rather seal the basement stairs on the side and install a door from the ground floor to the basement stairs.
I grew up in a house like that; to this day, the basement stairs are not sealed off, and they lead directly from the ground floor hallway without a door. As long as all doors in the basement are closed, you don’t notice any thermal issues.
However, yours is a new build, so the basement should be better insulated from the start compared to a house from the 1980s.
I understand the architect’s concerns but think they might be a bit exaggerated. I definitely wouldn’t divide the hallway so drastically.
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Bauexperte27 Apr 2016 16:13@Grobi82
I have removed the picture of the upper floor from your email address.
Regards, Bauexperte
I have removed the picture of the upper floor from your email address.
Regards, Bauexperte
B
Bauexperte27 Apr 2016 16:56@Grobi82
I’m not really one for meetings about submitted drafts; Kerstin and Yvonne are always the reliable ones for that.
But since you reminded me of your draft and I happened to overlook a question to myself at one point (Yvonne had the right answers, of course), I naturally took another look at the latest draft.
Ground floor:
Here I would still advise you to close off the hallway area, as well as the kitchen to the slightly lower living/dining room, each with a sliding door; glass would be my preferred choice. I’m not a fan of drafts or having cooking smells spread throughout the entire floor.
Upper floor:
I’m usually a fan of consistently implemented sightlines, but this draft is almost stranger than the first one from your initial planning.
I wonder what the upper floor is supposed to represent? Is your planner simply a “yes-man,” or are you resistant to advice and has he given up? Designing a storage room on the upper floor is certainly a smart move; planning it more or less as a trapped space is simply naive. Let alone that the space behind the stairs—boldly called a hallway—makes no sense; a hallway serves as a distribution space, not to lead into a dead end. Or is communication via the stair railing the idea here? Also, I don’t understand why the master bathroom has to drain over a living space again.
Sorry—it’s your house, but I would return the upper floor plan with a request to take on the challenge of the staircase again. If your planner also keeps the window symmetry of ground floor and upper floor in focus, it’s likely to result in something really nice.
Regards, Bauexperte
I’m not really one for meetings about submitted drafts; Kerstin and Yvonne are always the reliable ones for that.
But since you reminded me of your draft and I happened to overlook a question to myself at one point (Yvonne had the right answers, of course), I naturally took another look at the latest draft.
Ground floor:
Here I would still advise you to close off the hallway area, as well as the kitchen to the slightly lower living/dining room, each with a sliding door; glass would be my preferred choice. I’m not a fan of drafts or having cooking smells spread throughout the entire floor.
Upper floor:
I’m usually a fan of consistently implemented sightlines, but this draft is almost stranger than the first one from your initial planning.
I wonder what the upper floor is supposed to represent? Is your planner simply a “yes-man,” or are you resistant to advice and has he given up? Designing a storage room on the upper floor is certainly a smart move; planning it more or less as a trapped space is simply naive. Let alone that the space behind the stairs—boldly called a hallway—makes no sense; a hallway serves as a distribution space, not to lead into a dead end. Or is communication via the stair railing the idea here? Also, I don’t understand why the master bathroom has to drain over a living space again.
Sorry—it’s your house, but I would return the upper floor plan with a request to take on the challenge of the staircase again. If your planner also keeps the window symmetry of ground floor and upper floor in focus, it’s likely to result in something really nice.
Regards, Bauexperte
Thank you, Frank, for your invitation – it’s an exciting topic with the preset requirements you purchased.
First of all:
I don’t understand your sentence. Also, I’m currently confused by the overview of the posts and floor plans concerning the window arrangement: specifically the central window on the south side... centrally located above the double door below? I think symmetry does not suit the house at all. However, the window positions do not look symmetrical either – but almost minimally so, and that’s not attractive! At the moment, there is no visible structure.
I have no idea what the facade design might look like: which roof? Parapet height of the upper floor window? Architectural style?
One window should be enough.
Yes. If necessary, I would separate the section directly in front of the basement staircase entrance (about 1 sqm (10.8 sq ft)). This would also allow a person showering on the ground floor to remain inside the warm house without having to enter the chilly basement area. Additionally, if this area by the stairs is enclosed with a wall, it could provide a generous coatroom, relieving the closet right by the entrance door.
In our old house, the basement was uninsulated and we had an intermediate door downstairs. Other townhouses had no door; as a result, there was sometimes draft, but it didn’t cool the whole house.
Since the lady of the house is now also giving up the direct access to the bathroom (as I understand it, due to giving up the children’s bathroom, which I can also understand well), there could be a chance that she will come to her senses in the coming weeks and admit that there are more functional uses of living space than gallery rooms and open areas. But if there is surplus space anyway, then of course I’m happy to be a supportive lady.
I’m now trying the upper floor with a new drawing program – but most likely the problem lies in visualizing the exterior facade and thus the window positions.
P.S. The bedroom should urgently be accessible from the walk-in closet, not the other way around. A sleeping or ill partner will thank you for this at some point!
First of all:
Bauexperte schrieb:
Sorry – it will be your house, but I would return the upper floor with a challenge to the stairs, hoping you accept it. If your planner also keeps the symmetry of the windows on the ground floor and upper floor in focus, only something nice can come out of it.
I don’t understand your sentence. Also, I’m currently confused by the overview of the posts and floor plans concerning the window arrangement: specifically the central window on the south side... centrally located above the double door below? I think symmetry does not suit the house at all. However, the window positions do not look symmetrical either – but almost minimally so, and that’s not attractive! At the moment, there is no visible structure.
Grobi82 schrieb:
If we swap the walk-in closet and bedroom with the children’s rooms, it no longer fits with the rear facade appearance. The hallway window (south side) is located exactly above a window element in the living room.
I have no idea what the facade design might look like: which roof? Parapet height of the upper floor window? Architectural style?
Grobi82 schrieb:
We are still considering whether to add a window on the east side in the bedroom. It would be located above the bed, which I don’t find ideal.
One window should be enough.
Grobi82 schrieb:
Maybe one more question about the hallway area on the ground floor... Do you see any other possibilities to create a thermal separation of the unheated basement?
Yes. If necessary, I would separate the section directly in front of the basement staircase entrance (about 1 sqm (10.8 sq ft)). This would also allow a person showering on the ground floor to remain inside the warm house without having to enter the chilly basement area. Additionally, if this area by the stairs is enclosed with a wall, it could provide a generous coatroom, relieving the closet right by the entrance door.
In our old house, the basement was uninsulated and we had an intermediate door downstairs. Other townhouses had no door; as a result, there was sometimes draft, but it didn’t cool the whole house.
Grobi82 schrieb:
however, the lady of the house wants a direct connection from bedroom – walk-in closet – bathroom
Grobi82 schrieb:
The lady of the house really likes this open area on the upper floor, so I don’t need to argue about wasted space
Since the lady of the house is now also giving up the direct access to the bathroom (as I understand it, due to giving up the children’s bathroom, which I can also understand well), there could be a chance that she will come to her senses in the coming weeks and admit that there are more functional uses of living space than gallery rooms and open areas. But if there is surplus space anyway, then of course I’m happy to be a supportive lady.
I’m now trying the upper floor with a new drawing program – but most likely the problem lies in visualizing the exterior facade and thus the window positions.
P.S. The bedroom should urgently be accessible from the walk-in closet, not the other way around. A sleeping or ill partner will thank you for this at some point!
B
Bauexperte27 Apr 2016 18:20Hello Yvonne,
The windows on the ground floor are placed more or less in a traditional way; quite differently on the upper floor. To me, it almost seems as if the upper floor – considering the elevations as well – was designed for a different single-family house. At the same time, the difference – if it is intentional – is not consistently thought through, because then the façade – precisely because of the differences – would have a clear character.
Since I therefore suspect it might be a matter of chance, I brought up the idea of symmetrical windows.
Regards, Bauexperte
ypg schrieb:
I don’t understand your sentence.
The windows on the ground floor are placed more or less in a traditional way; quite differently on the upper floor. To me, it almost seems as if the upper floor – considering the elevations as well – was designed for a different single-family house. At the same time, the difference – if it is intentional – is not consistently thought through, because then the façade – precisely because of the differences – would have a clear character.
Since I therefore suspect it might be a matter of chance, I brought up the idea of symmetrical windows.
Regards, Bauexperte
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