M
Mygstylzz8 Jan 2017 18:34Hello everyone,
We are building a prefab house (urban villa passive house KfW 40 Plus including photovoltaic system, nearly 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) with a fireplace and hip roof with a 25° (25 degrees) roof pitch).
We submitted the building notification without a basement for cost reasons (according to the manufacturer, a basement including the shell costs about 60,000 Euros, and based on our bad experiences with basements in rental apartments).
For the past two weeks, I can’t stop thinking that this might be a mistake. Where will we go if we want to host a party? Where do we put the hobby room, winter clothes, flea market boxes, fitness equipment, souvenirs from our vacations, my decorations, and many other things? What if we want to add a sauna later?
Unfortunately, the rooms upstairs are already fully utilized. We had the idea of a guest house in the garden that could also serve as a hobby room and storage space. But our architect told us that this would probably not be approved. We are only allowed to build 30 m³ (1,059 cubic feet). A conservatory would be too small and also quite expensive, according to our research.
I would appreciate any experience reports or advice. I’m afraid we will really regret this and that I won’t be happy.
Furthermore, we were strongly recommended the Proxon air-to-air heat pump system, sold by Proxon (Zimmermann ventilation). However, during the cold days, I am very concerned that the floor (we have tiles downstairs and laminate upstairs) will be too cold, especially for our baby. We were told that with modern underfloor heating, people don’t really feel the cold anymore. We are uncertain which type of heating is right for us.
One more thing: we have a garage with space for one car and a small storage room. Unfortunately, the plot does not allow for anything bigger. I’m also not sure if it would have been better to include a door from the garage into the house; we only just started to see this might be really necessary.
I always feel like I forgot something important in the house planning that I might later regret, and as a result, I lie awake at night. I just can’t switch off.
We are building a prefab house (urban villa passive house KfW 40 Plus including photovoltaic system, nearly 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) with a fireplace and hip roof with a 25° (25 degrees) roof pitch).
We submitted the building notification without a basement for cost reasons (according to the manufacturer, a basement including the shell costs about 60,000 Euros, and based on our bad experiences with basements in rental apartments).
For the past two weeks, I can’t stop thinking that this might be a mistake. Where will we go if we want to host a party? Where do we put the hobby room, winter clothes, flea market boxes, fitness equipment, souvenirs from our vacations, my decorations, and many other things? What if we want to add a sauna later?
Unfortunately, the rooms upstairs are already fully utilized. We had the idea of a guest house in the garden that could also serve as a hobby room and storage space. But our architect told us that this would probably not be approved. We are only allowed to build 30 m³ (1,059 cubic feet). A conservatory would be too small and also quite expensive, according to our research.
I would appreciate any experience reports or advice. I’m afraid we will really regret this and that I won’t be happy.
Furthermore, we were strongly recommended the Proxon air-to-air heat pump system, sold by Proxon (Zimmermann ventilation). However, during the cold days, I am very concerned that the floor (we have tiles downstairs and laminate upstairs) will be too cold, especially for our baby. We were told that with modern underfloor heating, people don’t really feel the cold anymore. We are uncertain which type of heating is right for us.
One more thing: we have a garage with space for one car and a small storage room. Unfortunately, the plot does not allow for anything bigger. I’m also not sure if it would have been better to include a door from the garage into the house; we only just started to see this might be really necessary.
I always feel like I forgot something important in the house planning that I might later regret, and as a result, I lie awake at night. I just can’t switch off.
M
Mygstylzz8 Jan 2017 18:58Attached is our floor plan. There is a pantry under the stairs. Perhaps someone has an idea for a better layout. The kitchen ended up quite small because we also had to fit in the office space with the desk and a wardrobe cabinet. Best regards
The floor plans are hardly visible; it might be helpful to scan them as a PDF. Also, it is advisable to consider https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundrissplanung-unbedingt-vor-beitrag-erstellung-lesen.11714/
Hello 🙂
I’m having trouble reading the dimensions clearly – is the house really only 9.30 meters (30.5 feet) square?
I don’t necessarily consider a basement to be essential, as it does add costs... however, having an extra half meter (about 20 inches) here and there could be quite helpful.
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/macht-ein-keller-in-bawue-immer-sinn-wegen-hohem-Grundstück-qm-preis.16782/
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/keller-ja-oder-nein-bei-grossem-baufenster.18055/
Regarding the hobby: which hobby? Planning a hobby room should be considered during the house design, like children’s rooms. Otherwise, you can use the office for sewing, the sofa for browsing, the dining room for model trains, and the living room for sports. Fitness equipment tends to gather dust, so it’s better to use a gym or go running instead 😉
Our flea market boxes are stored on a shelf in the garage, and vacation souvenirs find their place in the spice drawer or on a shelf.
You definitely lack some storage space. And definitely a wardrobe! The utility room could be a bit smaller for that. Make sure to plan a free wall in the utility room so you can install a row of cabinets. That can store all the decorations, tools, cleaning supplies, and groceries.
I find your pantry unnecessary, and its door also obstructs functional kitchen furnishing. I would move that door toward the hallway and use the space under the stairs for the wardrobe with all your coats and shoes.
There’s wasted space in the middle of the utility room... instead, you could place a built-in cupboard in front of the toilet.
Upstairs, the dressing room is too narrow, and the “slalom path” isn’t practical. Removing the window there and creating a small, square walk-in closet would be better in terms of usability. But here I see potential if the house could grow by 50 cm (20 inches) in width.
The open space above the living room is also wasted space with little benefit, except that it might encourage air flow upward. But no one will stand there to enjoy the view down below. I would turn that into a storage room instead.
From a design perspective, it’s not very smart to place the upstairs toilet directly above the living room. Why aren’t the children’s rooms next to each other? Why isn’t the bathroom positioned above the utility room and guest WC? Please fill in the form linked by kbt09 🙂
There’s definitely more potential... for the architect!
Are you allowed to build larger, or does your floor area ratio restrict that? Cost-wise, it will probably be less expensive than a basement anyway. 😉
Wait to see what ideas Kerstin (@kbt09) comes up with for you. The critique will probably be similar 😳
Good luck, Yvonne
I’m having trouble reading the dimensions clearly – is the house really only 9.30 meters (30.5 feet) square?
I don’t necessarily consider a basement to be essential, as it does add costs... however, having an extra half meter (about 20 inches) here and there could be quite helpful.
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/macht-ein-keller-in-bawue-immer-sinn-wegen-hohem-Grundstück-qm-preis.16782/
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/keller-ja-oder-nein-bei-grossem-baufenster.18055/
Mygstylzz schrieb:
Hobby room, winter clothes, flea market boxes, fitness equipment, where to store our vacation souvenirs, where to keep my decorations, and so on. Plus, what if we want to add a sauna later.
Regarding the hobby: which hobby? Planning a hobby room should be considered during the house design, like children’s rooms. Otherwise, you can use the office for sewing, the sofa for browsing, the dining room for model trains, and the living room for sports. Fitness equipment tends to gather dust, so it’s better to use a gym or go running instead 😉
Our flea market boxes are stored on a shelf in the garage, and vacation souvenirs find their place in the spice drawer or on a shelf.
You definitely lack some storage space. And definitely a wardrobe! The utility room could be a bit smaller for that. Make sure to plan a free wall in the utility room so you can install a row of cabinets. That can store all the decorations, tools, cleaning supplies, and groceries.
I find your pantry unnecessary, and its door also obstructs functional kitchen furnishing. I would move that door toward the hallway and use the space under the stairs for the wardrobe with all your coats and shoes.
There’s wasted space in the middle of the utility room... instead, you could place a built-in cupboard in front of the toilet.
Upstairs, the dressing room is too narrow, and the “slalom path” isn’t practical. Removing the window there and creating a small, square walk-in closet would be better in terms of usability. But here I see potential if the house could grow by 50 cm (20 inches) in width.
The open space above the living room is also wasted space with little benefit, except that it might encourage air flow upward. But no one will stand there to enjoy the view down below. I would turn that into a storage room instead.
From a design perspective, it’s not very smart to place the upstairs toilet directly above the living room. Why aren’t the children’s rooms next to each other? Why isn’t the bathroom positioned above the utility room and guest WC? Please fill in the form linked by kbt09 🙂
There’s definitely more potential... for the architect!
Are you allowed to build larger, or does your floor area ratio restrict that? Cost-wise, it will probably be less expensive than a basement anyway. 😉
Wait to see what ideas Kerstin (@kbt09) comes up with for you. The critique will probably be similar 😳
Good luck, Yvonne
😉 A fundamental point is that floor plans should always be drawn to scale, including the furniture you definitely want to fit in.
For example, the kitchen as shown is not usable, and overall, the floor plan suggests more space than will likely be available.
The fireplace placement also takes up a lot of space, and the question is whether it’s used efficiently at all.
All the floor-to-ceiling corner windows on the upper floor should probably be reviewed, especially in the children’s rooms (for example, I’m missing a north arrow here to understand the orientation). In other words, try furnishing the rooms as an example and see whether desks end up in front of the windows. In that case, it’s better to have wider windows with a sill height of 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 inches).
I agree with Yvonne on the walk-in closet. It would actually be advantageous to place the bed with the headboard against the exterior wall; then the access door can be moved further to the left, allowing for at least 5 m (16.4 ft) of wardrobe space. The windows would all need to be adjusted accordingly.
The cloakroom on the ground floor is really lacking, especially with two children.
So, there are quite a few things to consider here.
For example, the kitchen as shown is not usable, and overall, the floor plan suggests more space than will likely be available.
The fireplace placement also takes up a lot of space, and the question is whether it’s used efficiently at all.
All the floor-to-ceiling corner windows on the upper floor should probably be reviewed, especially in the children’s rooms (for example, I’m missing a north arrow here to understand the orientation). In other words, try furnishing the rooms as an example and see whether desks end up in front of the windows. In that case, it’s better to have wider windows with a sill height of 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 inches).
I agree with Yvonne on the walk-in closet. It would actually be advantageous to place the bed with the headboard against the exterior wall; then the access door can be moved further to the left, allowing for at least 5 m (16.4 ft) of wardrobe space. The windows would all need to be adjusted accordingly.
The cloakroom on the ground floor is really lacking, especially with two children.
So, there are quite a few things to consider here.
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