ᐅ 10x10 m urban villa (approximately 1,670 sq ft, 6 rooms), fine-tuning welcome
Created on: 20 Aug 2017 14:34
C
Changeling
Ground Floor:
Upper Floor:
Outdoor Areas:
Positioned on the Plot:
Development Plan / Restrictions:
The plot may only be built on the southern half; otherwise, there are no particular restrictions.
Plot size: 900 square meters (approx. 30 x 30 meters / 98 x 98 feet)
Slope: No, only on the west side does the land slope down 3 meters (10 feet) toward the street at the end of the plot. On the north side, there is a retaining wall because the plot is about 2 meters (7 feet) above street level there. Therefore, access by vehicle is only possible from the south.
Clients’ Requirements
Style, Roof Shape, Building Type: A two-story urban villa with a pyramid hip roof (square hipped roof), since the upper floor has no sloped ceilings.
Basement: No basement, as it is too expensive, impractical, and involves additional construction risks.
Number of Occupants, Age: 2 adults (30 years old), 1 child (3 years old), with 1-2 more children planned.
Living Room: A large, open living area was important to us as this is where life happens. A computer corner is planned in the lower right corner since we spend more time at the computer than watching TV. We also work a lot from home and do not want to be confined to a separate room.
Fireplace: Yes.
Guest Room: Also used as storage space, which is especially useful since there is no basement.
Kitchen: The stove and sink are not in their final positions yet – a cooking island is undesirable because of the extractor hood and impractical due to splashing.
Technical / Utility Room: Also serves as a pantry and should be filled with shelves up to the ceiling.
Children’s Rooms: Size should be adequate.
Bedroom: Almost too large, but necessary due to the large wardrobe and double bed.
Bathroom: The design is still at an early stage; for example, the shower is planned as a built-in enclosure without a cabin.
Terrace: Important to us, along with a covered area so we can leave items outside occasionally.
Garage, Carport: As large as possible! It should be a wooden carport, fully closed at the front with sectional doors, and open or closed at the rear as needed. We currently use our garage as a "second living room" and for storing garden tools and similar items. Due to the long car, space will be tight; likely the terrace will be slightly smaller and the carport deeper (or the roof overhang on the left extended). The additions on the far left are planned later as a garden shed or similar and are therefore not a fixed part of the house. The covered connection to the house is a must, so we can enter without getting wet. The lower part facing the street is purely for privacy and is not a solid wall.
Garden: We will build our greenhouse ourselves as we have it now.
House Design:
Planning by: Planner from a construction company; outdoor areas added by us.
What do you particularly like? Why?: The numerous outbuildings and large carport for space, the large living room with open kitchen (also for space). Also, the level access to the terrace (which we don’t have currently).
What do you dislike? Why?: The basement level feels a bit cramped (utility room/kitchen small), while the upper floor is very spacious, but so far this is the best solution.
Cost Estimate by Architect/Planner: $290,000 USD with a maximum of +10% overrun.
Insulation / Construction: Unfortunately, it is built only to the 2016 Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) standards; I would have preferred better insulation, but it is likely too expensive. The masonry consists of calcium silicate blocks (20 cm / 8 inches outside + 16 cm / 6 inches EPS (polystyrene) insulation boards).
Heating System: Ground-source heat pump (brine-water) with earth probe; gas connection would be too expensive and we do not want oil heating.
If you had to give up features / expansions
- Could you do without: At most one fewer children’s room; the rest should stay as is...
- Could you not do without: Everything? That would be difficult.
Why did the design turn out the way it is?
We reviewed suggestions from the planner, spent a weekend designing alternatives ourselves, and ultimately found the current compromise. It includes essentially all our wishes.
The design could have been better if the house orientation had been different; otherwise, the kitchen/terrace/dining area wouldn’t all have to be squeezed next to the carport. However, since the street is on the south side and the northern half of the plot cannot be built on, the house must be positioned as it is and the terrace on the south side to catch the sun. We do not want the carport on the east side, as that would place the house further toward the center of the plot and make the terrace fully visible from the neighboring house to the south.
A similar-sized building plot on the east side will be developed with another single-family urban villa.
What is the most important / fundamental question regarding the floor plan in 130 characters?
What do you think? What could be improved or is missing? Any concerns?
Upper Floor:
Outdoor Areas:
Positioned on the Plot:
Development Plan / Restrictions:
The plot may only be built on the southern half; otherwise, there are no particular restrictions.
Plot size: 900 square meters (approx. 30 x 30 meters / 98 x 98 feet)
Slope: No, only on the west side does the land slope down 3 meters (10 feet) toward the street at the end of the plot. On the north side, there is a retaining wall because the plot is about 2 meters (7 feet) above street level there. Therefore, access by vehicle is only possible from the south.
Clients’ Requirements
Style, Roof Shape, Building Type: A two-story urban villa with a pyramid hip roof (square hipped roof), since the upper floor has no sloped ceilings.
Basement: No basement, as it is too expensive, impractical, and involves additional construction risks.
Number of Occupants, Age: 2 adults (30 years old), 1 child (3 years old), with 1-2 more children planned.
Living Room: A large, open living area was important to us as this is where life happens. A computer corner is planned in the lower right corner since we spend more time at the computer than watching TV. We also work a lot from home and do not want to be confined to a separate room.
Fireplace: Yes.
Guest Room: Also used as storage space, which is especially useful since there is no basement.
Kitchen: The stove and sink are not in their final positions yet – a cooking island is undesirable because of the extractor hood and impractical due to splashing.
Technical / Utility Room: Also serves as a pantry and should be filled with shelves up to the ceiling.
Children’s Rooms: Size should be adequate.
Bedroom: Almost too large, but necessary due to the large wardrobe and double bed.
Bathroom: The design is still at an early stage; for example, the shower is planned as a built-in enclosure without a cabin.
Terrace: Important to us, along with a covered area so we can leave items outside occasionally.
Garage, Carport: As large as possible! It should be a wooden carport, fully closed at the front with sectional doors, and open or closed at the rear as needed. We currently use our garage as a "second living room" and for storing garden tools and similar items. Due to the long car, space will be tight; likely the terrace will be slightly smaller and the carport deeper (or the roof overhang on the left extended). The additions on the far left are planned later as a garden shed or similar and are therefore not a fixed part of the house. The covered connection to the house is a must, so we can enter without getting wet. The lower part facing the street is purely for privacy and is not a solid wall.
Garden: We will build our greenhouse ourselves as we have it now.
House Design:
Planning by: Planner from a construction company; outdoor areas added by us.
What do you particularly like? Why?: The numerous outbuildings and large carport for space, the large living room with open kitchen (also for space). Also, the level access to the terrace (which we don’t have currently).
What do you dislike? Why?: The basement level feels a bit cramped (utility room/kitchen small), while the upper floor is very spacious, but so far this is the best solution.
Cost Estimate by Architect/Planner: $290,000 USD with a maximum of +10% overrun.
Insulation / Construction: Unfortunately, it is built only to the 2016 Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) standards; I would have preferred better insulation, but it is likely too expensive. The masonry consists of calcium silicate blocks (20 cm / 8 inches outside + 16 cm / 6 inches EPS (polystyrene) insulation boards).
Heating System: Ground-source heat pump (brine-water) with earth probe; gas connection would be too expensive and we do not want oil heating.
If you had to give up features / expansions
- Could you do without: At most one fewer children’s room; the rest should stay as is...
- Could you not do without: Everything? That would be difficult.
Why did the design turn out the way it is?
We reviewed suggestions from the planner, spent a weekend designing alternatives ourselves, and ultimately found the current compromise. It includes essentially all our wishes.
The design could have been better if the house orientation had been different; otherwise, the kitchen/terrace/dining area wouldn’t all have to be squeezed next to the carport. However, since the street is on the south side and the northern half of the plot cannot be built on, the house must be positioned as it is and the terrace on the south side to catch the sun. We do not want the carport on the east side, as that would place the house further toward the center of the plot and make the terrace fully visible from the neighboring house to the south.
A similar-sized building plot on the east side will be developed with another single-family urban villa.
What is the most important / fundamental question regarding the floor plan in 130 characters?
What do you think? What could be improved or is missing? Any concerns?
U
Username_wahl20 Aug 2017 15:57I would make the children's rooms larger at the top and reduce the size of the hallway, bathroom, and master bedroom.
I find the passage behind the bed a bit tight. A mattress is already 2m long (6 feet 7 inches), plus you have the headboard and the bed frame, and the bed is not placed directly against the wall, so you quickly need about 2.20m (7 feet 3 inches) of space. The masons don’t always build to the exact centimeter, and you also have to allow for about 3cm (1 inch) of plaster. This leaves you with only around 56cm (22 inches) of space behind the bed, which is quite narrow. You would probably bump into the bed or the wall quite often. Otherwise, I find the hallway downstairs too narrow, too long, and too dark.
Regards,
Sabine
Regards,
Sabine
Changeling schrieb:
Living Room: A large, open living area was important to us since this is where life happens. In the lower right corner, we want to set up a computer workstation because we spend more time on the computer than watching TV. We also work from home a lot professionally and prefer not to be confined to a separate room. Hmm... if the area is arranged as currently planned, it will be open but unfortunately won’t feel spacious anymore with the fireplace and other elements.
If home office work is to be taken seriously and there are also three children at home, it’s usually not ideal to have it in the main family living space. Playing children, running kitchen appliances, and similar distractions don’t mix well with phone calls or conference calls.
Stairs... you’re planning a space of 177 x 210 cm (70 x 83 inches) for them, which will be tight and quite steep. I would even say it’s impossible. Take a look at a staircase like this in reality. In the “First Reading” post in this forum section, there is a staircase overview that suggests at least 230 x 230 cm (90 x 90 inches) for this type of staircase if it should also be comfortable and allow moving larger items. This would break the current room layout.
W
winnetou7820 Aug 2017 18:09You walk through the bedroom twice a day, which I find perfectly fine. There’s no closet or anything you need to access there. I think it’s a nicely designed solution.
C
Changeling20 Aug 2017 20:08Thanks for all the feedback!
The narrow, long entrance isn’t my favorite either, but it’s the best/only solution if we want the entrance on the side (which is more important to us). Otherwise, we would have to cover a long, narrow section at the front of the house, which would look odd...
The utility room could be larger, in my opinion, but how?
About the heating: You built in 2013/14, if I’m not mistaken. Today’s units reportedly only require about 1m² (11 sq ft).
How? Turn the stairs around and then make the hallway as wide as the stairs only?
The bedroom can’t really be much smaller because of the closet, and the bathroom can’t shrink due to the stairs either.
We actually see the bedroom more like @winnetou78, it doesn’t have to be big:
How else would you arrange the living room?
The children would have to play in their own rooms until everyone finishes working. Or if it really doesn’t work, you could retreat to the guest room, where a home office space could be set up. I don’t see it as a big issue; it works well for us at the moment (we’re doing exactly that).
Regarding the stairs, we hadn’t really considered that and just relied on the planner. The ceiling height is only 2.40m (7 ft 10 in) as it is now.
I was always a fan of big, cozy stairs, but ideally, you only move once or twice in your life, so I don’t want to sacrifice living space for that.
We’ll definitely have to see that in real life.
kaho674 schrieb:
I always find narrow, tunnel-like entrances terrible. Imagine three people trying to go in while two want to come out, maybe with guests in between. Awful. It also takes up a lot of space in the hallway, which then isn’t even generous.
Curly schrieb:
Otherwise, I’d find the hallway downstairs too narrow, too long, and too dark.
The narrow, long entrance isn’t my favorite either, but it’s the best/only solution if we want the entrance on the side (which is more important to us). Otherwise, we would have to cover a long, narrow section at the front of the house, which would look odd...
kaho674 schrieb:
The utility room is really small. What needs to go in there?
We also have geothermal heating. The unit alone takes about 1.50m² (16 sq ft). Then you have electricity, water, plus washing machine and pantry in your case. Good luck!
The utility room could be larger, in my opinion, but how?
About the heating: You built in 2013/14, if I’m not mistaken. Today’s units reportedly only require about 1m² (11 sq ft).
Passivhaus schrieb:
I would make the children’s rooms upstairs bigger and reduce the size of the hallway, bathroom, and master bedroom.
How? Turn the stairs around and then make the hallway as wide as the stairs only?
The bedroom can’t really be much smaller because of the closet, and the bathroom can’t shrink due to the stairs either.
Curly schrieb:
I find the passage behind the bed a bit tight. A mattress is already 2m (79 inches) long, plus the headboard and bed frame, and the bed isn’t directly against the wall, so you quickly need about 2.20m (87 inches) of space. Masons don’t build exactly to the millimeter, and you also have to allow for 3cm (1 inch) plaster. This leaves only about 56cm (22 inches) of space behind the bed, which is quite tight. You’ll probably bump into the bed or the wall quite often. Otherwise, I find the hallway downstairs too narrow, too long, and too dark.
kaho674 schrieb:
The bedroom feels cramped – I hope you still get in the mood there. I’d be frustrated constantly staring at a wall just too close in front of me.
We actually see the bedroom more like @winnetou78, it doesn’t have to be big:
winnetou78 schrieb:
You only walk through the bedroom twice a day, I think that’s perfectly fine.
There’s no closet or anything you need to access there. I think it’s nicely designed.
kbt09 schrieb:
Hmm… if the area is set up as currently planned, it’s open, but with the fireplace, etc., it’s unfortunately no longer spacious.
Home office, if it’s seriously done from home and you have three kids around, shouldn’t really be in the family living area. Playing children, running kitchen appliances, and so on don’t mix well with phone calls or teleconferences.
Stairs: You’ve planned a space of 177x210cm (5 ft 10 in x 6 ft 11 in), that’s tight and quite steep. I’d even say it’s impossible. See such a staircase in real life. In the forum’s “first reading” post in this section, there’s a stair overview that suggests about 230x230cm (7 ft 7 in x 7 ft 7 in) for this kind of stairs if you want them to be comfortable and able to transport larger items. That would make your floor plan fail.
How else would you arrange the living room?
The children would have to play in their own rooms until everyone finishes working. Or if it really doesn’t work, you could retreat to the guest room, where a home office space could be set up. I don’t see it as a big issue; it works well for us at the moment (we’re doing exactly that).
Regarding the stairs, we hadn’t really considered that and just relied on the planner. The ceiling height is only 2.40m (7 ft 10 in) as it is now.
I was always a fan of big, cozy stairs, but ideally, you only move once or twice in your life, so I don’t want to sacrifice living space for that.
We’ll definitely have to see that in real life.
Isn’t the outbuilding somewhat oversized? It’s actually larger than the footprint of the main house... I don’t find the proportions right—somehow it feels excessive (or not in a good way, depending on how you look at it). I’m also not a fan of the hidden entrance. That corner will probably collect a lot of leaves.
Even though the house is planned to be built in the south, I would have arranged the rooms and the ancillary structure differently, for example carports in the southeast, living spaces facing west, entrance on the south side, and so on...
Regards, Yvonne
Even though the house is planned to be built in the south, I would have arranged the rooms and the ancillary structure differently, for example carports in the southeast, living spaces facing west, entrance on the south side, and so on...
Regards, Yvonne
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