ᐅ Floor Plan / Layout Ideas for a Single-Family Home of 180 m² with 3 Children's Bedrooms
Created on: 1 Apr 2018 23:13
D
derJohnson
Hello everyone,
I have been a silent reader for a few months now, and regarding our building project, we have already reached the point where we have chosen a construction company and, most importantly, a floor plan. From our perspective, the floor plan is really good, but we are looking for a more "realistic" view from others on our floor plan idea. By realistic, I mean practical for everyday living. We simply lack experience in building design, so I kindly ask the community to evaluate the floor plan. Of course, we are also open to other suggestions for improvement!
Development plan/restrictions:
Nothing significant
Plot size:
20 x 40 m (66 x 131 feet), see site plan. Approx. 809 m² (8,710 sq ft)
Slope:
Very slight downward slope towards the street front
Site coverage ratio
0.4
Floor area ratio
0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundaries
See site plan
Boundary construction
Garage may be built on the boundary line; otherwise, a 3 m (10 feet) distance to neighboring properties is required
Number of parking spaces
2 according to the development plan
Number of storeys
2
Roof style
Gable roof
Architectural style
Classic
Orientation
?
Maximum height restrictions
Eaves height: 4.50 m (15 feet)
Ridge height: 8.50 m (28 feet)
Other requirements
-
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type
Classic style with gable roof
Basement, storeys
No basement, two storeys as far as the eaves height allows
Number of occupants, ages
Currently 2 adults, both 30 years old, a 6-month-old daughter, and planning 2 more children within the next 4 years
Space requirements for ground floor and upper floor
No precise square meter expectations. Generally a very generous open living, dining, and kitchen area, as we believe most family life will happen there.
Office: family use or home office?
Currently used as a home office; in old age, it is planned to convert the office into the master bedroom for single-level living
Guests per year
None
Open or closed architecture
Open living, dining, and kitchen area; otherwise closed architecture due to the expected noise level from 3 children
Conservative or modern construction
Rather conservative
Open kitchen, kitchen island
As mentioned above, not necessarily a kitchen island; prefer the stove against the wall
Number of dining seats
Kitchen with U-shape layout, breakfast bar extending into the living area
Main dining table in the conservatory
Fireplace
Not planned
Music/stereo wall
No
Balcony, roof terrace
Not desired
Garage, carport
Garage 4 x 9 m (13 x 30 feet), or possibly 3.57 x 9 m (12 x 30 feet) for cost reasons
Utility garden, greenhouse
On the property, a roughly 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) turtle enclosure and possibly a chicken coop will be established
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons for choices or exclusions
The wife works shifts, so access to the bedroom through the dressing room is preferred
House design
Who is responsible for the planning?
- Planner from a construction company
What do you especially like? Why?
The highlight will be the spacious conservatory in the living area. Anyone who has visited the show home by Stommel Haus in the prefabricated house village in Frechen will understand – it inspired us because we were absolutely enthusiastic about it. My father is a carpenter and will install an open “fake” beam ceiling inside, which will then be finished with a pale whitewash.
What do you not like? Why?
Basement floor plan: Personally, I would prefer the shower access in the upstairs bathroom to be from the side, so water does not splash into the bathroom while showering.
Ground floor plan: Are there options to redesign the staircase (wall), so that one can look directly at the double doors to the living room from the entrance?
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Not relevant
Personal price limit for the house including fittings:
Not relevant
Preferred heating technology:
District heating mandatory
If you have to give up details/finishes
- Can compromise on: Basically very flexible
- Cannot give up: Conservatory, third gable at the front
Why was the floor plan designed as it is now?
Our wishes were taken into account by the builder.
What do you think makes the floor plan particularly good or bad?
Basically, all our wishes are realized in the floor plan; I do not see much that is bad.
What is the most important/basic question about the desired floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
As mentioned, I would like feedback on the "everyday practicality" of our floor plan idea. Suggestions for improving the upstairs bathroom and staircase position welcome.
Thank you very much!
Best regards
derJohnson
I have been a silent reader for a few months now, and regarding our building project, we have already reached the point where we have chosen a construction company and, most importantly, a floor plan. From our perspective, the floor plan is really good, but we are looking for a more "realistic" view from others on our floor plan idea. By realistic, I mean practical for everyday living. We simply lack experience in building design, so I kindly ask the community to evaluate the floor plan. Of course, we are also open to other suggestions for improvement!
Development plan/restrictions:
Nothing significant
Plot size:
20 x 40 m (66 x 131 feet), see site plan. Approx. 809 m² (8,710 sq ft)
Slope:
Very slight downward slope towards the street front
Site coverage ratio
0.4
Floor area ratio
0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundaries
See site plan
Boundary construction
Garage may be built on the boundary line; otherwise, a 3 m (10 feet) distance to neighboring properties is required
Number of parking spaces
2 according to the development plan
Number of storeys
2
Roof style
Gable roof
Architectural style
Classic
Orientation
?
Maximum height restrictions
Eaves height: 4.50 m (15 feet)
Ridge height: 8.50 m (28 feet)
Other requirements
-
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type
Classic style with gable roof
Basement, storeys
No basement, two storeys as far as the eaves height allows
Number of occupants, ages
Currently 2 adults, both 30 years old, a 6-month-old daughter, and planning 2 more children within the next 4 years
Space requirements for ground floor and upper floor
No precise square meter expectations. Generally a very generous open living, dining, and kitchen area, as we believe most family life will happen there.
Office: family use or home office?
Currently used as a home office; in old age, it is planned to convert the office into the master bedroom for single-level living
Guests per year
None
Open or closed architecture
Open living, dining, and kitchen area; otherwise closed architecture due to the expected noise level from 3 children
Conservative or modern construction
Rather conservative
Open kitchen, kitchen island
As mentioned above, not necessarily a kitchen island; prefer the stove against the wall
Number of dining seats
Kitchen with U-shape layout, breakfast bar extending into the living area
Main dining table in the conservatory
Fireplace
Not planned
Music/stereo wall
No
Balcony, roof terrace
Not desired
Garage, carport
Garage 4 x 9 m (13 x 30 feet), or possibly 3.57 x 9 m (12 x 30 feet) for cost reasons
Utility garden, greenhouse
On the property, a roughly 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) turtle enclosure and possibly a chicken coop will be established
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons for choices or exclusions
The wife works shifts, so access to the bedroom through the dressing room is preferred
House design
Who is responsible for the planning?
- Planner from a construction company
What do you especially like? Why?
The highlight will be the spacious conservatory in the living area. Anyone who has visited the show home by Stommel Haus in the prefabricated house village in Frechen will understand – it inspired us because we were absolutely enthusiastic about it. My father is a carpenter and will install an open “fake” beam ceiling inside, which will then be finished with a pale whitewash.
What do you not like? Why?
Basement floor plan: Personally, I would prefer the shower access in the upstairs bathroom to be from the side, so water does not splash into the bathroom while showering.
Ground floor plan: Are there options to redesign the staircase (wall), so that one can look directly at the double doors to the living room from the entrance?
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Not relevant
Personal price limit for the house including fittings:
Not relevant
Preferred heating technology:
District heating mandatory
If you have to give up details/finishes
- Can compromise on: Basically very flexible
- Cannot give up: Conservatory, third gable at the front
Why was the floor plan designed as it is now?
Our wishes were taken into account by the builder.
What do you think makes the floor plan particularly good or bad?
Basically, all our wishes are realized in the floor plan; I do not see much that is bad.
What is the most important/basic question about the desired floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
As mentioned, I would like feedback on the "everyday practicality" of our floor plan idea. Suggestions for improving the upstairs bathroom and staircase position welcome.
Thank you very much!
Best regards
derJohnson
Ok, so a covered entrance for the house – why not. With 40cm (16 inches) thick walls. That looks quite sturdy. Have you already had a design or visualization of it?
If the terrace is supposed to wrap around the corner into the sun – which I would definitely support – then your conservatory or sunroom is probably in the way, right?
Fine-tuning the staircase can’t be done quickly. It requires exact ceiling and floor heights as well as all other room dimensions. Since you want the bathroom in the third gable, some trial and error will probably be necessary. I can’t say offhand whether a straight staircase is possible.
If the terrace is supposed to wrap around the corner into the sun – which I would definitely support – then your conservatory or sunroom is probably in the way, right?
Fine-tuning the staircase can’t be done quickly. It requires exact ceiling and floor heights as well as all other room dimensions. Since you want the bathroom in the third gable, some trial and error will probably be necessary. I can’t say offhand whether a straight staircase is possible.
D
derJohnson3 Apr 2018 12:07kaho674 schrieb:
Ok, so an entrance canopy – why not. With 40cm (16 inches) thick walls. That looks quite sturdy. Have you had any renderings for it yet?I’ve attached one, it doesn’t look that bad. But I have to say, until now I thought the walls had to be that thick for structural reasons, since the bathroom is above. Maybe also to run the pipes through, I’ll ask about that when I get the chance.
kaho674 schrieb:
If the terrace is meant to curve into the sun – which I would definitely support – then your conservatory is in the way, right?Basically correct, which is why we’re considering either having two terraces, or connecting them with a path running in front of the conservatory, or other options… these are all questions that still need to be resolved. That’s also why you’ll find doors in the floor plan leading to the south-facing side from the living room and guest room.
And if you look at the exterior views, the planner intended to put the terrace there as well.
However, my wife didn’t like the idea of our neighbors constantly looking onto our terrace from their house. A 2m (6 ft 6 in) high arborvitae hedge isn’t really ideal either.
That said, I’d prefer to have the interior settled first before focusing on the outside.
Maybe I’ll come to the conclusion that the current plan is so flawed that everything needs to be changed.
Or maybe you’ll convince me to reconsider our ideas because they’re impractical or similar.
The proposals so far have been quite extensive but haven’t changed much regarding the potential terrace area.
Best regards
derJohnson
Mmh, well, I do find it a bit bulky. But it’s okay – not as bad as I initially thought.
How deep exactly is the building envelope? You still have a backyard of 689m² (7424 sq ft), right? Is there supposed to be a pathway through there covering 120m² (1292 sq ft) or what is that? Do I have to subtract that from the 689? It would still be over 500m² (5382 sq ft) of pure garden area, right?
How deep exactly is the building envelope? You still have a backyard of 689m² (7424 sq ft), right? Is there supposed to be a pathway through there covering 120m² (1292 sq ft) or what is that? Do I have to subtract that from the 689? It would still be over 500m² (5382 sq ft) of pure garden area, right?
D
derJohnson3 Apr 2018 12:32kaho674 schrieb:
You have a backyard garden of 689m² (7,416 sq ft), right? Is there supposed to be a path through it of 120m² (1,292 sq ft) or what is that about? Do I need to subtract that from the 689? It would still be over 500m² (5,382 sq ft) of pure garden area, or how does that work?The plot borders directly on a lightly trafficked country road.
In the neighboring development area, all landowners are required to maintain a berm at the back because of this road, which was constructed by the municipality for noise protection reasons.
This green strip represents that. Fortunately for us, there is already a natural embankment of about 3m (10 feet) in height between our property and the road.
I spoke with the municipality, and we do not have to build this berm since the existing embankment is sufficient for noise protection. Our neighbors can also choose to have one but are not obligated to.
However, when the plans were drawn up, this was apparently not known, or the municipality changed its decision—I’m not sure. In any case, I was already granted a lower purchase price before the contract because of the obligation to maintain the berm (which is NOT part of the purchase agreement) and still have the full plot size. We saved about €2,000 including additional costs.
In any case, this is now a “normal” plot for us, which we can use as we wish.
My wife was happy because instead of a berm, she now gets a 120m² (1,292 sq ft) turtle enclosure.
kaho674 schrieb:
How deep exactly is the building envelope?Unfortunately, I can’t tell you exactly how deep the building envelope is; I would have to estimate that based on the site plan.
Since it covers more than half of the plot, I don’t expect any issues with our planned dimensions.
Best regards
derJohnson
derJohnson schrieb:
My wife is happy—now instead of a wall, she’s getting a 120sqm (1,292sq ft) large turtle enclosure. I’m wondering if the conservatory should be placed directly facing south and the terrace then oriented to the south-west. That would mean rotating the house and probably having the gable end facing the street.
This way, there would be more freedom at the back for the terrace by the garden. Here is a rough sketch—just for understanding, not to scale or anything like that.
Personally, I would find it more appealing if at least one gable end faces the garden. Having zero when there’s a 3/4 chance is pretty low. Or is the ridge direction fixed?
The inconvenient garage would probably have to be moved elsewhere then.
This way, there would be more freedom at the back for the terrace by the garden. Here is a rough sketch—just for understanding, not to scale or anything like that.
Personally, I would find it more appealing if at least one gable end faces the garden. Having zero when there’s a 3/4 chance is pretty low. Or is the ridge direction fixed?
The inconvenient garage would probably have to be moved elsewhere then.
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