ᐅ Renovation of an Older Building (1966): Two-Family House – Floor Plan Sketch
Created on: 30 Jul 2018 13:39
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HappyDee45
Hello everyone,
We are currently planning a renovation of an older house built in 1966. Over the years, the house has been extended and remodeled several times. It has previously served as a two-family home. We are taking over the house now and do not want any "stranger" tenants living in it. This means we want/need to live in the house ourselves as a single-family home for the next 1-2 decades at least.
So, we have the challenge—or luxury—of being able to plan a lot of space.
You can find our first draft attached.
Basement:
We do not want to make any changes here for the most part. Only the electricity meter and related equipment need to be removed from the stairwell as part of the electrical upgrade. We have discussed with the electrician to create an “electrical room” in the workshop for this purpose. Everything else will remain as is.
Ground Floor:
On the ground floor, we plan to remove three walls to create a large open living and dining area including the kitchen. The pantry will be prepared as a potential bathroom (water supply and drainage will be renewed). We might want to add a bathroom there in about 10 years. A full guest bedroom is essential for us, due to family circumstances. The office will serve as a home or remote work space for both of us. The “home theater” will probably remain an unused room for now until we have more budget to invest there.
Upper Floor:
On the upper floor, we plan to move the door to the terrace (currently located in the "children’s room") and relocate the wardrobe wall to create a new hallway with access to the terrace. In the bedroom, we will add a wall to create a second bathroom on the upper floor (currently, there is a kitchen in that space).
Attic:
The attic will remain an unheated area and will remain unused or serve as an attic storage space.
This is roughly our current plan. A structural engineer has already reviewed the walls. Most of the work will be done by ourselves. But here, we want to focus on the floor plan.
We are open to all ideas. Please share any constructive feedback.
Thanks and best regards
We are currently planning a renovation of an older house built in 1966. Over the years, the house has been extended and remodeled several times. It has previously served as a two-family home. We are taking over the house now and do not want any "stranger" tenants living in it. This means we want/need to live in the house ourselves as a single-family home for the next 1-2 decades at least.
So, we have the challenge—or luxury—of being able to plan a lot of space.
You can find our first draft attached.
Basement:
We do not want to make any changes here for the most part. Only the electricity meter and related equipment need to be removed from the stairwell as part of the electrical upgrade. We have discussed with the electrician to create an “electrical room” in the workshop for this purpose. Everything else will remain as is.
Ground Floor:
On the ground floor, we plan to remove three walls to create a large open living and dining area including the kitchen. The pantry will be prepared as a potential bathroom (water supply and drainage will be renewed). We might want to add a bathroom there in about 10 years. A full guest bedroom is essential for us, due to family circumstances. The office will serve as a home or remote work space for both of us. The “home theater” will probably remain an unused room for now until we have more budget to invest there.
Upper Floor:
On the upper floor, we plan to move the door to the terrace (currently located in the "children’s room") and relocate the wardrobe wall to create a new hallway with access to the terrace. In the bedroom, we will add a wall to create a second bathroom on the upper floor (currently, there is a kitchen in that space).
Attic:
The attic will remain an unheated area and will remain unused or serve as an attic storage space.
This is roughly our current plan. A structural engineer has already reviewed the walls. Most of the work will be done by ourselves. But here, we want to focus on the floor plan.
We are open to all ideas. Please share any constructive feedback.
Thanks and best regards
However, with such a large house, you have to consider that the "childhood phase" eventually ends after about 25 years, and then you will be living alone in the house again. As a couple, you probably won’t want to live in nearly 300m² (3,230 sq ft) with numerous rooms, and the house will likely be sold. Depending on the location, it might be difficult to sell such a large single-family home again at a good price.
Best regards
Sabine
Best regards
Sabine
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HappyDee453 Aug 2018 12:21haydee schrieb:
Then use the time to set up your house. Make sure the measurements fit before the sledgehammer comes out.
I don’t quite understand the entrance either.
I would try to open up the wall between the dining area and the hallway/entrance/staircase more, so that the staircase disappears.That’s exactly the plan.
Take a look here – you can see the entrance door there -> https://www.hausbau-forum.de/attachments/altbausanierung-1966-zweifamilienhaus-skizze-grundriss-grundrisse-hausbau-273329-7-png.22900/
We even removed that wall completely at one point, but my girlfriend insists on keeping that wall and door. We’ll see if we end up building it as a masonry wall or just putting up a drywall partition. In any case, we always have the option to remove it again.
11ant schrieb:
The wall must be where it was approved.Approved by whom? Maybe my significant other… why would I get approval for a non-load-bearing wall inside my own house?
Curly schrieb:
However, with such a large house you have to consider that the “childhood phase” eventually ends after about 25 years, and then you’re living alone again. Living as a couple in nearly 300sqm (3,230 sq ft) with so many rooms is probably not what you want, and the house will then be sold. Depending on the location, it may be difficult to sell such a large single-family home.
Best regards,
SabineValid point – we have thought about that extensively too. Maybe we’ll keep living there. Maybe we’ll turn it back into two separate apartments. Maybe we’ll sell everything. All options are still open.
HappyDee45 schrieb:
why should I get approval for a non-load-bearing wall inside my house?Because that is a renovation.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
H
HappyDee453 Aug 2018 12:3311ant schrieb:
Because it is a renovation.I’m adding a non-load-bearing wall and am told I need to apply for a building permit / planning permission for that? That would be new to me. According to my structural engineer, that is not necessary. Of course, it is required when demolishing load-bearing walls.
HappyDee45 schrieb:
That would be new to me. Same here.
If you still have time to reconsider, take a closer look at the children's bathroom and toilet, and make sure to measure everything carefully. The resulting shower area looks very cramped due to the necessary door, and both rooms are not very comfortable to move around in. I would strongly recommend removing the wall there.
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