ᐅ Modernist Concrete Villa with Cavity Wall Insulation – Experiences
Created on: 11 Sep 2018 07:32
R
rick2018
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to briefly introduce myself and say thank you.
For about a year and a half, I have been a silent reader here to gather inspiration and especially to gain more knowledge about construction technology.
Now a bit about me:
After more than a year of searching for a plot of land, I was able to purchase one from a developer who couldn’t move forward quickly with his plans.
So we found our dream plot (good location, 2500 m² (0.62 acres), slight slope, underground private spring that we have to preserve and are allowed to use).
There was an old house on the property, which we have since demolished.
There is no zoning plan, so §34 applies. During an initial informal inquiry at the building authority, almost everything we planned was rejected.
So we submitted an official preliminary building inquiry, involved the right people, and had lengthy discussions. In the end, we received a positive decision.
Therefore, there is nothing standing in the way of the building permit. The building permit should be granted within the next few weeks as there are no changes from the preliminary inquiry.
My wife (37) and I (36) want to build a Bauhaus-style villa in southern Baden-Württemberg.
It will be constructed from concrete (with core insulation) or in combination with insulated precast elements.
A lot of glass (full-glass system), textile shading, KNX, fast network both wired and wireless, strong mechanical ventilation with additional cooling coils, stainless steel pool, large cistern, and more.
The electrical planning must be 100% spot on since it’s almost impossible to make changes afterward.
Since I am friends with an architect from a larger firm, it was clear which route we would take. Such a house can basically only be realized with an architect.
I also personally know the electrician and KNX system integrator, as well as the owners and work approach of the heating, plumbing, and ventilation companies involved.
Some trades have already been contracted, and part of the equipment has already been ordered.
I’m really looking forward to getting started and to the final result. The goal is to move in by the end of 2019.
Once again, many thanks for the information I have received from you so far.
If you have any questions, just let me know.
Attached is the design, though not the final version. There have been a few minor changes.
Greetings from Swabia
I just wanted to briefly introduce myself and say thank you.
For about a year and a half, I have been a silent reader here to gather inspiration and especially to gain more knowledge about construction technology.
Now a bit about me:
After more than a year of searching for a plot of land, I was able to purchase one from a developer who couldn’t move forward quickly with his plans.
So we found our dream plot (good location, 2500 m² (0.62 acres), slight slope, underground private spring that we have to preserve and are allowed to use).
There was an old house on the property, which we have since demolished.
There is no zoning plan, so §34 applies. During an initial informal inquiry at the building authority, almost everything we planned was rejected.
So we submitted an official preliminary building inquiry, involved the right people, and had lengthy discussions. In the end, we received a positive decision.
Therefore, there is nothing standing in the way of the building permit. The building permit should be granted within the next few weeks as there are no changes from the preliminary inquiry.
My wife (37) and I (36) want to build a Bauhaus-style villa in southern Baden-Württemberg.
It will be constructed from concrete (with core insulation) or in combination with insulated precast elements.
A lot of glass (full-glass system), textile shading, KNX, fast network both wired and wireless, strong mechanical ventilation with additional cooling coils, stainless steel pool, large cistern, and more.
The electrical planning must be 100% spot on since it’s almost impossible to make changes afterward.
Since I am friends with an architect from a larger firm, it was clear which route we would take. Such a house can basically only be realized with an architect.
I also personally know the electrician and KNX system integrator, as well as the owners and work approach of the heating, plumbing, and ventilation companies involved.
Some trades have already been contracted, and part of the equipment has already been ordered.
I’m really looking forward to getting started and to the final result. The goal is to move in by the end of 2019.
Once again, many thanks for the information I have received from you so far.
If you have any questions, just let me know.
Attached is the design, though not the final version. There have been a few minor changes.
Greetings from Swabia
I just reviewed the plans again:
The sauna in the basement would bother me. After a sauna session, you usually want to step outside to cool off and get fresh air; here, the only option would be through the garage, which is hardly practical. A simple shower would be enough for rinsing off after a workout (or working on the cars). That way, you would gain storage space instead of the sauna room. I might also make the fitness area smaller (since the sauna is gone, no need for relaxation loungers) and create a small workshop, if only to have a convenient place to store tools. That’s something I feel is missing here.
I would move the sauna upstairs to the private floor. Swap the bathroom and bedroom, take part of the dressing room for the sauna, and then you can use that wonderful rooftop garden after your sauna session. You could place a few loungers there and enjoy sunbathing naked after the sauna—very nice. From what I can see, the rooftop garden isn’t visible from outside, right? In winter, you can comfortably relax in bed there and enjoy the view. The roof terrace is large (and if you only sleep and get dressed up there, it probably won’t be used much), so I would also consider adding an outdoor shower there and, if the building structure allows, even a plunge pool. Alternatively, you might consider integrating the sauna as an outdoor sauna on that rooftop garden and keep the dressing room as is. I really like the idea of an outdoor sauna!
Regarding the bathroom, I would definitely consult a professional bathroom planner again. As it is now, it works, but I don’t think it suits the house at all. There is so much more potential! There are fantastic bathroom solutions out there, and I wouldn’t settle for a basic, standard bathroom in such a beautiful house.
The sauna in the basement would bother me. After a sauna session, you usually want to step outside to cool off and get fresh air; here, the only option would be through the garage, which is hardly practical. A simple shower would be enough for rinsing off after a workout (or working on the cars). That way, you would gain storage space instead of the sauna room. I might also make the fitness area smaller (since the sauna is gone, no need for relaxation loungers) and create a small workshop, if only to have a convenient place to store tools. That’s something I feel is missing here.
I would move the sauna upstairs to the private floor. Swap the bathroom and bedroom, take part of the dressing room for the sauna, and then you can use that wonderful rooftop garden after your sauna session. You could place a few loungers there and enjoy sunbathing naked after the sauna—very nice. From what I can see, the rooftop garden isn’t visible from outside, right? In winter, you can comfortably relax in bed there and enjoy the view. The roof terrace is large (and if you only sleep and get dressed up there, it probably won’t be used much), so I would also consider adding an outdoor shower there and, if the building structure allows, even a plunge pool. Alternatively, you might consider integrating the sauna as an outdoor sauna on that rooftop garden and keep the dressing room as is. I really like the idea of an outdoor sauna!
Regarding the bathroom, I would definitely consult a professional bathroom planner again. As it is now, it works, but I don’t think it suits the house at all. There is so much more potential! There are fantastic bathroom solutions out there, and I wouldn’t settle for a basic, standard bathroom in such a beautiful house.
Toilets without windows just don’t suit a luxury house; it feels more like an airplane bathroom. We have a large window in each restroom, which is also nice for natural light when looking in the mirror. A windowless room always feels a bit oppressive to me. When guests are over, everyone can exactly hear who is using the toilet and how often, since the kitchen and dining table are right next to it—definitely not very discreet. You practically have to disappear to the basement to use the restroom without drawing attention.
Best regards
Sabine
Best regards
Sabine
The storage space is sufficient for us since we don’t have any hobbies that would require extra storage. If I go skiing every couple of years, I just rent the equipment.
The walk-in closet is large enough to hold all our clothes, including sports and winter wear. We didn’t want to keep rearranging things all the time.
All shoes are kept in the cloakroom area (the furniture shown in the floor plan doesn’t reflect the actual setup).
In the garage, there are only two bicycles, and they are definitely not stored exactly as shown. There is also room for organized tool storage.
Additionally, there is a storage room. We don’t have many things we rarely use; we try to avoid accumulating too much stuff.
We have a guest room that can also be used as a second bedroom. It’s not like someone is moving in as a tenant...
We decided against adding an extra shower near the fitness area. Even if you shower downstairs, you still have to go upstairs to get changed and throw sweaty clothes in the washer.
The bathroom has everything we want. It’s certainly not completely standard, but also not overly extravagant. We don’t need a shower with 20 jets and water illuminated to pulse with the music... Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you have to.
@Climbee Your suggestions about the sauna are good. However, since we aren’t serious sauna enthusiasts, it doesn’t matter much to us.
The roof garden in front of the walk-in closet is more like a small terrace to air out clothes. It will hardly ever be used properly.
I understand that some may find the toilets too small.
But do I really need to look at myself in the mirror while using the toilet and have natural daylight at the same time? For me, that’s not the case.
I also don’t care how often or whether someone uses the toilet.
When you go to the basement, it’s the same situation—you’re just not in the living room. You can’t exactly say, “I’m just going for another workout…”
The walk-in closet is large enough to hold all our clothes, including sports and winter wear. We didn’t want to keep rearranging things all the time.
All shoes are kept in the cloakroom area (the furniture shown in the floor plan doesn’t reflect the actual setup).
In the garage, there are only two bicycles, and they are definitely not stored exactly as shown. There is also room for organized tool storage.
Additionally, there is a storage room. We don’t have many things we rarely use; we try to avoid accumulating too much stuff.
We have a guest room that can also be used as a second bedroom. It’s not like someone is moving in as a tenant...
We decided against adding an extra shower near the fitness area. Even if you shower downstairs, you still have to go upstairs to get changed and throw sweaty clothes in the washer.
The bathroom has everything we want. It’s certainly not completely standard, but also not overly extravagant. We don’t need a shower with 20 jets and water illuminated to pulse with the music... Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you have to.
@Climbee Your suggestions about the sauna are good. However, since we aren’t serious sauna enthusiasts, it doesn’t matter much to us.
The roof garden in front of the walk-in closet is more like a small terrace to air out clothes. It will hardly ever be used properly.
I understand that some may find the toilets too small.
But do I really need to look at myself in the mirror while using the toilet and have natural daylight at the same time? For me, that’s not the case.
I also don’t care how often or whether someone uses the toilet.
When you go to the basement, it’s the same situation—you’re just not in the living room. You can’t exactly say, “I’m just going for another workout…”
You’re not a woman either... ;-D
I do often look in the mirror in the guest bathroom. And I have to say, you don’t seem to care if people leave frequently or if a soundproof door is installed—your guests (probably) don’t know about that. I still cringe thinking about a visit to friends where I unfortunately had stomach issues. The bathroom was accessible from the hallway and also several meters (yards) away from the dining table. But when you’re sitting there, you have a lot of time to think about the missing door between the hallway and living area, and wonder what else the rest of the household can hear. Maybe it’s more of a female concern, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable there either. :-(
I do often look in the mirror in the guest bathroom. And I have to say, you don’t seem to care if people leave frequently or if a soundproof door is installed—your guests (probably) don’t know about that. I still cringe thinking about a visit to friends where I unfortunately had stomach issues. The bathroom was accessible from the hallway and also several meters (yards) away from the dining table. But when you’re sitting there, you have a lot of time to think about the missing door between the hallway and living area, and wonder what else the rest of the household can hear. Maybe it’s more of a female concern, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable there either. :-(
You don’t have a shower in the basement? Despite having a sauna and a gym?
Does that mean after every sauna session you have to go upstairs to the upper floor to shower??? At least in winter, since in summer there’s the pool area (but there are already showers outside, right?)
You can’t be serious!
That’s a major design flaw. Better to skip the sauna altogether; it just doesn’t make any sense otherwise.
Does that mean after every sauna session you have to go upstairs to the upper floor to shower??? At least in winter, since in summer there’s the pool area (but there are already showers outside, right?)
You can’t be serious!
That’s a major design flaw. Better to skip the sauna altogether; it just doesn’t make any sense otherwise.
Similar topics