ᐅ Single-family house with large open space – Requesting opinions
Created on: 28 Oct 2018 17:46
L
ltenzer
Hello everyone,
We are building a new house in a rather rural area of North Rhine-Westphalia, on an old but large vacant plot within a village setting. The attached floor plans were created based on a "rough draft" by myself and refined after several consultations with a local architect. Before we move forward decisively, I would appreciate hearing other opinions and welcome constructive criticism.
One change not yet included in the plan is a vestibule, which we want to add to prevent drafts caused by the open staircase access to the upper floor through the atrium. To keep the hallway feeling spacious, we plan to install the front door flush with the façade and add a canopy above the entrance.
Because of the generous basement, we will probably forgo an attic. We generally like exposed roof trusses and the resulting ceiling height. However, there might be an attic above the children's rooms.
The roof section above the atrium is flat. We want to keep the option open to create a rooftop terrace here later. Access would be via an external staircase between the garage roof and the upper floor; from the upper floor, this area would be accessible.
Since we have already posted in a smaller forum, we have already received two valuable tips:
- The kitchen window will be shifted slightly toward the dining table, as it currently takes up space needed for wall cabinets.
- The roof structure will be challenging due to the open atrium and walls that are not aligned vertically. A 12 m (39 ft) long steel beam as a purlin will likely need to be installed above the gallery railing.
We would like to ask for opinions, especially regarding the following: The best view is actually facing west, toward the sunset. The western corner of the living room is currently reserved for the TV, so we initially removed the window there. We are now considering expanding the window front so that a window is placed in the corner with a wider wall section in between, where the TV would be centered in the living room. This would provide a "west view" from the sofa as well. The original corner placement of the TV was intended to allow it to be positioned so it could be viewed from the dining table as well. How would you arrange it?
Checklist:
Development plan / restrictions
Lot size including rear land / former agricultural area overall 2800 sqm (30,139 sq ft)
Slope: street at front is nearly level with garage floor, right side is 1 m (3.3 ft) lower, land levels out toward the back but drops off again at the end, so that the neighbor about 80 m (262 ft) away is around one floor lower
Floor space ratio 0.4
Floor area ratio 0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundary: marked on ground floor plan at left
Surrounding buildings: bungalow on left, 1.5 storeys on right
Number of storeys: 2 full storeys
Roof style: any
Architectural style: any
Garden orientation: northwest
Owners’ requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: preferably classic "old-fashioned"; we love old castles but unfortunately that’s no longer how people build today
Number of people, ages: 41 + 42 + 1.5 years (possible 2nd child / foster child)
Office: for family use or home office including storage for private documents, books, etc.
Guests staying overnight per year: up to about 10 nights per year so far
Open or closed architecture: preferably open
Traditional or modern construction: both have pros and cons; a mix is welcome
Open kitchen, kitchen island: preferably open with option to close it later; kitchen island not required
Number of dining seats: usually 4, but up to 12-18 for guests
Fireplace: not required
Music/speaker wall: not required
Balcony, rooftop terrace: rooftop terrace as a possible addition later
Garage, carport: at least one double garage
Other wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons why certain things are or are not wanted: -
House design
Planner: Architect based on a DIY rough draft
Estimated cost according to architect/planner: approximately 620,000 € including additional costs
Personal budget for the house including fittings: preferably less; we have some saving potentials through professional contacts in the construction industry / partial DIY and friends who are tradespeople
Preferred heating system: ground source heat pump, deep drilling
We are building a new house in a rather rural area of North Rhine-Westphalia, on an old but large vacant plot within a village setting. The attached floor plans were created based on a "rough draft" by myself and refined after several consultations with a local architect. Before we move forward decisively, I would appreciate hearing other opinions and welcome constructive criticism.
One change not yet included in the plan is a vestibule, which we want to add to prevent drafts caused by the open staircase access to the upper floor through the atrium. To keep the hallway feeling spacious, we plan to install the front door flush with the façade and add a canopy above the entrance.
Because of the generous basement, we will probably forgo an attic. We generally like exposed roof trusses and the resulting ceiling height. However, there might be an attic above the children's rooms.
The roof section above the atrium is flat. We want to keep the option open to create a rooftop terrace here later. Access would be via an external staircase between the garage roof and the upper floor; from the upper floor, this area would be accessible.
Since we have already posted in a smaller forum, we have already received two valuable tips:
- The kitchen window will be shifted slightly toward the dining table, as it currently takes up space needed for wall cabinets.
- The roof structure will be challenging due to the open atrium and walls that are not aligned vertically. A 12 m (39 ft) long steel beam as a purlin will likely need to be installed above the gallery railing.
We would like to ask for opinions, especially regarding the following: The best view is actually facing west, toward the sunset. The western corner of the living room is currently reserved for the TV, so we initially removed the window there. We are now considering expanding the window front so that a window is placed in the corner with a wider wall section in between, where the TV would be centered in the living room. This would provide a "west view" from the sofa as well. The original corner placement of the TV was intended to allow it to be positioned so it could be viewed from the dining table as well. How would you arrange it?
Checklist:
Development plan / restrictions
Lot size including rear land / former agricultural area overall 2800 sqm (30,139 sq ft)
Slope: street at front is nearly level with garage floor, right side is 1 m (3.3 ft) lower, land levels out toward the back but drops off again at the end, so that the neighbor about 80 m (262 ft) away is around one floor lower
Floor space ratio 0.4
Floor area ratio 0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundary: marked on ground floor plan at left
Surrounding buildings: bungalow on left, 1.5 storeys on right
Number of storeys: 2 full storeys
Roof style: any
Architectural style: any
Garden orientation: northwest
Owners’ requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: preferably classic "old-fashioned"; we love old castles but unfortunately that’s no longer how people build today
Number of people, ages: 41 + 42 + 1.5 years (possible 2nd child / foster child)
Office: for family use or home office including storage for private documents, books, etc.
Guests staying overnight per year: up to about 10 nights per year so far
Open or closed architecture: preferably open
Traditional or modern construction: both have pros and cons; a mix is welcome
Open kitchen, kitchen island: preferably open with option to close it later; kitchen island not required
Number of dining seats: usually 4, but up to 12-18 for guests
Fireplace: not required
Music/speaker wall: not required
Balcony, rooftop terrace: rooftop terrace as a possible addition later
Garage, carport: at least one double garage
Other wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons why certain things are or are not wanted: -
House design
Planner: Architect based on a DIY rough draft
Estimated cost according to architect/planner: approximately 620,000 € including additional costs
Personal budget for the house including fittings: preferably less; we have some saving potentials through professional contacts in the construction industry / partial DIY and friends who are tradespeople
Preferred heating system: ground source heat pump, deep drilling
Why use a roof terrace that apparently can only be accessed via an external staircase? Especially when you can simply enjoy the huge garden instead?
The views, with all the different roofs and gables, don’t appeal to me at all, and I don’t understand why someone would want the bathroom window placed where it is on the facade. The exterior design clearly calls for a central window. I realize that this would mean the bathroom layout wouldn’t work as originally planned.
But looking at the whole package, and considering that despite the oversized plot the living areas are mostly facing north... no, this is not for me. I would start over from scratch, with the primary goal of better using the south side for the living spaces rather than for the guest room and toilet, and reorganizing the abundant space more effectively according to its functions (for example, the wardrobe is too small and cramped, the dressing room is too awkwardly shaped, its use as a walk-through room is questionable, and having the bed positioned with a door at the head is too uncomfortable...).
The views, with all the different roofs and gables, don’t appeal to me at all, and I don’t understand why someone would want the bathroom window placed where it is on the facade. The exterior design clearly calls for a central window. I realize that this would mean the bathroom layout wouldn’t work as originally planned.
But looking at the whole package, and considering that despite the oversized plot the living areas are mostly facing north... no, this is not for me. I would start over from scratch, with the primary goal of better using the south side for the living spaces rather than for the guest room and toilet, and reorganizing the abundant space more effectively according to its functions (for example, the wardrobe is too small and cramped, the dressing room is too awkwardly shaped, its use as a walk-through room is questionable, and having the bed positioned with a door at the head is too uncomfortable...).
ltenzer schrieb:
We simply have more space available than we need
And the sound insulation can be improved with somewhat higher-quality doors on the upper floor.Just because you have more space available doesn't mean you have to use it all. Especially if the result is just an impractical building (I agree with Alex, the stair layout will annoy you sooner or later) that places the main rooms facing the dark north.
ltenzer schrieb:
I had thought about that too. But the bathroom has the best view of the large garden and far beyond, compared to all other rooms. For example, you can look out from the bathtub. We only use the bedroom at night, so the view doesn’t really benefit us. How often do you bathe and how often do you sleep?
The headboard of your bed is directly next to the children’s room, which will cause noise issues and shouldn’t be necessary given the size of the house.
If the view is that great, give the children that room and place your bedroom where the view isn’t as good.
Children’s rooms shouldn’t be located directly next to the gallery, especially if the children are still young. If you’re sitting downstairs, you’ll wake your children — that’s going to be fun.
I like the ground floor, but the upper floor is not well balanced.
ltenzer schrieb:
For example, you can look at it from the bathtub.You only do that once… when you’re bathing, it’s usually dark outside… and you tend to have your eyes closed anyway.
Alex85 schrieb:
I also imagine the view from the living room towards the roof to be quite ugly because of the mix of gable and flat roof…Yes, I agree… it’s too high. If only you could look at a nice gable, but no, there’s just a boxy room up there.
Alex85 schrieb:
Roof terrace… forget it. Who would even want to go up there? You already have a terrace downstairs.And a huge garden. What would you even do on the roof terrace? Water the trees?
Maria16 schrieb:
The exterior appearance practically demands a centered window.I really don’t like the garden view at all: on the ground floor, the wall-to-window ratio is off. On the upper floor, the staggered window layout is a visual disaster. It’s actually painful to look at.
Maria16 schrieb:
Living rooms rather facing north… no, the iThat’s another point: I would consistently place the garage as a boundary development on the east side and open the house towards the south and garden.
Details: the bathroom access through the walk-in closet can be avoided; it’s better to remove one door in the bedroom instead. Access to the bedroom through the walk-in closet, but direct access to the bathroom.
Rotate the staircase.
Attach the terrace to the kitchen or dining area.
I also see the open space more above the dining table, but I would only do that if the children’s rooms have a separate corridor and bathroom. There would be enough space with better planning. They must get tinnitus at night when the parents watch TV downstairs.
By the way, I actually like the architectural style, although I personally wouldn’t choose something like that.
Finders keepers.
Finally, a proper design instead of random scribbles.
Question: Does the garage have to be on the left side? Can’t it be on the other side? In other words, swap the house and garage positions? And must that massive structure be attached to the house, creating windowless walls? We built our garage next to the house, so we have natural light all around inside. I can only recommend that. It would let the southwest sunlight into the living room. Honestly, I’m wondering how anyone could place a garage there. It’s… better not to say. Okay, I’m getting a bit worked up here.
A child with their ear against the bedroom wall—that’s tricky. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re really quiet…
That’s why I would also suggest swapping the bedroom and bathroom. But also so the only bathroom upstairs is centrally located for everyone. If child number two needs to use the toilet at night, they’ll probably wet themselves before getting there, and wake everyone up along the way.
The entry vestibule idea is nonsense and I would leave it out. That’s something from the days when creaky doors were drafty. Today, doors are hermetically sealed. Adding another dark space at the front is ugly, blocks light, and hardly makes a difference.
At first, I thought you’d have to rotate the staircase. But I guess you want to stroll along your open gallery at every chance. That could get annoying over time. Overall, in my opinion, the staircase solution is a bit awkward. All routes become unnecessarily long. The route to the bathroom becomes almost criminally long.
Some elevations are also messed up. The bathroom window should be centered, right? I’d give up that huge shower before compromising symmetry here.
The utility room window isn’t great either. Though I don’t see a quick solution for that.
Otherwise, all the downsides of an open atrium apply. The idea that the bedroom doors will sufficiently block noise from the living room—I consider that wishful thinking. The kids will definitely often be awake because the TV is loud, dad bangs knives loudly into the dishwasher, or the phone rings and mom is loudly talking with her sister.
But I think the kids will get earplugs before the parents cancel that huge open atrium here.
Finally, a proper design instead of random scribbles.
Question: Does the garage have to be on the left side? Can’t it be on the other side? In other words, swap the house and garage positions? And must that massive structure be attached to the house, creating windowless walls? We built our garage next to the house, so we have natural light all around inside. I can only recommend that. It would let the southwest sunlight into the living room. Honestly, I’m wondering how anyone could place a garage there. It’s… better not to say. Okay, I’m getting a bit worked up here.
A child with their ear against the bedroom wall—that’s tricky. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re really quiet…
That’s why I would also suggest swapping the bedroom and bathroom. But also so the only bathroom upstairs is centrally located for everyone. If child number two needs to use the toilet at night, they’ll probably wet themselves before getting there, and wake everyone up along the way.
The entry vestibule idea is nonsense and I would leave it out. That’s something from the days when creaky doors were drafty. Today, doors are hermetically sealed. Adding another dark space at the front is ugly, blocks light, and hardly makes a difference.
At first, I thought you’d have to rotate the staircase. But I guess you want to stroll along your open gallery at every chance. That could get annoying over time. Overall, in my opinion, the staircase solution is a bit awkward. All routes become unnecessarily long. The route to the bathroom becomes almost criminally long.
Some elevations are also messed up. The bathroom window should be centered, right? I’d give up that huge shower before compromising symmetry here.
The utility room window isn’t great either. Though I don’t see a quick solution for that.
Otherwise, all the downsides of an open atrium apply. The idea that the bedroom doors will sufficiently block noise from the living room—I consider that wishful thinking. The kids will definitely often be awake because the TV is loud, dad bangs knives loudly into the dishwasher, or the phone rings and mom is loudly talking with her sister.
But I think the kids will get earplugs before the parents cancel that huge open atrium here.
Alex85 schrieb:
Downsizing. The house is large, in my opinion unnecessarily large in parts. And it even has a basement underneath.
The gallery is a huge waste of space. An open roof structure spanning two floors with a pitched roof on top will be challenging in terms of lighting choices and heating. I also imagine the view from the living room towards the roof looks quite unattractive due to the mix of pitched and flat roofs.
Roof terrace… forget about it. Who would want to go up there? You already have a terrace downstairs.
Pitched roof on the garage is expensive, the slope is expensive… phew.
I wouldn’t like the hallway at all; it almost makes me want to start over – I don’t think the stairs work well. The lower hallway towards the garage is dark and ends nowhere. If you go upstairs, you end up on the wrong side of the floor. Long walking distances. Somehow unfortunate.
This is a huge house with comparatively small living spaces, except for the open-plan area on the ground floor.
I get the feeling a lot of emphasis was placed on visual features rather than functionality.
The design is not oriented according to the cardinal directions either.
Hmm. Reset and make it €100,000 cheaper.Yes, it’s large. The basement is bigger than we initially planned, but a partial basement also comes with many disadvantages, plus we have many of the services/materials required for the basement construction available professionally ourselves. Hence the “too large” full basement. I don’t see the rest of the rooms as too big anywhere—could you give me an example? The large living area is meant to accommodate children playing as well.
Open spaces like air gaps are always a matter of taste; we like them.
The roof terrace would offer an amazing view. Due to the topography, we can look down over the village and the fields. Everything in that direction is much lower than our site. Hence that wish.
You’re right about the too-dark part of the hallway—it still needs a solution to bring in more natural daylight there. The hallway next to it, behind the front door, is wide and spacious. What don’t you like about that?
Regarding the stairs: We wanted a straight staircase. The direction it runs doesn’t significantly affect walking distances; usually, we move from the living areas to the upper floor. I found it practical to have direct and short access from the garage to the basement for groceries with beverage crates, etc.
About orientation: We have a northwest-facing lot. To get as much sun as possible in the garden, especially in the afternoon and evening, I placed the taller part of the house in the more eastern corner and attached the flat garage, which casts little shadow, to the southwest. I couldn’t think of a better solution—could you?
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