ᐅ Single-family house, 150 sqm, nearing detailed design phase – feedback?
Created on: 1 Nov 2018 22:21
S
sunnyageHello dear forum members,
We are now a family of four and are finally ready to fulfill our dream of owning a home. We already have a plot of land and a general contractor who will build with us. Over the past few months, we have been tirelessly reviewing plans and gathering information. We have now reached the point where we have an approved building permit / planning permission. So, the basic parameters of the house are basically set. However, as we approach the final approval of the detailed planning, we are starting to doubt whether we have been too focused on our own ideas for too long.
The floor plan has caused us quite some headaches because the plot is only 14 meters (46 feet) wide, which means the maximum width of the house is 8 meters (26 feet). We also wanted a fireplace in a spacious, open living area. With large windows and hopefully plenty of natural light, we aim to create a friendly atmosphere. By the way, in the screenshots, the south side is shown at the top.
This resulted in the attached floor plan. One challenge is definitely having enough space for wardrobes and other furniture. According to our current visualizations, this seems to fit reasonably well. To improve this even more, we have already decided to slightly reduce the widths of the windows on the south side.
We are still unsure about the "corner" in the study. We could either place a desk or a bed there, but it would also be possible to close the wall and, with an entrance from the hallway, create a separate wardrobe. Another point is the rather large bedroom—which will not have a separate dressing room—but as a large room it is also somewhat difficult to furnish.
We would be very grateful if you could take a fresh and unbiased look at the floor plan and provide your comments.
Thank you very much in advance!
Sonja and Simon
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 1000 sqm (11,000 sq ft)
Slope: No
Site coverage ratio: 0.2
Floor area ratio: -
Building window, building line, and boundary: Adjacent development
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces: 1
Number of floors: 1 full floor
Roof type: Gable roof
Style: Classic
Orientation: East
Maximum heights / limits: -
Other requirements: -
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: Classic single-family house with gable roof
Basement, floors: 1 full floor
Number of people, age: 4 (2 adults, 2 small children)
Room requirements on ground floor: Living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, guest toilet, study/guest room
Room requirements on upper floor: Master bedroom, 2 children’s rooms, bathroom
Office: Family use or home office?: Family use
Number of overnight guests per year: very few (5-6)
Open or closed layout: Open
Conservative or modern construction: Conservative
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: yes
Music / stereo wall: No
Balcony, roof terrace: No
Garage, carport: Carport planned for later
Vegetable garden, greenhouse: No
Additional wishes / special features / daily routines, including reasons for certain choices: -
House Design
Planned by: Planner from a construction company
What do you particularly like? Why?: The open living/dining area with the connection to the small study. We plan to keep the door between these spaces mostly open so that these central rooms receive natural light throughout the day. Also, we look forward to no longer being isolated from the rest of the family when cooking, as we are in our current small kitchen.
What do you not like? Why?: -
Estimated price according to architect/planner: -
Personal maximum budget for house including fittings: -
Preferred heating system: Gas
If you had to give up, which details or extensions
- would you be able to give up: ?
- would you NOT give up: Open area with kitchen, dining and living room, as well as the fireplace
Why did the design turn out the way it is now?
We spent a long time with the planner and on our own trying to reconcile our various requirements. He made a great effort to incorporate them all into one floor plan.
What is the most important / fundamental question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
How would you plan the study and bedroom, and do you notice any major flaws in our floor plan?
We are now a family of four and are finally ready to fulfill our dream of owning a home. We already have a plot of land and a general contractor who will build with us. Over the past few months, we have been tirelessly reviewing plans and gathering information. We have now reached the point where we have an approved building permit / planning permission. So, the basic parameters of the house are basically set. However, as we approach the final approval of the detailed planning, we are starting to doubt whether we have been too focused on our own ideas for too long.
The floor plan has caused us quite some headaches because the plot is only 14 meters (46 feet) wide, which means the maximum width of the house is 8 meters (26 feet). We also wanted a fireplace in a spacious, open living area. With large windows and hopefully plenty of natural light, we aim to create a friendly atmosphere. By the way, in the screenshots, the south side is shown at the top.
This resulted in the attached floor plan. One challenge is definitely having enough space for wardrobes and other furniture. According to our current visualizations, this seems to fit reasonably well. To improve this even more, we have already decided to slightly reduce the widths of the windows on the south side.
We are still unsure about the "corner" in the study. We could either place a desk or a bed there, but it would also be possible to close the wall and, with an entrance from the hallway, create a separate wardrobe. Another point is the rather large bedroom—which will not have a separate dressing room—but as a large room it is also somewhat difficult to furnish.
We would be very grateful if you could take a fresh and unbiased look at the floor plan and provide your comments.
Thank you very much in advance!
Sonja and Simon
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 1000 sqm (11,000 sq ft)
Slope: No
Site coverage ratio: 0.2
Floor area ratio: -
Building window, building line, and boundary: Adjacent development
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces: 1
Number of floors: 1 full floor
Roof type: Gable roof
Style: Classic
Orientation: East
Maximum heights / limits: -
Other requirements: -
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: Classic single-family house with gable roof
Basement, floors: 1 full floor
Number of people, age: 4 (2 adults, 2 small children)
Room requirements on ground floor: Living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, guest toilet, study/guest room
Room requirements on upper floor: Master bedroom, 2 children’s rooms, bathroom
Office: Family use or home office?: Family use
Number of overnight guests per year: very few (5-6)
Open or closed layout: Open
Conservative or modern construction: Conservative
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: yes
Music / stereo wall: No
Balcony, roof terrace: No
Garage, carport: Carport planned for later
Vegetable garden, greenhouse: No
Additional wishes / special features / daily routines, including reasons for certain choices: -
House Design
Planned by: Planner from a construction company
What do you particularly like? Why?: The open living/dining area with the connection to the small study. We plan to keep the door between these spaces mostly open so that these central rooms receive natural light throughout the day. Also, we look forward to no longer being isolated from the rest of the family when cooking, as we are in our current small kitchen.
What do you not like? Why?: -
Estimated price according to architect/planner: -
Personal maximum budget for house including fittings: -
Preferred heating system: Gas
If you had to give up, which details or extensions
- would you be able to give up: ?
- would you NOT give up: Open area with kitchen, dining and living room, as well as the fireplace
Why did the design turn out the way it is now?
We spent a long time with the planner and on our own trying to reconcile our various requirements. He made a great effort to incorporate them all into one floor plan.
What is the most important / fundamental question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
How would you plan the study and bedroom, and do you notice any major flaws in our floor plan?
Hmm, the floor plan doesn’t match the latest kitchen design (different forum 😉 ). The windows in the kitchen area are not correct as shown.
Also, I would like to point out again the two entrances to the utility room. They take up a lot of space that could otherwise be used for storage or appliances.
In the upstairs bedroom, I would move the window positions more toward the center of the house. The window on the ground floor can be adjusted accordingly. Then, change the door swing upstairs as well. This way, a bed with a headboard can be placed against the top wall of the plan, and the lower area can be used for cabinets.
Also, I would like to point out again the two entrances to the utility room. They take up a lot of space that could otherwise be used for storage or appliances.
In the upstairs bedroom, I would move the window positions more toward the center of the house. The window on the ground floor can be adjusted accordingly. Then, change the door swing upstairs as well. This way, a bed with a headboard can be placed against the top wall of the plan, and the lower area can be used for cabinets.
Hmm,
there are a few key points that bother me:
1. The path from the entrance to the kitchen feels like an obstacle course. I wouldn’t want to be the one carrying groceries to the fridge.
2. The drainage from Bathroom 1 would have to run across the living room, or how is that planned?
3. What is the corner in the study supposed to be used for? It’s sized so it doesn’t really serve any purpose. I would cut it off and instead plan the wardrobe in the hallway.
4. A narrow utility room door is tricky. Once everything is inside, it’s fine. But if the water heater or heating system needs to be replaced, you’ll end up removing the door and tearing down walls.
5. I would swap the entrance and stairs—it just feels more practical. You’d get to the kitchen faster with bags, and the existing garage supports this layout too.
6. The kids’ rooms are okay, but somehow hard to furnish. Either you run into the closet when entering, or the narrow room becomes even narrower because of the closet. I’d prefer less space but better furniture arrangements. But that’s a matter of taste.
7. I really like Kerstin’s suggestion. Alternatively, here’s a version with a large window and space for dancing:
8. Why are there no windows on the side with an eaves height of about 2m (6.5 ft)?
there are a few key points that bother me:
1. The path from the entrance to the kitchen feels like an obstacle course. I wouldn’t want to be the one carrying groceries to the fridge.
2. The drainage from Bathroom 1 would have to run across the living room, or how is that planned?
3. What is the corner in the study supposed to be used for? It’s sized so it doesn’t really serve any purpose. I would cut it off and instead plan the wardrobe in the hallway.
4. A narrow utility room door is tricky. Once everything is inside, it’s fine. But if the water heater or heating system needs to be replaced, you’ll end up removing the door and tearing down walls.
5. I would swap the entrance and stairs—it just feels more practical. You’d get to the kitchen faster with bags, and the existing garage supports this layout too.
6. The kids’ rooms are okay, but somehow hard to furnish. Either you run into the closet when entering, or the narrow room becomes even narrower because of the closet. I’d prefer less space but better furniture arrangements. But that’s a matter of taste.
7. I really like Kerstin’s suggestion. Alternatively, here’s a version with a large window and space for dancing:
8. Why are there no windows on the side with an eaves height of about 2m (6.5 ft)?
Quite spontaneously, regarding the indication "top is south," I would mirror the house.
With a photo of the plot, I would need to think about it a bit longer for myself, though.
Anyway, I wouldn’t want to constantly walk through the chill lounge when going to the kitchen. I would probably place the living room more in the corner and use the kitchen as a passage to the south.
Guest access through the living room is a matter of taste. I almost did the same.... We now have a separate office, which is good, as I also use it as a workout room and am more independent that way. Close off the corner and use it as a cloakroom.
The toilet in the children’s bathroom is not compliant with regulations. It has to be moved beyond the 2-meter (6.6 feet) line.
Well, and the location of the stairs is in the entrance dirt zone... often this cannot be changed, but I would always try to arrange it differently.
Here, even a straight staircase would be recommended.
With a photo of the plot, I would need to think about it a bit longer for myself, though.
Anyway, I wouldn’t want to constantly walk through the chill lounge when going to the kitchen. I would probably place the living room more in the corner and use the kitchen as a passage to the south.
Guest access through the living room is a matter of taste. I almost did the same.... We now have a separate office, which is good, as I also use it as a workout room and am more independent that way. Close off the corner and use it as a cloakroom.
The toilet in the children’s bathroom is not compliant with regulations. It has to be moved beyond the 2-meter (6.6 feet) line.
Well, and the location of the stairs is in the entrance dirt zone... often this cannot be changed, but I would always try to arrange it differently.
Here, even a straight staircase would be recommended.
ypg schrieb:
The toilet in the children's bathroom does not comply with standards. It needs to be moved beyond the 2-meter (6.6 feet) line. The line is actually 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) – strangely enough – that confused me as well.
ypg schrieb:
A straight staircase might even be suitable here. I wouldn’t see it that way, since the house is too narrow and on the upper floor it would create an excessively long, wide corridor. Unless you want it to run across? But I’d rather expect a staircase with a landing – again.
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