ᐅ General Criticism Regarding Architecture, Layout, and Exterior Appearance
Created on: 29 Nov 2018 13:55
C
Christian K.
House Design
Who designed it: Architect
What we like: Layout, lots of natural light, practical despite design focus, space-saving (more garden area)
What we dislike: Some of the exterior appearance, many stairs
Why does the design look the way it does?
We generally like the Bauhaus style but not monotonous buildings. Since we don’t have enough space for a nice Bauhaus-style house, we preferred a city villa or a modern pitched roof. However, we then saw designs with a setback floor, which we liked.
Advantages of the setback floor: Bedrooms and bathrooms separated (from the children, etc.), nice views, smaller building footprint, easier installation of photovoltaic systems
Disadvantages of the setback floor: Many stairs (especially challenging later in life), no roof space for storage
What do you think are its main strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths: Orientation—for example, stairs located on the north side, bright staircase avoiding a dark space, bathrooms with morning light, corner windows providing more evening light
Weaknesses: Front exterior facade
Our "problem"
The architect incorporated our requirements (number of rooms, storage for existing furniture, etc.), and the original design looked prettier, but—for example—we didn’t want floor-to-ceiling windows in the children’s rooms. The height of the window sills visually isn’t ideal but works better for room use.
Our problem is that we are uncertain about the design because it is quite unusual. Also, considering a possible future sale: While we probably won’t sell, it could happen in an emergency. Then the question is whether the unique design might deter many buyers.
If we had chosen a city villa or pitched roof, we probably wouldn’t have these concerns and might have less garden space but more storage.
Maybe we also hesitate because we only have this one option and feel somewhat pressured to accept it. It could be that if we saw another design with a city villa or pitched roof, we might still choose this design because we would then have alternatives and a better basis for comparison. Do you understand what I mean?
What is the main fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters or less?
1. Could there be issues with the architecture if we want to sell the house?
2. Do you have any general comments on the design?
P.S. The facade color will be gray and not the brown tone shown in the drawings.
Who designed it: Architect
What we like: Layout, lots of natural light, practical despite design focus, space-saving (more garden area)
What we dislike: Some of the exterior appearance, many stairs
Why does the design look the way it does?
We generally like the Bauhaus style but not monotonous buildings. Since we don’t have enough space for a nice Bauhaus-style house, we preferred a city villa or a modern pitched roof. However, we then saw designs with a setback floor, which we liked.
Advantages of the setback floor: Bedrooms and bathrooms separated (from the children, etc.), nice views, smaller building footprint, easier installation of photovoltaic systems
Disadvantages of the setback floor: Many stairs (especially challenging later in life), no roof space for storage
What do you think are its main strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths: Orientation—for example, stairs located on the north side, bright staircase avoiding a dark space, bathrooms with morning light, corner windows providing more evening light
Weaknesses: Front exterior facade
Our "problem"
The architect incorporated our requirements (number of rooms, storage for existing furniture, etc.), and the original design looked prettier, but—for example—we didn’t want floor-to-ceiling windows in the children’s rooms. The height of the window sills visually isn’t ideal but works better for room use.
Our problem is that we are uncertain about the design because it is quite unusual. Also, considering a possible future sale: While we probably won’t sell, it could happen in an emergency. Then the question is whether the unique design might deter many buyers.
If we had chosen a city villa or pitched roof, we probably wouldn’t have these concerns and might have less garden space but more storage.
Maybe we also hesitate because we only have this one option and feel somewhat pressured to accept it. It could be that if we saw another design with a city villa or pitched roof, we might still choose this design because we would then have alternatives and a better basis for comparison. Do you understand what I mean?
What is the main fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters or less?
1. Could there be issues with the architecture if we want to sell the house?
2. Do you have any general comments on the design?
P.S. The facade color will be gray and not the brown tone shown in the drawings.
C
Christian K.5 Dec 2018 17:54Ugh… it’s difficult to address everything here.
The issues with the plot are known, and yes, the building authority will certainly have their input. There are many ifs and buts that still need to be clarified. At the moment, it’s hard to say and therefore difficult to make decisions. We also currently cannot find out the names of the neighbors (data protection) and have to wait until building applications are submitted. Then, based on legitimate interest, we will receive the building applications for the neighboring properties and can discuss the embankment with the property owners.
Our construction manager is currently planning with a strip foundation. A basement was calculated multiple times but is unfortunately not financially feasible. We are asked about it repeatedly and, yes, the temptation is there, but we still need to do embankment, and the basement would only be marginally cheaper.
1. What is the deal with the legally allowed 1.0 meter (3.3 feet) height limit?
2. How should I understand this: “the setback distances to the boundary for the embankment (including retaining walls) would, as a reverse implication of § 6 paragraph 8, sentence 2 number 2 of the Hessian Building Code, be triggered.”
Info: The appointment with the notary is scheduled for tomorrow.
The issues with the plot are known, and yes, the building authority will certainly have their input. There are many ifs and buts that still need to be clarified. At the moment, it’s hard to say and therefore difficult to make decisions. We also currently cannot find out the names of the neighbors (data protection) and have to wait until building applications are submitted. Then, based on legitimate interest, we will receive the building applications for the neighboring properties and can discuss the embankment with the property owners.
Our construction manager is currently planning with a strip foundation. A basement was calculated multiple times but is unfortunately not financially feasible. We are asked about it repeatedly and, yes, the temptation is there, but we still need to do embankment, and the basement would only be marginally cheaper.
Otus11 schrieb:But now it gets interesting... What do you mean by that? I’m having trouble following you :-(
Given the limited scope of questions here in the forum, the question to the planner is obsolete as to whether, with an embankment height of 1.3 meters (4.3 feet)—thus exceeding the legally allowed 1.0 meter (3.3 feet)—the setback distances to the boundary for the embankment (including retaining walls) would, as a reverse implication of § 6 paragraph 8, sentence 2 number 2 of the Hessian Building Code, be triggered.
1. What is the deal with the legally allowed 1.0 meter (3.3 feet) height limit?
2. How should I understand this: “the setback distances to the boundary for the embankment (including retaining walls) would, as a reverse implication of § 6 paragraph 8, sentence 2 number 2 of the Hessian Building Code, be triggered.”
Info: The appointment with the notary is scheduled for tomorrow.
Christian K. schrieb:
Our site manager is currently planning with a strip foundation. The basement was calculated several times but is unfortunately not financially feasible. We keep getting asked about it, and yes, the temptation is there, but we still have to do backfilling, and the basement would only be slightly cheaper.Now I don’t understand.
If the basement is cheaper, why are you deciding against it?
C
Christian K.5 Dec 2018 18:45Baufie schrieb:
Now I can’t follow.
If the basement becomes cheaper, why are you then backing away from it? Poorly put... a basement always costs more. In our case the costs are somewhat lower, but still higher than without a basement.
Otus11 schrieb:
In #49, the OP’s questions are basically narrowed down to two... So you mean that if he only wants to know 1) marketability and 2) appeal, he wouldn’t be interested in a more important answer anyway? – that wouldn’t really be off-topic, but I would take offense if I were the OP in that case.
Baufie schrieb:
Honestly, I can’t think of anything. At least no answer as to why a basement would be "more expensive" comparatively. Because it’s not really an alternative; it would only save the fill under the house footprint, not beneath the much larger “rest” of the area.
You almost don’t have to add fill only if the carport is allowed to be placed immediately at the street and then you go down toward the house. Then the neighbors have to add fill instead, and the view becomes like a walkout basement – it then becomes irrelevant which way the sofa faces.
Christian K. schrieb:
A basement always costs more. In our case, the costs are somewhat lower, This practically means that the basement simply replaces its own “backfill volume” (above the original ground level).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Christian K. schrieb:
But now it’s getting interesting... What do you mean by that? I can’t quite follow you :-(
1. What is the legally tolerated 1.0 m (3.3 ft) elevation about?
2. How should I understand this: "not the setback distances to the boundary for the fill (including retaining walls) itself are triggered, even conversely, by § 6 para. 8, sentence 2 no. 2 of the Hessian Building Code." The giant sentence probably means: if you want to raise the whole 1.30 m (4.3 ft) of fill and not just a "negligible" 1 m (3.3 ft) high, then the fill itself must observe a setback distance like a structure. In that case, I’d see your carport being affected.
Baufie schrieb:
But I understand correctly that the entire plot is supposed to be filled, right? That’s how I see it too – the drawing should be accurate. That means the basement would only "save" the building area multiplied by the fill height in fill material.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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