ᐅ A unique floor plan set in a natural environment with views of lakes
Created on: 23 Dec 2018 14:10
M
Melanie L.
Hello everyone,
I purchased a plot of land mid-year, where a roughly built wooden cabin once stood. I have already demolished and removed it.
By early December, I was almost finished with the planning, and last week I showed the plans to my family at a pre-Christmas gathering. Naturally, not all 12 adults agreed with my views. Unfortunately, I’m already mentally fixed on my plans, and it’s difficult for me to rethink everything from scratch now. I’m hoping to find ideas and inspiration in this forum.
The view of the lakes is unique; in summer we flew a drone over the area, and in winter you naturally have an even clearer view of the lakes!
I’ve completed the questionnaire to the best of my knowledge.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Requirements from the homeowners
House Design
If you have to forgo anything, which details/features would you give up?
Why is the design as it is now?
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
The planning of the kitchen including living area + windows (size, number, placement). Kitchen/living area should be open and cozy.
I purchased a plot of land mid-year, where a roughly built wooden cabin once stood. I have already demolished and removed it.
By early December, I was almost finished with the planning, and last week I showed the plans to my family at a pre-Christmas gathering. Naturally, not all 12 adults agreed with my views. Unfortunately, I’m already mentally fixed on my plans, and it’s difficult for me to rethink everything from scratch now. I’m hoping to find ideas and inspiration in this forum.
The view of the lakes is unique; in summer we flew a drone over the area, and in winter you naturally have an even clearer view of the lakes!
I’ve completed the questionnaire to the best of my knowledge.
Development Plan / Restrictions
- Plot size: 640sqm (6889 sq ft)
- Slope: none
- Plot ratio (site coverage): 0.09
- Floor area ratio: 0.13
- Building envelope, building line and boundary: 3m (10ft) from neighboring plots, and the forest protection strip must be observed; 55sqm (592 sq ft) building footprint; parking space (carport only, no garage) outside the buildable area 20sqm (215 sq ft)
- Edge development: see site plan
- Number of parking spaces: 1
- Number of stories: 1.5
- Roof type: gable roof or shed roof; neighbors have built flat roofs as well. Considering the number of stories, the ceiling height had to be lowered to 2.30m (7 ft 7 in) at one third of the height.
- Maximum heights / limits: 8m (26 ft)
- Other specifications: building plinth must not exceed 0.35m (14 in)
Requirements from the homeowners
- Style, roof type, building type: shed roof
- Basement, stories: basement + 1.5 stories
- Number of people, age: 1 person, 42 years old
- Space requirement on ground floor and upper floor: approx. 60sqm (646 sq ft)
- Use: residential
- Guest sleepers per year: 25 (1-2 persons simultaneously excluding myself)
- Open or closed architecture: open
- Conservative or modern style: modern
- Open kitchen, kitchen island: preferably kitchen island
- Number of dining seats: 2-4
- Fireplace: no
- Music/Stereo wall: no
- Balcony, roof terrace: no
- Garage, carport: no, not planned for now
- Vegetable garden, greenhouse: small-scale vegetable cultivation
- Other wishes: an open kitchen/living area is desirable (for info: I budgeted 20-25 thousand euros for the kitchen). It would be a plus but not a must to fit a TV somewhere on the ground floor. The floor-to-ceiling windows will all be sliding doors as I prefer level access to my terrace. This terrace will extend a bit further south than currently shown on the plan. On the upper floor, I plan a bay window seating area; on the ground floor, that would also be welcome.
House Design
- Who created the design: myself, with input from my family (uncles and aunts enjoy giving their “two cents”)
- Draftsman from a building company: I have a draftsman who has long worked with my builder (a very good friend of mine who also built in this neighborhood)
- What do you particularly like? Why?: The location is outstanding as it is surrounded by greenery, and from the upper floor you have views of two lakes; in winter there is also a view from the ground floor. The small settlement (a former weekend holiday home area) is on a hill in our small town, far from busy roads.
- What do you dislike? Why?: I can’t exactly say I dislike anything, but due to the very limited building area and the resulting building envelope, this won’t be a standard house — the floor plan is unique.
- Price estimate according to architect/planner: 220,000 euros (excluding kitchen)
- Personal price limit for house including fixtures: 280,000 euros
- Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump, energy efficiency class 55; my uncle is advising me on energy efficiency
If you have to forgo anything, which details/features would you give up?
- Could give up: solar panels, carport
- Cannot give up: kitchen with dining area
Why is the design as it is now?
- Standard design from planner: no, due to the restricted building field; the maximum buildable footprint is 55sqm (592 sq ft), with 1.5 stories
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
The planning of the kitchen including living area + windows (size, number, placement). Kitchen/living area should be open and cozy.
@red-ed ... you didn’t really stick to the specified house shape but rather followed the building boundary, right? What kind of roof are you imagining there?
Bathroom on the upper floor... shower/toilet area is way too cramped.
Kitchen... I got the impression cooking is important, but the kitchen is too minimalistic, the island isn’t big enough, and the distance to the tall cabinet wall is too small.
And honestly, eating on the sofa... no, that’s a no-go.
But you’re right, and as I already said, @Melanie L. should be more clear about what she really wants instead of asking for thoughts here and then leaving the thread by herself 😉.
Bathroom on the upper floor... shower/toilet area is way too cramped.
Kitchen... I got the impression cooking is important, but the kitchen is too minimalistic, the island isn’t big enough, and the distance to the tall cabinet wall is too small.
And honestly, eating on the sofa... no, that’s a no-go.
But you’re right, and as I already said, @Melanie L. should be more clear about what she really wants instead of asking for thoughts here and then leaving the thread by herself 😉.
@kbt09
Of course, the building envelope was relevant to me.
At first, I didn’t focus on the exact dimensions; I just wanted to illustrate the possibilities.
If a spiral staircase were considered, it would create more space. A bathroom for one person seems fine to me. The cloakroom and WC could be arranged or removed according to personal preference. Your option with a WC in a separate area is better in that regard.
The kitchen island can still be enlarged.
I just grabbed a standard table and inserted it.
Regarding the roof, you’d need to look at the permitted roof shapes, pitches, and heights. Either a very flat shed roof facing south or a staggered gable roof running from east to west.
But that would still need some experimenting.
The very first step, however, would be to try to extend the building window.
Is this a new residential area or an older one? In older neighborhoods, there might be some chances.
Regards,
Red
Of course, the building envelope was relevant to me.
At first, I didn’t focus on the exact dimensions; I just wanted to illustrate the possibilities.
If a spiral staircase were considered, it would create more space. A bathroom for one person seems fine to me. The cloakroom and WC could be arranged or removed according to personal preference. Your option with a WC in a separate area is better in that regard.
The kitchen island can still be enlarged.
I just grabbed a standard table and inserted it.
Regarding the roof, you’d need to look at the permitted roof shapes, pitches, and heights. Either a very flat shed roof facing south or a staggered gable roof running from east to west.
But that would still need some experimenting.
The very first step, however, would be to try to extend the building window.
Is this a new residential area or an older one? In older neighborhoods, there might be some chances.
Regards,
Red
Oh, I was also tinkering with that before the holidays.
But I won’t get back to it until Melanie gives an update on the utility lines.
I can reveal that I also placed the door in the slanted wall on the southeast side and put the back kitchen at the top left on the plan 😉 … and: 640 x 0.09 gives me about 57 point something square meters (sq ft)… so 58… I would even build 60 there 🙂
But I won’t get back to it until Melanie gives an update on the utility lines.
I can reveal that I also placed the door in the slanted wall on the southeast side and put the back kitchen at the top left on the plan 😉 … and: 640 x 0.09 gives me about 57 point something square meters (sq ft)… so 58… I would even build 60 there 🙂
H
hemali200328 Dec 2018 00:52Melanie L. schrieb:
There are never 25 people at once, at most there are 2 overnight guests plus myself in the house. I don’t want to run a guesthouse;-)I definitely wouldn’t build a house without interior walls if you have visitors that often. Even with a staircase, it still feels like you’re sleeping in one open space. At least one bedroom should be included. Guests could possibly use a sofa bed? With so many guests, a guest room would actually be more suitable.
Have you considered placing the living area upstairs? For the view, maybe?
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