Hello, my name is Aurelio. Next year, my wife and I will fulfill our dream of building a new house. We have been living for the past 10 years in an older house with an extension, totaling almost 250 sqm (2,690 sq ft). Now, a modern new building of about 160–180 sqm (1,720–1,940 sq ft) will be constructed. Our children no longer live with us, so it will be just the two of us. A guest room combined with my office is planned.
Here are the facts
Development plan/restrictions
Plot size
Slope
Site occupancy index 0.4
Floor area ratio 0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundary according to plan
Edge development yes, garage
Number of parking spaces 2 + 1
Number of storeys 2
Roof type gable roof
Architectural style modern
Orientation according to plan
Maximum height/limits 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in)
Additional requirements
Homeowners’ requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type modern architectural style
Basement, floors no basement, 2 full floors
Number of occupants, ages 2, 46/39
Room requirements on ground floor and upper floor
Office usage: family use or home office? family use
Guest stays per year 5–10
Open or closed architecture open floor plan
Conservative or modern construction modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island yes
Number of dining seats 6–8
Fireplace no
Music/stereo wall no
Balcony, roof terrace no
Garage, carport garage for 2.1 spaces
Utility garden, greenhouse utility garden with lawn
Additional wishes/special features/daily routine, also reasons for choices or exclusions
I want to install KNX and automate as much as possible
House design
Plan developed by:
-builder’s company planner no
-architect yes
-do-it-yourself no
What do you especially like? Why? The extension with flat roof and the unconventional architecture.
What do you dislike? Why? Maybe a little too large? We do not need so much space in the living and bedrooms.
Price estimate according to architect/planner: not known yet.
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings: 500,000
Preferred heating technology: if possible, geothermal collectors from Freisolar
If you had to give something up, which details or features
-could you do without: slightly less square meters
-could not do without: double garage
Why is the design the way it is now? Because of the property boundary and the resulting space. This also explains the angled lines.
Standard design by the planner? No
Which wishes were fulfilled by the architect? Bathroom with walk-in access from the hallway.
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad? I would like to hear your opinions on this.
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
How do you find the design with respect to the existing plot? We are basically very satisfied but welcome other opinions.
Here are the facts
Development plan/restrictions
Plot size
Slope
Site occupancy index 0.4
Floor area ratio 0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundary according to plan
Edge development yes, garage
Number of parking spaces 2 + 1
Number of storeys 2
Roof type gable roof
Architectural style modern
Orientation according to plan
Maximum height/limits 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in)
Additional requirements
Homeowners’ requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type modern architectural style
Basement, floors no basement, 2 full floors
Number of occupants, ages 2, 46/39
Room requirements on ground floor and upper floor
Office usage: family use or home office? family use
Guest stays per year 5–10
Open or closed architecture open floor plan
Conservative or modern construction modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island yes
Number of dining seats 6–8
Fireplace no
Music/stereo wall no
Balcony, roof terrace no
Garage, carport garage for 2.1 spaces
Utility garden, greenhouse utility garden with lawn
Additional wishes/special features/daily routine, also reasons for choices or exclusions
I want to install KNX and automate as much as possible
House design
Plan developed by:
-builder’s company planner no
-architect yes
-do-it-yourself no
What do you especially like? Why? The extension with flat roof and the unconventional architecture.
What do you dislike? Why? Maybe a little too large? We do not need so much space in the living and bedrooms.
Price estimate according to architect/planner: not known yet.
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings: 500,000
Preferred heating technology: if possible, geothermal collectors from Freisolar
If you had to give something up, which details or features
-could you do without: slightly less square meters
-could not do without: double garage
Why is the design the way it is now? Because of the property boundary and the resulting space. This also explains the angled lines.
Standard design by the planner? No
Which wishes were fulfilled by the architect? Bathroom with walk-in access from the hallway.
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad? I would like to hear your opinions on this.
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
How do you find the design with respect to the existing plot? We are basically very satisfied but welcome other opinions.
Is this supposed to represent a modern new build? – To me, the floor plan composition feels more like forced avant-gardism from forty years ago, or something inspired by origami.
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Phew,
a house with long distances.
I like galleries, but walking all the way just to change clothes would be too much for me.
I find the exterior views rather pieced together... somehow, they don’t make much of an impression on me. A strange way to say it would be my version of Biolek’s “interesting.”
Also, a cozy corner is missing inside — not to be misunderstood, I generally prefer modern styles anyway.
a house with long distances.
I like galleries, but walking all the way just to change clothes would be too much for me.
I find the exterior views rather pieced together... somehow, they don’t make much of an impression on me. A strange way to say it would be my version of Biolek’s “interesting.”
Also, a cozy corner is missing inside — not to be misunderstood, I generally prefer modern styles anyway.
Doesn’t really excite me.
Let’s break down what I don’t like. In the end, it’s also a matter of personal taste.
Street view: The upper floor looks incomplete, like something is missing above the garage – probably can’t be helped.
Side view: This mix of a gable roof and a box-shaped design doesn’t appeal at all. It’s like a chalet-style house with Tuscan columns.
Floor plan: Something quite different from the typical single-family home with two children’s bedrooms, usually square and practical due to budget constraints.
How old are your children? You’re still quite young.
I would still consider accessibility features, wider doors, and a stairlift.
What is the toilet in the garage for?
Your regular guest toilet is easily accessible from the garden.
I would plan a storage room there for the grill and other items.
The living room just feels very large. Lots of unused space, which can quickly feel cold.
I find the wall projection on the terrace rather restrictive. It divides the garden and gives a bit of a townhouse feel. The wall already has no windows facing the living room.
I would add a bathtub to the bathroom. Maybe someday you might want to enjoy therapeutic baths.
Will the guest room be enough if a child comes to visit with partners and grandchildren?
The way to the bedroom is terribly long.
The bedroom is big, very big. The partition shows the architect tried to create some coziness.
Do you have enough clothes to fill at least half of that closet space?
Let’s break down what I don’t like. In the end, it’s also a matter of personal taste.
Street view: The upper floor looks incomplete, like something is missing above the garage – probably can’t be helped.
Side view: This mix of a gable roof and a box-shaped design doesn’t appeal at all. It’s like a chalet-style house with Tuscan columns.
Floor plan: Something quite different from the typical single-family home with two children’s bedrooms, usually square and practical due to budget constraints.
How old are your children? You’re still quite young.
I would still consider accessibility features, wider doors, and a stairlift.
What is the toilet in the garage for?
Your regular guest toilet is easily accessible from the garden.
I would plan a storage room there for the grill and other items.
The living room just feels very large. Lots of unused space, which can quickly feel cold.
I find the wall projection on the terrace rather restrictive. It divides the garden and gives a bit of a townhouse feel. The wall already has no windows facing the living room.
I would add a bathtub to the bathroom. Maybe someday you might want to enjoy therapeutic baths.
Will the guest room be enough if a child comes to visit with partners and grandchildren?
The way to the bedroom is terribly long.
The bedroom is big, very big. The partition shows the architect tried to create some coziness.
Do you have enough clothes to fill at least half of that closet space?
A north arrow would be helpful to assess the sun exposure.
To me, this looks like a failed attempt by the architect at self-expression. The plot is completely fragmented, and the house is no better. What is supposed to happen with all that dead space behind the garage, which is also blocked off by a pointless wall? Who is going to mow the narrow strip of lawn between the living room and dining area?
I don’t see any clear style here—nor a real plan for the garden or harmony between the rooms in the house. A bathroom as a walk-through room with a tiny window—who wants that? I also find it completely unsuitable for aging. Do you really need that much living space? From what I observe in my family, much less space is desired as people get older. Otherwise, I would most likely plan a bungalow with an attic as a potential expansion space for guests or an office.
No, sorry. I would immediately discard the whole thing, including the architect. I would definitely change the architect.
To me, this looks like a failed attempt by the architect at self-expression. The plot is completely fragmented, and the house is no better. What is supposed to happen with all that dead space behind the garage, which is also blocked off by a pointless wall? Who is going to mow the narrow strip of lawn between the living room and dining area?
I don’t see any clear style here—nor a real plan for the garden or harmony between the rooms in the house. A bathroom as a walk-through room with a tiny window—who wants that? I also find it completely unsuitable for aging. Do you really need that much living space? From what I observe in my family, much less space is desired as people get older. Otherwise, I would most likely plan a bungalow with an attic as a potential expansion space for guests or an office.
No, sorry. I would immediately discard the whole thing, including the architect. I would definitely change the architect.
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