ᐅ New single-family house, 190 sqm (aiming for fewer square meters!)
Created on: 15 Mar 2019 15:40
L
Lucrezia
Let’s give it a try 😉
We have finally decided on a local supplier who builds MHM walls (solid wood with wood wool insulation). It’s more expensive than a timber frame construction, but the local sourcing and construction method ultimately convinced us.
The floor plans were originally created by an architect, but we have gradually adapted them.
Of course, we will have “official” floor plans drawn up by the architect later. Before that, I’d like to exchange ideas with you and gather good suggestions 🙂
Hard facts:
We already live on the property in an older semi-detached house, which we will then rent out.
Plot size 470 sqm (total 1404 sqm, but part is already occupied by our old house, the double garage, and parking spaces).
The new house will have an “L-shape” to make optimal use of the free part of the property. The preliminary building enquiry with this plan was successful. The facade will be white! (or orange if approved).
The terrain is flat (needs about 60 cm (2 feet) of fill) – part of the topsoil will be reused, and whatever is missing will hopefully be “imported” from neighbors who are also building.
2 stories
Gable roof, between 25° and 28°
Style rather traditional
Orientation southwest
Client requirements
Style, roof shape, building type rather traditional, gable roof (requirements from local building authority/planning department)
No basement
Number of people, ages: she 45, he 50, 2 medium-sized dogs, children aged 1.5 and 2.5 years
Space needed on ground floor and upper floor – about 120 sqm (1300 sq ft) on the ground floor (due to practice), around 50 sqm (540 sq ft) upstairs would be enough
Practice with 2 rooms on the ground floor: 1 room purely as a practice, 1 larger room for courses/seminars as well. Soundproof wall between practice and living space. In 20 years or later, when we retire, the practice should become a granny flat (hence connections for kitchen + shower).
Guest sleepers per year – 5-6
Open or closed architecture – rather closed
Conservative or modern construction – doesn’t matter, main thing is practical
Open kitchen with island – more likely yes, but not mandatory
Number of dining seats – 3 to 6
Fireplace – only a stove
Music/stereo wall – unclear, possibly in the future?
Balcony, roof terrace – 1 balcony upstairs, 8.5 sqm (90 sq ft)
Garage, carport – no, already exists on the other part of the property
Utility garden, greenhouse – no, already present in the other garden area (maybe expand?)
House design
Originally planned by the architect, now “copied” and modified by me
What do you like in particular? Why? Light! Relatively little “dead space” (entrance, hallway...). I want it bright, and all square meters used rationally and sensibly.
What don’t you like? Why? Practice WC without a window, but apparently it can’t be done differently. Probably still too little storage space because no basement (we have storage in and on the garage, but since we have several hobbies, I’m afraid it will be tight).
Especially upstairs I would like fewer square meters overall, and less corridor space...
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 430K
Personal price limit for the house, including fixtures: 510K
Preferred heating technology: heat pump without ventilation system (only in WC/bathroom), underfloor heating.
If you had to give up something, which details/extensions would it be?
- You could give up: parts of the entrance/hallway, living space upstairs
- You could not give up: practice, disabled-accessible practice WC. However, everything could be a bit smaller (overall house size, especially upstairs). A lower knee wall upstairs (currently 144 cm (4 ft 9 in)) is not feasible because on the south side, we would lose too much light.
Why is the design like this now? For example: Practice area
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
Do you see ways to avoid dead space? Reduce costs?
We have treated the upper floor somewhat as an afterthought, since we only need 1 bedroom, 1 guest room, 1 sauna, and not necessarily an extra office/dog room.
The layout is still open. There is definitely room for improvement and lots of opportunity for constructive ideas 🙂
*Note: no window on the south side is possible in the guest room, because the roof gable of the ground floor is there.
We have finally decided on a local supplier who builds MHM walls (solid wood with wood wool insulation). It’s more expensive than a timber frame construction, but the local sourcing and construction method ultimately convinced us.
The floor plans were originally created by an architect, but we have gradually adapted them.
Of course, we will have “official” floor plans drawn up by the architect later. Before that, I’d like to exchange ideas with you and gather good suggestions 🙂
Hard facts:
We already live on the property in an older semi-detached house, which we will then rent out.
Plot size 470 sqm (total 1404 sqm, but part is already occupied by our old house, the double garage, and parking spaces).
The new house will have an “L-shape” to make optimal use of the free part of the property. The preliminary building enquiry with this plan was successful. The facade will be white! (or orange if approved).
The terrain is flat (needs about 60 cm (2 feet) of fill) – part of the topsoil will be reused, and whatever is missing will hopefully be “imported” from neighbors who are also building.
2 stories
Gable roof, between 25° and 28°
Style rather traditional
Orientation southwest
Client requirements
Style, roof shape, building type rather traditional, gable roof (requirements from local building authority/planning department)
No basement
Number of people, ages: she 45, he 50, 2 medium-sized dogs, children aged 1.5 and 2.5 years
Space needed on ground floor and upper floor – about 120 sqm (1300 sq ft) on the ground floor (due to practice), around 50 sqm (540 sq ft) upstairs would be enough
Practice with 2 rooms on the ground floor: 1 room purely as a practice, 1 larger room for courses/seminars as well. Soundproof wall between practice and living space. In 20 years or later, when we retire, the practice should become a granny flat (hence connections for kitchen + shower).
Guest sleepers per year – 5-6
Open or closed architecture – rather closed
Conservative or modern construction – doesn’t matter, main thing is practical
Open kitchen with island – more likely yes, but not mandatory
Number of dining seats – 3 to 6
Fireplace – only a stove
Music/stereo wall – unclear, possibly in the future?
Balcony, roof terrace – 1 balcony upstairs, 8.5 sqm (90 sq ft)
Garage, carport – no, already exists on the other part of the property
Utility garden, greenhouse – no, already present in the other garden area (maybe expand?)
House design
Originally planned by the architect, now “copied” and modified by me
What do you like in particular? Why? Light! Relatively little “dead space” (entrance, hallway...). I want it bright, and all square meters used rationally and sensibly.
What don’t you like? Why? Practice WC without a window, but apparently it can’t be done differently. Probably still too little storage space because no basement (we have storage in and on the garage, but since we have several hobbies, I’m afraid it will be tight).
Especially upstairs I would like fewer square meters overall, and less corridor space...
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 430K
Personal price limit for the house, including fixtures: 510K
Preferred heating technology: heat pump without ventilation system (only in WC/bathroom), underfloor heating.
If you had to give up something, which details/extensions would it be?
- You could give up: parts of the entrance/hallway, living space upstairs
- You could not give up: practice, disabled-accessible practice WC. However, everything could be a bit smaller (overall house size, especially upstairs). A lower knee wall upstairs (currently 144 cm (4 ft 9 in)) is not feasible because on the south side, we would lose too much light.
Why is the design like this now? For example: Practice area
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
Do you see ways to avoid dead space? Reduce costs?
We have treated the upper floor somewhat as an afterthought, since we only need 1 bedroom, 1 guest room, 1 sauna, and not necessarily an extra office/dog room.
The layout is still open. There is definitely room for improvement and lots of opportunity for constructive ideas 🙂
*Note: no window on the south side is possible in the guest room, because the roof gable of the ground floor is there.
Question: Is the floor area ratio fully utilized?
The upper floor seems huge to me – while the ground floor (for living) looks tiny in comparison. I would consider expanding the ground floor and only partially finishing the upper floor. So something like a single-story practice area, then the house attached – if you know what I mean.
The upper floor seems huge to me – while the ground floor (for living) looks tiny in comparison. I would consider expanding the ground floor and only partially finishing the upper floor. So something like a single-story practice area, then the house attached – if you know what I mean.
Lucrezia schrieb:
What do you like most? Why? Light! Relatively little "dead space" (entrance, hallway…).Regarding dead space: do you just work and then collapse into bed? Or are there relaxing moments when you enjoy the evening?
I don't see such a place at all.
Yes, I see a sofa, but it doesn’t really show a space (not to be confused with a room) where all four people can stretch out… probably just the dogs 😉
Would the granny flat have no storage room?
Hello Katja!
I think there might still be some room on the ground floor, but we don’t want to use up more space because that would leave even less garden or open area between the parked cars and the house.
The distance between the “main house” and the new building is exactly right. For the two of us, the space (about 120 sqm (1300 sq ft) on the ground floor) is enough.
I’d probably go for a tiny house if I were a bit more disciplined 😀
How do you think we could reduce the upper floor?
We couldn’t come up with any ideas, except maybe building a kind of pyramid shape (yeah, very practical in conservative Bavaria...)
kaho674 schrieb:
Question: Is the site coverage ratio fully utilized?
I think there might still be some room on the ground floor, but we don’t want to use up more space because that would leave even less garden or open area between the parked cars and the house.
The distance between the “main house” and the new building is exactly right. For the two of us, the space (about 120 sqm (1300 sq ft) on the ground floor) is enough.
I’d probably go for a tiny house if I were a bit more disciplined 😀
How do you think we could reduce the upper floor?
We couldn’t come up with any ideas, except maybe building a kind of pyramid shape (yeah, very practical in conservative Bavaria...)
Second look summarized:
Big house, little living space. No cloakroom, but a pantry instead, even though there is a large kitchen and utility room. The pantry requires bending down 😉
Upstairs it’s basically just a maze. Many underused rooms, but the route from the bathroom to the bedroom is the longest.
It’s a shame, after the initial post and some expressions/words, I had high expectations that were not met.
If this is exactly what you have in mind, that’s fine – I just can’t relate to it at all.
Big house, little living space. No cloakroom, but a pantry instead, even though there is a large kitchen and utility room. The pantry requires bending down 😉
Upstairs it’s basically just a maze. Many underused rooms, but the route from the bathroom to the bedroom is the longest.
It’s a shame, after the initial post and some expressions/words, I had high expectations that were not met.
If this is exactly what you have in mind, that’s fine – I just can’t relate to it at all.
ypg schrieb:
Topic dead space: Do you only work and then drop dead into bed? Or do you also have some leisure time to relax and enjoy the evening? Sometimes we do get to enjoy an evening off, but not every day. Does the open-plan kitchen really feel that small to you? I was used to about 30 m² (320 sq ft); this one seems huge to me 🙂 ypg schrieb:
The granny flat wouldn’t have a storage room? Thanks!! We’ll discuss it with the architect; maybe it’s possible to carve out a corner for storage!Similar topics