ᐅ 2 Bungalows on a 3,000 sqm Plot – Multigenerational Housing Project
Created on: 10 May 2019 11:04
O
Obermuh
Hello everyone,
First, a brief introduction. I’m Andy, 35 years old, married, and embarking on building a house for the first time. I’m an employee, my wife is self-employed, and together with my parents-in-law, we plan to develop a large plot of land. The plot is already purchased and fully paid for with equity. For the construction of the houses, we have a budget of around €1.2 million, of which about €600k come from the sale of existing properties (my parents-in-law’s single-family house and our condominium) and a financing commitment for up to €600k.
We are currently in the planning phase for a multi-generation project, but my main focus is our house (“House 1”). The parents-in-law have already completed the plans for their bungalow (basically a modified ground-floor layout of their current house). The design is mine, adapted by the general contractor, and is currently with the architect for further revisions. I would really appreciate any tips, feedback, and ideas you might have.
I’ll follow the provided questionnaire:
Development plan / restrictions
Plot size: 2935 sqm (31582 sq ft)
Slope: Yes, see attachment
Floor space index (FSI): 0.2
Floor area ratio (FAR): 0.3
Building envelope: see attachment
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces:
Number of storeys: 1 full storey
Roof style: Flexible
Architectural style: Modern
Orientation: Southwest
Maximum heights: Roof ridge height 3.50 m (11.5 ft) on slope side
Additional requirements: see attachment

Client requirements
Building type: Bungalow
Basement, storeys: No basement, 1 storey
Number of occupants, ages: 2, aged 35 and 31. Planning for 2 children
Office: Yes, space for two desks and some filing
Guest bedrooms per year: 10-15
Open or closed architecture: Open
Conservative or modern construction: Modern
Open kitchen, island: Both yes
Number of dining seats: 6-8
Fireplace: Nice to have but not essential
Music/sound wall: No
Balcony, roof terrace: No
Garage, carport: 2 garage spaces
Utility garden, greenhouse: Herb garden
Additional wishes: Dog shower
House design
Designed by: My design, implemented by the general contractor
What do you especially like? The atrium as a visual centerpiece and the related openness of the house
What do you dislike? Some wasted space, inconvenient furnishing of the walk-in closet due to 4 doors
Estimated cost according to architect/planner: €675k (approx. $720k) including paving, exposed concrete floor/wood flooring, painting, partial air conditioning, and additional upgrades. A horizontal roller shutter to close the entire atrium is also included (about €15k).
Personal price limit for the house including features: €750k (approx. $800k)
Preferred heating technology: Heat pump, photovoltaic system planned
If you had to give up something, on which details/extras
- could you compromise on: space in the parents’ area, 2 lift-and-slide doors in the atrium, lift-and-slide door in the living room
- could you not do without:
Why was the design made as it is?
After the attempt to build one large house including a granny flat on the front building plot was rejected, we are opting for two houses. To avoid further discussions about eaves height, we are building bungalows.
Contour lines:
Unfortunately, I cannot attach the PDF, but I hope the numbers are readable.

Open space plan:

Floor plan:
First, a brief introduction. I’m Andy, 35 years old, married, and embarking on building a house for the first time. I’m an employee, my wife is self-employed, and together with my parents-in-law, we plan to develop a large plot of land. The plot is already purchased and fully paid for with equity. For the construction of the houses, we have a budget of around €1.2 million, of which about €600k come from the sale of existing properties (my parents-in-law’s single-family house and our condominium) and a financing commitment for up to €600k.
We are currently in the planning phase for a multi-generation project, but my main focus is our house (“House 1”). The parents-in-law have already completed the plans for their bungalow (basically a modified ground-floor layout of their current house). The design is mine, adapted by the general contractor, and is currently with the architect for further revisions. I would really appreciate any tips, feedback, and ideas you might have.
I’ll follow the provided questionnaire:
Development plan / restrictions
Plot size: 2935 sqm (31582 sq ft)
Slope: Yes, see attachment
Floor space index (FSI): 0.2
Floor area ratio (FAR): 0.3
Building envelope: see attachment
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces:
Number of storeys: 1 full storey
Roof style: Flexible
Architectural style: Modern
Orientation: Southwest
Maximum heights: Roof ridge height 3.50 m (11.5 ft) on slope side
Additional requirements: see attachment
Client requirements
Building type: Bungalow
Basement, storeys: No basement, 1 storey
Number of occupants, ages: 2, aged 35 and 31. Planning for 2 children
Office: Yes, space for two desks and some filing
Guest bedrooms per year: 10-15
Open or closed architecture: Open
Conservative or modern construction: Modern
Open kitchen, island: Both yes
Number of dining seats: 6-8
Fireplace: Nice to have but not essential
Music/sound wall: No
Balcony, roof terrace: No
Garage, carport: 2 garage spaces
Utility garden, greenhouse: Herb garden
Additional wishes: Dog shower
House design
Designed by: My design, implemented by the general contractor
What do you especially like? The atrium as a visual centerpiece and the related openness of the house
What do you dislike? Some wasted space, inconvenient furnishing of the walk-in closet due to 4 doors
Estimated cost according to architect/planner: €675k (approx. $720k) including paving, exposed concrete floor/wood flooring, painting, partial air conditioning, and additional upgrades. A horizontal roller shutter to close the entire atrium is also included (about €15k).
Personal price limit for the house including features: €750k (approx. $800k)
Preferred heating technology: Heat pump, photovoltaic system planned
If you had to give up something, on which details/extras
- could you compromise on: space in the parents’ area, 2 lift-and-slide doors in the atrium, lift-and-slide door in the living room
- could you not do without:
Why was the design made as it is?
After the attempt to build one large house including a granny flat on the front building plot was rejected, we are opting for two houses. To avoid further discussions about eaves height, we are building bungalows.
Contour lines:
Unfortunately, I cannot attach the PDF, but I hope the numbers are readable.
Open space plan:
Floor plan:
Yesterday I saw a kitchen installed in a huge conservatory. Aside from that, there was a dining/lounge area outside and a dining/living area inside.
There is an atrium floor plan where, for example, the master suite extends right up to the atrium.
Bien-Zenker has a U-shaped bungalow – a nice floor plan from Bien-Zenker.
Probably quite impractical,
but brighter.
There is an atrium floor plan where, for example, the master suite extends right up to the atrium.
Bien-Zenker has a U-shaped bungalow – a nice floor plan from Bien-Zenker.
Probably quite impractical,
but brighter.
H
hampshire11 May 2019 09:19haydee schrieb:
Bien-Zenker has a U-shaped bungalowWe call that a basement. Do they also have a submarine?haydee schrieb:
Bien-Zenker offers a U-shaped bungalow
Probably quite impractical
But brighter Yes, really cool. At least you get something out of the centrally placed terrace, and the plot isn’t wasted.
Impractical in what way? The path to the sleeping area is usually accessed by stairs anyway.
The original floor plan is somewhat like a patty. The exterior walls are very long, which makes it a bit uncomfortable because there is hardly any yard space left on two sides.
Be careful with the terrace facing the direction of the (parents-in-law), not exactly ideal if you want some peace and quiet.
hampshire schrieb:
With some courage and skill, you can completely avoid having hallways I also know it that way: no hallways, the rooms flow into each other. But it’s not for everyone. Usually, it’s more common that rooms end up being used as hallways: with sliding doors, you then have the option for privacy. Even if done well, a design like this might not be accepted by most people here.
ypg schrieb:
Yeah, really cool. At least with the centrally positioned terrace, you get something out of it, and the plot isn’t misused.
Why impractical? The path leading to the sleeping area is the same way you would usually access it via stairs. I also looked into that once and considered using one wing floating above the ground as a covered parking space for the cars. In the end, though, we didn’t like that every room faced the terrace.
The original floor plan is somewhat like a patty. The walls on the outside are very long, which makes it a bit uncomfortable since hardly any yard space remains on two sides. According to the development plan, we have to green walls over 10sqm (100 sq ft), so I think those bulky walls can actually develop some charm.
Watch out with the terrace: facing the direction of (parents-in-law) is probably not ideal if you want some peace and quiet. There’s a simple solution here, too: plants. The development plan also requires that 60% of the undeveloped area be planted with trees and shrubs. Eventually, there should be an orchard meadow with lawn areas all around the house, both front and back. Of course, it will take time for everything to grow, but in the end, it will be quite a green setting.
I also know it like this: no hallways, rooms flow into each other. But that’s not for everyone. I’m more used to rooms being used as hallways: with sliding doors, you then have the option of privacy. Done well, something like this here would probably be rejected by most people. It wouldn’t be my thing either, or at least I can’t really imagine it working well.
The concept of having separate living wings works well for older children or just two people.
How about a covered atrium with dining in the center, from which the wings for parents, children, and living areas are accessed? This could possibly move away from the square layout.
How about a covered atrium with dining in the center, from which the wings for parents, children, and living areas are accessed? This could possibly move away from the square layout.
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