LordNibbler12 Jun 2019 14:37Hello,
we are planning to replace the existing conservatory at our house with a new extension in the medium term. We already have some ideas but still have some time. However, we want to keep the goal in mind in order to complete necessary preliminary work or avoid blocking future options.
For the introduction, I am using the questionnaire for standard floor plan planning as far as possible, although many answers naturally reflect the current situation:
Development Plan / Restrictions
Client Requirements
House Design
Order: basement, ground floor, upper floor, cross-section
Exterior views:
3D drawing comparing original (with old terrace) and conservatory extension (including new terrace):
(dark green lawn = building window)
As mentioned at the beginning, we are planning to replace the conservatory with a better solution in the medium term.
The goal is to have a room serving a similar function: a bright room with a nice view of the garden, for example through large lift-and-slide doors. However, it should also meet the requirements of a living space (proper thermal insulation, solid walls instead of aluminum frames, adequate heating, tight roof).
We are still uncertain about some fundamental aspects:
Option 1:
Option 2:
(Image in next post)
Option 3:
(Image in next post)
Current use:
The upper floor bedroom is used exactly for this purpose. It does not need to be larger as we spend most of the time elsewhere. A walk-in closet is unnecessary, as is a large bathroom. The bathroom size is sufficient; after renovation it will easily fit shower + bathtub + toilet + washbasin. The extra shower will be removed and converted into a storage room – possibly the toilet will be relocated there from the bathroom.
The other room is used as an office and guest room. It now seems likely that we will have children, so it could become a child’s room soon. Guests can easily sleep in the living room and mobile working from home could be done elsewhere (it is occasional and no external assignments).
It would be interesting to hear what an extension generally offers in terms of getting more out of the ground floor. I am reluctant to move the kitchen as it currently has new electrics, water and waste pipes and just needs renovation and refitting. Its size is sufficient and we prefer a closed kitchen.
There might be a completely different or complementary option:
According to the development plan, this plot is the only one where the garage area belongs to the building window. This means that residential development may apparently be possible here as well. However, the corner is somewhat shaded by neighbouring buildings, so the ground floor would hardly be suitable for living purposes (but perhaps garage with office/guest room on the upper floor).
Which option would you prefer, or am I missing the big picture?
How much might an extension like this (fully basemented!) roughly cost?
Thanks in advance to everyone and I am happy to answer any questions.
we are planning to replace the existing conservatory at our house with a new extension in the medium term. We already have some ideas but still have some time. However, we want to keep the goal in mind in order to complete necessary preliminary work or avoid blocking future options.
For the introduction, I am using the questionnaire for standard floor plan planning as far as possible, although many answers naturally reflect the current situation:
Development Plan / Restrictions
- Plot size: 787m² (8,472 sq ft)
- Slope: no, just a slight incline
- Site coverage ratio: 0.2
- Floor area ratio: 0.3
- Building window, building line and boundary: see development plan, the north side of the building is the building line, otherwise approximately double the current area may still be built
- Development plan (1st amendment) (colored)
- Development plan (2nd amendment) (changes not relevant but more readable, black and white)
- Extract from development plan (oriented north):
- Edge development: generally not, but the entire garage/outdoor seating area is within the building window according to the development plan and may be fully built upon as inner development
- Number of parking spaces: Current: driveway accommodates 2x2 cars and 1 garage; desired: 2 parking spaces (in double garage)
- Number of storeys: 1 (inner development)
- Roof type: gable roof, knee wall 108cm (43 inches)
- Architectural style: original elements of regional style, modified standard model from Niedersächsische Heimstätte in improved design/quality
- Orientation: balcony/terrace facing south
- Maximum heights/limits: no specifications
- Other requirements: development plan imposes no restrictions
Client Requirements
- Basement, floors: 1 basement, 1 ground floor, 1 upper floor (partly sloped ceilings), 1 attic
- Number of occupants, ages: 2 (35 + 37)
- Space requirements on ground and upper floors
- Office: home office + guest room
- Guest stays per year: 4 times, 2-3 people each
- Closed architecture
- Conservative construction style with modern elements (fitting the house type)
- Closed kitchen
- Number of dining seats: breakfast area in kitchen, dining area in living room
- Fireplace: planned for living room
- Music/stereo wall: TV with 7.1 surround sound system available
- Balcony: exists but unnecessary
- Roof terrace: no
- Garage: exists, too small; goal: double garage
- Carport: no
- Utility garden: yes
- Greenhouse: no
House Design
- Designer:
- Original design is a standard house from Niedersächsische Heimstätte
- Built in Wolfsburg for the middle class in the 1960s
- Modified compared to standard (bathroom with bidet [instead of a child’s room], additional shower on upper floor [instead of bathroom], extra WC on ground floor, only one flue due to district heating, real wood parquet flooring)
- Around 1995 a conservatory was added to the terrace (balcony was extended with a bitumen roof)
- Outdoor seating roof was extended and front closed with sliding glass doors
- Brick slips on two sides of the house, external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) on the other two sides
- What do you particularly like? Why? Compact and not too large, still some 1960s charm but not outdated
- What don’t you like? Why? Living room is too dark due to conservatory, partly too narrow for practical furnishing
- Price estimate by architect/planner: n/a
- Personal price limit for house including fittings: n/a
- Preferred heating technology: currently district heating for heating (high pressure, direct without heat exchanger), instant water heater/boiler for hot water. Planned: district heating for heating and hot water with buffer storage and connection options for additional alternative energy sources (solar thermal, geothermal [only shallow foundation allowed]). Air source heat pump probably unsuitable due to no underfloor heating, possibly after renovation in bathroom/kitchen.
Order: basement, ground floor, upper floor, cross-section
Exterior views:
3D drawing comparing original (with old terrace) and conservatory extension (including new terrace):
(dark green lawn = building window)
As mentioned at the beginning, we are planning to replace the conservatory with a better solution in the medium term.
The goal is to have a room serving a similar function: a bright room with a nice view of the garden, for example through large lift-and-slide doors. However, it should also meet the requirements of a living space (proper thermal insulation, solid walls instead of aluminum frames, adequate heating, tight roof).
We are still uncertain about some fundamental aspects:
- Separate room or large opening to living room (and possibly a partition there – essentially a "rotation of the living room")
- What happens with the bedroom (balcony not needed, currently no sloped ceiling; will it become a dead space or a walk-through room?)
- Which roof shape (extend existing, new roof with shallower pitch in front, side wing with its own ridge direction; however, no flat roof or cubic shape)
Option 1:
- “Separate” extension with its own ridge
- Advantage: depth variable according to space requirements as long as proportions with main house are acceptable
- Disadvantage: bedroom becomes a walk-through room with little light, and what is the purpose of the additional room on the upper floor (consider 2m (6.5 ft) head height line)?
Option 2:
- Separate roof with a shallower pitch
- Advantage: size still variable, light in bedroom (balcony door becomes window)
- Disadvantage: appearance and proportions, roof too flat
(Image in next post)
Option 3:
- Extension of existing roof,
- Advantage: best visual solution, subtle modern elements possible (e.g., large window), allowing light in bedroom as balcony door remains as floor-to-ceiling window with parapet
- Disadvantage: bedroom window (former balcony door) faces into room, room depth precisely defined by roof intersection
(Image in next post)
Current use:
The upper floor bedroom is used exactly for this purpose. It does not need to be larger as we spend most of the time elsewhere. A walk-in closet is unnecessary, as is a large bathroom. The bathroom size is sufficient; after renovation it will easily fit shower + bathtub + toilet + washbasin. The extra shower will be removed and converted into a storage room – possibly the toilet will be relocated there from the bathroom.
The other room is used as an office and guest room. It now seems likely that we will have children, so it could become a child’s room soon. Guests can easily sleep in the living room and mobile working from home could be done elsewhere (it is occasional and no external assignments).
It would be interesting to hear what an extension generally offers in terms of getting more out of the ground floor. I am reluctant to move the kitchen as it currently has new electrics, water and waste pipes and just needs renovation and refitting. Its size is sufficient and we prefer a closed kitchen.
There might be a completely different or complementary option:
According to the development plan, this plot is the only one where the garage area belongs to the building window. This means that residential development may apparently be possible here as well. However, the corner is somewhat shaded by neighbouring buildings, so the ground floor would hardly be suitable for living purposes (but perhaps garage with office/guest room on the upper floor).
Which option would you prefer, or am I missing the big picture?
How much might an extension like this (fully basemented!) roughly cost?
Thanks in advance to everyone and I am happy to answer any questions.
LordNibbler12 Jun 2019 14:38Addendum: Images of the other options (due to image limits)
Option 2:
Option 3:
Option 2:
Option 3:
LordNibbler schrieb:
According to the development plan, this plot is the only one where the garage area is included within the building envelope. This means that residential construction is apparently also allowed here. I don’t see living space without setback from the boundary here, as it is not a semi-detached house.
So far, I can’t think of anything else, so after my first read I just want to say: thank you for the interesting project and the clear presentation of the basics.
LordNibbler schrieb:
(dark green lawn = building envelope) ... it would be even better if there were color differences showing where the "extension" or "changes" begin.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
LordNibbler3 Dec 2019 11:41I’d like to revive this thread and share the colorized images.
First, the existing condition: The conservatory and the balcony slab on the upper floor, as well as the current terrace, are marked in yellow. All these elements are in poor condition, darken the living room, and are therefore planned to be replaced.
The idea is to build a fully basement-equipped extension in the same location. The question is whether it should be one or two stories and how it should be designed.
The first option is a "standard" extension, which requires a larger intervention on the roof:
The second option is a single-story extension but with increased ceiling height. For this, the balcony door on the upper floor would be replaced with a window:
The third option involves continuing the roof plane and adding a gallery window from the bedroom into the new space.
The second and third options are limited in size due to dependencies on other existing elements (roof, windows). The first option offers the most flexibility. Below are some floor plan ideas for the first option.
Since a child is expected soon, the current guest and study rooms will be lost. At least for now, a home office solution will be set up in the storage room on the upper floor, west side. In the long run, however, a guest and study room would be better again, especially as a backup in case of a second child.
The idea would be to enlarge the living room on the ground floor through the extension. Currently, the living area is on the west side, and the dining area is on the east side. Enlarging the doorway to the current conservatory could bring more light to the east side. However, I’m unsure about the layout and furniture arrangement. Even now, it has been challenging to position the sofa in a meaningful way in relation to the TV.
Alternatively, the opening could be made even larger, creating a separate room on the east side, while the west side could be separated by a wall approximately at the beam level.
On the upper floor, the question is about long-term use. If the new room is only added to the current bedroom, it would become a walk-through room, making it unusable for a guest or child. Therefore, the idea is to separate part of it as a hallway. The question is whether this can be done effectively given the ceiling height and roof slope at the side of the extension.
Nothing unusual happens in the basement. To access the drainage system (which anyway needs to be replaced and is currently inaccessible under the conservatory), the extension will also have a basement.
Any suggestions or criticism on the initial ideas? Alternatively, instead of extending southwards, an extension on the east side would also be possible. The buildable area is visible in the 3D views as a different shade of green. Where can I find the exact dimensions? The zoning plan from the 1960s only shows approximate measurements.
First, the existing condition: The conservatory and the balcony slab on the upper floor, as well as the current terrace, are marked in yellow. All these elements are in poor condition, darken the living room, and are therefore planned to be replaced.
The idea is to build a fully basement-equipped extension in the same location. The question is whether it should be one or two stories and how it should be designed.
The first option is a "standard" extension, which requires a larger intervention on the roof:
The second option is a single-story extension but with increased ceiling height. For this, the balcony door on the upper floor would be replaced with a window:
The third option involves continuing the roof plane and adding a gallery window from the bedroom into the new space.
The second and third options are limited in size due to dependencies on other existing elements (roof, windows). The first option offers the most flexibility. Below are some floor plan ideas for the first option.
Since a child is expected soon, the current guest and study rooms will be lost. At least for now, a home office solution will be set up in the storage room on the upper floor, west side. In the long run, however, a guest and study room would be better again, especially as a backup in case of a second child.
The idea would be to enlarge the living room on the ground floor through the extension. Currently, the living area is on the west side, and the dining area is on the east side. Enlarging the doorway to the current conservatory could bring more light to the east side. However, I’m unsure about the layout and furniture arrangement. Even now, it has been challenging to position the sofa in a meaningful way in relation to the TV.
Alternatively, the opening could be made even larger, creating a separate room on the east side, while the west side could be separated by a wall approximately at the beam level.
On the upper floor, the question is about long-term use. If the new room is only added to the current bedroom, it would become a walk-through room, making it unusable for a guest or child. Therefore, the idea is to separate part of it as a hallway. The question is whether this can be done effectively given the ceiling height and roof slope at the side of the extension.
Nothing unusual happens in the basement. To access the drainage system (which anyway needs to be replaced and is currently inaccessible under the conservatory), the extension will also have a basement.
Any suggestions or criticism on the initial ideas? Alternatively, instead of extending southwards, an extension on the east side would also be possible. The buildable area is visible in the 3D views as a different shade of green. Where can I find the exact dimensions? The zoning plan from the 1960s only shows approximate measurements.
LordNibbler3 Dec 2019 11:52As an additional note:
The previous owners had also planned an extension. However, it was somewhat larger in scale and involved major renovations to the existing structure. I found the approved plan in the building file, but in the end, they decided to build a completely new house instead:
The previous owners had also planned an extension. However, it was somewhat larger in scale and involved major renovations to the existing structure. I found the approved plan in the building file, but in the end, they decided to build a completely new house instead:
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