ᐅ Floor Plan Design for a Single-Family Home of Approximately 150 m²
Created on: 12 Feb 2018 18:09
C
chrisw81
Hello,
After a long search, we signed the notarized contract for the land purchase at the end of December. We are now actively planning the floor plan. Unfortunately, the plot is somewhat awkwardly shaped (not rectangular), which creates some limitations for the layout from our perspective. We already have a first draft, but there are several areas we don’t like and are unsure how to improve. Maybe you have some ideas; we would appreciate your input.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 601 m² (6465 sq ft)
Building envelope, building line, boundary: Building line with the house on the west side
Peripheral setbacks: 7 m (23 ft) from the street (north), otherwise the usual 3 m (10 ft)
Number of parking spaces: 2 desired
Number of floors: 1 full story allowed
Roof style: Gable roof
Design style: open construction method
Orientation: South
Maximum heights / limits: Ridge height max. 8.5 m (28 ft)
Additional requirements: Max. 100 m² (1076 sq ft) of built-up area
Client Requirements
Style, roof form, building type: Solid construction house, rectangular, no bay windows, no projections, etc., gable roof
Basement, floors: no basement; 1.5 stories
Number and age of residents: 2 people, age between 30 and 40, possibly children later
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: Ground floor – living/dining room, kitchen, guest toilet, utility room, office
Office: family use or home office?: family use
Guest stays per year: 20 days
Open or closed architecture: open living area, closed hallway
Conservative or modern style: conservative
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen, island without cooktop
Number of dining seats: 2-4
Fireplace: yes, chimney planned
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: carport
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Further wishes, special features, daily routine, and reasons for preferences:
- A wardrobe area on the ground floor is important where coats can be stored relatively out of sight.
- On the upper floor, it would be nice to have an open gallery with a desk or similar (not a must and not necessarily next to the stairs).
- A walk-in closet would be nice but not essential.
- A storage room on the upper floor is very important since we do not have a basement.
House Design
Who created the design:
- Basic design by the construction company (FIBAV Stadthaus Vision Studio)
- DIY modifications based on online floor plans (especially Viebrockhaus Maxime 330)
What do you particularly like? Why?:
- Layout of the living/dining area and the narrowing kitchen reduces the hallway effect a bit
- Many windows in the living/dining area
- Wide hallway on the ground floor
What do you dislike? Why?:
- Few options to place furniture (dresser, wardrobe) in the ground floor hallway due to many doors
- Very large hallway upstairs, considered wasted space
- Bedroom is quite small; should be the largest room upstairs (preferably 16 m² (172 sq ft), children’s rooms rather 14 m² (151 sq ft))
- Stair placement limited by chimney location
- Door placement upstairs limited by chimney
- A staircase rotated 90 degrees (entrance next to front door) would appeal more
- Difficult to align windows upstairs and downstairs on the gable end vertically
- Floor-to-ceiling windows upstairs; wider windows with a sill height around 100 cm (40 inches) would be preferred
Price estimate by architect/planner: 200,000 €
Personal price limit for the house including equipment: 210,000 €
Preferred heating technology: gas heating
What details or expansions could you give up?
- Can do without: gallery next to stairs upstairs. Living area could also be narrower (e.g., 4.20 m (14 ft) instead of 4.47 m (15 ft))
- Cannot do without: storage room upstairs, shower in guest toilet, extra natural light in the ground floor hallway (e.g., side panel on front door or window)
Why was the design made this way? For example, standard plan from planner?
- Since the house has very little space on the south side, the house should be very narrow in order not to waste more space to the south. It should be wider so that living, dining, and kitchen areas face south as much as possible.
Were corresponding wishes from the architect implemented? No architect meeting has taken place yet.
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
How can the ground floor hallway be better designed to fit a wardrobe? Can the stairs be positioned better or replaced? Should the hallway be enlarged and living space reduced? How can the upstairs hallway be better utilized? Can the bedroom be enlarged? Is it possible to swap the bedroom with another room, e.g., move it to the southeast to allow a walk-in closet?
Thank you very much in advance for your criticism and suggestions!
After a long search, we signed the notarized contract for the land purchase at the end of December. We are now actively planning the floor plan. Unfortunately, the plot is somewhat awkwardly shaped (not rectangular), which creates some limitations for the layout from our perspective. We already have a first draft, but there are several areas we don’t like and are unsure how to improve. Maybe you have some ideas; we would appreciate your input.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 601 m² (6465 sq ft)
Building envelope, building line, boundary: Building line with the house on the west side
Peripheral setbacks: 7 m (23 ft) from the street (north), otherwise the usual 3 m (10 ft)
Number of parking spaces: 2 desired
Number of floors: 1 full story allowed
Roof style: Gable roof
Design style: open construction method
Orientation: South
Maximum heights / limits: Ridge height max. 8.5 m (28 ft)
Additional requirements: Max. 100 m² (1076 sq ft) of built-up area
Client Requirements
Style, roof form, building type: Solid construction house, rectangular, no bay windows, no projections, etc., gable roof
Basement, floors: no basement; 1.5 stories
Number and age of residents: 2 people, age between 30 and 40, possibly children later
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: Ground floor – living/dining room, kitchen, guest toilet, utility room, office
Office: family use or home office?: family use
Guest stays per year: 20 days
Open or closed architecture: open living area, closed hallway
Conservative or modern style: conservative
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen, island without cooktop
Number of dining seats: 2-4
Fireplace: yes, chimney planned
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: carport
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Further wishes, special features, daily routine, and reasons for preferences:
- A wardrobe area on the ground floor is important where coats can be stored relatively out of sight.
- On the upper floor, it would be nice to have an open gallery with a desk or similar (not a must and not necessarily next to the stairs).
- A walk-in closet would be nice but not essential.
- A storage room on the upper floor is very important since we do not have a basement.
House Design
Who created the design:
- Basic design by the construction company (FIBAV Stadthaus Vision Studio)
- DIY modifications based on online floor plans (especially Viebrockhaus Maxime 330)
What do you particularly like? Why?:
- Layout of the living/dining area and the narrowing kitchen reduces the hallway effect a bit
- Many windows in the living/dining area
- Wide hallway on the ground floor
What do you dislike? Why?:
- Few options to place furniture (dresser, wardrobe) in the ground floor hallway due to many doors
- Very large hallway upstairs, considered wasted space
- Bedroom is quite small; should be the largest room upstairs (preferably 16 m² (172 sq ft), children’s rooms rather 14 m² (151 sq ft))
- Stair placement limited by chimney location
- Door placement upstairs limited by chimney
- A staircase rotated 90 degrees (entrance next to front door) would appeal more
- Difficult to align windows upstairs and downstairs on the gable end vertically
- Floor-to-ceiling windows upstairs; wider windows with a sill height around 100 cm (40 inches) would be preferred
Price estimate by architect/planner: 200,000 €
Personal price limit for the house including equipment: 210,000 €
Preferred heating technology: gas heating
What details or expansions could you give up?
- Can do without: gallery next to stairs upstairs. Living area could also be narrower (e.g., 4.20 m (14 ft) instead of 4.47 m (15 ft))
- Cannot do without: storage room upstairs, shower in guest toilet, extra natural light in the ground floor hallway (e.g., side panel on front door or window)
Why was the design made this way? For example, standard plan from planner?
- Since the house has very little space on the south side, the house should be very narrow in order not to waste more space to the south. It should be wider so that living, dining, and kitchen areas face south as much as possible.
Were corresponding wishes from the architect implemented? No architect meeting has taken place yet.
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
How can the ground floor hallway be better designed to fit a wardrobe? Can the stairs be positioned better or replaced? Should the hallway be enlarged and living space reduced? How can the upstairs hallway be better utilized? Can the bedroom be enlarged? Is it possible to swap the bedroom with another room, e.g., move it to the southeast to allow a walk-in closet?
Thank you very much in advance for your criticism and suggestions!
Pinkiponk schrieb:
I understand how you feel and want to try to comfort and encourage you at least a little. From a technical perspective, you probably still have the option to add one or two windows later on, in the medium to long term (once you get the necessary building permit / planning permission). Perhaps you are among those who receive a yearly bonus or occasionally get a small contribution from parents or grandparents. Consider now where you would like to have another window and start making plans, imagine the size, shape, number of sashes or glass blocks, and where you might install it later. In principle, you could even request quotes without obligation and find out that it may not be as expensive or complicated as you think.
Please remember, a house and garden are never really finished. There is always something to change or improve, and I suspect that’s true for everyone.
It’s a shame you recently felt embarrassed. Even among professionals, opinions on what qualifies as successful architecture are often disputed. Thank you for your words. Of course, it might be possible to install additional windows – for us, it’s not so much a question of budget but rather of feasible locations. We chose the windows as they are now for various reasons – on the west side, for example, for privacy from neighbors. Larger windows would be nice there, though. Maybe the room layout would have needed to be arranged quite differently from the start to allow for bigger or more windows. Or alternatively, you could install large windows consistently and then use curtains as needed.
Now we need to see whether anything can realistically be done at all.
You are right about architecture – everyone’s taste is different.
P
Pinkiponk14 Jan 2020 12:08chrisw81 schrieb:
- on the west side for privacy from neighbors. Although larger windows would be nice there.That’s a valid point, but not one I would apply to myself. I don’t want to change your perspective or attitude (just your worries), but do you or your neighbors do anything that others online couldn’t see much better and more clearly countless times? Please don’t take this the wrong way, but usually we are not as interesting to others as we think. And if your neighbors have looked through your windows a few times, they’ve probably gotten bored of it. Personally, I don’t need privacy throughout the whole house and all the time.chrisw81 schrieb:
Now we have to see if anything can still be done.There is definitely still something that can be done, and it’s also a nice topic now with spring coming.
chrisw81 schrieb:
Now we have to see if anything can still be done at all. Man, you’re crazy.
I just looked at your floor plan again. Your living room is over 4 meters deep (13 feet). That’s a really good standard. You wanted to build narrow to leave space for the garden, and yet there’s still enough room in the living area. You wanted to build small because the budget was limited. Now being disappointed because it’s not a bigger, more expensive glass palace is just ridiculous.
I even doubt you’d be happier with that. It’s clear that the problem is a lack of furnishings. Nothing’s been done at all. Normally, you’d be spending all day in furniture stores and binge-watching Fixer Upper at night non-stop. Didn’t you show me pictures and rave about how wonderful everything would look in the end when I thought the room would feel like a tunnel? So where are the pictures now, and where is the implementation?
I actually think you’re just a bit depressed because the construction is over. The excitement is fading, and you’re not interested in the final interior touches. :P
chrisw81 schrieb:
Recently, I showed some exterior views to an acquaintance and was asked if we had remodeled an old house. I would take that as a compliment for a successful integration according to section 34.
chrisw81 schrieb:
On the west side, there's a privacy screen facing the neighbors. But larger windows would be nice, especially there. If you leave out windows because of neighbors, then logically (since there are foolish people everywhere) you should always walk around with earplugs as soon as you step outside.
kaho674 schrieb:
I think you’re more depressed because the construction itself is finished. Haha, postpartum blues *LOL*
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Great fireplace. Others don’t have that.
Renovating or refurbishing a used house is definitely better than building new. That’s how it is!
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Well, honestly, I’m always surprised by the planned sill-height windows – they’re not really my style either.
I would definitely place the sofa on the opposite wall. That way you face the light. The TV can be angled and placed on a different piece of furniture or something.
Add some indirect lighting on the floor and/or at eye level: you only get a skylight if you need to look for marbles.
And the dining table could also be positioned lengthwise, right?
Renovating or refurbishing a used house is definitely better than building new. That’s how it is!
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
chrisw81 schrieb:
The living room seating area is already bright, but when I sit down, I see quite a lot of walls and I feel trapped. Plus, the relatively low ceiling makes it feel even more oppressive.
Well, honestly, I’m always surprised by the planned sill-height windows – they’re not really my style either.
chrisw81 schrieb:
Maybe the room layout should have been done completely differently from the start to get more/larger windows. Or just install big ones and possibly use curtains.
Now we have to see if there’s anything left to do.
I would definitely place the sofa on the opposite wall. That way you face the light. The TV can be angled and placed on a different piece of furniture or something.
Add some indirect lighting on the floor and/or at eye level: you only get a skylight if you need to look for marbles.
And the dining table could also be positioned lengthwise, right?
haydee schrieb:
The fireplace really turned out well.
Now I have to smile, even though you’re feeling bad. At first, my living room felt cold too. Everything was so quiet (my husband isn’t home much during the week, and before we lived in a multi-generational house). It was awful. But the more you make the house your own—adding a curtain here, something else there, creating nice moments—the better it gets.
Why wouldn’t you want to show your house? Yes, it’s simple. IT’S YOURS!!!!! You set this budget and decided against many costly options. That takes strength and determination. Be proud of that.
Try moving the sofa to the other wall; then your view looks out through the balcony door. Maybe that will help.Thank you. Maybe you’re right, and it will gradually feel cozier... a warmer wall color, pictures… then the many “bare” walls won’t stand out so much anymore, and you’ll notice other things you’ve nicely designed yourself.Similar topics