Hello everyone,
we are planning a three-story house on a south-facing slope and want to take advantage of the mountain view from the first floor. Therefore, we are considering placing the open living area (living, dining, kitchen) with a small pantry and guest toilet on the first floor. From the dining area, we plan access to the roof terrace, which is designed above the garage. The bedrooms, children’s rooms, bathrooms, as well as the entrance area with cloakroom, would be located on the ground floor.
We see a clear advantage in designing the upper floor as a fully open space (structural benefit since the roof is supported by the exterior walls), making better use of the view through large glass fronts facing the mountains, and saving costs for an additional balcony extension. Other benefits:
- The bedrooms would be cooler during the summer.
- Laundry would only need to be carried one floor from the ground floor to the basement.
- When coming home, outdoor clothing can be changed on the same floor.
The most common counterargument from friends and family is that groceries would need to be carried upstairs. However, so far, this is the only disadvantage for me.
What advantages and disadvantages do you see in this type of design?
Thank you very much for your ideas!
Best regards,
Bauherrin2021
we are planning a three-story house on a south-facing slope and want to take advantage of the mountain view from the first floor. Therefore, we are considering placing the open living area (living, dining, kitchen) with a small pantry and guest toilet on the first floor. From the dining area, we plan access to the roof terrace, which is designed above the garage. The bedrooms, children’s rooms, bathrooms, as well as the entrance area with cloakroom, would be located on the ground floor.
We see a clear advantage in designing the upper floor as a fully open space (structural benefit since the roof is supported by the exterior walls), making better use of the view through large glass fronts facing the mountains, and saving costs for an additional balcony extension. Other benefits:
- The bedrooms would be cooler during the summer.
- Laundry would only need to be carried one floor from the ground floor to the basement.
- When coming home, outdoor clothing can be changed on the same floor.
The most common counterargument from friends and family is that groceries would need to be carried upstairs. However, so far, this is the only disadvantage for me.
What advantages and disadvantages do you see in this type of design?
Thank you very much for your ideas!
Best regards,
Bauherrin2021
Here, the master bedroom is on the upper floor, the kitchen and living area on the ground floor, the kids’ rooms in the basement, and the cellar has direct garden access (pool level). Our garage is on the same level as the living floor, and there will eventually be an additional kitchen in the basement. We can also install an elevator at any time... We also have a south-facing slope, and the property is accessed from the north.
H
hampshire3 Mar 2020 08:35We also really liked the idea of enjoying the view from the living level and we truly appreciate it every day.
But without a design, site, and view, it’s hard to say anything concrete...
Unordered thoughts:
But without a design, site, and view, it’s hard to say anything concrete...
Unordered thoughts:
- Children’s rooms with their own garden access are great, especially as kids get older
- Groceries could have a freight elevator – for example, from the garage to the kitchen
- The living floor will be expanded with a terrace balcony featuring dining and lounge areas – leading out to the garden. Smaller covered terraces will be created below, in front of the children’s rooms
- Laundry logistics near the sleeping area to keep distances short
- In the large open living space under the roof, acoustic considerations are essential
- Take advantage of the opportunity in the living area to receive light from all sides – including from above
B
Bauherrin20213 Mar 2020 09:16Thank you in advance for your responses.
We do not have an architectural plan yet.
So far, these are just our initial ideas; hopefully, I will be able to put them down properly on paper.
We have already contacted a prefab construction company for information. In the initial conversation, they just said, "they wouldn’t design it that way." However, there were no specific counterarguments, except for the shopping trips.
Our plot of land is relatively large, 920 sqm (9,917 sq ft), and we do not have any issues with setback requirements.
We do not have an architectural plan yet.
So far, these are just our initial ideas; hopefully, I will be able to put them down properly on paper.
We have already contacted a prefab construction company for information. In the initial conversation, they just said, "they wouldn’t design it that way." However, there were no specific counterarguments, except for the shopping trips.
Our plot of land is relatively large, 920 sqm (9,917 sq ft), and we do not have any issues with setback requirements.
I have a colleague who designed his house specifically to take advantage of the view. I think his house is very nice. When you enter, there is a straight staircase immediately at the entrance (which probably makes carrying things upstairs easier than if it were, for example, a spiral staircase). Depending on where the kitchen is placed on the ground floor, the walk upstairs is not much longer.
The only thing that would bother me is the lack of direct/ground-level access to the garden from the living areas. You will need to decide for yourselves how important that is to you.
The only thing that would bother me is the lack of direct/ground-level access to the garden from the living areas. You will need to decide for yourselves how important that is to you.
If only adults live in the house, it’s simply a matter of personal preference.
However, I would never plan it this way with small children. For me, carrying the groceries is not the problem; it’s the lack of direct access to the garden.
Small children aren’t interested in your balcony. They want to be on the lawn playing in the sandbox, swinging, and running around. But it takes a long time before they can go there independently without their parents sitting nearby on the terrace. By then, the children’s time in the garden is almost over.
However, I would never plan it this way with small children. For me, carrying the groceries is not the problem; it’s the lack of direct access to the garden.
Small children aren’t interested in your balcony. They want to be on the lawn playing in the sandbox, swinging, and running around. But it takes a long time before they can go there independently without their parents sitting nearby on the terrace. By then, the children’s time in the garden is almost over.
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nordanney3 Mar 2020 10:20Bauherrin2021 schrieb:
But there were actually no concrete counterarguments (except for the groceries).You don’t have direct access from your living area to the garden. This is the key negative factor for 95-99% of home builders, especially those with children. During the warmer months, you will probably go back and forth between the garden and the living area about 50 times a day (and that includes the kitchen). Especially if you really want to use the garden. It also limits the resale potential—this is an objective point that can justify a price reduction.Groceries are inconvenient, but not really a problem.
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