ᐅ Floor Plan Optimization for Urban Villa + Considerations for Land Elevation

Shiny86 schrieb:

The carport will be placed on the side where the staircase is, so the window starts above the carport, meaning only from the first floor up.

I think you once asked me why I wouldn’t place the carport or garage on the west side, so here’s my answer: because then inside the house you would turn away from the afternoon and evening sun. That’s why I would never swap those around.

There are many different opinions here, and everyone has their reasons. If you listened to all of them, you’d end up building a larger mansion and spending 100,000€ more.

If someone says: kitchen next to the terrace, that’s a valid point, but just one among many. Nobody minds if the terrace is near the dining area... that’s just a few extra steps... and most people don’t grill 360 days a year.

Of course, the kitchen is well placed there, but if that means the couch area becomes cramped, then the kitchen-terrace solution isn’t suitable for this house, and you have to choose the compromise that overall provides better living quality.

Shiny86 schrieb:

But floor plans of various model houses keep repeating.

Shiny86 schrieb:

No “aha” effect happened.

That’s not necessary. They’re still just drawings. You bring the house to life with the interior design.

Shiny86 schrieb:

Yes, usually you build only once and want it to be as perfect as possible, to regret as little as possible later, and learn from others’ mistakes. You’re often blind yourself.

No, you don’t build only once—what would there be to regret? And there are no mistakes from others anyway. Do your own thing. But make sure it works.

Shiny86 schrieb:

Yes, we got a bit off track at some point.

Yeah, in my opinion you’re still lost in the maze... you’re way too confused for that.

Shiny86 schrieb:

I’m already quite satisfied. And thanks to this forum, there have been new decisions that will stay and are good. For example, more courage for larger windows, and especially a second window for the kids’ rooms! Except for the washing machine and dryer now being on the ground floor and no wardrobe or wardrobe niche. But you can’t have everything, right?

Windows: that’s another matter. Two windows are good, but not necessary if the main window is large enough. Here, they even face south, so it won’t get any brighter. Two windows also have downsides, like less furniture space or lacking a cozy corner. Then the bed goes there, and the child may not be able to sleep. Everything has pros and cons. But if you have a good feeling about it, stick with it!

For me, the most important thing is that daily tasks flow smoothly. That includes, among other things, doing laundry and keeping the hallway tidy. I don’t see that here at all.

So, put your architect to work! And what does your husband say about all this?

Lenschke schrieb:

I believe the idea you need to let go of is that there is a perfect floor plan. There might be a perfect floor plan for you – but it won’t suit everyone.

... and at all times: the more optimal something is for the "here and now," the more it will be affected by the passage of time (in the sense of “panta rhei”). When the kids are grown, you end up building the second house (which is about time anyway, since they say the third one is really for yourself).

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ypg schrieb:

That’s why I would never, ever replace all of that.

I’m also not keen on swapping things around. On the east side, the carport is 1m (3.3 ft) lower than the house, while on the west side the difference isn’t as significant.
If we didn’t build the carport on the west side and had the living room with the patio doors there instead, we’d be looking straight at the neighbor’s garage. We already know he will build it there. His garage is slightly higher than our plot and only 4m (13 ft) away. So, we would be facing it from the sofa.
Wouldn’t that also cast a shadow?
Our living room is actually on the east side, and there’s a 3m (10 ft) gap to the property boundary, so of course they can build a garage there. However, it would be slightly lower than our land because of the slope. What bothers me about the living room on the east side is that you can’t really step outside. Since it’s only 3m (10 ft) to the neighbors, we can’t build up the ground. So, we can’t really use the terrace, and there’s such a big height difference that the doors practically cannot be used.

ypg schrieb:

the couch squeezed in

Do you feel the couch is cramped?
You can fit a 3.3m (11 ft) long sofa and still have 4.07m (13 ft) clear wall length up to the TV. You could also add an armchair, even if it extends slightly into the dining area.

ypg schrieb:

you’re way too confused for that.

That may be true. I see some things more clearly. There are others I still want and wonder how I can fit them in—especially the hallway and laundry area!

ypg schrieb:

then the bed will be placed underneath, and the child won’t be able to sleep anymore.

Why is that? Not completely underneath, but partially is okay, or is it because of drafts?
We’re planning two windows since the children will probably use blinds to darken the large windows during summer. Then they will still have a second window for daylight. We chose 176cm by 88cm (69 inches by 35 inches) horizontal strip windows with a sill height of 125cm (49 inches)—or what else would be suitable as a second window?

Honestly, my husband hardly thinks about it and lets me handle it. But he’s not fully happy either; he just wants to finally move forward and get the house built.

And I’ve drawn something again.
The dimensions are not included because they have been rearranged in the meantime.
There is this U-shaped staircase with narrowing steps.
Is it theoretically possible to design it like this?
I hope it’s clear what I mean. This layout gains space for the master bed, a small storage closet, and a niche in the family bathroom for the washing machine. The children’s rooms give up a few square meters.
I’m just not sure if this is a great idea or something unusual that no sensible person would plan. Feedback is welcome.

Shiny86 schrieb:

And I drew something again.

Slowly *smile* this is becoming a bit obsessive. Redirecting two load-bearing walls again – at least this time without complications related to the drainage system (oh yes, my solution – you don’t really deserve it, but the readers are probably eager to see it, and I don’t want to hold them accountable for the homework you forgot, so see the attachment).

Shiny86 schrieb:

I just don’t know if this is a great idea.

Do you insist on three guesses?

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It also works with the landing staircase, but this results in a smaller niche and less storage space. However, it should still be fine.

I like the landing staircase because of the straight steps, and I imagine it to be more comfortable for everyday use, as well as easier for the children.