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motorradgarage27 May 2020 15:34Hello!
We thought it was time to register here as well. We have already read and learned a lot, but with our specific problem, we just can’t make progress.
We have a plot of land in sight (long story – finally one we can get, nice and flat, located in a new development area, good size, affordable, etc.), and the zoning plan is driving us crazy. At first, we saw the entry “2 full floors” and thought great! Then we found a sentence somewhere stating that the maximum eave height is limited to 4 m (13 feet).
Well, that means an attic knee wall of maximum 1 m (3 feet) (currently we have 80 cm (31.5 inches) and know why we don’t want such a low knee wall anymore). This means that putting up functional wardrobes upstairs is not really possible. Additionally, the roof pitch is specified between 30–38° which also determines the house width in advance.
Our ideas differ from the standard house.
Since the knee wall in the children’s rooms is impractical, we have the following layout idea:
Idea 1 – Upstairs parents’ area
Ground floor: living/dining area, kitchen, 3 rooms, children’s bathroom, guest toilet, wardrobe, small pantry
Upper floor (attic): parents’ bathroom, gallery, bedroom, walk-in closet, office
We like it to be spacious but don’t want it to look like a big block from the outside.
Alternative idea 2 – Classic
Ground floor: living/dining area, kitchen, guest toilet, wardrobe, small pantry, office
Upper floor: parents’ area (bedroom, walk-in closet, bathroom), 3 rooms, children’s bathroom
Do you have any ideas on how to nicely translate this into a floor plan? Or maybe even an example? There is a floor plan at Luxhaus that already comes very close but in a flat roof version (which we would take immediately) but unfortunately, that isn’t allowed here.
What we like about idea 1 is that the parents’ area is separated, and the children’s area too. It might sound a bit impersonal at first but later, when the kids are older, it will probably be great that everyone can have their own space. Having the office on a different floor than the children’s bedrooms is almost a must, so you can reduce noise and work all day. The knee wall doesn’t bother us in the mentioned attic rooms and can be nicely concealed with built-in wardrobes. BUT: the whole thing becomes huge in floor area (my first sketches resulted in a 17 x 10 m (56 x 33 feet) footprint). The living/dining area must be at least 60 sqm (646 sq feet).
Idea 2 is the standard one. Does anyone here have experience with a knee wall like this in children’s rooms? Please feel free to comment on our ideas.
Thank you!!!!
Zoning Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 760 sqm (8,181 sq feet)
Slope – no
Floor area ratio (FAR) – 0.4
Gross floor area ratio (GFA) – 0.6
Building envelope, building line and boundary – large
Edge development – possible
Parking spaces – 1 per 50 sqm (538 sq feet) of living space
Number of floors – 2 (in theory)
Roof type – gable roof, double-pitched shed roof (offset of 1.5 m (5 feet) possible)
Style – modern
Orientation – free
Maximum heights/limits – max 4 m (13 feet) eave height, 7.5 m (25 feet) ridge
Other requirements – roof pitch 30–38°
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type – modern, special
Basement, floors – basement, ground floor, attic floor
Number of occupants, ages – 4 (2 adults + 2 children)
Space requirements on ground floor, upper floor – see text
Office: family use or home office? both
Guests staying overnight per year (0)
Open or closed architecture – open
Conservative or modern building style – modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island – yes, both
We thought it was time to register here as well. We have already read and learned a lot, but with our specific problem, we just can’t make progress.
We have a plot of land in sight (long story – finally one we can get, nice and flat, located in a new development area, good size, affordable, etc.), and the zoning plan is driving us crazy. At first, we saw the entry “2 full floors” and thought great! Then we found a sentence somewhere stating that the maximum eave height is limited to 4 m (13 feet).
Well, that means an attic knee wall of maximum 1 m (3 feet) (currently we have 80 cm (31.5 inches) and know why we don’t want such a low knee wall anymore). This means that putting up functional wardrobes upstairs is not really possible. Additionally, the roof pitch is specified between 30–38° which also determines the house width in advance.
Our ideas differ from the standard house.
Since the knee wall in the children’s rooms is impractical, we have the following layout idea:
Idea 1 – Upstairs parents’ area
Ground floor: living/dining area, kitchen, 3 rooms, children’s bathroom, guest toilet, wardrobe, small pantry
Upper floor (attic): parents’ bathroom, gallery, bedroom, walk-in closet, office
We like it to be spacious but don’t want it to look like a big block from the outside.
Alternative idea 2 – Classic
Ground floor: living/dining area, kitchen, guest toilet, wardrobe, small pantry, office
Upper floor: parents’ area (bedroom, walk-in closet, bathroom), 3 rooms, children’s bathroom
Do you have any ideas on how to nicely translate this into a floor plan? Or maybe even an example? There is a floor plan at Luxhaus that already comes very close but in a flat roof version (which we would take immediately) but unfortunately, that isn’t allowed here.
What we like about idea 1 is that the parents’ area is separated, and the children’s area too. It might sound a bit impersonal at first but later, when the kids are older, it will probably be great that everyone can have their own space. Having the office on a different floor than the children’s bedrooms is almost a must, so you can reduce noise and work all day. The knee wall doesn’t bother us in the mentioned attic rooms and can be nicely concealed with built-in wardrobes. BUT: the whole thing becomes huge in floor area (my first sketches resulted in a 17 x 10 m (56 x 33 feet) footprint). The living/dining area must be at least 60 sqm (646 sq feet).
Idea 2 is the standard one. Does anyone here have experience with a knee wall like this in children’s rooms? Please feel free to comment on our ideas.
Thank you!!!!
Zoning Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 760 sqm (8,181 sq feet)
Slope – no
Floor area ratio (FAR) – 0.4
Gross floor area ratio (GFA) – 0.6
Building envelope, building line and boundary – large
Edge development – possible
Parking spaces – 1 per 50 sqm (538 sq feet) of living space
Number of floors – 2 (in theory)
Roof type – gable roof, double-pitched shed roof (offset of 1.5 m (5 feet) possible)
Style – modern
Orientation – free
Maximum heights/limits – max 4 m (13 feet) eave height, 7.5 m (25 feet) ridge
Other requirements – roof pitch 30–38°
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type – modern, special
Basement, floors – basement, ground floor, attic floor
Number of occupants, ages – 4 (2 adults + 2 children)
Space requirements on ground floor, upper floor – see text
Office: family use or home office? both
Guests staying overnight per year (0)
Open or closed architecture – open
Conservative or modern building style – modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island – yes, both
N
nordanney27 May 2020 15:59motorradgarage schrieb:
BUT: The overall footprint becomes huge (my first sketches resulted in a 17x10 m (56x33 ft) house footprint). That might end up being tight regarding the floor area ratio...
motorradgarage schrieb:
Idea 2 is more of a standard approach. Has anyone here had experience with this kind of knee wall and children’s rooms? Please feel free to comment on our ideas. Personally, I think that’s better. Kids on the ground floor? You’re partying while the kids have to sleep – not ideal. The kids should rather have their space upstairs.
And wardrobes don’t necessarily have to be placed against exterior walls. There are plenty of tall interior walls, especially since you want to build generously anyway.
In the end, of course, everything has to fit within the budget. With a 17x10 m (56x33 ft) house, the first three-quarters of a million for the house itself will be gone.
80 is already low...
I don’t see this as a problem at all. Practical wardrobes belong behind doors, which are typically located in the central part of a house, not under a sloped roof. Where the standing height is limited, built-in shelves, cupboards, or sleeping nooks for children can be arranged.
Oh...
When reading, I roughly estimated 50sqm (538sq ft) in total for kitchen, dining, and living areas. This left me with 110/120sqm (1184/1292sq ft) on the ground floor (including three children’s rooms), while the upper floor only required 50sqm (538sq ft), resulting in a clear imbalance in space requirements between the ground and upper floors.
I therefore see the upper floor primarily as a children’s zone.
But without a plot, you really can’t make any meaningful suggestions, and I consider it the architect’s task to get the most out of a given eaves height—for example, using design tricks, calculations, and dormers.
motorradgarage schrieb:
That means installing practical wardrobes at the top is not possible.
motorradgarage schrieb:
Since the knee wall in the children’s rooms is impractical, we have the following layout idea:
I don’t see this as a problem at all. Practical wardrobes belong behind doors, which are typically located in the central part of a house, not under a sloped roof. Where the standing height is limited, built-in shelves, cupboards, or sleeping nooks for children can be arranged.
motorradgarage schrieb:
Additionally, a roof pitch of 30–38° is specified, which also defines the house width.
Oh...
motorradgarage schrieb:
The living/dining area must be at least 60sqm (645sq ft).
When reading, I roughly estimated 50sqm (538sq ft) in total for kitchen, dining, and living areas. This left me with 110/120sqm (1184/1292sq ft) on the ground floor (including three children’s rooms), while the upper floor only required 50sqm (538sq ft), resulting in a clear imbalance in space requirements between the ground and upper floors.
I therefore see the upper floor primarily as a children’s zone.
But without a plot, you really can’t make any meaningful suggestions, and I consider it the architect’s task to get the most out of a given eaves height—for example, using design tricks, calculations, and dormers.
With proper planning, I’m completely relaxed about this. What does the zoning plan say about dormers and cross gables? How large are they allowed to be, if they’re permitted at all? Otherwise, find a professional and have them plan it. I think this is less a question of layout and more about the budget given the ambitious wish list.
Classic layout.
Otherwise, the house would just become a huge box. That has to be paid for.
In case of disharmony, I would lean towards a bungalow with a finished attic.
Have a look on Pinterest for knee wall ideas, dormer closets.
Wardrobe as suggested by YPG.
How old are the children, anyway?
Otherwise, the house would just become a huge box. That has to be paid for.
In case of disharmony, I would lean towards a bungalow with a finished attic.
Have a look on Pinterest for knee wall ideas, dormer closets.
Wardrobe as suggested by YPG.
How old are the children, anyway?
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