ᐅ City Villa with Home Office – Request for Feedback and Smart Optimization Ideas
Created on: 6 Jun 2020 19:31
A
AlexF76
Hello dear future homeowners and fellow builders!
We are currently in the planning phase of our house. The plot is purchased, now we just need to bring it to life/build on it.
We have received the first draft from the architect and already had a constructive discussion afterwards. I have now incorporated some of my ideas into the draft and adjusted it. It would be great if you could share your opinions on the house and the floor plan in general, and where you think clever improvements could be made or the size reduced. Currently, the whole thing is about 260 m² (2800 sq ft), and we would ideally like to end up under 250 m² (2700 sq ft). If that is not possible or only with too many compromises, that would be okay, but we would still like to optimize the floor plan.
Development Plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 1200 sqm (13,000 sq ft)
Slope: None, flat terrain, living in the North.
Site coverage ratio: 0.3
Floor area ratio: 0.6
Building envelope, building line and boundary: See site plan
Setback from border: 3 m (10 ft)
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2
Ceiling height: 2.70 - 2.80 m (8.9 - 9.2 ft)
Roof style: See site plan
Architectural style: Urban villa with traditional clinker brick
Orientation: Main entrance facing west
Maximum height limits: Ridge height (FH) 8.50 m (28 ft), Eaves height (TH) 6.50 m (21 ft)
Homeowners’ Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: Urban villa with traditional clinker brick
Basement, number of floors: No basement, 2 floors
Number of occupants and ages: 3 (43, 35, 2) hopefully one more child in the future and possibly an elderly parent later on
Space needed at ground floor and upper floor: 200-250 m² (2150-2700 sq ft)
Office use: Family use or home office? Home office, 8-12 hours daily
Guest overnight stays per year: On average 2-4 guests about 5 times a year, later most likely 1 parent living permanently
Open or closed layout: Open
Traditional or modern construction: More country style
Open kitchen, cooking island: Open kitchen with cooking island (cooking island not a must)
Number of seats for dining: 3-4 at the kitchen island, 10-12 at the dining table
Fireplace: Yes, please
Music/stereo wall: No
Balcony, roof terrace: Definitely
Garage, carport: Yes, garage for 2 cars and for winter birthday parties
Vegetable garden, greenhouse: Maybe later
Reasons for yes or no to certain features:
Balcony at the front so I can step out from the office occasionally and we can enjoy the setting sun in the west in the evenings.
The kitchen should definitely be bright with a view of the street, as my wife wanted, which is why it is unfortunately a bit far from the garage and utility room.
Guest room and guest WC should be barrier-free and large enough so that parents or we could live there later.
House Design
Origin of planning:
Rough drafts by me, first draft by the architect, current version is the first draft with my changes.
What do you particularly like and why?
Utility room (laundry) upstairs
Walk-in closet area
Minimal hallway despite many rooms
Bright
Possibility to separate living areas later
It’s not a run-of-the-mill design
What do you not like and why?
First of all, the large size! About 260 m² (2800 sq ft)! It would be great to reduce this below 250 m² (2700 sq ft) with a smarter layout. Otherwise:
Ground floor:
The kitchen could be a bit smaller without significantly affecting the exterior shape. Currently, there is no window directly offering a view to the terrace, maybe there is an idea for that.
I’m also unsure about the utility/technical room. Some say a technical room of 3-4 m² (32-43 sq ft) is enough, others recommend 6-8 m² (65-85 sq ft). What do you think? The utility room here would be without dryer and washing machine as these are upstairs. Maybe you have a good idea how to properly separate the technical room and utility room. Ideally, the utility room should still have natural light and direct access to the garage for groceries to be dropped off there (freezer) or drinks to be fetched during parties in the garage, allowing direct access to the utility room. The size of the technical room is still undecided. We plan either geothermal heat or air-to-water heat pumps and intend to install a photovoltaic system if the roof design makes sense. Because of the considerable size (initially it was 280 m² / 3000 sq ft), I have tried to reduce the size in some areas including the utility room. Now the question is whether the combined utility and technical room might become too narrow or cramped.
Regarding the fireplace, which is currently placed in the corner of the living room, we are still unsure if it fits there. Is the space sufficient and does it make sense to have it there? Our main concern is not heating the whole room with the fireplace, but rather the atmosphere it creates.
Also, the kitchen is quite far from the utility room and garage, but my wife wants it bright, which we understand and can live with.
No pantry adjacent to the kitchen, which is unfortunate. If anyone has ideas for that, please share.
Upper floor:
We generally like the upper floor, but it would be great if the utility room had enough space not only for the washing machine and dryer but also for ironing and hanging clothes that can’t go into the dryer. Is 6 m² (65 sq ft) sufficient? How should the washing machine, dryer, and furniture best be arranged?
Again, where can we save floor space upstairs? Especially the office is quite large and could be smaller, and the children’s rooms at 14-16 m² (150-170 sq ft) are actually sufficient.
Likewise, the walk-in closet should be less narrow, and the corner space might not be necessary. If you have ideas for that, please share. I tried to avoid the long narrow shape shown in (Obergeschoss-14-Alternative.jpg), but I am not very happy with the current result (Obergeschoss-16.jpg). This also compromises the bedroom size (will it become too tight?) and the children’s rooms. Which of the two proposals do you prefer? Or do you have a better idea?
The bathroom could also be reduced by 1-2 m² (11-22 sq ft) as long as it doesn’t feel cramped. All this depends on whether it’s feasible and makes sense, as well as coordinated with the ground floor.
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
2000 Euro (approx. $2150) per m² (sq ft price depends on region)
Personal budget for the house including fittings:
550,000 Euro (approx. $600,000) excluding land. We would prefer to stay under 500k. We do not want to end up with a "jam house" (meaning a house where the mortgage is so high you can’t even afford jam on your bread).
Preferred heating technology:
We have not decided yet between geothermal or air-to-water heat pump. No gas heating! If you have tips for this house, please let us know!
If you had to give up something, which features or finishes could you live without?
Smart home
If you had to give up something, which features or finishes are absolutely essential?
Open living/dining area
Welcoming entrance from the street
Garden and sunlight
Front balcony above the office
Guest room and guest WC with shower for future living of a parent
Sauna
Distance to TV should be at least 4.5 m (15 ft). Currently it’s 5 m (16.5 ft).
Why is the design like it is now?
Our wishes and ideas were implemented by the architect with additional creativity and experience. Unfortunately, there was initially too much hallway space and too little room for the technical room and guest room, and the walk-in closet had no natural light.
What do you think are its strongest and weakest points?
The total area is quite large; some rooms are bigger than we need, and in others, it would be great to have 1-3 m² (11-32 sq ft) more. But many factors depend on other conditions, like identical external footprints on ground and upper floors, access to other rooms, etc. Unfortunately, rooms are usually not fully independent.
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
General opinion about the floor plan and exterior – constructive critical feedback welcome
Ideas for optimizing room layout/placement and possible space savings
Are there any corridors or places that are too narrow or tight?
Creative and clever ideas to use space efficiently and make it cozy
Windows – better with slightly rounded or straight tops and with concrete surrounds or without? What do you like or dislike about the facade?
Roof – better with or without a mansard/hip extension?
PS:
The site plan is from the first draft; the middle and right parts have since been moved forward because we wanted more than 10 m (33 ft) of garden at the back.
The m² figures are approximate and may vary slightly.
On the front view, a window next to the garage is actually meant to be a side door.
Window placement on the floor plans is not always exact; I still need to adjust it.
If you have further questions, please ask, I will try to answer them.
Thank you very much for your help and feedback! We really appreciate it! I will upload updates and adjustments as we progress. We are very excited to see the final result!
Have a great weekend!
AlexF76
We are currently in the planning phase of our house. The plot is purchased, now we just need to bring it to life/build on it.
We have received the first draft from the architect and already had a constructive discussion afterwards. I have now incorporated some of my ideas into the draft and adjusted it. It would be great if you could share your opinions on the house and the floor plan in general, and where you think clever improvements could be made or the size reduced. Currently, the whole thing is about 260 m² (2800 sq ft), and we would ideally like to end up under 250 m² (2700 sq ft). If that is not possible or only with too many compromises, that would be okay, but we would still like to optimize the floor plan.
Development Plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 1200 sqm (13,000 sq ft)
Slope: None, flat terrain, living in the North.
Site coverage ratio: 0.3
Floor area ratio: 0.6
Building envelope, building line and boundary: See site plan
Setback from border: 3 m (10 ft)
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2
Ceiling height: 2.70 - 2.80 m (8.9 - 9.2 ft)
Roof style: See site plan
Architectural style: Urban villa with traditional clinker brick
Orientation: Main entrance facing west
Maximum height limits: Ridge height (FH) 8.50 m (28 ft), Eaves height (TH) 6.50 m (21 ft)
Homeowners’ Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: Urban villa with traditional clinker brick
Basement, number of floors: No basement, 2 floors
Number of occupants and ages: 3 (43, 35, 2) hopefully one more child in the future and possibly an elderly parent later on
Space needed at ground floor and upper floor: 200-250 m² (2150-2700 sq ft)
Office use: Family use or home office? Home office, 8-12 hours daily
Guest overnight stays per year: On average 2-4 guests about 5 times a year, later most likely 1 parent living permanently
Open or closed layout: Open
Traditional or modern construction: More country style
Open kitchen, cooking island: Open kitchen with cooking island (cooking island not a must)
Number of seats for dining: 3-4 at the kitchen island, 10-12 at the dining table
Fireplace: Yes, please
Music/stereo wall: No
Balcony, roof terrace: Definitely
Garage, carport: Yes, garage for 2 cars and for winter birthday parties
Vegetable garden, greenhouse: Maybe later
Reasons for yes or no to certain features:
Balcony at the front so I can step out from the office occasionally and we can enjoy the setting sun in the west in the evenings.
The kitchen should definitely be bright with a view of the street, as my wife wanted, which is why it is unfortunately a bit far from the garage and utility room.
Guest room and guest WC should be barrier-free and large enough so that parents or we could live there later.
House Design
Origin of planning:
Rough drafts by me, first draft by the architect, current version is the first draft with my changes.
What do you particularly like and why?
Utility room (laundry) upstairs
Walk-in closet area
Minimal hallway despite many rooms
Bright
Possibility to separate living areas later
It’s not a run-of-the-mill design
What do you not like and why?
First of all, the large size! About 260 m² (2800 sq ft)! It would be great to reduce this below 250 m² (2700 sq ft) with a smarter layout. Otherwise:
Ground floor:
The kitchen could be a bit smaller without significantly affecting the exterior shape. Currently, there is no window directly offering a view to the terrace, maybe there is an idea for that.
I’m also unsure about the utility/technical room. Some say a technical room of 3-4 m² (32-43 sq ft) is enough, others recommend 6-8 m² (65-85 sq ft). What do you think? The utility room here would be without dryer and washing machine as these are upstairs. Maybe you have a good idea how to properly separate the technical room and utility room. Ideally, the utility room should still have natural light and direct access to the garage for groceries to be dropped off there (freezer) or drinks to be fetched during parties in the garage, allowing direct access to the utility room. The size of the technical room is still undecided. We plan either geothermal heat or air-to-water heat pumps and intend to install a photovoltaic system if the roof design makes sense. Because of the considerable size (initially it was 280 m² / 3000 sq ft), I have tried to reduce the size in some areas including the utility room. Now the question is whether the combined utility and technical room might become too narrow or cramped.
Regarding the fireplace, which is currently placed in the corner of the living room, we are still unsure if it fits there. Is the space sufficient and does it make sense to have it there? Our main concern is not heating the whole room with the fireplace, but rather the atmosphere it creates.
Also, the kitchen is quite far from the utility room and garage, but my wife wants it bright, which we understand and can live with.
No pantry adjacent to the kitchen, which is unfortunate. If anyone has ideas for that, please share.
Upper floor:
We generally like the upper floor, but it would be great if the utility room had enough space not only for the washing machine and dryer but also for ironing and hanging clothes that can’t go into the dryer. Is 6 m² (65 sq ft) sufficient? How should the washing machine, dryer, and furniture best be arranged?
Again, where can we save floor space upstairs? Especially the office is quite large and could be smaller, and the children’s rooms at 14-16 m² (150-170 sq ft) are actually sufficient.
Likewise, the walk-in closet should be less narrow, and the corner space might not be necessary. If you have ideas for that, please share. I tried to avoid the long narrow shape shown in (Obergeschoss-14-Alternative.jpg), but I am not very happy with the current result (Obergeschoss-16.jpg). This also compromises the bedroom size (will it become too tight?) and the children’s rooms. Which of the two proposals do you prefer? Or do you have a better idea?
The bathroom could also be reduced by 1-2 m² (11-22 sq ft) as long as it doesn’t feel cramped. All this depends on whether it’s feasible and makes sense, as well as coordinated with the ground floor.
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
2000 Euro (approx. $2150) per m² (sq ft price depends on region)
Personal budget for the house including fittings:
550,000 Euro (approx. $600,000) excluding land. We would prefer to stay under 500k. We do not want to end up with a "jam house" (meaning a house where the mortgage is so high you can’t even afford jam on your bread).
Preferred heating technology:
We have not decided yet between geothermal or air-to-water heat pump. No gas heating! If you have tips for this house, please let us know!
If you had to give up something, which features or finishes could you live without?
Smart home
If you had to give up something, which features or finishes are absolutely essential?
Open living/dining area
Welcoming entrance from the street
Garden and sunlight
Front balcony above the office
Guest room and guest WC with shower for future living of a parent
Sauna
Distance to TV should be at least 4.5 m (15 ft). Currently it’s 5 m (16.5 ft).
Why is the design like it is now?
Our wishes and ideas were implemented by the architect with additional creativity and experience. Unfortunately, there was initially too much hallway space and too little room for the technical room and guest room, and the walk-in closet had no natural light.
What do you think are its strongest and weakest points?
The total area is quite large; some rooms are bigger than we need, and in others, it would be great to have 1-3 m² (11-32 sq ft) more. But many factors depend on other conditions, like identical external footprints on ground and upper floors, access to other rooms, etc. Unfortunately, rooms are usually not fully independent.
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
General opinion about the floor plan and exterior – constructive critical feedback welcome
Ideas for optimizing room layout/placement and possible space savings
Are there any corridors or places that are too narrow or tight?
Creative and clever ideas to use space efficiently and make it cozy
Windows – better with slightly rounded or straight tops and with concrete surrounds or without? What do you like or dislike about the facade?
Roof – better with or without a mansard/hip extension?
PS:
The site plan is from the first draft; the middle and right parts have since been moved forward because we wanted more than 10 m (33 ft) of garden at the back.
The m² figures are approximate and may vary slightly.
On the front view, a window next to the garage is actually meant to be a side door.
Window placement on the floor plans is not always exact; I still need to adjust it.
If you have further questions, please ask, I will try to answer them.
Thank you very much for your help and feedback! We really appreciate it! I will upload updates and adjustments as we progress. We are very excited to see the final result!
Have a great weekend!
AlexF76
Hello to everyone involved so far!
First of all, thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate it. Even if much of it isn’t exactly positive, that’s actually why I’m here—I need constructive information, not polite compliments.
@Pinky0301, I’m glad to hear that you like it from the outside.
Regarding the space, we’ve looked at several show homes, and most of them actually fit well. It wasn’t too big, but also not too cramped. Of course, we still need to see it in 3D to be sure.
The kitchen unit is still a leftover from the first design, where the washer and dryer were also on the ground floor. We still need to figure out what else is needed there. Possibly a sink, with the rest being storage space. We’re hoping for more ideas or inspiration on that.
The restroom is great to have when partying in the garage. Both of us have birthdays in winter, but it’s not a must-have if it ends up being more of a hassle or an area where we can save costs.
@DaSch17, I agree with you—looks good outside but poor quality inside is not what we want. But it won’t be a luxury brand like Mercedes-Benz either; just solid and within a normal range.
@dab_dab, I’m glad you like it too. I am aware of the corners; that’s why I’m asking here for advice on where we can save space or remove corners without completely losing the charm.
@haydee, if there are ideas that can save more than 10 square meters and show exactly which corners could be removed without negatively affecting the current house design too much, I’m very interested. But it’s likely we’ll have to increase our budget based on early feedback. That’s not something I wanted to do, but luckily I can. I just didn’t want to touch it unless absolutely necessary, to keep it as a last buffer.
Your comment about Tetris is spot-on—definitely not positive, but honest feedback is what I want. On the one hand, we like it; on the other, it’s expensive and not always practical. Regarding the toilet in the garage, see my earlier comment above. About the bathroom downstairs—yes, I’m afraid it needs to be more accessible; the architect will have to revisit that.
About the stairs and wardrobe—making it more open, but where to take the space from without stealing it or making the footprint bigger? Do you have any suggestions? The architect’s first design had 40 square meters downstairs! I was already glad we reduced that to 30 square meters.
Regarding the kitchen, where would you start or why do you think it feels unergonomic?
Yes, I don’t like the dressing room either, which is why I’m here asking for improvement suggestions.
About the balconies—the front one will definitely be used since I like working outside on my laptop and in the evening you can enjoy the sunset there. We’d use the other balcony for sauna breaks and it serves as a roof over the south-facing terrace. If needed, it would also be used for hanging laundry that shouldn’t go in the dryer.
@Crossy, the construction company is a masonry company. A smart home is not planned; I’ve already ruled that out and don’t think all the gadgets make much sense. Possibly the wiring setup for future use, but nothing more. Opinions on mechanical ventilation systems seem to vary, and yes, that’s again a cost issue. A fireplace and sauna should be included—we are enthusiastic sauna users and have always loved a fireplace, whether at friends’ houses or during vacations. There are no further specific wishes regarding the interior fittings, but I think that’s enough; otherwise, I’d just be complaining at a high level if I said something was missing.
Regarding the connections, nothing is free. There are discounted prices, and weekends with the father-in-law working together (yes, I know that’s not much, but at least something), and materials at cost price.
As I said, we’ll probably have to invest more than expected.
I agree with your suggestions—we probably need to save 20 square meters and simplify. Thanks! About the office, I’ve already told the architect it should definitely be smaller. For exact dimensions, I need to wait about four more weeks for the next draft.
Regarding the wow factor inside, you’ve been around here a lot. Is there any post you can point me to or a website where you found one or more effects like that?
@Snowy36, thanks, got it.
@11ant, good guess, but it’s not only about the style; we also like others. Thanks for the link, I’ll read it right away!
Thanks to you all, definitely, for your initial feedback and suggestions! I really appreciate it. Please feel free to keep them coming, maybe with some more concrete ideas. I’ve now also understood the budget situation.
First of all, thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate it. Even if much of it isn’t exactly positive, that’s actually why I’m here—I need constructive information, not polite compliments.
@Pinky0301, I’m glad to hear that you like it from the outside.
Regarding the space, we’ve looked at several show homes, and most of them actually fit well. It wasn’t too big, but also not too cramped. Of course, we still need to see it in 3D to be sure.
The kitchen unit is still a leftover from the first design, where the washer and dryer were also on the ground floor. We still need to figure out what else is needed there. Possibly a sink, with the rest being storage space. We’re hoping for more ideas or inspiration on that.
The restroom is great to have when partying in the garage. Both of us have birthdays in winter, but it’s not a must-have if it ends up being more of a hassle or an area where we can save costs.
@DaSch17, I agree with you—looks good outside but poor quality inside is not what we want. But it won’t be a luxury brand like Mercedes-Benz either; just solid and within a normal range.
@dab_dab, I’m glad you like it too. I am aware of the corners; that’s why I’m asking here for advice on where we can save space or remove corners without completely losing the charm.
@haydee, if there are ideas that can save more than 10 square meters and show exactly which corners could be removed without negatively affecting the current house design too much, I’m very interested. But it’s likely we’ll have to increase our budget based on early feedback. That’s not something I wanted to do, but luckily I can. I just didn’t want to touch it unless absolutely necessary, to keep it as a last buffer.
Your comment about Tetris is spot-on—definitely not positive, but honest feedback is what I want. On the one hand, we like it; on the other, it’s expensive and not always practical. Regarding the toilet in the garage, see my earlier comment above. About the bathroom downstairs—yes, I’m afraid it needs to be more accessible; the architect will have to revisit that.
About the stairs and wardrobe—making it more open, but where to take the space from without stealing it or making the footprint bigger? Do you have any suggestions? The architect’s first design had 40 square meters downstairs! I was already glad we reduced that to 30 square meters.
Regarding the kitchen, where would you start or why do you think it feels unergonomic?
Yes, I don’t like the dressing room either, which is why I’m here asking for improvement suggestions.
About the balconies—the front one will definitely be used since I like working outside on my laptop and in the evening you can enjoy the sunset there. We’d use the other balcony for sauna breaks and it serves as a roof over the south-facing terrace. If needed, it would also be used for hanging laundry that shouldn’t go in the dryer.
@Crossy, the construction company is a masonry company. A smart home is not planned; I’ve already ruled that out and don’t think all the gadgets make much sense. Possibly the wiring setup for future use, but nothing more. Opinions on mechanical ventilation systems seem to vary, and yes, that’s again a cost issue. A fireplace and sauna should be included—we are enthusiastic sauna users and have always loved a fireplace, whether at friends’ houses or during vacations. There are no further specific wishes regarding the interior fittings, but I think that’s enough; otherwise, I’d just be complaining at a high level if I said something was missing.
Regarding the connections, nothing is free. There are discounted prices, and weekends with the father-in-law working together (yes, I know that’s not much, but at least something), and materials at cost price.
As I said, we’ll probably have to invest more than expected.
I agree with your suggestions—we probably need to save 20 square meters and simplify. Thanks! About the office, I’ve already told the architect it should definitely be smaller. For exact dimensions, I need to wait about four more weeks for the next draft.
Regarding the wow factor inside, you’ve been around here a lot. Is there any post you can point me to or a website where you found one or more effects like that?
@Snowy36, thanks, got it.
@11ant, good guess, but it’s not only about the style; we also like others. Thanks for the link, I’ll read it right away!
Thanks to you all, definitely, for your initial feedback and suggestions! I really appreciate it. Please feel free to keep them coming, maybe with some more concrete ideas. I’ve now also understood the budget situation.
The exterior looks quite nice. But let's be honest: it's not feasible.
No.
2000 €/m² refers to a standard 2019 build, so a maximum of 200 m² (2150 sq ft), more likely 180 m² (1940 sq ft).
Why?
Nice to have.
Enjoy the sunset on the ground-level garden, anything else is just wishful thinking!
AlexF76 schrieb:
Cost estimate according to architect/planner:
2000 Euro per m² (approximately $215 per sq ft)
No.
AlexF76 schrieb:
Personal budget limit for the house, including fixtures:
550,000 Euro without the plot.
2000 €/m² refers to a standard 2019 build, so a maximum of 200 m² (2150 sq ft), more likely 180 m² (1940 sq ft).
AlexF76 schrieb:
Balcony at the front above the office
Why?
AlexF76 schrieb:
Because I like to work outside on my laptop, and in the evening you can still enjoy the sunset there.
Nice to have.
Enjoy the sunset on the ground-level garden, anything else is just wishful thinking!
The house is so convoluted that despite its size, it doesn’t feel spacious. For example, the master area is about 50m² (540 sq ft) but the individual rooms still feel small (on the upper floor16). On the ground floor, the entrance hall, corridor, and the passage between the garage and corridor make up 27.5m² (296 sq ft) — an extreme waste of space. The kitchen might be large, but it is rather awkward to furnish.
Overall, the design lacks straightforwardness. The shape of the staircase is also a “poor excuse,” given the size of the house, sorry.
Regarding costs, it will be tight or insufficient. Little balconies here and there quickly add up to a significant five-figure sum just for the necessary railings. As several have already mentioned, all the corners and such add up to considerable expenses.
Overall, the design lacks straightforwardness. The shape of the staircase is also a “poor excuse,” given the size of the house, sorry.
Regarding costs, it will be tight or insufficient. Little balconies here and there quickly add up to a significant five-figure sum just for the necessary railings. As several have already mentioned, all the corners and such add up to considerable expenses.
@ivenh0 thanks for your honest feedback. Do you have any specific suggestions on what I could change?
For your information, the passage between the garage and the hallway is actually intended as a "mudroom." The kids, for example, come in with dirty clothes and can change there. To give a concrete example to start making changes, how would you arrange the entrance area, staircase, and hallway to turn this waste of space and poor layout into something more practical?
Thank you very much for your feedback!
Alex
For your information, the passage between the garage and the hallway is actually intended as a "mudroom." The kids, for example, come in with dirty clothes and can change there. To give a concrete example to start making changes, how would you arrange the entrance area, staircase, and hallway to turn this waste of space and poor layout into something more practical?
Thank you very much for your feedback!
Alex
AlexF76 schrieb:
For your information, the passage between the garage and the hallway is actually meant to be a "mudroom." That's where the children, for example, come in with dirty clothes and can take them off there.That’s kind of ridiculous... let’s call it what it really is. If you also add a second kitchen for cooking, that would be okay. A balcony for working on a laptop in the evening sun, a mudroom for kids with muddy boots... wouldn’t it also make sense to have a separate toilet room away from the wellness area and a bedroom for sleeping for snorers?
Instead of increasing the budget, I would reconsider many things.
Hey @ypg,
I just mentioned what the room was intended for, as it was presented by the architect, and it used to be much larger. And yes, if I’m investing so much money in a house, I don’t want to just follow a standard formula or typical design—I want to create my own personal haven. Some people think and act very practically and just need a roof over their heads; others want a bathroom for snorers. That’s something each person can decide for themselves and it should probably be evaluated more objectively. I work from home, so I also like to go out on the balcony occasionally to work there, but not too far from the office because all the monitors and other devices are set up there. Since we only have the entrance on the west side and really enjoy the evening sun, we’d like to have a spot there at the front to relax after work. It’s that simple.
I also didn’t say I would just increase the budget on a whim—I don’t have that kind of extra money. But my goal from the start was a mix of rethinking and possibly adjusting things to achieve noticeable savings, which is why I asked where costs might be cut since I already consider it too expensive and not optimally planned. Of course, I prefer an optimized solution rather than simply raising the budget.
Besides reconsidering some points, maybe we can also get back to the questions I initially asked, even if some may no longer be relevant after recent changes:
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
General opinion on the floor plan and the exterior—constructive criticism is welcome – Check
Possible improvements to the room layout/positioning and potential savings in space – It would be great to get some concrete suggestions here, even if just on one or two points. The final solution will come step by step; I’m not expecting a comprehensive answer addressing all criteria here.
Are any corridors or areas in the design too narrow or tight? – Do you see spots where the dimensions are clearly or likely too small?
Creative and clever ideas for making the most of the space and creating a cozy atmosphere. – It would be very helpful to get ideas on what we could do differently.
Windows: better with slightly rounded or straight tops, with or without a concrete (or stone) border? What do you like or dislike about the front façade? – Maybe you could share some thoughts on that.
Roof: better with or without a dormer? – I’d also appreciate hearing your opinions on this.
Thanks a lot and have a great Sunday!
Alex
I just mentioned what the room was intended for, as it was presented by the architect, and it used to be much larger. And yes, if I’m investing so much money in a house, I don’t want to just follow a standard formula or typical design—I want to create my own personal haven. Some people think and act very practically and just need a roof over their heads; others want a bathroom for snorers. That’s something each person can decide for themselves and it should probably be evaluated more objectively. I work from home, so I also like to go out on the balcony occasionally to work there, but not too far from the office because all the monitors and other devices are set up there. Since we only have the entrance on the west side and really enjoy the evening sun, we’d like to have a spot there at the front to relax after work. It’s that simple.
I also didn’t say I would just increase the budget on a whim—I don’t have that kind of extra money. But my goal from the start was a mix of rethinking and possibly adjusting things to achieve noticeable savings, which is why I asked where costs might be cut since I already consider it too expensive and not optimally planned. Of course, I prefer an optimized solution rather than simply raising the budget.
Besides reconsidering some points, maybe we can also get back to the questions I initially asked, even if some may no longer be relevant after recent changes:
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
General opinion on the floor plan and the exterior—constructive criticism is welcome – Check
Possible improvements to the room layout/positioning and potential savings in space – It would be great to get some concrete suggestions here, even if just on one or two points. The final solution will come step by step; I’m not expecting a comprehensive answer addressing all criteria here.
Are any corridors or areas in the design too narrow or tight? – Do you see spots where the dimensions are clearly or likely too small?
Creative and clever ideas for making the most of the space and creating a cozy atmosphere. – It would be very helpful to get ideas on what we could do differently.
Windows: better with slightly rounded or straight tops, with or without a concrete (or stone) border? What do you like or dislike about the front façade? – Maybe you could share some thoughts on that.
Roof: better with or without a dormer? – I’d also appreciate hearing your opinions on this.
Thanks a lot and have a great Sunday!
Alex
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