ᐅ Single-family house, 160 m² with basement, on a 500 m² plot of land
Created on: 9 Jun 2020 18:34
M
Murmelstein
Hi,
We have a 500m2 (5400 sq ft) plot where we would like to build.
We have now received the initial plans from our preferred construction company.
We need a basement because my wife and I both work from home, and we have three children who should each have their own room.
The attic is not really a good option due to the small dormer window and a building height limit of 9 meters (30 ft). The basement is quite expensive because of the clay soil, but in the end, we decided in favor of the basement, and the first financing simulations fit approximately a $680,000 build cost including additional construction expenses. The land is not included, of course.
I think the plans are already quite good, but I don’t have much expertise. A master bathroom was our request. The guest bathroom on the ground floor is there because we often have guests staying with us.
In my opinion, the pantry can be left out.
I planned the upstairs hallway once larger and once smaller to allow for a bigger children’s bathroom.
I miss the external staircase to the basement. If the stairs were on the right side, it would allow for "normal" windows in the basement offices. I have pointed this out. Also, the street runs roughly along the house from left to right and drops about one meter (3 ft).
I’m not sure about the layout of the "fitness" room; I think it might be structurally necessary. I want to bother the architect only once we are 100% sure we are going with this construction company.
What I generally don't like right now is that generic feel when looking at it, but the house is simply a standard two-story with a 30° pitched roof.
I would really like to know from your experience whether this covered terrace is a good idea or not.
Thanks in advance
We have a 500m2 (5400 sq ft) plot where we would like to build.
We have now received the initial plans from our preferred construction company.
We need a basement because my wife and I both work from home, and we have three children who should each have their own room.
The attic is not really a good option due to the small dormer window and a building height limit of 9 meters (30 ft). The basement is quite expensive because of the clay soil, but in the end, we decided in favor of the basement, and the first financing simulations fit approximately a $680,000 build cost including additional construction expenses. The land is not included, of course.
I think the plans are already quite good, but I don’t have much expertise. A master bathroom was our request. The guest bathroom on the ground floor is there because we often have guests staying with us.
In my opinion, the pantry can be left out.
I planned the upstairs hallway once larger and once smaller to allow for a bigger children’s bathroom.
I miss the external staircase to the basement. If the stairs were on the right side, it would allow for "normal" windows in the basement offices. I have pointed this out. Also, the street runs roughly along the house from left to right and drops about one meter (3 ft).
I’m not sure about the layout of the "fitness" room; I think it might be structurally necessary. I want to bother the architect only once we are 100% sure we are going with this construction company.
What I generally don't like right now is that generic feel when looking at it, but the house is simply a standard two-story with a 30° pitched roof.
I would really like to know from your experience whether this covered terrace is a good idea or not.
Thanks in advance
Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. This way, you would have two equally sized offices, and the fitness room would no longer have that unnecessary small corner. However, the offices are quite small if they also need to serve as guest rooms. An alternative would be like the attached plan—with a separate laundry basement. You could plan a laundry chute from your bathroom. Because of the garage, a window is not possible there. But if you have a controlled ventilation system, you don’t need one. For example, we omitted windows in storage rooms, technical rooms, and the laundry basement, and it works perfectly. The reason is that I hate light wells—firstly because they complicate patio and garden design, and secondly because they need to be cleaned, and I have a phobia of spiders. Oh, and if you really want to work there daily, definitely install large windows and a sloped floor as already recommended. In my opinion, a staircase is not necessary.
M
Murmelstein11 Jun 2020 15:57Yes, controlled residential ventilation, whether decentralized or none at all, is still unclear to us. I think it only works with controlled residential ventilation, right?
Is there a good thread on ventilation here or on the internet? I was in favor of ventilation, but the heating engineer, who is currently building his own house, is not installing one because he calls it a "virus spreader." That is a bit suspicious...
Is there a good thread on ventilation here or on the internet? I was in favor of ventilation, but the heating engineer, who is currently building his own house, is not installing one because he calls it a "virus spreader." That is a bit suspicious...
Murmelstein schrieb:
Yes, controlled mechanical ventilation or decentralized systems—or even none at all—is still not clear to us. I think it only works with controlled mechanical ventilation, right? For new builds, I would never consider decentralized systems. Always central.
Murmelstein schrieb:
Is there a good thread here or online about ventilation? I was pro ventilation, but the heating installer who is building his own house is not installing any because he calls it a "virus spreader." That raises some doubts... ...hmm, good question. The entire internet is not that big after all...
Besides questions about prefabricated houses/solid construction, aerated concrete or clay blocks, heat pumps or gas heating, ventilation is certainly one of the most common topics and threads online.
Whether these are good, however, is another matter.
Regarding your heating installer... well, what can you say... some are quite unique characters. This isn’t really his “core trade,” just like heat pumps usually aren’t either. Many come from the “fire and combustion” sector.
Search through this forum and the web. I can also recommend the pink-colored forum related to this topic.
What you will read... there are many who are against ventilation systems. These are generally the ones who don’t have any installed. Of those who do have one, you’ll hardly find anyone who doesn’t praise it and find it great.
The system does not spread viruses any more than the air itself gets contaminated. It’s not economical, but it provides a significant comfort. In a new build, you have to be aware of your ventilation concept. Houses are so airtight now that you need to air out all rooms regularly — meaning opening windows several times a day.
You don’t have that problem with controlled mechanical ventilation. It will cost you around 12,000–15,000 (depending on the system).
M
Murmelstein3 Jul 2020 20:05We have continued planning. Work is set to resume next week.
I don’t think the covered corner will be very usable due to the post. I will ask if it’s possible to do without the post. I laid it out in the garden and placed a table with six chairs—it’s very tight.
A wardrobe for five people is too small. I will ask to make the guest bathroom as small as possible.
The walk-in closet is actually quite nice since we rarely get up at the same time, so everyone can have their privacy. But I’m sure this will be heavily debated here.
The garage is now definitely large enough for one car and bicycles on the side. I would even make the garden shed extension a bit longer.
Would using a landing staircase help? Would it save space in the foyer?
What do you think?
I don’t think the covered corner will be very usable due to the post. I will ask if it’s possible to do without the post. I laid it out in the garden and placed a table with six chairs—it’s very tight.
A wardrobe for five people is too small. I will ask to make the guest bathroom as small as possible.
The walk-in closet is actually quite nice since we rarely get up at the same time, so everyone can have their privacy. But I’m sure this will be heavily debated here.
The garage is now definitely large enough for one car and bicycles on the side. I would even make the garden shed extension a bit longer.
Would using a landing staircase help? Would it save space in the foyer?
What do you think?
M
Murmelstein5 Jul 2020 19:28Do you think it would make sense to swap the master bathroom and bedroom? Water lines above this bay window?
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