ᐅ The floor plan "HOUSE FOR TWO" covers approximately 150 sqm and is introduced here.

Created on: 3 Jul 2020 13:23
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pagoni2020
So – now I’m presenting our “House Project for Two” expecting your honest and maybe harsh feedback. Don’t hold back, as I can only benefit from it.

The building permit / planning permission application is currently being submitted, and preliminary information suggests it should be approved. We deliberately avoided too many deviations from the very old development plan.

We like a modern, minimalist architectural style. The floor plan is a mix of our own living habits, our existing furniture including the kitchen, and the budget, since at this stage of life we don’t want to take on risky debt.

Our current condominium is very stylish and was just recently customized by ourselves, but life changes; besides, we want to be able to have a small fire in our own garden again.

We are now building with a general contractor (GC) who has a good reputation and has already allowed us to change many things without stress – so far. Ideally, we would have built with an independent architect or our friend who is an interior architect, which would have given us more freedom in choosing trades, but this time we want to focus more on details and avoid the running around that happened the first time, 30 years ago. No, this time I won’t be digging foundations or pouring the basement myself until my family doesn’t recognize me anymore.

Whether it will be a garage, carport, or parking space depends on the costs, as does the attached balcony, which would then be a so-called standing balcony; initially, it just needs to be approved. There will also be a larger garden house with an outdoor sauna.

The plot is quite large and has a nice view of greenery. Unfortunately, only to the north, about 500 m (1600 ft) away and at a lower level, there is a beautiful lake. For this reason alone, we decided not to build a bungalow, since having a lake view and not using it was out of the question (hence the “emergency balcony” at the bedroom). Originally, a house with a bend was planned, but it always looked ugly in the end.

HOUSE FOR TWO
Plot size: 1400 sqm (15,000 sq ft)
Slope: No
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1.5
Roof type: Gable roof
Architectural style: modern-minimalist

Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: clean lines
Basement, floors: no basement
Number of occupants, age: 2 (one of them still works a bit more…)
Guest stays per year: quite often, alternating
Conservative or modern construction: modern, open plan
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 4
Fireplace: yes/no/undecided, possibly also gas fireplace
Balcony, roof terrace: possibly a balcony at the bedroom for lake view
Garage, carport: yes, depending on price
Additional wishes, etc.:
Separate guest area, possibly as a bedroom in old age, then guests upstairs
Custom furniture and kitchen integrated
Separate TV area from the gallery, next to it a separate relaxation area with recliner
Kitchen with 120 cm (47 inch) side-by-side refrigerator or 70 cm (28 inch) refrigerator by the window side
Monolithic Rock XL1 wood stove available, chimney planned outside for lower costs, appearance, and less space inside
Ground floor window areas separated by masonry walls due to chimney, possibly refrigerator placement but especially due to manufacturer’s limited width (according to GC)
Original idea was continuous window surfaces up to the eaves in living/dining area, now separated at ceiling height by masonry strip
Some parts in the plan/floor plan not labeled correctly yet (GC design implementation)

House design, who designed it: by the clients + partial coordination with interior architect, currently executed by a builder’s planner
What do you like most and why?
Simple architectural style, gallery, spacious window surfaces, external blinds, open layout

What don’t you like and why? I’m sure I’ll read about it here
Estimated price according to architect/planner: -
Features: The goal is to invest selectively and sensibly but consistently omit unnecessary, cost-driving frills (in my opinion)
Preferred heating system: undecided, unfortunately no gas connection available

If you had to skip something, which details or extensions could you do without? Maybe the fireplace… I’m still unsure about the location, I would like a built-in gas fireplace under the stairs, but only for that would we get a liquefied gas tank?

Why is the design the way it is? For example:
Own life circumstances, existing furniture, individual living habits
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
I welcome direct and constructive assessments. The building shape and location of carport/garage are fixed. The focus of questions is on layout details and usage/design options.
There will be a glass roof or slatted shading in front of the kitchen area.
The plot is almost flat, and the outdoor area will be simple and user-friendly, with a larger garden house including outdoor sauna, storage for gadgets, tools, etc.

Grundriss eines Grundstücksplans mit zwei grauen Gebäuden und Maßangaben.


Grundriss eines Apartments: Wohnzimmer/Essen, Küche, Schlafzimmer, Bad, Diele, Gästezimmer.


Grundriss eines Hauses: Schlafzimmer mit Bett, Bad/WC, Treppe und Galerie.


Modernes Haus mit dunkler Fassade, Satteldach, linke Garage und rechte Glasfront mit Sofa.


Modernes zweistöckiges Haus mit dunklem Dach, Glasfronten, Terrasse und Anbau.
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pagoni2020
4 Jul 2020 10:59
@Nida35a Thank you for the photo and the idea. We initially considered something like that from a prefab house manufacturer before realizing that, because of the lake view, we wanted to build upwards despite possible hip pain. Otherwise, it probably would have been a bungalow in a U or T shape or with an inner courtyard. Besides, we are very detail-oriented and like to incorporate many very personal preferences that others might find eccentric. Often, outsiders don’t see which elements (furniture, functions, seat heights, etc.) led to the final result. I think you really did a great job.

@haydee ...if only I hadn't been diagnosed with a shortage of brainpower. No, I see it the same way—enabling maximum changes later on with minimal effort during the shell phase. Always knowing that it never will be exactly right but rather what’s possible and likely. I also agree with @hampshire. I know people who at 30 already think and act like they’re 80 without realizing it.

@ypg I like your consistently guest-unfriendly approach since I hardly have any enemies left myself. A dog is coming back into the house—the only true companion! When it comes to guests here, it’s mostly about our own children and growing grandchildren, which tends to lead to compromises. But we’re reconsidering that completely. True... I keep thinking day and night plus lunchtime about your words of warning...

@kbt09 The side-by-side fridge, or rather the current large fridge, was previously placed by the wall near the island. We’re still deciding whether to get a new side-by-side fridge or keep it as is. The final plan had been reached several times before a more final and then the most final version appeared. But in about a week, the decision will be made. So the living room upstairs with a lake view won’t be from the bed but rather from the sofa, which is a frequently mentioned idea and is already part of the upcoming planning thoughts. The TV will definitely be in a separate, if not even enclosed, area. We’re less the type to watch movies together, also due to different work schedules and lifestyles. Everyone likes doing their own thing, which is nice. That’s also why we deliberately have two bathrooms. Open space above the dining area—yes, kitchen—rather no? I guess I’m old-fashioned after all. Currently, a window from the bathroom to the open space is planned. As a TV substitute—
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haydee
4 Jul 2020 11:35
I like the idea of open space above the living area.

Always and everywhere, draw your desired furniture and other elements to scale. Especially anything that deviates from a standard four-person setup. You don’t want a piano to not fit by just 5cm (2 inches).

Yes, there are people who start preparing for retirement in their mid-thirties and stop doing many things because they consider themselves too old.
We need barrier-free design so that visitors can easily get around.

I’ll do it like my great-grandmother: celebrate the 90th birthday, argue with the mayor, feed the cows, go to bed, and never wake up again. Fit until the very end (normal joint aches are accepted). I’ll skip the cow part since the barn has been demolished.
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pagoni2020
4 Jul 2020 11:40
haydee schrieb:

I like the open space above the living area.

Always and everywhere, draw your desired furniture, etc., to scale. Especially anything that differs from the standard four-person setup.
You don’t want the piano to not fit because of 5 cm (2 inches).
All furniture has been planned to the centimeter (inch) where available and brought along. Unfortunately, this is not reflected everywhere in the current plan. But thanks for the info... I’m already pondering the living room plus guest area upstairs... hmm... let’s see what the little brain cells come up with—
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haydee
4 Jul 2020 11:44
Maybe two quite similar "suites" and the rest will reveal itself. Whether it’s bones, snoring, or children with grandchildren, views, temperature, quirks
11ant4 Jul 2020 12:38
Having an upper floor is already a good choice; if the view is worthwhile, in my opinion, it would be unwise to build a bungalow. And anyone who is building again at sixty can also do so at eighty. Today, so many people live to ninety years and beyond, so I wouldn’t plan my living situation for thirty years or more based on preparing for a nursing home. Also, regarding the need for security, the dose makes the poison – fear ages and weakens you.
haydee schrieb:

The cowshed has been demolished.

Grandma rides her motorcycle in the chicken coop, not the cowshed.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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haydee
4 Jul 2020 12:53
It is gone as well