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.
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.
H
hampshire5 Jul 2020 19:39I just measured, it’s actually "only" 6.45 meters (21 feet 2 inches).
The redesign makes single-level living easier – it’s a good idea.
Have you considered a "corner window" overlooking the lake in the gallery?
A sofa and TV area on the gallery seem redundant to me.
The redesign makes single-level living easier – it’s a good idea.
Have you considered a "corner window" overlooking the lake in the gallery?
A sofa and TV area on the gallery seem redundant to me.
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pagoni20205 Jul 2020 20:12@haydee - Thanks
Yep, bathtub lift and then the power goes out halfway through; a dream!
As I said, that was a last-minute planning session at night, with final details for the bathroom still to come. The showers will be designed as large as possible. The good thing is that the upstairs bathroom is just a guest bathroom, so it doesn’t have to be accessible or anything like that. If it can be made bigger, we will do so. It also depends on the knee wall height and how much usable space can be created there. That now needs to be clarified with the planner. But we’re glad that at least this so-called “tube bathroom” works. I once had something like that in a hotel and found it amusing. Ultimately, it’s sufficient for guests.
@hampshire - Thanks
Corner windows would be great, but unfortunately not possible because of the roof slope transition at the ridge. Roof windows could be added instead. The problem is that the perfect view axis to the lake is exactly at a 45-degree angle. With the wide window now, you still get a good view. Before, from the bed, you had to think about whether you could see it lying down or sitting and how to place the bed. Now it’s a room where, in the end, a pool table could even fit, since a living room has already been created downstairs.
You are right about the duplication. In the end, it’s a large room that can be used however you want since there won’t be any walls or anything like that. The current furniture arrangement is due to one or two pieces, like the TV sofa. It’s a bed with a so-called “Schaenenhals” (an older model by Ruf) with an integrated, nicely shaped aluminum folding table in the middle. It’s a big piece of furniture but a fun one. Maybe we’ll also part with it when we move because you could watch TV in the guest room as well. That’s not a priority for us. Our main concern was simply that it could be placed if desired.
Yep, bathtub lift and then the power goes out halfway through; a dream!
As I said, that was a last-minute planning session at night, with final details for the bathroom still to come. The showers will be designed as large as possible. The good thing is that the upstairs bathroom is just a guest bathroom, so it doesn’t have to be accessible or anything like that. If it can be made bigger, we will do so. It also depends on the knee wall height and how much usable space can be created there. That now needs to be clarified with the planner. But we’re glad that at least this so-called “tube bathroom” works. I once had something like that in a hotel and found it amusing. Ultimately, it’s sufficient for guests.
@hampshire - Thanks
Corner windows would be great, but unfortunately not possible because of the roof slope transition at the ridge. Roof windows could be added instead. The problem is that the perfect view axis to the lake is exactly at a 45-degree angle. With the wide window now, you still get a good view. Before, from the bed, you had to think about whether you could see it lying down or sitting and how to place the bed. Now it’s a room where, in the end, a pool table could even fit, since a living room has already been created downstairs.
You are right about the duplication. In the end, it’s a large room that can be used however you want since there won’t be any walls or anything like that. The current furniture arrangement is due to one or two pieces, like the TV sofa. It’s a bed with a so-called “Schaenenhals” (an older model by Ruf) with an integrated, nicely shaped aluminum folding table in the middle. It’s a big piece of furniture but a fun one. Maybe we’ll also part with it when we move because you could watch TV in the guest room as well. That’s not a priority for us. Our main concern was simply that it could be placed if desired.
@pagoni2020
I really like the ground floor,
a utility room with a patio door instead of a window (so the tradesperson doesn’t have to walk through the house, and if there’s a washing machine, it’s a short way to the clothesline),
on the upper floor, I would create a pass-through bathroom to the guest room,
I’d gladly join you in the seating area, lake view, view from the gallery ...
I really like the ground floor,
a utility room with a patio door instead of a window (so the tradesperson doesn’t have to walk through the house, and if there’s a washing machine, it’s a short way to the clothesline),
on the upper floor, I would create a pass-through bathroom to the guest room,
I’d gladly join you in the seating area, lake view, view from the gallery ...
P
pagoni20205 Jul 2020 20:43Nida35a schrieb:
@pagoni2020
I really like the ground floor layout,
utility room with a patio door instead of a window (so the contractor doesn’t have to walk through the house, and if the washing machine is there, it’s a short route to the clothesline),
upstairs I would make the bathroom accessible from the guest room,
I’d love to join you in the seating area, lake view, view from the gallery... Thanks; let’s see how much space the technical equipment needs, I’m not very familiar with the new devices yet. So far, the heating system hasn’t been decided, it might be an air-to-water heat pump, or I might go for an underground propane tank, even though some might strongly object to that. But I prefer not having photovoltaic panels or solar on the roof, and those would require a certain proportion of renewable energy.
If space allows, it could be an option.
We also planned an en-suite bathroom (we probably planned everything), but that also has disadvantages. If someone is staying as a guest in the room and another visitor urgently needs the bathroom after having a beer while enjoying the lake view, the guest in the room would be effectively locked in during that time. And sometimes that can take a while. Or visiting couples: the man is sitting and sitting and the woman would like to watch the homeowner playing drums but has to wait because he’s still sitting, so she’s trapped.
The option of a bathroom AFTER the room, meaning at the end of the hallway, has a similar problem. One guest is sleeping while another wants to use the bathroom... tricky.
That’s why we chose this solution... but thanks for your suggestion.
Once it’s finished, I’ll have a drink ready for you up on the gallery—
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