ᐅ Single-family house with a recessed upper floor, southwest-facing, located in Bonn
Created on: 5 Oct 2020 20:40
B
Benrath
Hello everyone,
we have purchased one of three plots that were divided from a larger property and still need to be developed. Access is via a private road, and all three owners share the traffic area equally. The plot is very well connected for us, located centrally in Bonn, and is perhaps a bit larger than we actually needed. However, it’s not like there are always free plots available in a similar location.
Because there was a lengthy legal dispute between the seller and the neighbors beforehand, we can only build a partial recessed upper floor to a limited extent. Probably for this reason, the plot was mainly interesting for private buyers. An accessory apartment is not possible, and we don’t want one anyway.
Up until now, the planning was done from scratch without considering costs or practical aspects, at least from our side. The architect apparently enjoys drawing, which is understandable at this stage and has a certain artistic approach. We are generally open to all suggestions and ideas on what could be done differently, especially where costs might be saved easily.
Our next step will be to conclude an architect contract for service phases 1 to 5 plus general contractor / main contractor.
Development plan/restrictions
Plot size: >800sqm (8600 sq ft), no slope, building envelope etc. See plan.
Parking spaces: 1 on traffic area and 1 garage
Number of storeys: Only 1 full storey plus a recessed upper floor
Roof style: Flat roof; architectural style: rather Bauhaus
Orientation: Front of the house faces southwest
Maximum height/limits: 7–8m (23–26 ft)
Owners’ requirements
We basically have no specific style requirements. A flat roof results partly from the recessed upper floor and height restrictions, which probably don’t allow a pitched roof.
We want a basement with excavation and two daylight rooms (this was more the architect’s idea). Currently, there are three of us, possibly four in the future. Early 30s and a baby.
We had planned for just over 100sqm (1076 sq ft) on the ground floor and about 75% of that upstairs. Currently, it’s roughly 230sqm (2475 sq ft) ground floor and upper floor combined plus terraces, etc., and the basement.
Office: occasional use, not very important.
Number of overnight guests per year: unknown, but a guest room is planned
Open kitchen, kitchen island: We definitely want a separate kitchen area and like the suggestion of an extended island
Number of dining seats: 4 in the kitchen, more like 8 in the dining room
Fireplace: Not very important, probably no.
Music/surround sound system: 5.1 system around the TV
Balcony, roof terrace: Terrace is a must, balcony above the kitchen results from the recessed floor
Garage, carport: The garage width of 4.5m (15 ft) is unusual and probably makes it more expensive.
House design by the architect
What do we particularly like? Why? Good use of the sunny side, and otherwise all our wishes have been taken into account.
Upper floor: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet.
What don’t we like? Why? I could imagine a nicer staircase, perhaps a longer, more open design. Overall, the hallway feels a bit large.
The upper-floor terrace seems somewhat oversized. We are wondering if the overhang casts too much shade on the ground floor.
Price estimate according to architect/planner: with general contractor and all additional costs >900,000€ (over 900,000 euros)
Personal budget limit for the house, including fittings: rather below that.
Preferred heating technology: no opinion so far
Why does the design look like it does?
For example:
There was an initial meeting with the architect during which our wishes were noted.
Ground floor: separated kitchen, combined living/dining area. Another separate room as office/guest room (and possibly bedroom if needed).
Passage from the garage to the house, possibly as a utility room.
Upper floor: 3 rooms plus 2 bathrooms, including one en-suite.
First draft at the second meeting, and at the third meeting this final design was presented.
we have purchased one of three plots that were divided from a larger property and still need to be developed. Access is via a private road, and all three owners share the traffic area equally. The plot is very well connected for us, located centrally in Bonn, and is perhaps a bit larger than we actually needed. However, it’s not like there are always free plots available in a similar location.
Because there was a lengthy legal dispute between the seller and the neighbors beforehand, we can only build a partial recessed upper floor to a limited extent. Probably for this reason, the plot was mainly interesting for private buyers. An accessory apartment is not possible, and we don’t want one anyway.
Up until now, the planning was done from scratch without considering costs or practical aspects, at least from our side. The architect apparently enjoys drawing, which is understandable at this stage and has a certain artistic approach. We are generally open to all suggestions and ideas on what could be done differently, especially where costs might be saved easily.
Our next step will be to conclude an architect contract for service phases 1 to 5 plus general contractor / main contractor.
Development plan/restrictions
Plot size: >800sqm (8600 sq ft), no slope, building envelope etc. See plan.
Parking spaces: 1 on traffic area and 1 garage
Number of storeys: Only 1 full storey plus a recessed upper floor
Roof style: Flat roof; architectural style: rather Bauhaus
Orientation: Front of the house faces southwest
Maximum height/limits: 7–8m (23–26 ft)
Owners’ requirements
We basically have no specific style requirements. A flat roof results partly from the recessed upper floor and height restrictions, which probably don’t allow a pitched roof.
We want a basement with excavation and two daylight rooms (this was more the architect’s idea). Currently, there are three of us, possibly four in the future. Early 30s and a baby.
We had planned for just over 100sqm (1076 sq ft) on the ground floor and about 75% of that upstairs. Currently, it’s roughly 230sqm (2475 sq ft) ground floor and upper floor combined plus terraces, etc., and the basement.
Office: occasional use, not very important.
Number of overnight guests per year: unknown, but a guest room is planned
Open kitchen, kitchen island: We definitely want a separate kitchen area and like the suggestion of an extended island
Number of dining seats: 4 in the kitchen, more like 8 in the dining room
Fireplace: Not very important, probably no.
Music/surround sound system: 5.1 system around the TV
Balcony, roof terrace: Terrace is a must, balcony above the kitchen results from the recessed floor
Garage, carport: The garage width of 4.5m (15 ft) is unusual and probably makes it more expensive.
House design by the architect
What do we particularly like? Why? Good use of the sunny side, and otherwise all our wishes have been taken into account.
Upper floor: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet.
What don’t we like? Why? I could imagine a nicer staircase, perhaps a longer, more open design. Overall, the hallway feels a bit large.
The upper-floor terrace seems somewhat oversized. We are wondering if the overhang casts too much shade on the ground floor.
Price estimate according to architect/planner: with general contractor and all additional costs >900,000€ (over 900,000 euros)
Personal budget limit for the house, including fittings: rather below that.
Preferred heating technology: no opinion so far
Why does the design look like it does?
For example:
There was an initial meeting with the architect during which our wishes were noted.
Ground floor: separated kitchen, combined living/dining area. Another separate room as office/guest room (and possibly bedroom if needed).
Passage from the garage to the house, possibly as a utility room.
Upper floor: 3 rooms plus 2 bathrooms, including one en-suite.
First draft at the second meeting, and at the third meeting this final design was presented.
Ysop*** schrieb:
Personally, I find the entrance to the office on the ground floor a bit too narrow.
I also personally prefer having the kitchen and dining area in one room and the living room in a separate space. But that’s a matter of taste. That’s why I suggested placing the wardrobe there and swapping the kitchen and living room.
I just went through everything once again. What exactly did you mean by swapping the kitchen and the living room? I can’t really picture that right now.
Otherwise, we want a separate kitchen. As planned, it can also be opened to the living/dining area through the sliding door.
From a pure floor planning perspective, I see only two points.
On the ground floor, I would ask the architect to reconsider how to better use the space there. The entrance vestibule should be larger so it can serve as a utility room. Perhaps it could be rotated 90° downward, with the door leading out to the main entrance. But then there is the question of where the staircase would go. The current position works well for the upper floor. If you rotate it 90 degrees to the right/up, where the hallway is now, it no longer fits with access to the guest room and bathroom. So he would probably need to mediate on that.
On the upper floor, I would simply remove the corners in the children’s rooms. For the upper one, this is quite simple, and the potential utility room would then just become a storage closet. That way, the upper room is comfortably 17 sqm (183 sq ft), and a 140cm (55 inches) bed should easily fit, maybe even 180cm (71 inches).
The same applies to the lower children’s room, although one closet would have to go. Then the question is how long the corner is and whether a 140cm (55 inches) bed fits. Otherwise, the bathroom wall would need to be moved down slightly, making the bathroom a bit smaller. Both rooms would then be over 17 sqm (183 sq ft). The parents’ area might be relatively large by comparison, but the children’s rooms would not be small.
Otherwise, we want a separate kitchen. As planned, it can also be opened to the living/dining area through the sliding door.
From a pure floor planning perspective, I see only two points.
On the ground floor, I would ask the architect to reconsider how to better use the space there. The entrance vestibule should be larger so it can serve as a utility room. Perhaps it could be rotated 90° downward, with the door leading out to the main entrance. But then there is the question of where the staircase would go. The current position works well for the upper floor. If you rotate it 90 degrees to the right/up, where the hallway is now, it no longer fits with access to the guest room and bathroom. So he would probably need to mediate on that.
On the upper floor, I would simply remove the corners in the children’s rooms. For the upper one, this is quite simple, and the potential utility room would then just become a storage closet. That way, the upper room is comfortably 17 sqm (183 sq ft), and a 140cm (55 inches) bed should easily fit, maybe even 180cm (71 inches).
The same applies to the lower children’s room, although one closet would have to go. Then the question is how long the corner is and whether a 140cm (55 inches) bed fits. Otherwise, the bathroom wall would need to be moved down slightly, making the bathroom a bit smaller. Both rooms would then be over 17 sqm (183 sq ft). The parents’ area might be relatively large by comparison, but the children’s rooms would not be small.
Benrath schrieb:
So I just went through everything again. What exactly did you mean by swapping the kitchen and living room? I can’t quite picture it right now. Forget it – I was thinking in the wrong thread.
ypg schrieb:
Forget it – I was thinking in the wrong thread Axo
But I have to say, this has already helped me quite a bit, and I do think he put more thought into it than is obvious at first glance.
What would the design for the ground floor look like? The staircase is a bit different now.
Someone mentioned that a longer staircase would be easier to manage as you get older, especially with a lift, etc. The architect initially proposed a spiral staircase.
A guest room and guest bathroom would make more sense this way.
Someone mentioned that a longer staircase would be easier to manage as you get older, especially with a lift, etc. The architect initially proposed a spiral staircase.
A guest room and guest bathroom would make more sense this way.
I find a spiral staircase unsuitable for a house of this size; they are more common in terraced houses. I would prefer straight steps because they are easier to walk on. As you mentioned, I would also make sure the staircase is wide enough in case a stairlift is needed later. Don’t forget to consider the entry and exit areas for the stairlift.
I often wonder whether to have a canopy over the terrace. On one hand, yes, because it protects items left outside. On the other hand, it limits the view of the sky when looking out. It might also make the inside darker, right?
I often wonder whether to have a canopy over the terrace. On one hand, yes, because it protects items left outside. On the other hand, it limits the view of the sky when looking out. It might also make the inside darker, right?
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