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.
Why the "master bathroom" is supposed to be a disaster, you’ll have to explain. Apart from the parents, no one else should be using it; the kids have their own bathroom. It’s the same in our case, ensuite, but since my house is only about one-third the size of this house, the bathroom is tiny and you can hear everything happening in there. Our kids' bathroom is actually bigger.
Of course, it would be better if you could access the bathroom through the walk-in closet.
Of course, it would be better if you could access the bathroom through the walk-in closet.
As I understand it, the issue is that
The point is that the master bathroom feels trapped, and you disturb the other person if they are still/asleep. This can be solved by accessing the parents’ area through the walk-in closet and, for example, entering the bathroom on the left and the bedroom on the right. I would find that a better solution than sleeping directly next to the bathroom.
Aphrodithe schrieb:
This is complete nonsense since there is an additional bathroom here (children’s bathroom)! I think you don’t understand the concept of a master bathroom/en suite bathroom!
The point is that the master bathroom feels trapped, and you disturb the other person if they are still/asleep. This can be solved by accessing the parents’ area through the walk-in closet and, for example, entering the bathroom on the left and the bedroom on the right. I would find that a better solution than sleeping directly next to the bathroom.
Exactly! It’s not about WHO uses the bathroom, but HOW it needs to be used.
In the morning, I get up, go from the bedroom to the dressing room, then back through the bedroom into the bathroom. Then I pass through the bedroom again because I forgot something... and this can be repeated as often as needed.
Very practical... Not!
In the morning, I get up, go from the bedroom to the dressing room, then back through the bedroom into the bathroom. Then I pass through the bedroom again because I forgot something... and this can be repeated as often as needed.
Very practical... Not!
A
Alessandro24 Nov 2020 07:42You get dressed before going to the bathroom?
In that case, I wouldn’t put much stock in your advice :p
In that case, I wouldn’t put much stock in your advice :p
Oh, sorry, I totally forgot to update and include the views.
The design has changed a bit.
I would do the basement slightly differently, but it’s not that important. I would combine the hallway and the utility room there.
Do you have a separation between the basement and the ground floor? With a door?
The ground floor looks different now. I’m still undecided whether I should move the door to the living room to align it with the wall, so the hallway would be a bit larger.
The kitchen was his suggestion, probably driven more by the exterior appearance. We are also still considering if we want a separate stove island and a table, for example, in the top right corner.
More space for upper cabinets would result if we made the window below smaller. As it is now, it already looks better. He revised the angled connection idea on his own. I still don’t really understand what was so bad about it. The main argument so far has always been “that’s not how it’s done.” Great.
The upper floor’s bathroom situation has been fixed. I would still consider swapping the bathroom and bedroom to make the bedroom a bit bigger.
We don’t really need the extra divider for the toilet either.
One kid’s room is slightly larger than the other, but well, it is what it is.
There’s still a window missing in the kid’s bathroom, and the window in the utility room on the upper floor is unnecessarily large.
The design has changed a bit.
I would do the basement slightly differently, but it’s not that important. I would combine the hallway and the utility room there.
Do you have a separation between the basement and the ground floor? With a door?
The ground floor looks different now. I’m still undecided whether I should move the door to the living room to align it with the wall, so the hallway would be a bit larger.
The kitchen was his suggestion, probably driven more by the exterior appearance. We are also still considering if we want a separate stove island and a table, for example, in the top right corner.
More space for upper cabinets would result if we made the window below smaller. As it is now, it already looks better. He revised the angled connection idea on his own. I still don’t really understand what was so bad about it. The main argument so far has always been “that’s not how it’s done.” Great.
The upper floor’s bathroom situation has been fixed. I would still consider swapping the bathroom and bedroom to make the bedroom a bit bigger.
We don’t really need the extra divider for the toilet either.
One kid’s room is slightly larger than the other, but well, it is what it is.
There’s still a window missing in the kid’s bathroom, and the window in the utility room on the upper floor is unnecessarily large.
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