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.
haydee schrieb:
Two sinks for the kids. They often need to leave the house at the same time and can brush their teeth together. Later on, when that’s no longer possible, at least no one complains about the other person’s tubes and containers. The cleaning effort argument doesn’t count. It’s not a big deal. That’s an argument against a kids’ bathroom. But if you have a son and a daughter, that never works.
That’s why I would put one sink with a faucet in the kids’ bathroom and then a large vanity with two faucets in the parents’ bathroom. I agree here with the opinion of @Tarnari.
Baufie schrieb:
But if you have a son and a daughter, that never works.
That’s why I would install a sink with a faucet in the kids’ bathroom and then a large vanity with two faucets in the master bathroom. I agree with @Tarnari on this. So with a son and daughter, one sink is enough? I would have thought exactly the opposite.
Benrath schrieb:
So, with a son and daughter, is one washbasin enough? I would have thought the opposite. Do you really think your teenage daughter will share the bathroom with her brother in the morning?
It worked out for us. Sometimes I really think kids are allowed to be a bit too difficult. We had one bathroom for four people, and yes, since everyone had to leave in the morning but also wanted to stay in bed as long as possible, there was some congestion in the bathroom. Over time, we developed a workable routine that functioned well.
Now the kids each have their own bathroom – which is already quite nice (although I would definitely teach them early on that they are responsible for keeping it clean). Meanwhile, this forum is debating whether a teenage girl and a teenage boy want to share a bathroom. Seriously? Are you kidding me?
Those who cause trouble have to get up earlier and then have the bathroom to themselves. Let the teenagers figure that out among themselves. Double sinks or not? If you have the space, I would go for it. I know my brother and I had (and still have) different standards of cleanliness, and conflicts can be avoided from the start if everyone has their own washbasin and can keep it how they like. Plus, then everyone has their own storage space for their stuff. Whether the bathrooms are used simultaneously or not doesn’t really matter. There’s still enough argument potential over cleaning the shower, toilet, and bathtub.
Now the kids each have their own bathroom – which is already quite nice (although I would definitely teach them early on that they are responsible for keeping it clean). Meanwhile, this forum is debating whether a teenage girl and a teenage boy want to share a bathroom. Seriously? Are you kidding me?
Those who cause trouble have to get up earlier and then have the bathroom to themselves. Let the teenagers figure that out among themselves. Double sinks or not? If you have the space, I would go for it. I know my brother and I had (and still have) different standards of cleanliness, and conflicts can be avoided from the start if everyone has their own washbasin and can keep it how they like. Plus, then everyone has their own storage space for their stuff. Whether the bathrooms are used simultaneously or not doesn’t really matter. There’s still enough argument potential over cleaning the shower, toilet, and bathtub.
Climbee schrieb:
Now the kids even have their own bathroom – that’s pretty nice (though I would teach the little rascals early on that they are responsible for keeping it clean themselves) In my view, a kids’ bathroom only makes sense if it also carries the educational aspect that the children form a community of users bound by responsibility for it. It doesn’t work with kids who confuse “mom” with full coverage insurance. In other words, the concept of a “kids’ bathroom” only becomes complete when it means they are not allowed to use the parents’ bathroom anymore. If the plaque in their bathroom already needs to be blasted away with a wrecking ball, then simply using the parents’ bathroom is a mess. The kids need to learn to clean properly in time (or at least understand that regular cleaning means less heavy scrubbing).
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