ᐅ Initial floor plan draft on graph paper: hillside, basement, plus two stories.
Created on: 2 Jan 2021 13:09
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majuhenema
Disclaimer:
After a long search, we have finally found a plot of land. It is not easy to build on because of a steep slope, but it also has a unique appeal since the north and south sides are undeveloped and should remain so at least in the medium term (both adjacent plots belong to the neighbors uphill). Additionally, we have views of the river and the vineyards beyond to the north, east, and southeast. Therefore, we plan to build two floors above the basement, to reach higher elevation and to have ground-level access to the garden from the first floor.
The shown design is our “dream concept.” We noted our spatial ideas and wishes and sketched them on graph paper. Each square corresponds to 1 meter (3 feet). Our budget excluding the land and landscaping is set at 500,000 euros.
Zoning and Restrictions
Plot size: 682 sqm (approximately 7,338 sq ft)
Slope: Yes, about 6 m (20 feet) downhill from west to east
Gap in an old residential area, no formal zoning plan available, similar houses already built
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building category: open, modern, clearly structured, roof form depending on practicality (height, appearance, photovoltaic panels)
Basement, floors: Basement/entrance level + 2 upper floors
Number of occupants: 2 adults, both 31 years old, no children yet, 2 children’s rooms planned
Space requirements:
Basement: entrance area, office, garage, storage room, technical room
1st floor: living room, dining area, kitchen, utility room, guest toilet, pantry
2nd floor: 2 children’s bedrooms, children’s bathroom, master bathroom, master bedroom, walk-in closet
Occasional guest sleeping: 4 per year (sofa bed in office or utility room)
Open or closed architecture: open
Conservative or modern building style: modern
Open kitchen with island: open, large + island
Seating capacity for dining table: large table (2.40 m x 1 m (8 ft x 3 ft)), seats 6–8 people
Fireplace: optional (not planned due to cost-benefit consideration)
Music/stereo wall: turntable in living/dining area
Balcony, roof terrace: balcony on the east side on the 2nd floor would be great for the location and views
Garage, carport: double garage in the basement, 2 parking spaces in front
Additional wishes/special features/daily routine:
The north and south sides of the plot will remain undeveloped in the short and medium term. To the east is a quiet street (cul-de-sac, with 3 houses beyond us). From north through east to south, there is a river view, so we would like to have access to at least a narrow balcony on the 1st and 2nd floors in those directions. The garden is planned on the south side of the property.
The cooking, dining, and living areas should be as spacious and bright as possible. The other rooms should be practical.
House Design
Who designed it: clients themselves – do-it-yourself
What do you like most? And why?
Clear layout, large living area, children’s bathroom included
What do you dislike? And why?
Staircase preference is a half-landing staircase, but it would be too large for the current plan
Price estimation?
Personal price limit for the house including fixtures and fittings: 500,000 euros excluding landscaping, preferably through a general contractor
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump
If you have to compromise, on which details or features
-can you give up:
fireplace, possibly the balcony on the 2nd floor (reluctantly), smaller living/dining area
-can you not give up:
children’s bathroom, open and spacious design, office, utility room
Why has the design developed the way it is?
The design is based on the spatial concept and orientation on the plot. The house should be placed as far northeast as possible to maximize garden space on the south and west sides.
Note: The basement’s red-shaded area is planned so the house does not appear like a tower. The basement is designed to be wider for aesthetic reasons. Additionally, the basement ceiling is planned to project about 2 m (6.5 ft) to create a canopy and serve as a terrace for the 1st floor.
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
1. Is the floor plan suitable as a planning basis for builders/architects?
2. What works well/less well/not at all?
After a long search, we have finally found a plot of land. It is not easy to build on because of a steep slope, but it also has a unique appeal since the north and south sides are undeveloped and should remain so at least in the medium term (both adjacent plots belong to the neighbors uphill). Additionally, we have views of the river and the vineyards beyond to the north, east, and southeast. Therefore, we plan to build two floors above the basement, to reach higher elevation and to have ground-level access to the garden from the first floor.
The shown design is our “dream concept.” We noted our spatial ideas and wishes and sketched them on graph paper. Each square corresponds to 1 meter (3 feet). Our budget excluding the land and landscaping is set at 500,000 euros.
Zoning and Restrictions
Plot size: 682 sqm (approximately 7,338 sq ft)
Slope: Yes, about 6 m (20 feet) downhill from west to east
Gap in an old residential area, no formal zoning plan available, similar houses already built
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building category: open, modern, clearly structured, roof form depending on practicality (height, appearance, photovoltaic panels)
Basement, floors: Basement/entrance level + 2 upper floors
Number of occupants: 2 adults, both 31 years old, no children yet, 2 children’s rooms planned
Space requirements:
Basement: entrance area, office, garage, storage room, technical room
1st floor: living room, dining area, kitchen, utility room, guest toilet, pantry
2nd floor: 2 children’s bedrooms, children’s bathroom, master bathroom, master bedroom, walk-in closet
Occasional guest sleeping: 4 per year (sofa bed in office or utility room)
Open or closed architecture: open
Conservative or modern building style: modern
Open kitchen with island: open, large + island
Seating capacity for dining table: large table (2.40 m x 1 m (8 ft x 3 ft)), seats 6–8 people
Fireplace: optional (not planned due to cost-benefit consideration)
Music/stereo wall: turntable in living/dining area
Balcony, roof terrace: balcony on the east side on the 2nd floor would be great for the location and views
Garage, carport: double garage in the basement, 2 parking spaces in front
Additional wishes/special features/daily routine:
The north and south sides of the plot will remain undeveloped in the short and medium term. To the east is a quiet street (cul-de-sac, with 3 houses beyond us). From north through east to south, there is a river view, so we would like to have access to at least a narrow balcony on the 1st and 2nd floors in those directions. The garden is planned on the south side of the property.
The cooking, dining, and living areas should be as spacious and bright as possible. The other rooms should be practical.
House Design
Who designed it: clients themselves – do-it-yourself
What do you like most? And why?
Clear layout, large living area, children’s bathroom included
What do you dislike? And why?
Staircase preference is a half-landing staircase, but it would be too large for the current plan
Price estimation?
Personal price limit for the house including fixtures and fittings: 500,000 euros excluding landscaping, preferably through a general contractor
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump
If you have to compromise, on which details or features
-can you give up:
fireplace, possibly the balcony on the 2nd floor (reluctantly), smaller living/dining area
-can you not give up:
children’s bathroom, open and spacious design, office, utility room
Why has the design developed the way it is?
The design is based on the spatial concept and orientation on the plot. The house should be placed as far northeast as possible to maximize garden space on the south and west sides.
Note: The basement’s red-shaded area is planned so the house does not appear like a tower. The basement is designed to be wider for aesthetic reasons. Additionally, the basement ceiling is planned to project about 2 m (6.5 ft) to create a canopy and serve as a terrace for the 1st floor.
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
1. Is the floor plan suitable as a planning basis for builders/architects?
2. What works well/less well/not at all?
M
majuhenema6 Jan 2021 20:25haydee schrieb:
Isn’t the east side above the garage/entrance?You are right.
Garage/entrance on the east, terrace on the south, long lawn area on the west, and a narrow path on the north.
Something is missing.
The plan doesn’t show that the basement ceiling is supposed to extend 2m (6.6 feet) beyond the building to provide a dry spot at the front door and at the same time allow access from the kitchen to the terrace over a narrow path.
We made a small model yesterday that illustrates this quite well. If the orientation is confusing, I can add the cardinal directions.
We should increase our budget to 550,000, right? 😉
Wow
I really like the design.
I no longer consider the budget sufficient. Ground floor/upper floor—regarding the kitchen, I would arrange it differently. For me, the outdoor area is a true living space and should be directly connected to the kitchen. A long walkway or narrow corridor would not work.
I really like the design.
I no longer consider the budget sufficient. Ground floor/upper floor—regarding the kitchen, I would arrange it differently. For me, the outdoor area is a true living space and should be directly connected to the kitchen. A long walkway or narrow corridor would not work.
M
majuhenema6 Jan 2021 21:00Thank you!
How would you arrange the open-plan living area? By mirroring it, you exchange a shorter route for a less favorable layout, since the kitchen would then be on the south side and the living room on the north side. Additionally, we would have to swap the pantry and the restroom. This would result in long distances when someone needs to use the toilet. I don’t have a third idea.
How would you arrange the open-plan living area? By mirroring it, you exchange a shorter route for a less favorable layout, since the kitchen would then be on the south side and the living room on the north side. Additionally, we would have to swap the pantry and the restroom. This would result in long distances when someone needs to use the toilet. I don’t have a third idea.
M
majuhenema6 Jan 2021 21:33..and attached is the window layout. We have also revised the living area and moved the partition wall slightly towards the dining room. For the windows, we made sure that the open-plan area is generously bright, while the less important rooms have a "sensible" amount of light. Additionally, we tried to plan the windows as symmetrically as possible and avoid too many different sizes.
Regarding the sizes, I want to mention that we (still) don’t have much experience with this and did not choose the dimensions based on "standard" sizes.
Regarding the sizes, I want to mention that we (still) don’t have much experience with this and did not choose the dimensions based on "standard" sizes.
You seem to love nature. That’s how I interpret your comment about the country lane.
Nowadays, I drink a coffee or mulled wine in the garden every evening, except when it’s raining heavily. I watch birds, check on my plants, and so on.
We live outside for several months of the year.
I often work on the terrace.
The kitchen with fridge and coffee machine gets used more often than the toilet.
Paint the pantry – you still have a large basement. The staircase should be positioned more towards the north. The kitchen would then be where the toilet/staircase is now. The herb bed would be right outside the door.
Oh, and children spend a lot of time outdoors up to a certain age.
Nowadays, I drink a coffee or mulled wine in the garden every evening, except when it’s raining heavily. I watch birds, check on my plants, and so on.
We live outside for several months of the year.
I often work on the terrace.
The kitchen with fridge and coffee machine gets used more often than the toilet.
Paint the pantry – you still have a large basement. The staircase should be positioned more towards the north. The kitchen would then be where the toilet/staircase is now. The herb bed would be right outside the door.
Oh, and children spend a lot of time outdoors up to a certain age.
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