Hello everyone!
My partner and I have been planning our house for a while now, but as we are approaching the final stage and will soon be able to submit the building permit / planning permission, I am starting to doubt everything. I am quite uncertain whether the ground floor is too "cramped" and if the entrance area, which is 2 m (6.5 feet) wide, is too narrow.
Also, I originally wanted a straight staircase, but it doesn’t fit into the hallway. That’s why our draftsman suggested the staircase with a landing shown in the plan. But isn’t it strange if the staircase entrance is basically in the middle of the room?
We chose the recessed entrance so the house looks somewhat “special” and “more open” from the outside. It will also be highlighted with a different color.
I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism, comments, ideas, or questions!
Best regards
Anna
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 580 sqm (6,243 sq ft)
Slope: south-facing, approx. 4 m (13 feet) drop from street level
Floor area ratio (FAR): 0.4
Gross floor area ratio (GFAR): -
Building envelope, building line and boundary: see plan
Edge development: permitted
Number of parking spaces: at least 2
Number of storeys: 2 full storeys
Roof style: freely selectable
Architectural style: open
Orientation: open
Max. heights / limits: max. building top edge of 8.5 m (28 feet)
Slight projection of building parts beyond the building boundary is allowed.
Homeowners’ Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: townhouse / urban villa
Basement / floors: 2, double garage to be built under the basement
Number of occupants, age: 2 persons, aged 27 & 30
Space requirements on ground and upper floors:
Office: mixed use – family use or home office
Guest overnight stays per year: 2 (if any)
Open or closed layout: open plan
Conservative or modern construction: classic-modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6-8
Fireplace: no
Music / stereo wall: no
Balcony / roof terrace: no
Garage / carport: double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
House Design
Origin of design:
The design is by me, and our construction company tried to implement it as is.
What do you particularly like? Why? The basement with its open design
What don’t you like? Why? The ground floor looks very cramped
Preferred heating system: we must use district heating
If you have to give up something, which details / expansions
-can you give up: the hobby / TV room, the access from the garage to the house
-can’t give up: dressing room, pantry
Why did the design end up as it is now?
We are building on a slope but want the living area in the basement with direct garden access.
I found it difficult to place the entrance on the ground floor sensibly so that strangers (parcel delivery, courier service, etc.) are not immediately in the private area of the ground floor (for example, not directly next to the bedroom or able to look into the basement from the front door). I hope you understand what I mean.
Our builder implemented this accordingly.
My partner and I have been planning our house for a while now, but as we are approaching the final stage and will soon be able to submit the building permit / planning permission, I am starting to doubt everything. I am quite uncertain whether the ground floor is too "cramped" and if the entrance area, which is 2 m (6.5 feet) wide, is too narrow.
Also, I originally wanted a straight staircase, but it doesn’t fit into the hallway. That’s why our draftsman suggested the staircase with a landing shown in the plan. But isn’t it strange if the staircase entrance is basically in the middle of the room?
We chose the recessed entrance so the house looks somewhat “special” and “more open” from the outside. It will also be highlighted with a different color.
I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism, comments, ideas, or questions!
Best regards
Anna
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 580 sqm (6,243 sq ft)
Slope: south-facing, approx. 4 m (13 feet) drop from street level
Floor area ratio (FAR): 0.4
Gross floor area ratio (GFAR): -
Building envelope, building line and boundary: see plan
Edge development: permitted
Number of parking spaces: at least 2
Number of storeys: 2 full storeys
Roof style: freely selectable
Architectural style: open
Orientation: open
Max. heights / limits: max. building top edge of 8.5 m (28 feet)
Slight projection of building parts beyond the building boundary is allowed.
Homeowners’ Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: townhouse / urban villa
Basement / floors: 2, double garage to be built under the basement
Number of occupants, age: 2 persons, aged 27 & 30
Space requirements on ground and upper floors:
Office: mixed use – family use or home office
Guest overnight stays per year: 2 (if any)
Open or closed layout: open plan
Conservative or modern construction: classic-modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6-8
Fireplace: no
Music / stereo wall: no
Balcony / roof terrace: no
Garage / carport: double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
House Design
Origin of design:
The design is by me, and our construction company tried to implement it as is.
What do you particularly like? Why? The basement with its open design
What don’t you like? Why? The ground floor looks very cramped
Preferred heating system: we must use district heating
If you have to give up something, which details / expansions
-can you give up: the hobby / TV room, the access from the garage to the house
-can’t give up: dressing room, pantry
Why did the design end up as it is now?
We are building on a slope but want the living area in the basement with direct garden access.
I found it difficult to place the entrance on the ground floor sensibly so that strangers (parcel delivery, courier service, etc.) are not immediately in the private area of the ground floor (for example, not directly next to the bedroom or able to look into the basement from the front door). I hope you understand what I mean.
Our builder implemented this accordingly.
hampshire schrieb:
A nice design for a small family who can live without a lot of "stuff," as storage space is limited. I think that’s a good thing, and I’ve been living in our house with limited storage for about 1.5 years now. It’s beneficial not to accumulate too many things. I like the fairly private area for the child—the more independent they become, the better this setup works. I imagine a "town villa-style" roof wouldn’t suit the house very well. A gently sloped shed roof that creates a higher ceiling height on the south side could give the house a special flair. You could also play with tall clerestory windows there. For this house, I can also very well imagine a slightly raised parapet and a flat roof with a photovoltaic system oriented primarily to the east, hidden from view.
Here are a few more thoughts:
- The entrance hallway is quite large in square meters but offers little space for a coat area—high construction costs for little practical use.
- I would reconsider the living area—why would you want to sit with your back to the window, especially since there is a TV room? It’s better to face the garden than look at a cabinet.
- Consider adding another window to the living room; you can never have too much light and on very sunny days, you can always close it. Perhaps the middle pane in the living room could also be designed as a walk-through opening to the garden—fresh air contributes to quality of life for many months of the year. Instinctively, this would also be the place where the most “running routes” lead outside.
- A window strip above the bed brings in morning sun.
- Try arranging the guest room furniture to see how you get past the bed to the utility room. I would possibly also make the access to the utility room from outside (either directly or through the storage room). From experience, this is not a practical disadvantage.
- Who will use the TV room? With a teenager, this could cause noise conflicts at bedtime.
I would also like a shed roof very much, but my partner does not want one. This TV room is more intended as a "soccer/football room" for watching Bundesliga. It was a small compromise I had to make 😀. If needed, the sofa there can also be pulled out so guests can sleep. The lower guest room is rather meant to serve as an office or ironing room.
Did you plan for a child or is the child's room just leftover space?
If you have planned for a child, I find the location impractical.
I would arrange it together with the TV room — meaning the door should be within the private area.
It’s not ideal to always have to walk past the entrance in pajamas.
The others have already mentioned the rest, and I can only agree.
If you have planned for a child, I find the location impractical.
I would arrange it together with the TV room — meaning the door should be within the private area.
It’s not ideal to always have to walk past the entrance in pajamas.
The others have already mentioned the rest, and I can only agree.
haydee schrieb:
Have you planned for a child, or is the children's room just there by chance?
If you have planned for a child, I find the location impractical.
I would suggest placing it next to the TV room—meaning the door would be in the private area.
Walking past the entrance in pajamas all the time isn’t very comfortable.
Others have already mentioned the rest, and I agree with them. Yes, a child is planned. The more I look at the floor plan, the less sure I am how to remodel it.
I am missing elevations, contour lines, and height points. I would accept the suggestion to angle the corner for a wider hallway passage. I would leave out the interior door between the garages. Although the room sizes differ, I would swap the guest room and the sports/viewing room. What exactly does the homeowner object to regarding the proposed shed roof?
Rotate the staircase where the landing is drawn. This will shorten it by about three steps. The house will certainly not be boring even without smoky eye-style decorations or similar around the front door.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
agSchuh schrieb:
But isn’t it odd if the bottom of the stairs is basically in the middle of the room?
We chose the recessed entrance so that the house has something a bit “special” or “open” from the outside. This area will also be highlighted with a different color.
Rotate the staircase where the landing is drawn. This will shorten it by about three steps. The house will certainly not be boring even without smoky eye-style decorations or similar around the front door.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
I mostly agree with the objections raised here: the child’s room is isolated, the cloakroom feels awkward next to the staircase, and the ground floor appears quite cramped.
...
What I really like is that you incorporated the terrain and slope into your planning right from the start. This is definitely the best way to enjoy life with the house and garden. Many people forget the garden and only plan a balcony on the upper floor.
I would like to try something. But your posted photos seem to be nothing more than screenshots: I can’t clearly read any numbers on my screen in the separate window. Could you please upload everything again in higher quality?
...
What I really like is that you incorporated the terrain and slope into your planning right from the start. This is definitely the best way to enjoy life with the house and garden. Many people forget the garden and only plan a balcony on the upper floor.
agSchuh schrieb:
The more I look at the floor plan, the less I know how to remodel it.
I would like to try something. But your posted photos seem to be nothing more than screenshots: I can’t clearly read any numbers on my screen in the separate window. Could you please upload everything again in higher quality?
ypg schrieb:
I agree with most of the concerns raised here: child’s room seems left out, the wardrobe area feels awkward with the staircase, and the downstairs layout appears quite cramped.
...
What I really like is that you planned the house according to the terrain and slope. That’s definitely the best approach to enjoy life with both house and garden. Many people forget about the garden and only plan a balcony on the upper floor.
I would like to try something. But the photos you posted seem to be only screenshots: on my screen, I can’t read any numbers clearly in the separate window. Could you please upload everything in higher quality? Is this better?
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