Hello everyone,
finally, we have reached an important step… the plot is signed for.
We want to build with an architect and already have some ideas about what we like and what we don’t.
We definitely want to give the architect the opportunity to apply their expertise regarding the floor plan… maybe they can convince us.
But if not, we are currently (almost) quite happy with this self-drawn floor plan.
A few key facts…
Plot size: 660 sqm (about 7100 sq ft), floor area ratio 0.4, no slope, approximately 26m x 25m (85 ft x 82 ft)
Longest building side allowed: max. 15m (about 49 ft)
L-shaped bungalow with covered terrace (southwest side)
We want to build with a basement. This should have windows with natural daylight behind the garage on the east side. There will be 2–3 living rooms down there (playroom, hobby room, later for the kids or grandparents if necessary).
The roof will not be converted into a living space — 20-22° (degrees) pitch, hip roof, for aesthetic reasons.
We know that a basement is more expensive than a second floor, etc. The budget is roughly 650,000–700,000 (currency).
Utility room, laundry room, sauna, etc. will all be located in the basement since there is enough space. 🙂
Now to the floor plan:
We like an open design with a large entrance area.
What we like about this floor plan:
Children’s area separated from parents
Connection from the garage with access to the storage room and basement
Access from kitchen and living room to the terrace possible
Master bedroom with direct view of the garden on the southeast side (in summer the shutters are closed anyway)
Children’s rooms with windows facing west, slightly southwest.
Open questions…
Are the children’s rooms too narrow at almost 3m (about 10 ft)?
Is the living room too narrow at almost 4.5m (about 15 ft)?
The L-shape at the terrace is about 3m (10 ft) deep — here we could possibly adjust a bit to enlarge the children’s rooms.
My wife doesn’t like that the kitchen is visible directly from the entrance area.
(I prefer the kitchen visibility over the living room couch). What do you think is better or worse?
The kitchen window is on the south side, possibly too much sun… maybe we should add an awning if needed.
I can’t fit a second toilet elsewhere without making the children’s rooms even smaller… so it will remain a guest toilet for the parents.
Is a door between the entrance area and the living area for a windbreak useful, or unnecessary? (We have underfloor heating.)
(Maybe a hidden interior door, but I’m unsure what happens if it gets damaged.)
The floor area ratio will be tight… 15m x 15m = 225 sqm (about 11,200 sq ft) + garage + driveway… we might need to reduce the width a bit.
660 sqm x 0.4 = 264 sqm (about 2,840 sq ft).
I have seen many floor plans here… wishes and practicality have to match somewhere.
I’m really curious about the experts’ opinions…
Is it rubbish or usable?
Thanks
finally, we have reached an important step… the plot is signed for.
We want to build with an architect and already have some ideas about what we like and what we don’t.
We definitely want to give the architect the opportunity to apply their expertise regarding the floor plan… maybe they can convince us.
But if not, we are currently (almost) quite happy with this self-drawn floor plan.
A few key facts…
Plot size: 660 sqm (about 7100 sq ft), floor area ratio 0.4, no slope, approximately 26m x 25m (85 ft x 82 ft)
Longest building side allowed: max. 15m (about 49 ft)
L-shaped bungalow with covered terrace (southwest side)
We want to build with a basement. This should have windows with natural daylight behind the garage on the east side. There will be 2–3 living rooms down there (playroom, hobby room, later for the kids or grandparents if necessary).
The roof will not be converted into a living space — 20-22° (degrees) pitch, hip roof, for aesthetic reasons.
We know that a basement is more expensive than a second floor, etc. The budget is roughly 650,000–700,000 (currency).
Utility room, laundry room, sauna, etc. will all be located in the basement since there is enough space. 🙂
Now to the floor plan:
We like an open design with a large entrance area.
What we like about this floor plan:
Children’s area separated from parents
Connection from the garage with access to the storage room and basement
Access from kitchen and living room to the terrace possible
Master bedroom with direct view of the garden on the southeast side (in summer the shutters are closed anyway)
Children’s rooms with windows facing west, slightly southwest.
Open questions…
Are the children’s rooms too narrow at almost 3m (about 10 ft)?
Is the living room too narrow at almost 4.5m (about 15 ft)?
The L-shape at the terrace is about 3m (10 ft) deep — here we could possibly adjust a bit to enlarge the children’s rooms.
My wife doesn’t like that the kitchen is visible directly from the entrance area.
(I prefer the kitchen visibility over the living room couch). What do you think is better or worse?
The kitchen window is on the south side, possibly too much sun… maybe we should add an awning if needed.
I can’t fit a second toilet elsewhere without making the children’s rooms even smaller… so it will remain a guest toilet for the parents.
Is a door between the entrance area and the living area for a windbreak useful, or unnecessary? (We have underfloor heating.)
(Maybe a hidden interior door, but I’m unsure what happens if it gets damaged.)
The floor area ratio will be tight… 15m x 15m = 225 sqm (about 11,200 sq ft) + garage + driveway… we might need to reduce the width a bit.
660 sqm x 0.4 = 264 sqm (about 2,840 sq ft).
I have seen many floor plans here… wishes and practicality have to match somewhere.
I’m really curious about the experts’ opinions…
Is it rubbish or usable?
Thanks
Iotafreak schrieb:
okay, explanations as well?I can provide those too: About the idea:
You are planning a basement living area, but a single-story house on level ground. That is contradictory—feasible, but not or poorly suited for a narrow plot. Living space in the basement involves more than just a daylight window. It works well on a slope, but digging into level ground? And next to the garage? I personally miss a detailed site plan because light wells need their own space and setback rules must be observed. In theory, the corner on the east side between the garage and bedroom would require a large light well... where later the grandparents are supposed to sit? All of this can be better achieved with a construction without a basement going "upwards," which is also friendlier, more comfortable, and cheaper.
Also, you include the garage inside the thermal envelope, which brings many disadvantages.
Since the basement plan is missing here, let's leave that problem aside for now.
As for why you want to build a bungalow: if barrier-free design is the reason, I would point out the necessary stairs to the heating and laundry rooms. Additionally, the layout here with the narrow corridor is not barrier-free.
Iotafreak schrieb:
Children’s area separated from parentsIs that meant to sound charming? The children always have to pass the open entry area/front door if they want to use the bathroom. They are practically segregated from the private zone but directly exposed to guests and parents. I emphasize zoning: private zone/public area. Iotafreak schrieb:
Transition from garage with access to storage room, basementProvided the staircase is not planned too steeply. There really isn’t much space there. Iotafreak schrieb:
Master bedroom with direct view into the southeast garden. (In summer, the shutters are down anyway..)The master bedroom is very difficult to furnish. When entering, you walk into the side piece of furniture. A well-designed room would have space for a wardrobe behind the door so it blends in and doesn’t interfere. A window directly under the bed is also not very comfortable... Iotafreak schrieb:
Children’s room with just under 3m (about 10 feet) too narrow?No, 3 meters (about 10 feet) is good. Iotafreak schrieb:
Living room with just under 4.5m (about 15 feet) too narrow?Well... if you plan a large open-plan space, 4.5 meters (about 15 feet) can feel somewhat narrow. For a terrace located in a corner of the house, it is beneficial for terrace furniture to have a privacy wall as well.
Iotafreak schrieb:
Kitchen window on the south side potentially too much sun...Currently, that is the only window front that lets ample light into the open-plan area. The covered terrace blocks much light from the large windows. To compensate, the kitchen side window is currently the only significant source (I'm excluding the 1.26m (about 4 feet) wide window on the west). But as you have already noticed yourself, it’s questionable. Iotafreak schrieb:
I can’t fit a second WC any other way, otherwise the children’s rooms would be even smaller... So it becomes a parents’ WC.When you reach a point like this, I would recommend starting the planning from scratch. A guest WC in the private zone... the main bathroom more accessible. Where is the logic there? Iotafreak schrieb:
Door between entrance area and living area for wind protection or unnecessary?.. (underfloor heating)For a family, it makes sense to separate the living space, where there might be louder activities like guests or TV in the evening. Yes, it is advisable. Iotafreak schrieb:
We like an open floor plan with a large entrance area.These do not exclude each other 😉 It is a nice entrance area and a fairly large open-plan space. However, I don’t see an open floor plan here. The covered terrace and the narrow corridor, which also has a bend making it a dark tunnel, do not fit the definition of open-plan design. We have a questionnaire that covers further points. The assessment of what you want was gathered from the initial thread, but some information is still missing.
I
Iotafreak6 Apr 2021 15:30haydee schrieb:
Why choose a bungalow with a basement instead of rooms with natural daylight that are cheaper?
That doesn’t make any sense at all.
Please complete the questionnaire fully. Because we find it good both visually and practically... Bungalows have many advantages. It’s not like there are no bungalows in Germany... Among my friends, many have sold their two-story houses since their children moved out and the parents no longer want to deal with stairs... So why not plan it that way from the start? The kids would have enough space in the basement with natural daylight for hobbies, and if they move out, the basement wouldn’t be a problem... I’ll fill out the questionnaire shortly...
I
Iotafreak6 Apr 2021 15:31The Vita house by Weiss inspired us to build.
I
Iotafreak6 Apr 2021 15:52Development Plan/Restrictions
Plot size 660 sqm (7,104 sq ft)
Slope No
Site coverage ratio 0.4
Floor area ratio
Building envelope, building line and boundary flexible, continuous building envelope
Edge development according to LBVO
Number of parking spaces 2
Number of storeys
Roof type hip roof, saddle roof, shed roof
Architectural style
Orientation south
Maximum heights/limits ridge height 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Additional requirements
Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type / angled bungalow, hipped roof
Basement, floors with basement
Number of occupants, age 4 / 36, 35, 4, 0.5
Space requirements on ground floor 4 rooms
Office: family use or home office? Family use
Guests per year 4
Open or closed architecture, open
Traditional or modern construction, modern for us
Open kitchen, kitchen island open kitchen, no kitchen island
Number of dining seats 6
Fireplace yes
Music/stereo wall no
Balcony, roof terrace, terrace
Garage, carport, double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse no
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why certain things should or should not be included, see opening post
House Design
Designed by: Us
- Planner from a construction company No
- Architect planned Yes
- Do-it-yourself hardly at all
What do you like most? Why? see opening post
What do you dislike? Why? see opening post
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 650-700K
Personal price limit for house, including equipment: 700K
Preferred heating technology: gas boiler, underfloor heating
If you have to give up, which details/extensions
- Can be omitted: walk-in closet
- Cannot be omitted: covered terrace and all other rooms. The rest goes into the basement
Why does the design look the way it does now? For example:
Standard design from planner? No, inspiration from Vita Haus by Weiss
Which wishes were implemented by the architect? So far only our own drawings
A mix of many examples from various magazines? No, rather house visits
What makes it particularly good or bad in your eyes? Unknown
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters? see opening post
Plot size 660 sqm (7,104 sq ft)
Slope No
Site coverage ratio 0.4
Floor area ratio
Building envelope, building line and boundary flexible, continuous building envelope
Edge development according to LBVO
Number of parking spaces 2
Number of storeys
Roof type hip roof, saddle roof, shed roof
Architectural style
Orientation south
Maximum heights/limits ridge height 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Additional requirements
Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type / angled bungalow, hipped roof
Basement, floors with basement
Number of occupants, age 4 / 36, 35, 4, 0.5
Space requirements on ground floor 4 rooms
Office: family use or home office? Family use
Guests per year 4
Open or closed architecture, open
Traditional or modern construction, modern for us
Open kitchen, kitchen island open kitchen, no kitchen island
Number of dining seats 6
Fireplace yes
Music/stereo wall no
Balcony, roof terrace, terrace
Garage, carport, double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse no
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why certain things should or should not be included, see opening post
House Design
Designed by: Us
- Planner from a construction company No
- Architect planned Yes
- Do-it-yourself hardly at all
What do you like most? Why? see opening post
What do you dislike? Why? see opening post
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 650-700K
Personal price limit for house, including equipment: 700K
Preferred heating technology: gas boiler, underfloor heating
If you have to give up, which details/extensions
- Can be omitted: walk-in closet
- Cannot be omitted: covered terrace and all other rooms. The rest goes into the basement
Why does the design look the way it does now? For example:
Standard design from planner? No, inspiration from Vita Haus by Weiss
Which wishes were implemented by the architect? So far only our own drawings
A mix of many examples from various magazines? No, rather house visits
What makes it particularly good or bad in your eyes? Unknown
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters? see opening post
Why don’t you just include the roof space?
The basement is essentially a second floor with stairs. You have a second level, it’s just that it doesn’t get any natural light and is expensive to build.
Take a look, for example, at the Schwörerhaus Bungalow E 15-265.2.
When the children have moved out, the house is still large and partly unused. The basement remains empty.
Do you really want to live in a 160 m² (1,722 sq ft) house plus a 160 m² (1,722 sq ft) basement when you become so frail that you can’t use the stairs anymore?
The basement is essentially a second floor with stairs. You have a second level, it’s just that it doesn’t get any natural light and is expensive to build.
Take a look, for example, at the Schwörerhaus Bungalow E 15-265.2.
When the children have moved out, the house is still large and partly unused. The basement remains empty.
Do you really want to live in a 160 m² (1,722 sq ft) house plus a 160 m² (1,722 sq ft) basement when you become so frail that you can’t use the stairs anymore?
I
Iotafreak6 Apr 2021 15:59Here is the site plan. Two plots of land, each 330 sqm (3,550 sq ft), have been combined. South-facing green meadow.
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