ᐅ Floor Plan Design for a Single-Family Home on a Sloped Site
Created on: 23 Nov 2020 16:56
J
JayneCobb
Hello everyone,
As I introduced myself here in the general forum, we have had several discussions with different general contractors, both for solid construction and timber frame.
We are now at the point where we have received some floor plan proposals.
I would like to present to you here (firstly?) the draft from the company Holz 1, which we particularly like because of the gallery and because it includes many of the features we communicated in advance.
I redrew this myself, so please forgive me if some elements appear a bit amateurish.
Most of the windows are not included in the drawing. What we would find extremely appealing is the (probably very expensive) idea of extending the eastern glass area at the southeast corner over two floors, but I couldn’t quickly find this option in the program.
I sketched in the larger bed on the ground floor to show proportions, as this room could potentially serve as a bedroom for us later.
From the linked thread above, it was already suggested by several forum members to locate the living/dining area on the garden level and the sleeping area upstairs.
Our reasons for planning it this way (though we are not yet entirely fixed):
- significantly shorter distances for carrying groceries, taking out trash, etc.
- nicer view from the living area into the greenery/mini-valley I described compared to the basement level
- more spacious feeling with an open ceiling/the gallery
- entering and being able to "just relax"
- simple accommodation of a frailty scenario (potentially living on one floor later, at least for a certain time)
We appreciate any further comments, ideas, etc. — thank you in advance!
Development Plan / Restrictions
Lot size: 791 sqm (8505 sq ft)
Slope: yes
Site coverage ratio: 0.35
Floor area ratio: 0.6
Building envelope, building line and boundary: see attachment
Number of parking spaces: 2 (double garage planned)
Number of floors: 2 to 2.5 (garden floor, ground floor, and possibly half an attic as a gallery with open space above ground floor)
Roof type: gable roof (35-42° specified)
Orientation: still open
Maximum heights/limits: ridge height 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in); eaves height 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)
Additional requirements: Distance from house to street approx. 4.50 m (15 ft), terrain slopes downward from street
Owners’ Requirements
Style, roof form, building type:
Unfortunately, the development plan restricts us to a gable roof; if we had free choice, I would have opted for a clear Bauhaus style.
Basement, floors:
Garden floor 1/4 basement, 3/4 sleeping area. Above that, ground floor as living area, possibly a half open attic (gallery with open space + 1 room).
Number of people, ages:
3-4 people: 44 and 46 years old; son 1.5 years old, and husband’s 12-year-old daughter (she either spends every second weekend there or lives there permanently).
Space requirements on ground and upper floors:
Because the garage will likely need a basement due to the slope, we have planned the basement (storage, possibly workshop) there with access both from the garden side and from inside the house. On the garden/basement floor itself: technical room and laundry, three bedrooms, and main bathroom. On the ground floor (level with street, also accessible from garage) is the living area with kitchen, open living and dining area, pantry/utility room, an office/guest room, and a guest bathroom. An architect from a developer suggested the possibility of a half attic as a gallery with open space over the living area and a small room (guest room, office), which I really like.
Office: family use or home office?
There will definitely be some home office usage.
Number of guests per year:
Hard to say, but a small guest room is planned.
Open or closed architecture:
Rather open in the living area; above all, the view into the unbuildable, sloping green space (southeast) should be emphasized by high ceilings (no intermediate floor there) and large windows.
Open kitchen, kitchen island:
Kitchen can be separated by sliding door; no kitchen island needed.
Number of dining seats:
6
Fireplace:
Preferred (or wood stove), but not a must.
Music/Stereo wall:
Yes
Balcony, roof terrace:
Balcony on the ground floor facing southeast (preferably partly recessed into the house, but probably too little space), south side.
Garage, carport:
Garage preferred.
Productive garden, greenhouse:
Partly productive garden, partly digging/play area, partly nice to look at, partly play options for our son.
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be:
We imagine a KfW55 standard house prepared for photovoltaic system installation.
I want the ground floor designed so that if mobility becomes limited in the future, we don’t have to move out immediately but can live on one level. Therefore, an additional room on the ground floor is a must, currently used as office/guest room and potentially convertible into a bedroom. For the same reason, the guest bathroom should already have a shower, and somewhere on the ground floor space for washing machine connections should be planned.
I personally lean toward spaciousness and many rooms but notice that the budget clearly limits this. My partner is more minimalist and wouldn’t mind if the house isn’t too large.
House Design
Planner:
Planner from a construction company
What do you particularly like? Why?
Gallery/open space (openness)
What do you not like? Why?
Less space (e.g. currently small bathroom, which can be adjusted) — budget-driven
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
520,000-550,000 euros gross (very rough estimate, no formal offer yet)
Personal price limit for house including fittings:
530,000 euros (but never say never)
Preferred heating technology:
Air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up, on which details/extensions
- can you live without:
Garage can be shorter
- can you not live without:
Something open (some special feature/beautiful detail)
View of the biotope strip to the southeast
Why is the design the way it is now?
Were the corresponding/which wishes implemented by the architect?
Yes.
What makes it particularly good or bad in your eyes?
Airy, sufficient number of rooms
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
Is the layout of the house suitable to meet our requirements?
As I introduced myself here in the general forum, we have had several discussions with different general contractors, both for solid construction and timber frame.
We are now at the point where we have received some floor plan proposals.
I would like to present to you here (firstly?) the draft from the company Holz 1, which we particularly like because of the gallery and because it includes many of the features we communicated in advance.
I redrew this myself, so please forgive me if some elements appear a bit amateurish.
Most of the windows are not included in the drawing. What we would find extremely appealing is the (probably very expensive) idea of extending the eastern glass area at the southeast corner over two floors, but I couldn’t quickly find this option in the program.
I sketched in the larger bed on the ground floor to show proportions, as this room could potentially serve as a bedroom for us later.
From the linked thread above, it was already suggested by several forum members to locate the living/dining area on the garden level and the sleeping area upstairs.
Our reasons for planning it this way (though we are not yet entirely fixed):
- significantly shorter distances for carrying groceries, taking out trash, etc.
- nicer view from the living area into the greenery/mini-valley I described compared to the basement level
- more spacious feeling with an open ceiling/the gallery
- entering and being able to "just relax"
- simple accommodation of a frailty scenario (potentially living on one floor later, at least for a certain time)
We appreciate any further comments, ideas, etc. — thank you in advance!
Development Plan / Restrictions
Lot size: 791 sqm (8505 sq ft)
Slope: yes
Site coverage ratio: 0.35
Floor area ratio: 0.6
Building envelope, building line and boundary: see attachment
Number of parking spaces: 2 (double garage planned)
Number of floors: 2 to 2.5 (garden floor, ground floor, and possibly half an attic as a gallery with open space above ground floor)
Roof type: gable roof (35-42° specified)
Orientation: still open
Maximum heights/limits: ridge height 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in); eaves height 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)
Additional requirements: Distance from house to street approx. 4.50 m (15 ft), terrain slopes downward from street
Owners’ Requirements
Style, roof form, building type:
Unfortunately, the development plan restricts us to a gable roof; if we had free choice, I would have opted for a clear Bauhaus style.
Basement, floors:
Garden floor 1/4 basement, 3/4 sleeping area. Above that, ground floor as living area, possibly a half open attic (gallery with open space + 1 room).
Number of people, ages:
3-4 people: 44 and 46 years old; son 1.5 years old, and husband’s 12-year-old daughter (she either spends every second weekend there or lives there permanently).
Space requirements on ground and upper floors:
Because the garage will likely need a basement due to the slope, we have planned the basement (storage, possibly workshop) there with access both from the garden side and from inside the house. On the garden/basement floor itself: technical room and laundry, three bedrooms, and main bathroom. On the ground floor (level with street, also accessible from garage) is the living area with kitchen, open living and dining area, pantry/utility room, an office/guest room, and a guest bathroom. An architect from a developer suggested the possibility of a half attic as a gallery with open space over the living area and a small room (guest room, office), which I really like.
Office: family use or home office?
There will definitely be some home office usage.
Number of guests per year:
Hard to say, but a small guest room is planned.
Open or closed architecture:
Rather open in the living area; above all, the view into the unbuildable, sloping green space (southeast) should be emphasized by high ceilings (no intermediate floor there) and large windows.
Open kitchen, kitchen island:
Kitchen can be separated by sliding door; no kitchen island needed.
Number of dining seats:
6
Fireplace:
Preferred (or wood stove), but not a must.
Music/Stereo wall:
Yes
Balcony, roof terrace:
Balcony on the ground floor facing southeast (preferably partly recessed into the house, but probably too little space), south side.
Garage, carport:
Garage preferred.
Productive garden, greenhouse:
Partly productive garden, partly digging/play area, partly nice to look at, partly play options for our son.
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be:
We imagine a KfW55 standard house prepared for photovoltaic system installation.
I want the ground floor designed so that if mobility becomes limited in the future, we don’t have to move out immediately but can live on one level. Therefore, an additional room on the ground floor is a must, currently used as office/guest room and potentially convertible into a bedroom. For the same reason, the guest bathroom should already have a shower, and somewhere on the ground floor space for washing machine connections should be planned.
I personally lean toward spaciousness and many rooms but notice that the budget clearly limits this. My partner is more minimalist and wouldn’t mind if the house isn’t too large.
House Design
Planner:
Planner from a construction company
What do you particularly like? Why?
Gallery/open space (openness)
What do you not like? Why?
Less space (e.g. currently small bathroom, which can be adjusted) — budget-driven
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
520,000-550,000 euros gross (very rough estimate, no formal offer yet)
Personal price limit for house including fittings:
530,000 euros (but never say never)
Preferred heating technology:
Air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up, on which details/extensions
- can you live without:
Garage can be shorter
- can you not live without:
Something open (some special feature/beautiful detail)
View of the biotope strip to the southeast
Why is the design the way it is now?
Were the corresponding/which wishes implemented by the architect?
Yes.
What makes it particularly good or bad in your eyes?
Airy, sufficient number of rooms
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
Is the layout of the house suitable to meet our requirements?
Get inspired by the garden. Just be careful not to find out that your property is missing at least 5000 sqm (1.24 acres).
Create a path so you can bring wheelbarrows and similar tools from the street into the garden.
What do you think of the following layout?
Basement: technical room, multipurpose room, restroom
Ground floor: guest room, older daughter’s room, office, bathroom, gallery with a view and a cozy seating area
Attic: master bedroom, bathroom, younger child’s room
Balcony is removed
Slightly smaller footprint
Open gallery
Design everything so that when you enter the front door, you can hang your coat and your view immediately leads to the gallery with large windows. This way, you won’t feel like you’re entering a dark basement—especially since you want windows running through both floors.
Create a path so you can bring wheelbarrows and similar tools from the street into the garden.
What do you think of the following layout?
Basement: technical room, multipurpose room, restroom
Ground floor: guest room, older daughter’s room, office, bathroom, gallery with a view and a cozy seating area
Attic: master bedroom, bathroom, younger child’s room
Balcony is removed
Slightly smaller footprint
Open gallery
Design everything so that when you enter the front door, you can hang your coat and your view immediately leads to the gallery with large windows. This way, you won’t feel like you’re entering a dark basement—especially since you want windows running through both floors.
J
JayneCobb18 Apr 2021 15:24Hello everyone,
after a long time and a change of plans (originally, we had decided to build with Company Wood 1, but their offer was roughly 80,000–100,000 euros higher than the offers from the solid construction companies), we have now decided to build with Company Solid 2.
Based on the design already shared here (this house was built three years ago) and our wishes (see the first post in this thread), the following first draft was created (north is to the "left").
The biggest change compared to our wishes was removing the gallery that I loved, meaning that the roof is only partly open down to the ground floor.
Both the construction company and the architect strongly advised against this for financial reasons (at least 25,000 euros extra) and energy efficiency.
Instead, it was suggested to increase the ceiling height further to achieve the more spacious feeling I wanted.
We would really appreciate your opinions!
We already like the draft quite a bit.
What we will probably change:
Ground floor (GF):
- Reading window (also) in the living room, instead of extending the panoramic window so far to the left
- In the dining corner of the outdoor seating area, not only on the south side ("right") but also on the east side a lift-and-slide door unit, so both can be opened to create a bit of a "covered balcony" feeling
- Do not extend the wall between the staircase and kitchen quite as far into the kitchen, leaving room for a shelf or counter space to place things
Basement:
- Second toilet is not necessarily needed
- Side windows in the children's rooms either omitted or placed only at the top (to prevent people looking in from outside)
Notes:
- In the living area, it feels like there are very few walls suitable for placing shelves or similar items… Of course, this is due to considering my desire for a nice view. What do you think—is there too little wall space here?
- Under the outdoor seating area on the ground floor it says "access to the garden," in case it’s not readable. The exact design of this is still to be clarified.
- Although several members mentioned it, the architect apparently (for now?) does not see a problem with connecting the garage and house. This "airlock" on the ground floor between the garage and the house would be nice for us but is not a must; we will specifically ask the architect about this.
- This thread has mentioned that a passage to the garage basement can be problematic for several reasons. I will also discuss this with the architect.
after a long time and a change of plans (originally, we had decided to build with Company Wood 1, but their offer was roughly 80,000–100,000 euros higher than the offers from the solid construction companies), we have now decided to build with Company Solid 2.
Based on the design already shared here (this house was built three years ago) and our wishes (see the first post in this thread), the following first draft was created (north is to the "left").
The biggest change compared to our wishes was removing the gallery that I loved, meaning that the roof is only partly open down to the ground floor.
Both the construction company and the architect strongly advised against this for financial reasons (at least 25,000 euros extra) and energy efficiency.
Instead, it was suggested to increase the ceiling height further to achieve the more spacious feeling I wanted.
We would really appreciate your opinions!
We already like the draft quite a bit.
What we will probably change:
Ground floor (GF):
- Reading window (also) in the living room, instead of extending the panoramic window so far to the left
- In the dining corner of the outdoor seating area, not only on the south side ("right") but also on the east side a lift-and-slide door unit, so both can be opened to create a bit of a "covered balcony" feeling
- Do not extend the wall between the staircase and kitchen quite as far into the kitchen, leaving room for a shelf or counter space to place things
Basement:
- Second toilet is not necessarily needed
- Side windows in the children's rooms either omitted or placed only at the top (to prevent people looking in from outside)
Notes:
- In the living area, it feels like there are very few walls suitable for placing shelves or similar items… Of course, this is due to considering my desire for a nice view. What do you think—is there too little wall space here?
- Under the outdoor seating area on the ground floor it says "access to the garden," in case it’s not readable. The exact design of this is still to be clarified.
- Although several members mentioned it, the architect apparently (for now?) does not see a problem with connecting the garage and house. This "airlock" on the ground floor between the garage and the house would be nice for us but is not a must; we will specifically ask the architect about this.
- This thread has mentioned that a passage to the garage basement can be problematic for several reasons. I will also discuss this with the architect.
At first glance, many things stand out positively, for example:
1) Convenient separation/connection between cooking and dining areas: an open kitchen that is still not "right in the middle of the living room."
2) Straight staircase.
3) Between the bedroom and the children's room, there is not too much and not too little proximity: doors are far apart, and hopefully the wall is quite soundproof.
4) My highlight: an elegant solution to the “sloping site house dilemma.” In many hillside houses, the shortest way from the living room to the garden goes through a children’s room or bedroom on the lower level — not here. And the small foyer also creates a certain separation from the parents’ area.
A few things I would improve:
a) In my opinion, a walk-in closet that is not a pass-through room can be spared. The main advantage of a walk-in closet is that a partner who gets up earlier can quietly get their clothes while the other continues to sleep. That is not possible here. Perhaps you could consider installing a door between the walk-in closet and the bathroom. However, the shower would have to be moved elsewhere.
b) The shower on the ground floor will probably never be used. From the sleeping area, you have to walk through the entire house to get there — and also through the “dirty” foyer where you take off your outdoor shoes.
c) No door between the foyer and the living room.
d) No door between the living room and the children’s area: Consider the case when you have visitors in the evening and your children want to sleep. The best place for this door could be the entrance to the children’s area.
1) Convenient separation/connection between cooking and dining areas: an open kitchen that is still not "right in the middle of the living room."
2) Straight staircase.
3) Between the bedroom and the children's room, there is not too much and not too little proximity: doors are far apart, and hopefully the wall is quite soundproof.
4) My highlight: an elegant solution to the “sloping site house dilemma.” In many hillside houses, the shortest way from the living room to the garden goes through a children’s room or bedroom on the lower level — not here. And the small foyer also creates a certain separation from the parents’ area.
A few things I would improve:
a) In my opinion, a walk-in closet that is not a pass-through room can be spared. The main advantage of a walk-in closet is that a partner who gets up earlier can quietly get their clothes while the other continues to sleep. That is not possible here. Perhaps you could consider installing a door between the walk-in closet and the bathroom. However, the shower would have to be moved elsewhere.
b) The shower on the ground floor will probably never be used. From the sleeping area, you have to walk through the entire house to get there — and also through the “dirty” foyer where you take off your outdoor shoes.
c) No door between the foyer and the living room.
d) No door between the living room and the children’s area: Consider the case when you have visitors in the evening and your children want to sleep. The best place for this door could be the entrance to the children’s area.
The house is intended to accommodate a family of four, but in the 2.2m (7.2 feet) wide kitchen, once the cabinets are in place, there’s barely room for one person to move comfortably. However, you do have dining space for eight people 🤨 🤨 🤨, so something doesn’t quite add up...
The bedroom also feels quite tight at 2.95m (9.7 feet). Many beds are already around 2.2–2.3m (7.2–7.5 feet) long, and with a TV mounted on the wall, it will also feel rather cramped when walking through.
I find the stair pitch rather steep for a staircase that will be used so frequently...
The shower on the ground floor has already been mentioned. I’m also a fan of having an extra shower in the house, but in this case, you’d have to walk across the entire house in a bathrobe...
The hallway near the bedrooms is completely without natural light. At 2 p.m., the lights need to be at 100% because no sunlight reaches inside...
I would fundamentally reconsider the layout.
The bedroom also feels quite tight at 2.95m (9.7 feet). Many beds are already around 2.2–2.3m (7.2–7.5 feet) long, and with a TV mounted on the wall, it will also feel rather cramped when walking through.
I find the stair pitch rather steep for a staircase that will be used so frequently...
The shower on the ground floor has already been mentioned. I’m also a fan of having an extra shower in the house, but in this case, you’d have to walk across the entire house in a bathrobe...
The hallway near the bedrooms is completely without natural light. At 2 p.m., the lights need to be at 100% because no sunlight reaches inside...
I would fundamentally reconsider the layout.
Unfortunately, I’m not completely up to date on where exactly the slope runs from and to. You mentioned that you would leave out the side windows for the children’s rooms (probably north and south, right?). That would leave only east-facing windows. Generally, I would place your bedroom on the north side and try to keep the children’s rooms as bright as possible.
For the kitchen, shallow cabinets were planned along the upper wall. You should consider whether that arrangement works well for you.
For the kitchen, shallow cabinets were planned along the upper wall. You should consider whether that arrangement works well for you.
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