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
M
Myrna_Loy22 Apr 2021 11:35Iotafreak schrieb:
We want fairly large windows in every room. I think that also plays an important role. Thanks I don’t think you will change your mind, but even large windows don’t make a room significantly more inviting. I once had the fun of taking the same photo under the same lighting—hung at a distance of 3 meters (10 feet) from the window surface each time. Our office building offers everything, and thanks to COVID-19, everyone except me is working from home. 🙂 All walls are painted alpine white, and each room has a full window wall. The building is free standing, with no vegetation in front of the windows. Today there is light haze, photo taken at 11:20 a.m. on the second floor.
I
Iotafreak22 Apr 2021 12:01Myrna_Loy schrieb:
I don’t think you’ll change your mind, but even large windows don’t necessarily make a room feel much brighter. I had some fun taking photos of the same scene with the same lighting—hung at a distance of 3 m (10 feet) from the window surface each time. Our office building offers everything, and thanks to COVID, everyone except me is working from home. 🙂 All walls are painted Alpine white, and each room has a full window wall. The building stands freely—no vegetation in front of the windows. Today there was light haze/cloud cover, photo taken at 11:20 am on the second floor. Thank you very much... Definitely a noticeable difference...
What should I do now...?
All rooms facing south…!!!
The living and dining room to the south... Ideally with some additional light in the kitchen, off to the south...
That leaves bathroom and bedroom... how should I place those on NORTH, EAST, WEST...?
Seriously, for a certain period, most of life takes place in the living room...
Then comes a time when the kids spend more time in their rooms
Then comes a time when the kids are rarely home
Then comes a time when the kids have completely moved out...
On top of that, different times of day and seasons come into play...
It’s hardly possible to have perfect sunlight exposure every minute of the year, right?
In my opinion, the bedroom could also be on the north side, but I would be bothered by street noise... Kids are definitely less sensitive to that... I would never, ever consider placing children’s rooms only on the north side...
So, would you recommend putting the kids’ rooms facing south?
Thanks again
M
Myrna_Loy22 Apr 2021 12:11At 15, children might even willingly move into the basement, judging by my light-averse nephews and nieces. But yes, I would really allow children as much light as possible. Crafting, painting, reading, building, playing—all these activities happen for children during daylight hours. Children's rooms serve as both office and living room for them at the same time. And regarding noise in the bedroom— with triple glazing and modern insulation, you can hardly hear anything there.
F
Fummelbrett!22 Apr 2021 12:23I think the architect can give you very good advice. They also know which rooms should face which direction. Hopefully, they will also suggest a finished attic 😀
Iotafreak schrieb:
Thank you very much… Definitely a noticeable difference… What should I do now…??? All rooms facing south…!!!Storage rooms and the guest toilet should be placed on the north side. Personally, I would put the common living areas on the south side. That’s where our family spends most of their time. Crafts are done at the dining table, and later I expect homework will be done there as well. Bedrooms are a different matter. I like lying on the bed, reading, and enjoying the sun. I find children’s rooms facing west completely fine. The room is usually less used in the morning, but more so in the afternoon, when the sun shines in nicely depending on the depth of the roof overhang. For the bathroom, it doesn’t really matter much—artificial lighting is sufficient there.
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