ᐅ Floor plan for a narrow semi-detached house – basement plus two full floors, attic without knee wall
Created on: 26 May 2021 11:30
M
mrtnsbr
Hello everyone, I’ve been reading here for a long time, and we have been searching for a suitable house/plot in the Stuttgart area for years. Now, it’s about to happen.
- It will be a semi-detached house, and the external shape and the exterior wall thickness are practically fixed. Inside, I can change almost anything.
- The furniture shown in the plans is mainly for layout purposes (but corresponds to our current furniture).
- The kitchen was quickly planned in about 5 minutes – it might be completely different later.
- The attic (parents’ bedroom and bathroom) is a work in progress. If anyone has tips on how to nicely fit the bathroom there, I’d appreciate it. I’m currently struggling especially with the planning of the soil pipes.
- In the attic -> The walls are exactly at 1m (3 feet 3 inches) height. The wall in the bathroom, which stands oddly next to the shower, is at the 2m (6 feet 7 inches) line.
- We plan to install glass doors in several places – otherwise, the stairwell would be very dark.
- Photovoltaic panels are planned on the south side -> only a few roof windows are desired.
A few questions:
- The stairs from the ground floor to the first floor -> quarter turn. Otherwise, half-turn stairs. Has anyone used this and would advise against it, or is this fine?
- I just had the idea to build the staircase with masonry on both sides. The niche in the stairwell (U-shaped) would then be used as a service shaft (e.g., for underfloor heating). Is this possible? Does anyone do this? Basically, a drywall tunnel from the basement to the attic (with suitable fastening at each floor slab – of course, I can’t stack drywall over 4 floors without support).
Building Regulations / Restrictions
Plot size: 320 sqm (3445 sqft)
Slope: no
Plot ratio / floor area ratio / building envelope, building line and boundary: exactly specified. The house is positioned exactly within the building envelope according to the zoning plan. The external dimensions cannot be adjusted.
Adjacent buildings: west - semi-detached neighbor, south - access road, north - cul-de-sac, east - municipal green area
Parking spaces: we have one car and about 8 bicycles – a double garage is possible and planned, mainly to be used as a bike workshop.
Number of floors – attic without knee walls, dormers not possible
Roof type – gable, 35 degrees (no alternatives allowed)
Style – rather modern / standard
Orientation – fixed
Maximum height/limits – fixed due to semi-detached design
Owners’ Requirements
Number of people, ages – 4 (2 adults, 2 elementary school children)
Space requirements on ground floor and upper floors – large living area on one floor, then children’s floor, then parents’ floor
Office: family use or home office? Mainly home office, both of us work at least 50% from home (even outside of the pandemic)
Guests per year – grandparents regularly stay up to a week
Open or closed architecture – living area should be clearly separated from children’s floor
Traditional or modern construction – good question, I think we are rather traditional
Open kitchen, kitchen island – open to closed; currently open in the plan
Number of dining seats – 6
Fireplace – would be nice but absolutely a nice-to-have. Space will likely be too tight.
Balcony, roof terrace – no
Garage, carport – planned
Utility garden, greenhouse – no
House Design
Who designed the plan:
- Do-it-Yourself
What do you like most? Why?
- Separation from living room to stairs: we currently find the open design annoying every evening – because of the kids.
- The pantry (as small as it is).
- The stairs to the basement: we all cycle a lot, including in muddy conditions. Access via the basement and an extra shower there is great.
- Parents' bedroom in the attic is on the north side (a bit cooler and away from the street).
What do you dislike? Why?
- The side with the basement stairs and light wells is useful, but it’s not very nice with the railing and so on.
Price estimate according to the architect/planner: 850,000
Personal price limit for the house, including equipment: not quite sure yet.
Preferred heating system: heat pump. We would possibly like a ventilation system, but the general contractor is reluctant, and I don’t trust their planning. I lack enough knowledge myself.
If you have to give up something, on which details/additions?
- can give up: open kitchen
- cannot give up: closed living room
Why has the design ended up like it is now? For example:
There is a standard semi-detached house plan for narrow houses, with half-turn stairs on every floor, narrow kitchen next to the main entrance.
This is what I planned with a tool. We already live in a similar floor plan (terraced house) but with one floor less. So at least I knew what I don’t want anymore (everything open via the stairwell).
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
Is there any obvious nonsense that should not be done like this?
- It will be a semi-detached house, and the external shape and the exterior wall thickness are practically fixed. Inside, I can change almost anything.
- The furniture shown in the plans is mainly for layout purposes (but corresponds to our current furniture).
- The kitchen was quickly planned in about 5 minutes – it might be completely different later.
- The attic (parents’ bedroom and bathroom) is a work in progress. If anyone has tips on how to nicely fit the bathroom there, I’d appreciate it. I’m currently struggling especially with the planning of the soil pipes.
- In the attic -> The walls are exactly at 1m (3 feet 3 inches) height. The wall in the bathroom, which stands oddly next to the shower, is at the 2m (6 feet 7 inches) line.
- We plan to install glass doors in several places – otherwise, the stairwell would be very dark.
- Photovoltaic panels are planned on the south side -> only a few roof windows are desired.
A few questions:
- The stairs from the ground floor to the first floor -> quarter turn. Otherwise, half-turn stairs. Has anyone used this and would advise against it, or is this fine?
- I just had the idea to build the staircase with masonry on both sides. The niche in the stairwell (U-shaped) would then be used as a service shaft (e.g., for underfloor heating). Is this possible? Does anyone do this? Basically, a drywall tunnel from the basement to the attic (with suitable fastening at each floor slab – of course, I can’t stack drywall over 4 floors without support).
Building Regulations / Restrictions
Plot size: 320 sqm (3445 sqft)
Slope: no
Plot ratio / floor area ratio / building envelope, building line and boundary: exactly specified. The house is positioned exactly within the building envelope according to the zoning plan. The external dimensions cannot be adjusted.
Adjacent buildings: west - semi-detached neighbor, south - access road, north - cul-de-sac, east - municipal green area
Parking spaces: we have one car and about 8 bicycles – a double garage is possible and planned, mainly to be used as a bike workshop.
Number of floors – attic without knee walls, dormers not possible
Roof type – gable, 35 degrees (no alternatives allowed)
Style – rather modern / standard
Orientation – fixed
Maximum height/limits – fixed due to semi-detached design
Owners’ Requirements
Number of people, ages – 4 (2 adults, 2 elementary school children)
Space requirements on ground floor and upper floors – large living area on one floor, then children’s floor, then parents’ floor
Office: family use or home office? Mainly home office, both of us work at least 50% from home (even outside of the pandemic)
Guests per year – grandparents regularly stay up to a week
Open or closed architecture – living area should be clearly separated from children’s floor
Traditional or modern construction – good question, I think we are rather traditional
Open kitchen, kitchen island – open to closed; currently open in the plan
Number of dining seats – 6
Fireplace – would be nice but absolutely a nice-to-have. Space will likely be too tight.
Balcony, roof terrace – no
Garage, carport – planned
Utility garden, greenhouse – no
House Design
Who designed the plan:
- Do-it-Yourself
What do you like most? Why?
- Separation from living room to stairs: we currently find the open design annoying every evening – because of the kids.
- The pantry (as small as it is).
- The stairs to the basement: we all cycle a lot, including in muddy conditions. Access via the basement and an extra shower there is great.
- Parents' bedroom in the attic is on the north side (a bit cooler and away from the street).
What do you dislike? Why?
- The side with the basement stairs and light wells is useful, but it’s not very nice with the railing and so on.
Price estimate according to the architect/planner: 850,000
Personal price limit for the house, including equipment: not quite sure yet.
Preferred heating system: heat pump. We would possibly like a ventilation system, but the general contractor is reluctant, and I don’t trust their planning. I lack enough knowledge myself.
If you have to give up something, on which details/additions?
- can give up: open kitchen
- cannot give up: closed living room
Why has the design ended up like it is now? For example:
There is a standard semi-detached house plan for narrow houses, with half-turn stairs on every floor, narrow kitchen next to the main entrance.
This is what I planned with a tool. We already live in a similar floor plan (terraced house) but with one floor less. So at least I knew what I don’t want anymore (everything open via the stairwell).
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
Is there any obvious nonsense that should not be done like this?
This is only about the downstairs toilet, right? 😱
I think along the same lines as @apokolok.
Also: guests generally prefer some distance from the main activity when using the toilet. You probably do too 😉.
Or does anyone “among us” have a problem going downstairs in a restaurant if the restroom area is nicely designed there?
You really have to weigh this carefully, and I see no reason not to try something different from the standard or established practice. Washing your hands when you get home can be done in the kitchen as well. Personally, I prefer that over going to the guest bathroom. Plus, there is a rare external basement entrance you can use when working in the garden!
I find the design quite solid and good. It will work. A few suggestions and ideas:
Regarding the pantry and such: I might even consider leaving out the pantry to create a more relaxed hallway and to fit more cabinets there. The reason: I think you won’t do yourselves any favors if the kitchen becomes a thoroughfare. You yourself write that you tend to prefer a closed kitchen layout.
I’m on the go and quickly sketched this on my phone... the staircase here would be a double switchback, allowing space for cabinets to be placed/built in. The kitchen could be a U-shape or a two-row layout. Cabinets could also be used for brooms and similar items. The bread slicer needs to be stored in a kitchen cabinet or a roller shutter cabinet.
Just a suggestion,
the rest only in words :p
On the upper floor, I would make the east-facing windows wider (2 meters (6 ft 7 in)) and add a low wall beneath so a desk can be placed there.
I would position the bathtub under the center of the roof on the top floor, which would create a more generously sized shower area. There is definitely room to make some adjustments here.
Basement: I would skip a window in the utility room and shorten the light well a bit, or place the southern light well under the living room window. I would further pursue the idea of a southeast-facing terrace.
A completely different idea would be to place the entrance on the east side and the basement stairs on the north... but I haven’t explored that in this plan, just throwing the idea out there!
This light shaft is not intended for attics but for intermediate floors without natural light.
A roof window cleans itself, so normally you don’t need to access it. However, I would also advise against it unless you create a small platform (“mezzanine”) beneath it on the top floor for standing and cleaning access.
I think along the same lines as @apokolok.
Also: guests generally prefer some distance from the main activity when using the toilet. You probably do too 😉.
Or does anyone “among us” have a problem going downstairs in a restaurant if the restroom area is nicely designed there?
You really have to weigh this carefully, and I see no reason not to try something different from the standard or established practice. Washing your hands when you get home can be done in the kitchen as well. Personally, I prefer that over going to the guest bathroom. Plus, there is a rare external basement entrance you can use when working in the garden!
I find the design quite solid and good. It will work. A few suggestions and ideas:
Regarding the pantry and such: I might even consider leaving out the pantry to create a more relaxed hallway and to fit more cabinets there. The reason: I think you won’t do yourselves any favors if the kitchen becomes a thoroughfare. You yourself write that you tend to prefer a closed kitchen layout.
I’m on the go and quickly sketched this on my phone... the staircase here would be a double switchback, allowing space for cabinets to be placed/built in. The kitchen could be a U-shape or a two-row layout. Cabinets could also be used for brooms and similar items. The bread slicer needs to be stored in a kitchen cabinet or a roller shutter cabinet.
Just a suggestion,
the rest only in words :p
On the upper floor, I would make the east-facing windows wider (2 meters (6 ft 7 in)) and add a low wall beneath so a desk can be placed there.
I would position the bathtub under the center of the roof on the top floor, which would create a more generously sized shower area. There is definitely room to make some adjustments here.
Basement: I would skip a window in the utility room and shorten the light well a bit, or place the southern light well under the living room window. I would further pursue the idea of a southeast-facing terrace.
A completely different idea would be to place the entrance on the east side and the basement stairs on the north... but I haven’t explored that in this plan, just throwing the idea out there!
mrtnsbr schrieb:
Nice idea – I didn’t know that! But I’m not sure if we actually need it. That’s usually for attics with steep roofs, right? In our current plan, the entire roof space is finished. Actually, I intended to install a window above the staircase, but was advised against it, because it would be about 5 to 6 meters (16 to 20 ft) above the stairs and therefore difficult and dangerous to clean.
This light shaft is not intended for attics but for intermediate floors without natural light.
A roof window cleans itself, so normally you don’t need to access it. However, I would also advise against it unless you create a small platform (“mezzanine”) beneath it on the top floor for standing and cleaning access.
However, I would prefer if the toilet discussion here doesn’t become too emotional and one-sided. It is a controversial topic. We will think it through carefully. Whether it ends up being a pantry or a toilet is just a minor redesign.
But at least the overall planning doesn’t seem fundamentally wrong 🙂
But at least the overall planning doesn’t seem fundamentally wrong 🙂
ypg schrieb:
This is only about the ground floor toilet, right? 😱
I agree with @apokolok.
Also: Guests in the toilet usually prefer some distance from the main area. You probably do too 😉.
Or does anyone here have a problem going downstairs in a restaurant if the toilet area is nicely done?
You really have to weigh the options here, and I see no reason not to try something different from the usual standard or common practice. Washing your hands when you get home can be done in the kitchen as well. Personally, I prefer that to having to go to the guest WC. Also, there is a rare external basement access which you can use when working in the garden!
I find the design quite solid and good. It will work. A few suggestions and ideas:
Regarding the pantry and such: I might even skip the pantry to open up the hallway and create more cabinet space there. Reasoning: I think having the kitchen as a thoroughfare won’t be beneficial. You yourself mention you tend to prefer a closed kitchen layout.
I’m on the go and sketched something on my phone... the stairs would also be a double switchback here, so you can still place or build cabinets. The kitchen could then be a U-shape or two parallel counters. Cabinets also for broom and cleaning supplies. The bread slicer must be stored inside a kitchen cabinet or a roller shutter cabinet.
Just a suggestion,
the rest is just words :p
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Upstairs, I would make the east-facing windows wider (2 meters (6.5 feet)) and with a low wall beneath so you can put a desk underneath.
I would place the bathtub in the attic centered under the roof for a more spacious feeling in the shower. There’s definitely room to shift things around a bit. Basement: I would skip a window in the utility room and shorten the light well or move the southern one under the living room window. I’d pursue the idea of the southeast terrace further.
Another totally different idea would be to locate the entrance on the east side and the basement stairs in the north... but I haven’t worked this through yet, just throwing the idea out!
This light shaft is not meant for an attic but actually for intermediate floors without natural light.
A skylight cleans itself, so normally you don’t have to go up there. However, I would also advise against it unless you create a small landing or platform under it in the attic for access and cleaning. Thanks very much for the input! There are some great ideas here. We initially planned the entrance on the east side as well, but it’s really difficult to arrange the stairwell properly that way (because the attic has no knee wall, the stairwell needs to be at least roughly central).
The kitchen being a passage area is a really good point. I haven’t thought enough about that yet. Hmm... that could be a problem.
Two floor-to-ceiling windows per room, each 2 meters (6.5 feet) wide. Isn’t that too much? Currently, one of the kids has two rooms with 1.5 meters (5 feet) windows of normal height. One window faces north. That room is the brightest in the house.
I’ll do some more planning this evening and try to come up with some alternative floor plans.
mrtnsbr schrieb:
Two windows per room, each 2m (6 ft 7 in) wide, floor-to-ceiling. No: read again. A wide opening lets in more light horizontally; a window sill provides a sense of enclosure, floor-to-ceiling just makes it open... so WITH a sill 🙂
ypg schrieb:
On the upper floor, I would make the east-facing windows wider (2 meters) and include a sill so you can place a desk underneath. mrtnsbr schrieb:
That the kitchen is a walk-through area is a really good point. I hadn’t thought about it enough. Hmm... That could become a problem. ... I thought so too, hence my drawing. A kitchen with two rows uses 2.40m (7 ft 10 in) width. Between the door and stairs, you get a one (1) meter (3 ft 3 in) deep multipurpose cabinet for everything!
ypg schrieb:
No: read again. A wide opening lets more light spread horizontally, a parapet (knee wall) gives a room protection, floor-to-ceiling makes it open... that’s why WITH parapet 🙂
... that’s what I thought, hence my drawing. A two-line kitchen uses 2.40 meters (8 feet) of width. Between the door and the stairs, you get a one (1) meter (3 feet) deep all-purpose cabinet for everything! Of course… if you can read 🙂 Okay, I’ll plan it through — thanks for the correction.
By the way, this is the floor plan as standard. We didn’t want an open staircase. The stairwell in front makes the dining area very narrow. Also, the staircase here is completely different, significantly deeper. I planned a longer, narrower one.
mrtnsbr schrieb:
But at least the planning doesn’t seem fundamentally wrong.Given the constraints, I probably wouldn’t have come up with anything better either. You’ve actually put together a pretty decent plan.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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