ᐅ The floor plan "HOUSE FOR TWO" covers approximately 150 sqm and is introduced here.
Created on: 3 Jul 2020 13:23
P
pagoni2020
So – now I’m presenting our “House Project for Two” expecting your honest and maybe harsh feedback. Don’t hold back, as I can only benefit from it.
The building permit / planning permission application is currently being submitted, and preliminary information suggests it should be approved. We deliberately avoided too many deviations from the very old development plan.
We like a modern, minimalist architectural style. The floor plan is a mix of our own living habits, our existing furniture including the kitchen, and the budget, since at this stage of life we don’t want to take on risky debt.
Our current condominium is very stylish and was just recently customized by ourselves, but life changes; besides, we want to be able to have a small fire in our own garden again.
We are now building with a general contractor (GC) who has a good reputation and has already allowed us to change many things without stress – so far. Ideally, we would have built with an independent architect or our friend who is an interior architect, which would have given us more freedom in choosing trades, but this time we want to focus more on details and avoid the running around that happened the first time, 30 years ago. No, this time I won’t be digging foundations or pouring the basement myself until my family doesn’t recognize me anymore.
Whether it will be a garage, carport, or parking space depends on the costs, as does the attached balcony, which would then be a so-called standing balcony; initially, it just needs to be approved. There will also be a larger garden house with an outdoor sauna.
The plot is quite large and has a nice view of greenery. Unfortunately, only to the north, about 500 m (1600 ft) away and at a lower level, there is a beautiful lake. For this reason alone, we decided not to build a bungalow, since having a lake view and not using it was out of the question (hence the “emergency balcony” at the bedroom). Originally, a house with a bend was planned, but it always looked ugly in the end.
HOUSE FOR TWO
Plot size: 1400 sqm (15,000 sq ft)
Slope: No
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1.5
Roof type: Gable roof
Architectural style: modern-minimalist
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: clean lines
Basement, floors: no basement
Number of occupants, age: 2 (one of them still works a bit more…)
Guest stays per year: quite often, alternating
Conservative or modern construction: modern, open plan
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 4
Fireplace: yes/no/undecided, possibly also gas fireplace
Balcony, roof terrace: possibly a balcony at the bedroom for lake view
Garage, carport: yes, depending on price
Additional wishes, etc.:
Separate guest area, possibly as a bedroom in old age, then guests upstairs
Custom furniture and kitchen integrated
Separate TV area from the gallery, next to it a separate relaxation area with recliner
Kitchen with 120 cm (47 inch) side-by-side refrigerator or 70 cm (28 inch) refrigerator by the window side
Monolithic Rock XL1 wood stove available, chimney planned outside for lower costs, appearance, and less space inside
Ground floor window areas separated by masonry walls due to chimney, possibly refrigerator placement but especially due to manufacturer’s limited width (according to GC)
Original idea was continuous window surfaces up to the eaves in living/dining area, now separated at ceiling height by masonry strip
Some parts in the plan/floor plan not labeled correctly yet (GC design implementation)
House design, who designed it: by the clients + partial coordination with interior architect, currently executed by a builder’s planner
What do you like most and why?
Simple architectural style, gallery, spacious window surfaces, external blinds, open layout
What don’t you like and why? I’m sure I’ll read about it here
Estimated price according to architect/planner: -
Features: The goal is to invest selectively and sensibly but consistently omit unnecessary, cost-driving frills (in my opinion)
Preferred heating system: undecided, unfortunately no gas connection available
If you had to skip something, which details or extensions could you do without? Maybe the fireplace… I’m still unsure about the location, I would like a built-in gas fireplace under the stairs, but only for that would we get a liquefied gas tank?
Why is the design the way it is? For example:
Own life circumstances, existing furniture, individual living habits
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
I welcome direct and constructive assessments. The building shape and location of carport/garage are fixed. The focus of questions is on layout details and usage/design options.
There will be a glass roof or slatted shading in front of the kitchen area.
The plot is almost flat, and the outdoor area will be simple and user-friendly, with a larger garden house including outdoor sauna, storage for gadgets, tools, etc.
The building permit / planning permission application is currently being submitted, and preliminary information suggests it should be approved. We deliberately avoided too many deviations from the very old development plan.
We like a modern, minimalist architectural style. The floor plan is a mix of our own living habits, our existing furniture including the kitchen, and the budget, since at this stage of life we don’t want to take on risky debt.
Our current condominium is very stylish and was just recently customized by ourselves, but life changes; besides, we want to be able to have a small fire in our own garden again.
We are now building with a general contractor (GC) who has a good reputation and has already allowed us to change many things without stress – so far. Ideally, we would have built with an independent architect or our friend who is an interior architect, which would have given us more freedom in choosing trades, but this time we want to focus more on details and avoid the running around that happened the first time, 30 years ago. No, this time I won’t be digging foundations or pouring the basement myself until my family doesn’t recognize me anymore.
Whether it will be a garage, carport, or parking space depends on the costs, as does the attached balcony, which would then be a so-called standing balcony; initially, it just needs to be approved. There will also be a larger garden house with an outdoor sauna.
The plot is quite large and has a nice view of greenery. Unfortunately, only to the north, about 500 m (1600 ft) away and at a lower level, there is a beautiful lake. For this reason alone, we decided not to build a bungalow, since having a lake view and not using it was out of the question (hence the “emergency balcony” at the bedroom). Originally, a house with a bend was planned, but it always looked ugly in the end.
HOUSE FOR TWO
Plot size: 1400 sqm (15,000 sq ft)
Slope: No
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1.5
Roof type: Gable roof
Architectural style: modern-minimalist
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: clean lines
Basement, floors: no basement
Number of occupants, age: 2 (one of them still works a bit more…)
Guest stays per year: quite often, alternating
Conservative or modern construction: modern, open plan
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 4
Fireplace: yes/no/undecided, possibly also gas fireplace
Balcony, roof terrace: possibly a balcony at the bedroom for lake view
Garage, carport: yes, depending on price
Additional wishes, etc.:
Separate guest area, possibly as a bedroom in old age, then guests upstairs
Custom furniture and kitchen integrated
Separate TV area from the gallery, next to it a separate relaxation area with recliner
Kitchen with 120 cm (47 inch) side-by-side refrigerator or 70 cm (28 inch) refrigerator by the window side
Monolithic Rock XL1 wood stove available, chimney planned outside for lower costs, appearance, and less space inside
Ground floor window areas separated by masonry walls due to chimney, possibly refrigerator placement but especially due to manufacturer’s limited width (according to GC)
Original idea was continuous window surfaces up to the eaves in living/dining area, now separated at ceiling height by masonry strip
Some parts in the plan/floor plan not labeled correctly yet (GC design implementation)
House design, who designed it: by the clients + partial coordination with interior architect, currently executed by a builder’s planner
What do you like most and why?
Simple architectural style, gallery, spacious window surfaces, external blinds, open layout
What don’t you like and why? I’m sure I’ll read about it here
Estimated price according to architect/planner: -
Features: The goal is to invest selectively and sensibly but consistently omit unnecessary, cost-driving frills (in my opinion)
Preferred heating system: undecided, unfortunately no gas connection available
If you had to skip something, which details or extensions could you do without? Maybe the fireplace… I’m still unsure about the location, I would like a built-in gas fireplace under the stairs, but only for that would we get a liquefied gas tank?
Why is the design the way it is? For example:
Own life circumstances, existing furniture, individual living habits
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
I welcome direct and constructive assessments. The building shape and location of carport/garage are fixed. The focus of questions is on layout details and usage/design options.
There will be a glass roof or slatted shading in front of the kitchen area.
The plot is almost flat, and the outdoor area will be simple and user-friendly, with a larger garden house including outdoor sauna, storage for gadgets, tools, etc.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Our showcase will now be installed over the weekend by hgetrade. Somehow, the drawing in #105 doesn’t seem to match the staircase location. Could you please clarify for us? 🙂
P
pagoni20203 Oct 2021 00:48ypg schrieb:
Somehow, the drawing in #105 doesn’t match the staircase position. Please clarify for us 🙂 Oops… quite a few changes happened after all. We turned and adjusted it so many times… eventually, it became clear that the staircase needs a landing because of the function upstairs.
This floor plan definitely won’t win any awards. 🙄 Even though it’s designed for just two people.
Does this "living/dining/kitchen tube" also get furniture? 12.21 m x 4.34 m (the last 4 m only 3.43 m) (40 ft x 14 ft (last 13 ft only 11 ft)). Laundry basically through the living area…
Does this "living/dining/kitchen tube" also get furniture? 12.21 m x 4.34 m (the last 4 m only 3.43 m) (40 ft x 14 ft (last 13 ft only 11 ft)). Laundry basically through the living area…
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Wow... quite a few changes have been made after all. Fortunately. The previous plans wouldn’t have allowed a kitchen area, the guest room door was inconveniently located in the dining area, or the guest room would have become a walk-through if the bedroom was upstairs, and so on. I also see the furniture issue with the sofa and the staircase, but in the end, you want to use the living room upstairs, right?
I’m curious... I hope you’ll be moved in by Christmas. What’s the plan?
P
pagoni20203 Oct 2021 08:25ypg schrieb:
Fortunately. The last ones wouldn’t have allowed a kitchen area at all, the guest room door would have disturbed the dining area, and the guest would have had to pass through upstairs where the bedroom is also a walk-through room, and so on. I also still see the furniture issue with the sofa and the stairs, but in the end, you want to use the living room on the upper floor, right?
I’m curious… I hope you’ll be moved in by Christmas. Or what’s the plan? The thing is, we’re taking our furniture with us, and it has already been planned there based on the dimensions. The kitchen will also be installed exactly as it is now. Thanks to constructive criticism here, we were aware of the furniture/stairs issue and now have two different furnishing options, one even without a formal dining room. Not everyone may understand that, but we really tried to adapt things to our very individual lifestyle habits.
We don’t have a fixed living room or dining room but rather several “islands” for coffee here or breakfast there. Additionally, there is a generously covered outdoor area where I usually prepare food or grill, even in winter.
We have to move out here in 14 days and definitely want to avoid interim accommodation. At least the furniture should be stored in the guest room. That is the minimum expectation of an otherwise different plan, which might still be possible despite the frustrations with the construction. We will probably have two rooms upstairs ready, after which the construction workers will move out.
Regarding your question about the floor plan, I initially felt yesterday evening that I shouldn’t post it publicly anymore because my tolerance for negative experiences with this build is already exhausted. However, I found the discussions in my thread really beneficial and was genuinely grateful for the sometimes direct criticism before final decisions were made. Since I appreciate that very much and enjoy open discussions, I feel it’s only right to share the further progress—even if it feels a bit too personal at this point. I’m not doing this to show off but to keep the users involved at that time informed about the development; this is basically a thank-you for their active participation and time.
After the stairs were installed, we spent a pleasant evening here with the tradespeople, with whom we have become more like friends by now. That evening made me appreciate the stairs and the house a little more, or better said, again, especially after all the difficulties we had. In the end, we already understand several quirks and flaws that we could or should have done differently—this much clarity we have in our minds. But it’s due to our specific situation why, where, and how we built that it turned out or will turn out this way.
We are both the kind of people who manage to bring ourselves back into the light through the few positive experiences here, and we don’t need any downers who blow the light out again immediately.
@ypg I posted the floor plan last night solely because of your request and for the above-mentioned reasons, which I interpret as proper courtesy and as a thank you for your consistently clear opinion—even though my gut feeling told me not to… !!!
Thank you very much! Everything is fine after all 🙂
I stand by my floor plan, even if it has some flaws. Everyone focuses on what feels right to them personally, which no one else in a forum can really understand.
It doesn’t have to be that way – it’s just about the value gained from a discussion, and what you do with that is entirely up to you.
I stand by my floor plan, even if it has some flaws. Everyone focuses on what feels right to them personally, which no one else in a forum can really understand.
It doesn’t have to be that way – it’s just about the value gained from a discussion, and what you do with that is entirely up to you.
Similar topics