Hello dear building community!
We are currently in the planning phase of our single-family home and would like to present our floor plan for your critical feedback. Thank you in advance for your time!
Everything that is not yet filled in is not final. Here is the information about the plot and the plan:
Development plan/restrictions
Plot size approx. 730 m² (7,857 sq ft)
Slope: No
Floor area ratio: 0.49
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces: 4
Roof type: Gable roof
Terrace orientation: South
Homeowners’ requirements - <Description (priority)>
Garage:
Laundry room:
Kitchen, living, dining:
Ground floor entrance area:
Master bathroom:
Bedroom:
Children’s rooms:
General:
House design
The planning was done by a planner from a construction company.
What we especially like is the layout on the upper floor. All bedrooms have a wide view over the meadow.
On the plan, the 3-story neighboring house to the east is shown in gray. The terrace is intended to provide privacy, which is achievable with the 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) deep balcony. However, we are unsure whether the kitchen and living room will be too dark because not much sunlight will reach these rooms. Possibly, the issue with privacy/wind protection/light could also be addressed with an L-shape (see pencil sketch as an example).
Could give up the relatively large master bedroom; also, the children’s bathroom is somewhat large.
Could not give up a privacy- and wind-protected terrace, office (home office), passage from garage, laundry on ground floor, equally sized children’s rooms, two bathrooms, large dining/living area.
Why is the design as it is now?
Because of our own wishes, input from the planner, and examples from magazines.
What do you think is particularly good or bad about it?
The rooms are located on the floors and oriented in the directions we wanted. On the west side of the kitchen, there is a row of cupboards, but we’re unsure how best to use this corner (any tips are welcome). It is probably a bit too far from the kitchen to place the oven or similar there.
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
We would appreciate feedback on the entire floor plan. We are especially interested in:
We are currently in the planning phase of our single-family home and would like to present our floor plan for your critical feedback. Thank you in advance for your time!
Everything that is not yet filled in is not final. Here is the information about the plot and the plan:
Development plan/restrictions
Plot size approx. 730 m² (7,857 sq ft)
Slope: No
Floor area ratio: 0.49
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces: 4
Roof type: Gable roof
Terrace orientation: South
Homeowners’ requirements - <Description (priority)>
Garage:
- Garage with space for bikes, lawnmower, etc. (1)
- Access to the house, possibly with a small cloakroom. (1)
- Additionally, a small separate workshop. (2)
- Workshop access to the outside. (3)
Laundry room:
- Should be near the kitchen -> ground floor (2)
Kitchen, living, dining:
- Semi-open plan (possibly with visual separation) (2)
- Kitchen island (1)
- Kitchen near the terrace (1)
- Kitchen on the west side, ideally with morning sun. (1)
- Glass frontage facing southwest, privacy towards east or L-shape layout. (1)
- Window seat in front of a large window near dining table/kitchen (1)
- Covered terrace (1)
Ground floor entrance area:
- Staircase in the entrance area (1)
- Entrance area may be open to kitchen or living room (2)
Master bathroom:
- Toilet separated within the bathroom (3)
- Not too large (3)
- Direct access (through dressing room) from bedroom (1)
Bedroom:
- Space/distance between master bedroom and children’s rooms (3)
- Dressing room connected to the bathroom (1)
Children’s rooms:
- As large as possible and as similar as possible (1)
- Children’s rooms next to each other (2)
General:
- Higher ceiling height (at least 260 cm (8 ft 6 in)) on ground floor (2)
- Small light well on ground floor (3)
- Gable roof,
- Single-family home Basement Yes
- Number of floors 2 Number of occupants 2 adults, 2 children (from 1 year)
- Space requirements on ground floor office (home office), laundry room, living and dining, WC, double garage. No guest bedrooms as guests will use sofa in office. Semi-open architecture (e.g., living room separable with sliding door). Modern construction. Open kitchen with island. Number of dining seats 8
- Other: To the east is a 3-story apartment building overlooking the plot
- (Only) the garage is allowed to be built closer to the property boundary
Fireplace Yes
Balcony Yes
House design
The planning was done by a planner from a construction company.
What we especially like is the layout on the upper floor. All bedrooms have a wide view over the meadow.
On the plan, the 3-story neighboring house to the east is shown in gray. The terrace is intended to provide privacy, which is achievable with the 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) deep balcony. However, we are unsure whether the kitchen and living room will be too dark because not much sunlight will reach these rooms. Possibly, the issue with privacy/wind protection/light could also be addressed with an L-shape (see pencil sketch as an example).
Could give up the relatively large master bedroom; also, the children’s bathroom is somewhat large.
Could not give up a privacy- and wind-protected terrace, office (home office), passage from garage, laundry on ground floor, equally sized children’s rooms, two bathrooms, large dining/living area.
Why is the design as it is now?
Because of our own wishes, input from the planner, and examples from magazines.
What do you think is particularly good or bad about it?
The rooms are located on the floors and oriented in the directions we wanted. On the west side of the kitchen, there is a row of cupboards, but we’re unsure how best to use this corner (any tips are welcome). It is probably a bit too far from the kitchen to place the oven or similar there.
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
We would appreciate feedback on the entire floor plan. We are especially interested in:
- Option 1 or Option 2 (pencil sketch)
Some points have already been mentioned.
I’m just saying, the “walk” from the front door to the living area.
The bathroom is unusable or unfurnishable as is. Except for a vanity cabinet, there is no wall space for additional cabinets.
The balcony strip for a “smoke after,” nobody needs it or uses it. Just a “cost.”
…..
Clearly: neither option 1 nor 2.
I’m just saying, the “walk” from the front door to the living area.
The bathroom is unusable or unfurnishable as is. Except for a vanity cabinet, there is no wall space for additional cabinets.
The balcony strip for a “smoke after,” nobody needs it or uses it. Just a “cost.”
…..
Clearly: neither option 1 nor 2.
H
hampshire7 Dec 2021 19:04I took a virtual walk through the house and here are my observations:
Cost optimization would be approached differently, but I’m sure you know that yourself.
I like the conceptual idea, but I would struggle with the proportions.
- The distance from the entrance to the restroom feels too long, while from the dining table it's rather open and close.
- The laundry room and office are fine – having them right next to each other could be annoying, as you usually hear the machines running.
- The dining area feels cozy but really only works well with the corner bench setup.
- How are the windows in the dining area? Can they be fully folded away? That would be a nice feature.
- The kitchen island and dining table are quite close together, making the passageway seem very narrow and oddly tight considering the room size.
- I never quite understood why sofas are placed with their backs to floor-to-ceiling windows in a newly designed house.
- The upper floor is great; I would opt for a sliding door to the bathroom. The small hallway feels quirky.
- If there is a wardrobe behind the headboard of the bed, the space between the wardrobes is very narrow and, in my opinion, not suitable as a dressing area.
- The shared balcony facing forward with the children is a great feature. Perhaps consider adding some privacy plants.
- Children’s bedrooms and bathroom are good as well.
- I like the idea of having everyone face the same direction, provided there is a good view.
- Why is there no side lighting where it would be possible?
- The roof on the upper floor looks dreadful to me. The house "calls out" for a flat roof with concealed photovoltaic panels behind a parapet.
- I would make the roof on the single-story section usable—green roof and a terrace garden with access next to the stairs.
- The proportions between the ground floor and upper floor volumes feel unharmonious.
- Daylighting from above should be considered for this house.
- Garage with access and cellar are fine.
Cost optimization would be approached differently, but I’m sure you know that yourself.
I like the conceptual idea, but I would struggle with the proportions.
Regardless of the floor plan, I can imagine it could look really cool if the cube with the large flat roof is visually and structurally separated in color and design from the main building...
With wood cladding or similar, plus a green roof, it no longer feels like a workshop with living space on the upper floor... 😉
With wood cladding or similar, plus a green roof, it no longer feels like a workshop with living space on the upper floor... 😉
hampshire schrieb:
How are the windows in the dining area? Can they be fully folded away? That would be a nice feature. Also difficult with a corner bench. matte1987 schrieb:
With wooden paneling or similar, plus a green roof. Wooden paneling? Well, the current roof calls for red geraniums on the balcony 😉H
Hobbyplaner7 Dec 2021 21:15pagoni2020 schrieb:
At first glance, the layout appears clear and tidy, which might also be due to the presentation style that I personally find pleasant.
On the ground floor, I don’t like that the toilet is located practically in the middle of the living area; I would place it closer to the entrance instead. The hallway itself is generously sized at almost 19 square meters (204 square feet), but in my opinion, it is difficult to furnish. Additionally, the commonly included access to the garage is something I would definitely omit, also because it consumes a lot of space.
I’m not a fan of the straight staircase, especially in this position.
The two doors to the bedroom and bathroom almost bang into each other, which feels uncomfortable. You go through the first door and are practically standing in a small airlock before the bathroom. We recently had a similar setup with the bed placed in front of a half-height wall. However, the bathroom access was then framed by the wardrobe you are now planning, which is about 1 meter (39 inches) wide and flanked by closets.
Otherwise, the plan still needs accurate dimensions for the table, sofa, walkways, fireplace, etc., as that is often where the problems lie. Thank you for your feedback! The access to the garage is planned not only for convenience but also to make it easier to bring things down to the basement. We will definitely reconsider the master bedroom and bathroom layout...
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