ᐅ Simplifying the Planning of the Building Envelope and Floors – Where to Start?

Hello everyone,

I’m leckerkatze and new here. I am currently working on developing a hillside lot with a small multi-family house.

Over the past 20 years, I have mostly - unfortunately, and I’m sure there are exceptions - had less than great experiences with architects. So before I invest money again, I would like to create a very simple sketch of a possible exterior shell and the floors myself or have it done inexpensively by an amateur, even with something like MS Paint. I’ve already spent quite some time researching software, and CADVilla seems to be the tool of choice. Honestly, though, I think the effort to learn it well enough to produce a decent drawing is too great for me.

What I want:
Take into account the hillside position of the lot
Be able to draw blocks representing the floors
Read off dimensions

I don’t need site layout, windows, aesthetics, or floor plans. An architect will take care of that later. But to get a better sense of what I want from the architect or how I envision things, I’d like to do some preliminary work myself.

So how would you start? Pencil and paper? Or is there another simple tool, or someone reasonably affordable you can commission to do something like this?

Thank you very much and best regards,
Leckerkatze.

I would start with a needs analysis – small apartments, studio flats, family homes, etc. This should be done in connection with the zoning plan / building permit.

Next, consult an architect. Don’t create your own plans; instead, provide a room program. The exterior design is not chosen upfront but results from the housing requirements, the zoning plan / building permit, and legal requirements (parking spaces, underground garage, stairwell, balconies/terraces, elevator, etc.).

Drawing plans on your own, especially on a sloped site, is likely to lead to problems.

leckerkatze schrieb:

I am currently working on developing a sloped plot with a small multi-family house.

How many residential units, and do you plan to live in one yourself?

leckerkatze schrieb:

Over the past 20 years, I have consistently – unfortunately, and I am sure the opposite also exists – had not-so-great experiences with architects. So before I invest money again, I wanted to create or have a layperson, even using something like MS Paint, make a very simple sketch of a possible building envelope and the floors at low cost.

I have a hard time remembering which software @K a t j a uses (and whether it is still available). If you can team up with @Gerddieter regarding architects, you might want to explore alternative consulting options: for one, I am also active as a building consultant myself, but since you are from Baden-Württemberg, an engineering firm from Heidelberg might be more interesting for you (?), which we recently discussed here: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/kosten-architektenplanung-50-teurer-als-abgesprochen.42805/ and https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/den-richtigen-hausbau-partner-finden.42890/

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leckerkatze schrieb:

Over the past 20 years, I have generally had – unfortunately, and I am sure there are exceptions – not very good experiences with architects. So before I spend money again, I wanted to create a very simple sketch of a possible exterior myself or cheaply by an amateur, even using MS Paint if necessary.

leckerkatze schrieb:

An architect will take care of that at some point.

Interesting replies regarding the requirements…! I can only shake my head.

@leckerkatze (strange, with such a username I first think of something inappropriate and have to check if I’m still in the right forum): for a multi-family house, you should primarily consult an architect, and secondly, focus on trust!

11ant schrieb:


I always find it hard to remember which software @K a t j a uses (and whether it’s still available).

Should we be worried? 😉
For what the original poster wants, that software would be completely unsuitable, as it doesn’t represent terrain slopes well, or at all. To depict a few boxes on a slope, pen and paper are probably still the best option, in my opinion.

leckerkatze schrieb:

What I want:
Take into account the slope of the land
Be able to draw boxes as floors
Read off dimensions

If you don’t know the program yet, you might want to try "Sweet Home" (free). It is more intended for interior layouts, but I was able to create a decent exterior shape with it as well. I just took a quick look; you can enter elevation changes via “Level,” but I’m not sure if that will help with your specific question.