ᐅ Floor plan of a single-family detached house, urban villa style, approximately 2,600 sq ft, without a basement

Hello,

we now have a plan that is already quite advanced for us. We have been considering for a long time whether to include a basement or not, as well as whether to use the attic space (see also https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/ausbau-dachgeschoss-bei-walmdach-als-kellerersatz.43148/).

Building Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 1170 m² (0.29 acres)
Slope: no
Floor area ratio: 0.4
Floor space index: 2
Number of parking spaces: 2 garage + 1 outdoor
Number of floors: 2
Roof type: hipped roof
Style: urban villa
Orientation: southwest

Owner Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: hipped roof urban villa
Basement, floors: trying to do without a basement
Number of occupants, age: 2 adults, 1 child currently
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: rooms should be a comfortable size without being excessive
Office: family use or home office? both
Guest stays per year: 10-15 times for 2-3 days
Open or closed architecture: open towards the garden
Conservative or modern design: I would say a mix; in any case, the staircase should not be in the living room
Open kitchen, kitchen island: kitchen with pantry, a fully freestanding island is not necessary
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: yes
Balcony, roof terrace: no balcony, terrace with roof cover
Garage, carport: yes, 2 parking spaces plus motorcycle; 1 additional outdoor parking
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be included

House Design
Who created the plan: a planner from a construction company
What do you particularly like? Why? We generally like the ground and upper floor because everything we wished for has been implemented
What do you dislike? Why? Placement of building services - perhaps try placing them under the stairs?
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 700k
Personal price limit for the house, including equipment: 800k
Preferred heating system: geothermal

If you have to give up something, which details/extensions
-can you do without: possibly a few square meters; a big question is whether the office/fitness room above the garage makes sense or if a basement would be better
-can’t give up: own master bathroom, laundry room upstairs

Why is the design the way it is now?
We had quite clear ideas based on reviewing standard floor plans. There were some changes and tests (basement yes/no, attic use yes/no).
What makes it, in your opinion, particularly good or bad? Very good implementation of our ideas and budget

What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
The approx. 30 m² (320 sq ft) room on the upper floor (office/fitness) and the larger storage room behind the garage are intended as a basement substitute. How do you like this solution with the partial overbuilding of the garage on the upper floor?

Thank you very much for your feedback!

Hmm, I like the fitness room. Also, the storage room behind the garage.
The living and dining areas will be dark. I remember this was mentioned elsewhere as well. The pantry does not contribute to the pleasing feel of the space. On the contrary: in my opinion, it disrupts a good sense of openness. Additionally, the south wall of the open plan area, in my view, should be used for a large window.
A toilet on the upper floor separated from the shower (children’s bathroom?) is not functional!

Not bad, but the lighting in the living area seems insufficient to me. No window on the south side means little light on the dining table. Is there a chest freezer in the windowless corner? Firstly, that would look odd, and secondly, in my opinion, there should be a window there.

Additionally:
- That long partition wall to the living room with the fireplace at the end — could half of it be removed? Otherwise, it will make the space quite dark. Although the large window helps, the light struggles to reach the "kitchen extension corner." There is also a covered terrace. The wall makes it worse. Nobody really needs a fireplace anyway.
- Missing window in the pantry. A small one would be enough, but none at all is a disadvantage.
- The door from the garage to the cloakroom is unnecessary — the route around outside is hardly any longer, it takes up space, is problematic because of exhaust fumes, and poses an additional security risk.
- Office and gym in one room? I wouldn’t think of that. But I also wouldn’t build a basement because of it. Do you really need two offices?
- The sink area in the kids’ bathroom is poorly lit, too. A separate toilet again? Isn’t that a bit excessive?
- It’s unfortunate that the master bedroom is directly next to a child’s room. At this price range, that would bother me. Perhaps swapping it with the gym would be better.
- The technical room seems undersized, whereas the storage room in the garage is huge. All this under a flat roof — that will be quite a chunk and would be too expensive for me.

Overall, in my opinion, the design is not well oriented to natural light. That would bother me so much that I would probably start over from scratch.

ypg schrieb:

Hmm, I like the fitness room. Also the storage room behind the garage.
The living and dining areas will be dark. I recall this has been mentioned elsewhere as well. The pantry doesn’t add anything to the nice space. On the contrary, in my opinion, it ruins a good sense of spaciousness. Additionally, the south wall of the open-plan area, in my view, is needed for a large window.
A toilet on the upper floor separated from the shower (kids’ bathroom?) is not practical!

Thank you! Yes, we have probably already discussed the lighting issue in the thread about the attic. Unfortunately, the pantry is fixed for us (mainly because there is no basement), and we haven't found an alternative yet...

K a t j a schrieb:

Not bad, but the lighting in the living area seems insufficient to me. No window on the south side means little light on the dining table. Is there a chest freezer planned for the windowless corner? First, that would look odd, and second, I believe there needs to be a window there.
Also:
- That long partition wall to the living room with the fireplace at the end – can half of it be removed? Otherwise, it will get quite dark. The large window helps, but the light struggles to reach the “kitchen corner.” There’s also a covered terrace. The wall makes it worse. Nobody really needs a fireplace anyway.
- Missing window in the pantry. A small one would suffice, but having none is a problem.
- Door from the garage to the cloakroom is unnecessary – the path around outside isn’t much longer, it takes up space, causes issues with exhaust fumes, and adds an extra security risk.
- Office and fitness room combined? I wouldn’t think of that. That’s also why I wouldn’t build a basement. Do you really need two offices?
- Also poorly lit sink in the kids’ bathroom. Separate toilet again? Isn’t that a bit over the top?
- It’s a pity the bedroom is directly adjacent to a child’s room. At this price level, that would bother me. Maybe it’s better to swap with the fitness room.
- Building services look tight. Storage room in the garage is huge, though. All under a flat roof – that will be a solid lump and likely expensive.

Overall, in my opinion, not well oriented for natural light. That would bother me so much that I’d probably start over.

Thank you!

- Regarding lighting in the living area/kitchen: there is a large refrigerator planned in that corner, already integrated with the kitchen cabinetry. But maybe that spot could be better used to bring in more light… we don’t necessarily want to start over though 🙄
- We would prefer not to remove the fireplace, but shortening it should still be possible, yes.
- We have already inquired about a window in the pantry, yes.
- Office/fitness: it’s basically intended as a basement replacement, a sort of “man cave” for the house;) Not necessarily two offices, but one is fixed, and the office in the guest room is only planned as a backup for a second office.
- Kids’ bathroom: thanks, we have to think about that.
- Bedroom next to child’s room: there are brick walls in between, so it should be fine.
- Building services: Why tight? Heat pump, boiler, possibly water softener, and what else?

Rooms should be a comfortable size without being excessive.
I find the entire floor plan with 240 sqm (2,583 sq ft) extremely wasteful. The kitchen with the pantry seems more suited for a household of six people.