ᐅ Plot Facing Northwest – Tips

Based on the experience of building several single-family homes/bungalows, for the fourth and final house we decided on a north-facing terrace and living room. This was partly dictated by the plot. Never again a living room and terrace facing south or west! Just look at such plots in this current heat. No one is on the terrace, and everyone is stuck inside the dark rooms.

Hausbau 55 schrieb:

Based on experience from building several single-family homes and bungalows, for our fourth and final house we decided to place the terrace and living room facing north. This was partly dictated by the plot. Never again will I have the living room and terrace facing south or west! Just look at plots like that in this heat right now. No one is sitting on the terrace and everyone is hiding inside in the dark.

That is a very valuable insight. Thank you!

ypg schrieb:

Similar to a picture where you can barely see anything but trees… which neighbor are you supposed to avoid disturbing?
Maybe just leave some small trees standing so you don’t bother them?
…
Could it be that you already posted your site plan in another thread but with a different question??? 😉

I have indeed posted the site plan before, but in the same forum for a different question. That’s correct. But is that a problem? The other topic had nothing to do with this one.

So my concerns are a bit more specific as follows: The plot is oriented northwest (I’ll call that the main garden). Regardless, I imagined the house with all main rooms facing that direction (= large garden area). Kitchen, living room, master bedroom, terrace, etc. There are no immediate neighbors that way, and there’s plenty of space.
Since the house already takes up a lot of width, on the left side there would only be limited space for the terrace plus neighbors directly border that side.

Now I visited the general contractor and, to my surprise, he immediately dismissed my idea and wants to orient almost everything to the left (away from the main garden). Terrace, large balcony, living room, and so on.

When I think about my living concept, I don’t like that at all. However, I personally have no experience with the real impact of the cardinal directions and my specific situation regarding the main garden.

So my question is, what consequences should I expect if I stick with my plan?

Hausbau 55 schrieb:

This was also somewhat determined by the plot. Never again a living room and terrace facing south or west!

You have to justify it somehow. But that's completely understandable.

gregman22 schrieb:

That’s true. But is that really a problem? The other topic was unrelated to this one.

No, not a problem. But somehow we have to focus on your “problem.” The wooded picture isn’t helping us move forward.

gregman22 schrieb:

I want to avoid having the main orientation facing the neighbors.

What is, for example, your main orientation in your view? Neighbors seem to be everywhere, which is natural. The main garden will be on the north side. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be the “most important” orientation. Ultimately, with good architecture, you can place a decent house on almost any plot where the rooms get enough daylight. Sometimes you just have to deviate a bit from the standard layout.
For advice, we need dimensions and a room program—that is, your requirements. And of course the zoning plan / building permit. Do we have that? Did I miss something?

Hausbau 55 schrieb:

Never again a living room and terrace facing south or west! Look at properties like this in the current heat. Nobody is on the terrace and everyone stays in the dark room.

Everyone is different. I’m very happy with my south-facing living room; thanks to external venetian blinds and additional shading, it’s not dark there even during the day. But in summer, I spend time outside, preferably on our small north-facing terrace, and I’m not often inside the living room during the day. On the large south-facing terrace, it’s hardly bearable in the height of summer. In winter, however, I often stay in the living room during the day, and the south orientation is absolutely great, with large windows all around.

As I said, it’s a very individual preference and naturally also depends on the details of the property.

ypg schrieb:

You have to put a positive spin on it. But that’s completely legitimate.

No problem. But we need to somehow focus on your “problem.” The wooded picture doesn’t help us move forward.

So what would you say is your most important orientation right now? Neighbors seem to be everywhere, which isn’t unusual. The main garden will be to the north. But that doesn’t necessarily make it the “most important.” Ultimately, with good architecture, you can place a decent house on almost any plot where the rooms get enough light. Sometimes you just have to deviate a bit from the standard grid.
For advice, we need measurements and a room program, that is, the requirements. And, of course, the planning permission / building permit. Do we have that? Did I miss something?

ypg, thank you very much. I have now added more images: the development plan (155m² (1670 sq ft) footprint, 2 full stories) and another recent Google Earth image.

I would describe our planned room program as follows:

Ground floor:

• Large open space consisting of kitchen, living room, dining area
• Utility room
• Guest toilet
• Hallway/stairs, etc.
• Granny flat: It is very important to us that the granny flat occupies a less prominent part of the ground floor (50-60m² (540-650 sq ft)). It will only be used occasionally.

First floor:

• Master bedroom with separate walk-in closet, master bathroom
• Children’s room 1
• Children’s room 2
• Bathroom
• Reading and playroom

Attic:

• Office 1
• Office 2
• Guest room
• Small bathroom with shower

Basement:

• Hobby and fitness room
• Sauna with antechamber
• Technical room
• Boiler room
• Storage room

We are planning for approximately 300m² (3,230 sq ft) of total living area.

Since the plot borders directly on the neighbors to the left and only a narrow corridor remains, I prefer not to focus the daily living areas there. Instead, I want to prioritize the main garden (rear) as the central focus.

I hope this information helps you assist me better.

Dimensions of the plot? And which plan is oriented to true north? The map plan or the excerpt from the development plan? Or neither?