ᐅ Suggestions for the floor plan of a single-family house, approximately 175 sqm, with a pitched roof
Created on: 4 Nov 2022 22:51
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epinephrin
I’m venturing into this part of the forum to share our floor plan for discussion. I’m hoping for constructive feedback and ideas in case improvements would be advisable.
We want a bright house of about 160-170 sqm (1700-1830 sq ft). We would prefer an open staircase design, but it should not interfere with the floor plan. The flat roof dormer is more than just a nice-to-have... 🙂
Overall, we like the current floor plan very much, but since we are building novices, we would like to go over it with you experts to identify any possible issues. As we haven’t signed the contract with the general contractor yet, there are unfortunately no detailed dimensions available. The furnishing in the kitchen, bathroom, and living area is not yet fixed, so please don’t focus too much on those!
Orientation: the street and entrance are on the north side, terrace faces southwest.
Development plan / restrictions
Plot size: 854 sqm (9190 sq ft)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: 0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundary: 3 m (10 ft) from plot boundary
Edge development: garage approx. 1 m (3 ft) northeast
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of storeys: max. 2 full floors
Roof type: gable roof 30-45°, hipped roof 25-35°, shed roof, flat roof possible
Style: modern
Orientation: southwest
Maximum height/building limits: ridge height 8.50 m (28 ft)
Additional requirements: driveway max. 4 m (13 ft) wide
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: modern gable roof house (without eaves)
Basement, floors: no basement; 1.5 or 2 storeys; cold roof
Number of people, ages: 4 people (42, 41, 8, 5)
Room requirements on ground floor: kitchen, living, office, shower/WC, utility room; upper floor: sleeping, dressing room, 2 children’s rooms, bathroom, reading corner
Office: used for family or home office? 1 home office
Number of overnight guests per year: max 2
Open or closed architecture: open and bright
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open (but no direct view to living area), kitchen island if possible
Number of dining seats: 6 (preferably extendable to at least 8)
Fireplace: bioethanol / water vapor fireplace
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no, but projecting bay window on upper floor
Garage, carport: garage or carport (6x9 m (20x30 ft) – position and storage room next to or behind garage not fixed yet – orientation on plot either lengthwise or widthwise)
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Further wishes / special features / daily routine, also reasons for decisions:
House design
Origin of the design: original floor plan from Gussek House “Zypressenallee,” adapted to our needs and wishes by a general contractor’s planner
What do you like most and why? We like the layout and orientation of the ground floor, with sightlines from the entrance area
What do you like least and why? Uncertainty whether the kitchen is too tight; arrangement options for living room (sofa, piano!, bioethanol fireplace?) – possibly remove the middle square window in the living area on the ground floor in favor of more space for furniture?
Price estimate from architect/planner: 600,000 EUR (including garage, additional construction costs)
Personal price limit for house including equipment: 600,000 EUR
Preferred heating system: air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up on certain details or extras:
- Can give up: staircase, 10 sqm (110 sq ft) of living space
- Cannot give up: bay window on upper floor (I just really like this nesting box)
Why is the design as it is now? For example:
The desire for a bay window with reading window and open architecture was implemented, combining examples from various magazines...
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
see above
We want a bright house of about 160-170 sqm (1700-1830 sq ft). We would prefer an open staircase design, but it should not interfere with the floor plan. The flat roof dormer is more than just a nice-to-have... 🙂
Overall, we like the current floor plan very much, but since we are building novices, we would like to go over it with you experts to identify any possible issues. As we haven’t signed the contract with the general contractor yet, there are unfortunately no detailed dimensions available. The furnishing in the kitchen, bathroom, and living area is not yet fixed, so please don’t focus too much on those!
Orientation: the street and entrance are on the north side, terrace faces southwest.
Development plan / restrictions
Plot size: 854 sqm (9190 sq ft)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: 0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundary: 3 m (10 ft) from plot boundary
Edge development: garage approx. 1 m (3 ft) northeast
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of storeys: max. 2 full floors
Roof type: gable roof 30-45°, hipped roof 25-35°, shed roof, flat roof possible
Style: modern
Orientation: southwest
Maximum height/building limits: ridge height 8.50 m (28 ft)
Additional requirements: driveway max. 4 m (13 ft) wide
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: modern gable roof house (without eaves)
Basement, floors: no basement; 1.5 or 2 storeys; cold roof
Number of people, ages: 4 people (42, 41, 8, 5)
Room requirements on ground floor: kitchen, living, office, shower/WC, utility room; upper floor: sleeping, dressing room, 2 children’s rooms, bathroom, reading corner
Office: used for family or home office? 1 home office
Number of overnight guests per year: max 2
Open or closed architecture: open and bright
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open (but no direct view to living area), kitchen island if possible
Number of dining seats: 6 (preferably extendable to at least 8)
Fireplace: bioethanol / water vapor fireplace
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no, but projecting bay window on upper floor
Garage, carport: garage or carport (6x9 m (20x30 ft) – position and storage room next to or behind garage not fixed yet – orientation on plot either lengthwise or widthwise)
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Further wishes / special features / daily routine, also reasons for decisions:
- Seating window on upper floor (bay window) – to hopefully bring plenty of light into the hallway and provide a nice view
- Open staircase (straight or with landing, no preference)
- Kitchen without direct line of sight from living area
- Office preferably with garden access
House design
Origin of the design: original floor plan from Gussek House “Zypressenallee,” adapted to our needs and wishes by a general contractor’s planner
What do you like most and why? We like the layout and orientation of the ground floor, with sightlines from the entrance area
What do you like least and why? Uncertainty whether the kitchen is too tight; arrangement options for living room (sofa, piano!, bioethanol fireplace?) – possibly remove the middle square window in the living area on the ground floor in favor of more space for furniture?
Price estimate from architect/planner: 600,000 EUR (including garage, additional construction costs)
Personal price limit for house including equipment: 600,000 EUR
Preferred heating system: air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up on certain details or extras:
- Can give up: staircase, 10 sqm (110 sq ft) of living space
- Cannot give up: bay window on upper floor (I just really like this nesting box)
Why is the design as it is now? For example:
The desire for a bay window with reading window and open architecture was implemented, combining examples from various magazines...
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
see above
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epinephrin5 Nov 2022 14:51Thank you very much for all your thoughts! I'm actually a bit relieved that not everyone finds the design completely terrible. ;-)
I think we subconsciously planned the rooms to be more spacious because the ones in our current apartment feel far too cramped—specifically the bathroom and hallway. We have two girls who will eventually reach puberty, but we still didn’t want a separate children’s bathroom. That’s why there is a shower on the ground floor as a backup (personally, I could do without it, but maybe we would regret it later with the girls). Perhaps that explains the preference for this size...
One challenge in the planning process is that we haven’t received exact dimensions of the rooms yet (unless we somehow measure everything ourselves). The bed alcoves in the children’s rooms would alternatively be used for wardrobes if the depth is sufficient.
The office will be my husband’s home office space. Ten square meters (about 108 sq ft) are enough for him; he currently only has a small nook in the apartment. He’s not used to luxury. 😎 The piano is definitely intended for the living room. At least, that’s the plan.
I think we subconsciously planned the rooms to be more spacious because the ones in our current apartment feel far too cramped—specifically the bathroom and hallway. We have two girls who will eventually reach puberty, but we still didn’t want a separate children’s bathroom. That’s why there is a shower on the ground floor as a backup (personally, I could do without it, but maybe we would regret it later with the girls). Perhaps that explains the preference for this size...
kati1337 schrieb:
I have to leave some praise.
You see many floor plans on the building forum, and I find this one very well designed and appealing at first glance.
What I would reconsider: the bed alcoves in the children’s bedrooms—will you still be able to furnish the rooms satisfactorily when the children want larger beds? You would probably have to use those niches for wardrobes then?
The office is relatively small. It depends on how often you plan to use it and whether it bothers you. With a piano, I find it a bit cramped.
One challenge in the planning process is that we haven’t received exact dimensions of the rooms yet (unless we somehow measure everything ourselves). The bed alcoves in the children’s rooms would alternatively be used for wardrobes if the depth is sufficient.
The office will be my husband’s home office space. Ten square meters (about 108 sq ft) are enough for him; he currently only has a small nook in the apartment. He’s not used to luxury. 😎 The piano is definitely intended for the living room. At least, that’s the plan.
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epinephrin5 Nov 2022 15:02ypg schrieb:
What feels a bit like window dressing to me is the generous staircase and the minimal wall layout on the ground floor. Fundamentally, it’s a real pleasure for me. But it does create some glare.
The problem (for me) would be that the entrance to the living room, meaning the door to the left, and the kitchen to the right of the sofa, wouldn’t be visible. That’s not the cozy “cave effect.” For those who aren’t bothered or are not sensitive to spatial effects, this might be irrelevant. For me, it’s almost a dealbreaker.
The same goes for the sofa positioned the other way around. Then you’re sitting with your back to the garden and can’t see it from the sofa.
May I ask if the double garage with storage room is included in the price?I don’t quite understand what you mean by the wall layout—what exactly causes the glare? I’d also prefer to avoid having my back to the garden, partly because of the glare from the windows, as @Nida35a mentions. Regarding the view of the doors and the cave-like atmosphere… hmm… I honestly haven’t consciously paid attention to that yet.
The garage is included. The house itself was estimated at 510k plus 40k for the garage with storage area, plus 50k for additional building costs. I wouldn’t mind reducing the size a bit; I just don’t know how.
@hanse987 and @kbt09: that’s a good point! We really need to take another look at that. I’ve always wondered if it might feel somewhat short. Could lowering the ceiling height be a possible solution?
Myrna_Loy schrieb:
Where is the terrace planned? Also on the southwest side? Then the kitchen would be "quite far away." If I’m reading the site plan correctly, the reading room is in the southeast. The terrace is shown on the sketch "only" in the southeast, but according to the text it should extend around the corner and thus also be on the southwest side. Perhaps a door to the outside could be added to the kitchen, with a path leading to the terrace. This would make it easier, especially in summer when the large southwest window is kept closed with the roller shutter down due to the heat, but you still want to access the terrace.
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epinephrin6 Nov 2022 10:30RomeoZwo schrieb:
If I’m reading the site plan correctly, the reading room is in the southeast. The terrace is shown as "only" in the southeast on the sketch, but according to the text it should wrap around the corner and also be in the southwest. Maybe the kitchen could have a door leading outside and from there a path to the terrace. This would make it easier to access the terrace in summer when the large southwest window is closed with the blinds down due to the heat. The street and kitchen are located opposite the terrace, facing west. Thus, the terrace is planned as a corner terrace facing south and west. The idea of a window near the kitchen is definitely worth considering, as the dining table will probably still be in the way.
Yesterday we tried to incorporate your previous suggestions and sketched the furniture (presumably not exactly to a 1:100 scale). This doesn’t really change the basic floor plan yet. The bedroom with our large bed is still proving difficult.
We have initially taken the following points into account:
- Utility room door positioned at the top of the plan opposite the garage door
- Middle window in the living area removed – allowing the sofa and TV to face the stairway/exterior wall
- Considering whether a small bioethanol fireplace (about 110 x 35 cm (43 x 14 inches)) between the living and dining areas could help break up the "through-way" feeling
- Shading for the reading bay window
- Children’s room bed niches should easily fit beds up to 200 x 90 cm (79 x 35 inches)
- Removed the gable-side corner window in the bedroom, but the bed 200 cm (79 inches) wide x 210 cm (83 inches) long still doesn’t fit without obstructing the narrow window; maybe a walk-in closet and bedroom without a separating wall? Still can’t find a suitable solution without a door being in the way…
epinephrin schrieb:
- Children's bedroom bed recesses should not be a problem for beds up to 200x90 cm (79x35 inches)From around 14 to 16 years old, this often becomes too narrow for the "kids" as well. At that age, the likelihood of sharing the bed with someone else can suddenly increase significantly ;-) .
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