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:
  • 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

Floor plan of a house with garage, office, hallway, kitchen and open living area.


Floor plan of the upper floor with hallway, bathroom, dressing room, master bedroom, 2 children’s rooms, office/reading area.


Cross-section through a multi-storey house with staircase, roof structure, and foundation.


Hand sketch of a floor plan: house with kitchen, living room, terrace and double garage.


Site plan of a housing development with yellow streets, red residential areas, and legend on the right.
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ypg
8 Nov 2022 09:00
I find example 1 from #52 by you @kbt09 already quite close to what the original poster prefers and would start from there.
The question I have about the open staircase is that "open" can mean quite a lot: open at the top, open underneath, open without risers... so @epinephrin would need to clarify that 🙂
K a t j a8 Nov 2022 09:36
ypg schrieb:

The question about the open staircase that I’m raising is that _open_ can mean quite a lot: open at the top, open underneath, open without risers... @epinephrin would have to weigh in on that 🙂

I would be interested in that as well.
Here is another example of a landing, although without a walk-in closet but with a pantry and laundry room.

Floor plan of a house: living room, kitchen with pantry, dining area, office, utility room, guest WC, staircase, garage


Floor plan of a house: rooms such as bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, laundry, nesting box, and stairwell.
Nida35a8 Nov 2022 09:47
The latest floor plan from #62 also includes a bathroom with sauna options, the bathtub removed, and the window above the garage removed. And just like that, a wall with a modern shower and sauna next to it is planned.
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ypg
8 Nov 2022 10:37
K a t j a schrieb:

Here is another example of a platform, though without a walk-in closet but with a pantry and laundry room.
Nida35a schrieb:

The latest floor plan from #62 also includes a bathroom with sauna option, bathtub removed, window above the garage removed.
And now there is a wall with a modern shower and sauna planned next to it.


I don’t want to be a spoilsport, but I think I’m speaking for @epinephrin when I say that the preference here is more for a freestanding bathtub and a walk-in closet than other features 😉
K a t j a8 Nov 2022 14:00
ypg schrieb:

I don’t want to be a party pooper, but I think I speak for @epinephrin when I say that the preference here is more for a freestanding bathtub and a walk-in closet rather than other requests 😉

Oh, really? I hadn’t realized that. Let me summarize:

Freestanding bathtub
No spiral staircase
Window seat in a flat-roof dormer
Walk-in closet
Office
Open staircase (yet to be defined)
Guest toilet with shower

All these are wishes that will enlarge the floor plan. But the original poster wants to build 10 square meters (108 square feet) less. So somewhere, something will have to be cut with a red pen.
Y
ypg
8 Nov 2022 16:47
Maybe this could be an approach? I have made the house a bit narrower now. It might be around 40 to 50 cm (15.7 to 19.7 inches)...

Floor plan: kitchen with island; dining area; living room with sofa; office; hallway; WC; utility room; technical room.


Floor plan: master bedroom on the left, hallway in the middle, bathroom below, two children’s rooms on the right, seating/nook above.


However, I gave up on these corner windows (you have to imagine the other/remain­ing windows, I lost patience there).

3D floor plan of an apartment: bedroom, bathroom, hallway, wardrobes, and stairs.


This is what the open staircase looks like:

Open-plan kitchen with dining table, kitchen island, gray sofa area, staircase, and person in front of glass facade.