ᐅ Request for Floor Plan Advice for a Bungalow Needed

Hello,

we would like to build an accessible bungalow for our parents. Our architect has already created a second design, but we are still not completely satisfied with it. More on that later.

Development Plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 562m² (6046 ft²)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio 0.3
Floor area ratio 0.6
Building envelope, building line and boundary see site plan
Edge development as in NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia)
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of storeys: 2
Roof shape
Architectural style
Orientation -
Maximum heights/limits -
Other requirements -

Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof shape, building type: Bungalow with hipped roof and double garage
Basement, storeys -
Number of occupants, age: 2, 65
Space requirement on ground floor and upper floor: Ground floor only, but with fixed concrete stairs to attic as storage
Office: family use or home office? Hobby room for crafting / ironing
Guests per year: 0
Open or closed layout: rather closed
Conservative or modern construction -
Open kitchen, kitchen island: Separate kitchen with table for 3 people
Number of dining seats: 6 in dining room
Fireplace: no
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse -

House Design
Designed by:
- Architect
What do you particularly like? Why? -
What do you not like? The floor area of 120m² (1290 ft²) is actually too small. Especially the living room with the sofa placed in the room is not appealing and takes up a lot of space.

Personal budget for the house including fittings: not relevant for now
Preferred heating system: heat pump

Why is the design the way it is now?
Second draft by the architect

What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
Desired is a bungalow with double garage. Separate kitchen with enough work surface, small pantry. Living and dining rooms. An extra room for crafting/ironing or later use as a bedroom for a caregiver. Bathroom to be barrier-free with bathtub (the bathtub does not need to be barrier-free, only the shower, toilet and sink). My parents want a terrace facing east to enjoy the morning sun while having breakfast; natural shade from the house at midday and evening would be great.

I have attached the site plan and current floor plan.

What ideas do you have to optimize the house design? I have also considered integrating the garage partly into the house to possibly gain more space. Or, in the second plan, placing the kitchen crosswise and moving the living room further back. This would create more space on the lower level, but the question is how best to use it. Moreover, the pantry would no longer be integrated.

I generally understand your idea of shifting the areas, but it no longer fits when I look at how the floor plan is positioned on the plot. In this respect, the current layout is clearly better.

Besides, I consider 120m² (1,290 sq ft) to be more than sufficient for two people. Always keep in mind that all of this will need to be maintained and cleaned in the future.

SoL schrieb:

I generally understand your idea of shifting the zones, but it no longer fits when I look at how the floor plan is positioned on the plot. In the current status quo, it works much better.

By the way, I consider 120m² (1,292 sq ft) to be more than sufficient for two people. Always keep in mind that all of this space will need to be maintained and cleaned in the future.

Do you have an alternative suggestion for a floor plan on the plot? We are open to all proposals.

Stefan67422578 schrieb:

Would you have an alternative floor plan suggestion for the plot? We are open to all proposals.

I’m sure that experts like @ypg or @K a t j a will be able to help. They can do this much better than I can...

For a bungalow, this is a very poor layout! This is not a proper bungalow design; too much importance is given to the “secondary staircase.” The proposed improvement isn’t really an improvement either. I believe many amateur ideas are attached to the awkward arrangement of the rooms, which is why everything feels off compared to what was intended.

In my opinion, the plot itself is also not very suitable for a bungalow.

However, if that is the wish, I would at least ensure that the living and common areas face south or west. More openness (for two people … over 65 … hallways are usually not necessary), and questioning the need for a double garage on a narrow plot, especially if no one has to leave the parking space in a rush in the morning.

The idea of a door between the cold storage/garage is unclear, since the garage door is directly at the main entrance. Having the bedroom directly opposite the entrance feels unsettling, and a kitchen with 15m² (161ft²) and very limited countertop space is actually smaller than some kitchens of 10m² (108ft²).

There is still a lot of potential on the site for a single-story house… just not this design. I consider this plan to be of low quality and not a suitable basis for development.

Oops, I was about to comment on the last post at the bottom, and then a series of quotes popped up,..

Stefan67422578 schrieb:

our parents

Stefan67422578 schrieb:

Our architect

Stefan67422578 schrieb:

we are happy

Position yourself or your parents! I don’t see why you would ask about your parents’ needs here. That can only lead to problems. The same thing happened a few days ago in the housing space thread for mother-in-law… a good design was discussed and improved… and mother-in-law wants it the way the impressive architect wants it 😉

Either you are asking about a rental matter, or your parents are asking themselves…

SoL schrieb:

I’m sure that experts like @ypg or @K a t j a will be able to help. They can handle this much better than I can...

You don’t need to underestimate yourself: just share your thoughts… I like to hear different perspectives 🙂