ᐅ Vacation Home Floor Plan Tuscany – 175 sqm on a Moderate Hillside Location
Created on: 22 Oct 2024 23:37
J
Janne01Hello everyone,
I have been reading the forum for a while now and am impressed by the amount of information and tips shared here. If possible, I would also like to hear your opinions and assessments regarding our project.
We are still in the planning phase and have had initial discussions with our architects. Therefore, the information base is limited. Nevertheless, I would already like to receive feedback from you about what we should definitely pay attention to, what you think is realistic, and so on.
About the project: We have purchased a plot of land in Tuscany (10,500 sqm (2.6 acres)) located on a hillside (I would say a moderate slope / with an elevation change of 2m (6.5 ft) across the area where the house will be built), overlooking a small town in the valley and the hills of Tuscany. The plot faces northeast. The house (and later a small separate studio as well as a pool) will be a gathering place for the entire family.
The architects have already created initial floor plan drafts and have also consulted with the relevant authorities regarding size and construction method to ensure that the volume can be built as planned. An official building permit / planning permission has not yet been granted, as it is still early in the process.
I have attached a topographic map showing the house positioning as the architects suggested it would be most sensible, especially considering the view (towards the northeast). There is another house nearby that is already connected to electricity and water. The water is sourced from a spring. The pipes run along the lower edge of our plot, meaning the water must be brought up to the house (height difference about 7m (23 ft)).
We are commissioning the architects for the entire process, including tendering, bid comparison, work acceptance, site supervision, construction management, submitting applications, dealing with authorities … really everything, since we will not be on site. The architects are established in the region and have completed many projects there (for private clients, hotels, municipalities). They want EUR 80,000 plus VAT for the complete service, approximately EUR 100,000 gross in total. This also includes structural engineering, soil reports (already available), surveying, etc. They are designing the main house, studio, and outdoor areas. However, due to budget restrictions, only the main house will be built initially.
Budget: For the house, including earthworks, slab foundation, ancillary costs, taxes, and immediate outdoor areas around the house, we have communicated a budget of EUR 540,000 to the architects. The house has a floor area of about 175 sqm (1,883 sq ft) over two floors. We want to build the house using separate contracts. The architect believes this approach can make the project about 20–30% cheaper compared to a turnkey contract. He would, however, like to obtain a comparable turnkey offer for comparison. He mentioned Rubner as a potential home builder.
How do you assess the costs for the architects? How do you see the project budget-wise, and are there aspects we should pay close attention to? What do you think of the floor plan? I wonder if there is enough storage space. Maybe this is still too early a detail, but would you install air conditioning, and on the northeast side, would a pergola be sufficient for shading the kitchen/living area, or would you recommend blinds or shutters instead?
Thank you very much for your help in advance
I have been reading the forum for a while now and am impressed by the amount of information and tips shared here. If possible, I would also like to hear your opinions and assessments regarding our project.
We are still in the planning phase and have had initial discussions with our architects. Therefore, the information base is limited. Nevertheless, I would already like to receive feedback from you about what we should definitely pay attention to, what you think is realistic, and so on.
About the project: We have purchased a plot of land in Tuscany (10,500 sqm (2.6 acres)) located on a hillside (I would say a moderate slope / with an elevation change of 2m (6.5 ft) across the area where the house will be built), overlooking a small town in the valley and the hills of Tuscany. The plot faces northeast. The house (and later a small separate studio as well as a pool) will be a gathering place for the entire family.
The architects have already created initial floor plan drafts and have also consulted with the relevant authorities regarding size and construction method to ensure that the volume can be built as planned. An official building permit / planning permission has not yet been granted, as it is still early in the process.
I have attached a topographic map showing the house positioning as the architects suggested it would be most sensible, especially considering the view (towards the northeast). There is another house nearby that is already connected to electricity and water. The water is sourced from a spring. The pipes run along the lower edge of our plot, meaning the water must be brought up to the house (height difference about 7m (23 ft)).
We are commissioning the architects for the entire process, including tendering, bid comparison, work acceptance, site supervision, construction management, submitting applications, dealing with authorities … really everything, since we will not be on site. The architects are established in the region and have completed many projects there (for private clients, hotels, municipalities). They want EUR 80,000 plus VAT for the complete service, approximately EUR 100,000 gross in total. This also includes structural engineering, soil reports (already available), surveying, etc. They are designing the main house, studio, and outdoor areas. However, due to budget restrictions, only the main house will be built initially.
Budget: For the house, including earthworks, slab foundation, ancillary costs, taxes, and immediate outdoor areas around the house, we have communicated a budget of EUR 540,000 to the architects. The house has a floor area of about 175 sqm (1,883 sq ft) over two floors. We want to build the house using separate contracts. The architect believes this approach can make the project about 20–30% cheaper compared to a turnkey contract. He would, however, like to obtain a comparable turnkey offer for comparison. He mentioned Rubner as a potential home builder.
How do you assess the costs for the architects? How do you see the project budget-wise, and are there aspects we should pay close attention to? What do you think of the floor plan? I wonder if there is enough storage space. Maybe this is still too early a detail, but would you install air conditioning, and on the northeast side, would a pergola be sufficient for shading the kitchen/living area, or would you recommend blinds or shutters instead?
Thank you very much for your help in advance
As an addendum, here is the questionnaire:
Development Plan/Restrictions
Plot size – 10,500 sqm (11,300 sq ft)
Slope – yes, moderate
Floor area ratio – n/a
Gross floor area ratio – n/a
Building envelope, building line, and boundary – n/a
Edge development – n/a
Number of parking spaces – n/a
Number of floors – 2
Roof style – n/a
Architectural style – n/a
Orientation – northeast
Maximum heights/limits – n/a
Other requirements
Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof form, building type – traditional Tuscan with modern elements
Basement, floors – no basement, 2 full floors
Number of occupants, ages – 2 people, 35, 42, dog
Space requirements on ground and upper floors – Ground floor: living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, guest bathroom, utility room
Office: family use or home office? Both
Guest stays per year – probably 8 (not all at once), also for longer periods and when we are not there
Open or closed architecture – open
Conservative or modern construction – a mix
Open kitchen, kitchen island – yes
Number of dining seats – 8
Fireplace – no
Music/stereo wall
Balcony, roof terrace – roof terrace
Garage, carport – carport
Kitchen garden, greenhouse – probably both (but only once we live there for longer periods)
Additional wishes/features/daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be included
House Design
Who designed it: architect
What do you particularly like? Why? – It has everything we need
What do you not like? Why? – I am uncertain about the storage space (too little?)
Price estimate according to architect/planner: EUR 500,000 – 540,000
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings: EUR 610,000
Preferred heating technology: n/a
If you have to give up, which details/upgrades
-you can give up: floor area
-you cannot give up:
Why did the design turn out the way it is now?
We gave the architect a wish list, for example the number of guest rooms; the view of the valley and the distance was very important to us and was to be the focus of the design.
What makes it particularly good or bad in your view? The mix of traditional Tuscan construction with some more modern aspects (large windows, separation of the two building volumes with glass elements).
Development Plan/Restrictions
Plot size – 10,500 sqm (11,300 sq ft)
Slope – yes, moderate
Floor area ratio – n/a
Gross floor area ratio – n/a
Building envelope, building line, and boundary – n/a
Edge development – n/a
Number of parking spaces – n/a
Number of floors – 2
Roof style – n/a
Architectural style – n/a
Orientation – northeast
Maximum heights/limits – n/a
Other requirements
Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof form, building type – traditional Tuscan with modern elements
Basement, floors – no basement, 2 full floors
Number of occupants, ages – 2 people, 35, 42, dog
Space requirements on ground and upper floors – Ground floor: living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, guest bathroom, utility room
Office: family use or home office? Both
Guest stays per year – probably 8 (not all at once), also for longer periods and when we are not there
Open or closed architecture – open
Conservative or modern construction – a mix
Open kitchen, kitchen island – yes
Number of dining seats – 8
Fireplace – no
Music/stereo wall
Balcony, roof terrace – roof terrace
Garage, carport – carport
Kitchen garden, greenhouse – probably both (but only once we live there for longer periods)
Additional wishes/features/daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be included
House Design
Who designed it: architect
What do you particularly like? Why? – It has everything we need
What do you not like? Why? – I am uncertain about the storage space (too little?)
Price estimate according to architect/planner: EUR 500,000 – 540,000
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings: EUR 610,000
Preferred heating technology: n/a
If you have to give up, which details/upgrades
-you can give up: floor area
-you cannot give up:
Why did the design turn out the way it is now?
We gave the architect a wish list, for example the number of guest rooms; the view of the valley and the distance was very important to us and was to be the focus of the design.
What makes it particularly good or bad in your view? The mix of traditional Tuscan construction with some more modern aspects (large windows, separation of the two building volumes with glass elements).
Congratulations on the plot!
Is this going to be a holiday home or for permanent residence?
However, the slope is not visible in the design.
Regarding shading: in southern regions, I would always recommend a covered terrace.
Rubner, they build wooden houses?! Is that the right company?!
Is this going to be a holiday home or for permanent residence?
Janne01 schrieb:
with a slope of 2m (6.6 feet) across the area where the house is to be built),
However, the slope is not visible in the design.
Regarding shading: in southern regions, I would always recommend a covered terrace.
Rubner, they build wooden houses?! Is that the right company?!
ypg schrieb:
Congratulations on the plot!
Is this going to be a holiday home or for permanent residence?
The slope isn’t visible in the design, though.
Regarding shading: in southern regions, I would always recommend a covered terrace.
Rubner, they build wooden houses?! Is that the right company?! It is going to be a holiday home. However, we plan to stay there for longer periods in the future when work allows. That probably won’t happen for the next 15 years, except maybe for stays of a month at a time.
The plan is to level the area around the house. That’s why it is shown that way in the house sketch. I hope it’s visible in the other picture with the elevation details.
We definitely want a covered terrace. Otherwise, it would be unbearable in summer, although the northeast orientation should offer some protection from extremes. I’m just wondering whether additional roller shutters or venetian blinds are necessary, or if they might not be effective at all?
He was indeed referring to Rubner, the timber builders.
If I interpret this correctly, north is at the bottom of the floor plan (it’s always helpful to include a north arrow on floor plans).
If interpreted correctly, it seems there is not enough light coming into the rooms from the west, as there is only this narrow strip of windows.
I really like the overall layout, the proposed furniture arrangement, and so on. The only critical point I see is the starting point of the staircase. I find it somewhat poorly defined. Depending on the sofa position, it could become cramped in an otherwise spacious house. Additionally, the main circulation path runs directly behind the sofa.
The staircase also influences much of the rest of the layout.
If interpreted correctly, it seems there is not enough light coming into the rooms from the west, as there is only this narrow strip of windows.
I really like the overall layout, the proposed furniture arrangement, and so on. The only critical point I see is the starting point of the staircase. I find it somewhat poorly defined. Depending on the sofa position, it could become cramped in an otherwise spacious house. Additionally, the main circulation path runs directly behind the sofa.
The staircase also influences much of the rest of the layout.
kbt09 schrieb:
If I interpret this correctly, north is at the bottom of the floor plan (it’s always helpful to include a north arrow on floor plans).
If that is correct, then I think there is too little light coming into the rooms from the west, as there is only this narrow strip of windows.
I really like the overall layout, the suggested furniture arrangement, etc. The only critical point I see is the starting point of the staircase. I somehow find it not well defined. Depending on the sofa position, it can become cramped in an otherwise spacious house. Also, the traffic flow passes directly behind the sofa. The staircase also influences much of the other layout. Correct. North is at the bottom of the plan. The sun sets behind the hill, so sunlight from the west is generally limited.
I find your point about the staircase very interesting. I hadn’t noticed that before. Do you think it could be resolved by rearranging the sofa position? Changing the staircase location would probably have significant consequences. On the other hand, without children there is limited foot traffic anyway 🙂
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