ᐅ Vacation Home Floor Plan Tuscany – 175 sqm on a Moderate Hillside Location
Created on: 22 Oct 2024 23:37
J
Janne01
Hello 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
S
Schorsch_baut23 Oct 2024 19:07Building in Italy is notoriously challenging. It is important to understand that the system is very different from what you would find in Germany.
ypg schrieb:
Maybe I’m just overcomplicating this in my head. I just reviewed my thoughts again.
ypg schrieb:
The plan seems to lack consideration of the local situation. I don’t mean the exterior style, but rather aspects like the weather conditions, terrain, and use as a holiday home. I think I can express it better now or add more detail:
You are planning around 70 sqm (750 sq ft) of open-plan space. That might be appropriate, maybe a bit large, or too small for some... plus an open gallery. Either you like that or not. (Personally, I prefer spaciousness and I have an open ceiling space myself, so don’t get me wrong.)
However, you are designing a house partly for holidays in a hot climate, and possibly later for other uses as the situation changes. The hot climate remains. But you seem to forget that life here in Tuscany mostly takes place outdoors. Outdoor living is hardly visible in the design. I’m not just talking about an outdoor kitchen, but the actual living and dining areas integrated into or attached to the house. This should be considered from the planning and construction phase—not added later like a German-style terrace roof with an awning—but rather a deep overhang above the patio door.
Small windows are naturally managed by thick walls, as they let in less sunlight. What people want here in Germany is not the same as what’s desired there, and vice versa. Shutters there are functional, not purely decorative; therefore, external venetian blinds (raffstores) miss the point since they still allow sunlight in.
Overall, the design feels too much like a German plan.
ypg schrieb:
But I find it hard to believe anyone would use a roof terrace at 40/50 degrees accessed via a south-facing staircase.I actually have more and more doubts about that. Especially since the money can probably be better invested elsewhere.Arauki11 schrieb:
if I may elaborate on my thoughts regarding thisOf course. That’s why I’m asking for your advice.Arauki11 schrieb:
If at all, maybe a timeless classic like an old stone house or something similar, but a “normal” house built in 2025 might not be to your taste anymore by 2040, etc.That’s a good point as well. That’s why we actually wanted to build a traditionally Tuscan-style house with modern elements. Maybe large windows and a flat roof are a bit too much. But the large windows are simply wonderful for the view 🙂ypg schrieb:
but actually the living and dining areas, which are integrated into or attached to the house. Already in the planning stage, when building the houseCould you be a bit more specific? I find that aspect very interesting. Are you saying the house should only be planned as an overall concept? Including landscaping? Or am I misunderstanding? The openness of the house to the outside and creating a connection between indoors and outdoors through large openings was exactly what we had in mind.Since we can’t always be on site and professionals review things relatively objectively, I actually see that as an advantage. But of course, that is very individual… like so many things.
Your comments and food for thought are great. Thank you very much. Regarding the floor plan, I lack a bit of imagination on how it could be changed.
Janne01 schrieb:
Or am I misunderstanding? The openness of the house to the outside and creating a connection between indoors and outdoors through large openings was exactly what we had in mind. I wrote:
ypg schrieb:
But you forget that life here in Tuscany mostly takes place outdoors. People rarely stay indoors in a place like this; they find their living space outside. Yes, it might be a bit different in winter, but that’s not really a reason to build a house there. I don’t know if you’re currently living in an apartment, but your planned approach regarding the “great view” is like someone designing their house as if they don’t know that you actually spend time on your property, instead of just sticking to a windowpane—from the inside, that is.
Take a look at floor plans of houses from 1800-1900 in the southern regions; they were built without air conditioning and remained comfortable without huge windows.
With courtyards, water fountains, covered areas, and so on.
Maybe air conditioning will be banned in 15 years?
With courtyards, water fountains, covered areas, and so on.
Maybe air conditioning will be banned in 15 years?
N
nordanney23 Oct 2024 22:49Arauki11 schrieb:
I don’t know anything about "Just for Fun" or the small change; that sounds too casual to me since we don’t know the background. A vacation home is always “just for fun,” right? It’s like a “Porsche” just for fun. Anyone who can afford to build a vacation home in Tuscany alongside their property of any kind in Germany certainly doesn’t belong to the low-income group. The background doesn’t matter – the money is there.
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