ᐅ Open Attic Space in a Tuscan-Style House

Created on: 21 Aug 2014 18:40
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buddy2014
I am currently planning my house, which will be a "Tuscan-style house."
A builder has suggested leaving the bedrooms on the first floor open to the roof, saying it makes the space feel larger and allows for an additional window in the roof.
My question is, is this option offered mainly because it is more cost-effective, and how does it affect heating costs with open ceilings? Also, isn’t installing a window in a shed roof somewhat challenging, for example, when it comes to cleaning?

Thanks for your answers
Buddy2014
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Bauexperte
22 Aug 2014 11:26
Hello,

Yvonne just recently put me on the spot
buddy2014 schrieb:
I am currently planning my house; it will be a "Tuscan-style house."
Now, a developer recommends leaving the bedrooms on the first floor (1st floor) open toward the roof, saying it looks more spacious and that a window can be installed in the roof. My question is: is this option offered because it is more cost-effective, and how are the heating costs with open ceilings? Also, isn’t a window in a shed roof somewhat difficult to maintain, for example when cleaning it?
In general, it is not more cost-effective, as a bit more drywall work is required compared to a closed ceiling; meaning additional costs.

Windows are always a tricky subject; whether it’s a gable, hip, or shed roof; rain can cause a drumming noise. No matter how much marketers try to convince you otherwise, reality often proves them wrong. Additionally—if you really want to keep the upper floor open—the window should at least be electrically operable, but then... how do you plan to clean it?

Whether it makes sense to leave the space above "just" a bedroom open depends on the room size. For a more standard size of 16–20 square meters (170–215 square feet), I would say no. If the space is significantly larger, it can be a benefit.

Heating costs are not an issue.

Best regards, Bauexperte
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buddy2014
22 Aug 2014 13:48
I looked it up again and I believe it is a hip roof.

In the meantime, I have received the first floor plan. Maybe someone can share their opinion on it. I find the bedrooms on the ground floor a bit small. The building plot allows for 12 x 23 meters (39 x 75 feet) minus setback distances (in Hamburg, as far as I know, 2.5 meters (8 feet)). Since we want to have two bedrooms on the ground floor, we will need to come up with something.

The second apartment on the ground floor and attic will be rented out.

Since I am not very experienced in construction, I would appreciate any suggestions.

Buddy2014
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DNL
23 Aug 2014 08:21
If you leave out one or two of the five (!) bathrooms in the apartment, some rooms could be larger.
If all of them have their justification, you might need to say something about the requirements.
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nordanney
23 Aug 2014 11:09
DNL schrieb:
If you leave out one or two of the five (!) bathrooms in the apartment, some rooms could be larger.
If they all have their reasons to exist, you might need to specify the requirements.

That’s incorrect; the right apartment is still missing two bathrooms so that every bedroom truly has its own bathroom.

If there is so little space on the plot, why build a house with two apartments?
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buddy2014
23 Aug 2014 11:22
You’re right, I will probably have to give up one of the shower bathrooms on the ground floor. But I would like to keep 2 bedrooms on the ground floor (age-appropriate), so I would like to slightly expand the building envelope to 18 x 13 meters (59 x 43 feet). I hope the building authority will approve this, as other houses on the street also extend beyond the building envelope. The plot is 32 meters (105 feet) deep and 23 meters (75 feet) wide.
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ypg
23 Aug 2014 12:07
Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello,

Yvonne just threw me right into the deep end

Oh, no
Many terms are often used incorrectly, and due to my profession, I am trained to distinguish the wrong from the right

Regarding the design:
Some explanations are probably necessary to properly assess it. Why a two-family house? Why two narrow bedrooms plus an additional one upstairs? Why bathrooms everywhere?
Are you planning to offer bed and breakfast for singles?????