ᐅ Floor Plan Design for Single-Family Home (167 m²) – Feedback

Created on: 13 Jan 2025 14:04
J
Josy1990
Dear Forum,

We have revised our house plan together with a planner and are now very satisfied with it. However, I would be interested to hear your thoughts or if you have any suggestions for us. Thank you!

Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size – approx. 700m2 (8,400 sq ft)
Slope – no
Site coverage – approx. 168m2 (1,810 sq ft)
Floor area ratio – 81.5m2 (880 sq ft, ground floor), 86.1m2 (927 sq ft, first floor)
Building envelope, setback line, and boundary
Edge development –
Number of parking spaces – 1-2 cars, but not directly next to the house
Number of floors – 2 stories
Roof type – gable roof (approx. 15°)
Architectural style – inspired by the architecture of the adjacent wine cellars (gable roof with tiles), interpreted in a modern way (large windows)
Orientation – west
Maximum height / limitations – unknown
Additional requirements – The building area already has a concrete slab foundation (old garage, structural integrity confirmed). On three sides it borders halls. To the north is a hall with a sloping roof (lowest point about 1.6m (5 ft 3 in) high near the front, sloping up to about 2.8m (9 ft 2 in) towards the east). To the east, the adjacent hall is as high as the ground floor; from the utility room there should be a door leading into it. To the south are my grandmother’s house and garden.

Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type – inspired by the architecture of the adjacent wine cellars (gable tiled roof), modern interpretation (large windows), single-family house
Basement, floors – no basement, ground floor, first floor, and an unfinished, unheated attic
Number of residents, ages – 3 people (37, 33, 1) and a dog
Space requirements on ground/first floor –
Office: family use or home office? – home office for two planned on the first floor
Overnight guests per year – ?
Open or closed layout – open
Traditional or modern construction – modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island – open kitchen with island, sliding window above the worktop
Number of dining seats – 6-8
Fireplace – yes (on the north side in the plan), with open viewing window, integrated seating area; should partially heat the floor heating system; flue should extend slightly beyond the north wall
Music / stereo wall – unknown
Balcony, roof terrace – terrace only
Garage, carport – yes, but not directly attached to the house; located in the southwest corner of the garden to shield the neighboring utility building to the south and west
Kitchen garden, greenhouse – kitchen garden for play, living, and gardening
Other wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons for choices or exclusions

House Design
Planning by:
DIY together with a planner

What do you like most? Why?
The open layout and large window fronts (only possible on the west side on the ground floor)

What do you like least? Why? – none

Estimated cost according to architect/planner: 510,000 euros
Personal budget limit for the house including finishes: 550,000

Preferred heating technology: heat pump, fireplace, underfloor heating

If you had to give up something, which details or features
- could you give up: not really anything, but open to discussion with good arguments 🙂
- couldn’t give up: large, floor-to-ceiling windows in the living-dining area

Why is the design as it is? For example:
The conditions and the wish to reuse the existing built area somewhat limit the plan and possibilities. The adjacent halls limit windows to the west on the ground floor. To the north, a higher, long window above the dining bench can help make the space feel more open. In my opinion, the living room/niche does not necessarily need a window.

The views from the first floor to the east, north, and west are nice, overlooking the town and vineyards. Therefore, I want large windows there and have planned the office and bedroom in this area.
Floor plan of a single-family house: kitchen, living room, hallway, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, staircase.

Floor plan of a house with living area, kitchen, bathroom, terrace, garden, and garage.
Y
ypg
13 Jan 2025 23:10
K a t j a schrieb:

You mean the ceiling light strip makes it comparable to a mid-terrace house?

No, as you can read, I doubt that option. However, there is still the short entrance side... it’s hard to understand why it comes from — if I remember correctly — “I don’t want my grandparents to look into the garden.”
J
Josy1990
13 Jan 2025 23:12
K a t j a schrieb:

Do you mean the light strip on the ceiling makes it comparable to a mid-terrace house?

Where did I write anything about a mid-terrace house?
K a t j a schrieb:

Yes, great – you’ve already gained space. The shack can be removed, right? That really looks like scrap. Hopefully, there’s no asbestos installed.

Yes! The shack will be removed.

This forum is a nice place after all…
J
Josy1990
13 Jan 2025 23:14
kbt09 schrieb:

But it still makes a room feel like a basement.
If it’s not designed properly, that’s true.
Y
ypg
13 Jan 2025 23:17
Josy1990 schrieb:

If it is not designed properly, that's true.
But you would do that with the so-called light strip. You are supporting the design of a basement room.
J
Josy1990
13 Jan 2025 23:17
ypg schrieb:

No, as you can read, I doubt that option. However, there is still the short front side.. it’s not clear why it goes from – if I remember correctly – "I don’t want my grandparents to look into the garden."

What do you mean by that again? Is the entrance on the long side?!
K a t j a13 Jan 2025 23:18
Josy1990 schrieb:

Where do I mention a terraced middle house?

You weren’t meant, it was Yvonne.
Josy1990 schrieb:

This forum is a nice place...

What do you mean by that? Of course, we are very friendly. We give advice for free.