ᐅ Unequal Width in Planned Semi-Detached House

Hello everyone,

I’m new to this forum and have a question about our building project. We have the opportunity to purchase a discounted building plot (approx. 350m2 (3750 sq ft)) for a semi-detached house in the outskirts of Munich. The contract for this is already available to us.
The plot for the other half of the house was sold four months ago. Last week, I was able to get in touch with our future building partners, who already have approval for the following semi-detached house:
- Model Danwood 116w
- Gable roof
- No basement
- 2 full floors, no option for attic space
- Dimensions 10.2 x 7 m (33.5 x 23 ft)
- Wall height 6.2 m (20.3 ft)
- Roof pitch 25°
- Total living area 116 m2 (1248 sq ft)

And here lies the catch: we are a family with soon two children and a need for a large home office. Therefore, 116m2 (1248 sq ft) is definitely too little space for us. After consulting with the local building authority, it would be possible to keep the length of 10.2m (33.5 ft) that borders the neighbor but build our half wider (up to 9 m (29.5 ft)). Also, building without a basement is not an option for us. Then we would have:
- Basement
- Ground floor plus attic with external dimensions 10.2 x 9 m (33.5 x 29.5 ft)

So, I think we could realize about 135–140 m2 (1453–1507 sq ft) of living space.
Now my question to the forum: would you build such an asymmetrical semi-detached house?
Of course, it’s frustrating to have to adapt to the shallow roof pitch and limited length. At the same time, it might also be nice to have two relatively spacious floors. There would of course be the option to decline the plot altogether – but given its location and price, that is not our preferred choice.
Maybe someone has experience or tips for a rather unconventional semi-detached house! We appreciate any feedback.

Our neighbors on the left have the exact same situation – they don’t care at all. Both halves are also completely different internally and, dear me, have even ended up with different colors.

I wouldn’t give up on the square meters I want just because the neighbors don’t want such a large space. You just have to check the basement situation – this was the case with other acquaintances (one with a basement, one without). The one with a basement didn’t build it directly adjacent to the other house but basically started about a meter (3 feet) further back.

If you and your neighbors are building without a basement, then hurry up and be the first. Otherwise, it will become complicated and expensive!

hanse987 schrieb:

If you and the neighbors are building without basements, then hurry up and be the first. Otherwise, it will be complicated and expensive!

Exactly!

Fraumaunz schrieb:

Now my question to the forum: would you build such an asymmetrical semi-detached house?

Why not? As long as it’s not explicitly prohibited by the local development plan / zoning regulations. And you already have the go-ahead from the building authority.
I honestly don’t see why you would have concerns. Legally, there are no semi-detached houses per se, just restrictions that mean you have to share a wall with your neighbor, to put it simply. This often makes sense, considering the plots are small and otherwise each would have to keep a 2.5 or 3 meter (8 or 10 feet) setback from the property boundary.
I would even welcome building in a more individual way instead of making identical twins.

There are many ways to build connected homes. I know of two houses on a trapezoid-shaped lot where the houses are positioned behind each other and staggered, so only the offset garages are attached.
Since the dimensions of your lot are unknown, just see what makes sense. A side extension might also be an option. There’s more than one way to build functional and practical.
You can also create living space in the basement if it is designed to meet habitable room standards. Some basements have a larger floor area than the ground floor, allowing for a roof window or skylight at ground level. Or more conventionally, a light well can be planned for larger windows.
116 square meters (1,250 square feet) is really not much. My single-family house had that size, but it was sufficient for a small family including a basement.

No problem at all. Just make sure the basement is the first one.

Fraumaunz schrieb:

- Model Danwood 116w

Danwood also modifies existing houses. I once had one (the Brave, does that still exist?) reduced in size to make it suitable for two people. They then professionally created a nice design for me. If we had signed, the architect’s fee would have been 5000 € instead of 3000 € (prices at that time).