ᐅ Single-family house floor plan, slight hillside location, northwest orientation
Created on: 23 May 2025 18:30
K
kronos215
Hello everyone,
We have almost finalized our planning with the architect and would appreciate you taking a critical look at the floor plan. Afterwards, we plan to proceed with the tendering process.
We generally like the ground floor (GF) very much. However, we are considering flipping the house and making some changes to the upper floor (UF). The garage, utility room, and technical room would move to the right, and the entire house would be shifted closer to the neighbor’s hedge on the left side (3m (10 feet) distance). The living room would then be on the left. It’s unclear whether the view of the neighbor’s hedge at a 3m (10 feet) distance will be nicer. On the positive side, the house would be better oriented towards the south and would let in more sunlight. The kitchen would then be on the right, providing wind protection from the open field while still allowing sunlight to reach the terrace.
Corner plot, one neighbor on the left, fields to the back and right
Ground floor area: 99m2 (without terrace), garage 30m2
Upper floor area: 78m2 (from 1.5m (5 feet))
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size
approx. 750m2
Slope
Yes, uphill on the mountain side. There is a manhole cover on the street in front of the plot and one behind it. The elevation difference between the covers is about 3m. The plot initially rises about 1m (3 feet) above the sidewalk and
Edge development
Yes, it’s a corner plot. There is a neighbor on the left side. Behind the house and to the right is a field path and fields.
Number of parking spaces
The adjacent street should provide sufficient parking spaces. A garage is also planned.
Number of stories
According to the development plan, 1.5-story houses are permitted.
Roof type
According to the development plan, only gable roofs are allowed.
Orientation
Northwest
Maximum heights / limits
According to the development plan, the house must be built exactly in this alignment
Requirements of the homeowners
Style, roof shape, building type
Country house style, gable roof (eaves facing the street), single-family home
Basement, number of floors
A basement was initially planned but was dropped due to budget. 1.5 floors are allowed and planned as per the development plan.
Number of occupants, age
Two adults, early 30s, no children yet but a child’s room is planned
Space requirements on GF, UF
GF: Garage, entrance hall, office 1, kitchen, living room, dining room, pantry, technical room, utility room, guest bathroom with shower
UF: Bedroom, child’s room, office 2, bathroom, storage room (planned due to no basement)
Office: family use or home office?
Both offices are currently needed for work.
Overnight guests per year
Very rarely or none
According to the development plan, 1.5-story houses are allowed
Somewhat open
Conservative or modern construction
Modern (?)
Open kitchen, cooking island
Open kitchen planned, cooking island desired but dropped due to space constraints
Number of dining seats
6, preferably expandable to 10
Fireplace
Desired and planned as a partition between dining and living room
Music / stereo wall
Desired; a niche in the living room works well for this
Balcony, roof terrace
Desired but dropped for budget reasons
Garage, carport
Planned; it is questionable whether the garage should instead be located on the right to avoid blocking the south side.
House design
Who is responsible for the design?
Architect
What do you particularly like? Why?
The open living and dining area. The open view of the fields.
The dormer on the upper floor.
What do you dislike? Why?
The corridor on the upper floor feels dark. Many skylights are planned (knee wall 80cm (31 inches) per development plan, gable roof with eaves facing the street).
The ground floor might also be dark. The garage is located on the south side. The windows facing the fields are towards the northeast.
Skylights block the option for photovoltaic panels and the attic space.
The storage room feels out of place.
Since a basement was initially planned, a hobby room was also considered, but this has been dropped.
The master bed is directly adjacent to the child’s room, but the bedroom must remain there.
Price estimate according to architect:
€540,000 (we find this optimistic; we expect higher costs and would thus like to make the floor plan more compact)
Personal price limit for house including fixtures and fittings:
€550,000 (all-in)
Preferred heating technology:
Heat pump
If you had to give up something, which details / expansions
-you could give up: a two-story open space was planned but removed, storage room on the upper floor (is it really necessary?), the GF could generally be smaller to save costs
-you cannot give up: large windows on the GF, open living-dining area, access to the house via garage and utility room, fireplace, pantry
Why has the design turned out this way?E.g.
Which wishes were implemented by the architect? The architect implemented the room concept well and incorporated many of his own ideas that we mostly find coherent.
What do you consider particularly good or bad about it? We like the ground floor very much; there is still potential for changes on the upper floor. We would also like another dormer above the entrance door, but this does not seem possible due to the development plan (the upper floor would become a full story if too much area is covered by dormers). The study could then be where the storage room currently is. The storage room could become a combined storage and hobby room.
We are grateful for any input and suggestions. We are particularly concerned about the south orientation. We do not want the rooms to become too dark.
We have almost finalized our planning with the architect and would appreciate you taking a critical look at the floor plan. Afterwards, we plan to proceed with the tendering process.
We generally like the ground floor (GF) very much. However, we are considering flipping the house and making some changes to the upper floor (UF). The garage, utility room, and technical room would move to the right, and the entire house would be shifted closer to the neighbor’s hedge on the left side (3m (10 feet) distance). The living room would then be on the left. It’s unclear whether the view of the neighbor’s hedge at a 3m (10 feet) distance will be nicer. On the positive side, the house would be better oriented towards the south and would let in more sunlight. The kitchen would then be on the right, providing wind protection from the open field while still allowing sunlight to reach the terrace.
Corner plot, one neighbor on the left, fields to the back and right
Ground floor area: 99m2 (without terrace), garage 30m2
Upper floor area: 78m2 (from 1.5m (5 feet))
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size
approx. 750m2
Slope
Yes, uphill on the mountain side. There is a manhole cover on the street in front of the plot and one behind it. The elevation difference between the covers is about 3m. The plot initially rises about 1m (3 feet) above the sidewalk and
Edge development
Yes, it’s a corner plot. There is a neighbor on the left side. Behind the house and to the right is a field path and fields.
Number of parking spaces
The adjacent street should provide sufficient parking spaces. A garage is also planned.
Number of stories
According to the development plan, 1.5-story houses are permitted.
Roof type
According to the development plan, only gable roofs are allowed.
Orientation
Northwest
Maximum heights / limits
According to the development plan, the house must be built exactly in this alignment
Requirements of the homeowners
Style, roof shape, building type
Country house style, gable roof (eaves facing the street), single-family home
Basement, number of floors
A basement was initially planned but was dropped due to budget. 1.5 floors are allowed and planned as per the development plan.
Number of occupants, age
Two adults, early 30s, no children yet but a child’s room is planned
Space requirements on GF, UF
GF: Garage, entrance hall, office 1, kitchen, living room, dining room, pantry, technical room, utility room, guest bathroom with shower
UF: Bedroom, child’s room, office 2, bathroom, storage room (planned due to no basement)
Office: family use or home office?
Both offices are currently needed for work.
Overnight guests per year
Very rarely or none
According to the development plan, 1.5-story houses are allowed
Somewhat open
Conservative or modern construction
Modern (?)
Open kitchen, cooking island
Open kitchen planned, cooking island desired but dropped due to space constraints
Number of dining seats
6, preferably expandable to 10
Fireplace
Desired and planned as a partition between dining and living room
Music / stereo wall
Desired; a niche in the living room works well for this
Balcony, roof terrace
Desired but dropped for budget reasons
Garage, carport
Planned; it is questionable whether the garage should instead be located on the right to avoid blocking the south side.
House design
Who is responsible for the design?
Architect
What do you particularly like? Why?
The open living and dining area. The open view of the fields.
The dormer on the upper floor.
What do you dislike? Why?
The corridor on the upper floor feels dark. Many skylights are planned (knee wall 80cm (31 inches) per development plan, gable roof with eaves facing the street).
The ground floor might also be dark. The garage is located on the south side. The windows facing the fields are towards the northeast.
Skylights block the option for photovoltaic panels and the attic space.
The storage room feels out of place.
Since a basement was initially planned, a hobby room was also considered, but this has been dropped.
The master bed is directly adjacent to the child’s room, but the bedroom must remain there.
Price estimate according to architect:
€540,000 (we find this optimistic; we expect higher costs and would thus like to make the floor plan more compact)
Personal price limit for house including fixtures and fittings:
€550,000 (all-in)
Preferred heating technology:
Heat pump
If you had to give up something, which details / expansions
-you could give up: a two-story open space was planned but removed, storage room on the upper floor (is it really necessary?), the GF could generally be smaller to save costs
-you cannot give up: large windows on the GF, open living-dining area, access to the house via garage and utility room, fireplace, pantry
Why has the design turned out this way?E.g.
Which wishes were implemented by the architect? The architect implemented the room concept well and incorporated many of his own ideas that we mostly find coherent.
What do you consider particularly good or bad about it? We like the ground floor very much; there is still potential for changes on the upper floor. We would also like another dormer above the entrance door, but this does not seem possible due to the development plan (the upper floor would become a full story if too much area is covered by dormers). The study could then be where the storage room currently is. The storage room could become a combined storage and hobby room.
We are grateful for any input and suggestions. We are particularly concerned about the south orientation. We do not want the rooms to become too dark.
K
kronos21525 Jun 2025 12:3111ant schrieb:
Love handles don’t care if the neighbors saw the cream on the cake. My assessment here, leaning toward having a basement, has been confirmed. Does the terrain only slope downward in depth, meaning straight sideways?
For me, keeping feet dry on the terrace is the main priority. Whoever shapes the terrain takes on the responsibility for drainage. Thanks for the response. The lateral terrain slope is straight to very slightly descending to the right on the plan. It is clearly less steep than the slope toward the top of the plan. It was not measured precisely.
kronos215 schrieb:
The terrain slope on the side is straight to slightly descending towards the right side of the plan. Significantly less than towards the top of the plan. It was not measured separately.So, negligible, with cross slope variations not exceeding 0.2 m (8 inches)?https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
K
kronos21525 Jun 2025 12:5011ant schrieb:
So negligible, with no more than 0.2 m (8 inches) variation across?I will measure again in the next few days to be sure, but yes, the building plot appears to be level across, with no slope in that direction.K
kronos21529 Jun 2025 16:46The plot does not slope to the side. Based on another architect’s design, I have developed a rough floor plan (without a basement) and would appreciate your feedback. I am considering turning the utility room on the upper floor into an open void and relocating the space into the adjacent garage. I like the layout of the rooms. The bedroom is still a bit large. The kitchen might be somewhat small (?). With a roof pitch of 40 degrees, the ceiling height at the knee wall would be about 1.50m (5 feet). According to the development plan, we could go up to 48 degrees. There is a 4m (13 feet) distance to the neighbor. The terrace would be on the northwest side, where the garden also opens up. What is your opinion on the floor plan?
If a basement is built, the entrance would be on the right side, and the utility room, garage, storage, and technical rooms would move to the basement.
If a basement is built, the entrance would be on the right side, and the utility room, garage, storage, and technical rooms would move to the basement.
K
kronos21517 Mar 2026 17:47I would like to revisit this topic and share the current plan for feedback.
We have incorporated some of the suggestions from last year. The fireplace might be removed since it would have to be placed too close to the sofa. The pantry might also be removed to create more space in the kitchen and allow for a window, which would improve the house’s appearance from the street. Is the pantry necessary, or would the kitchen be large enough without it? I personally feel that we currently have too little storage space.
We are still somewhat unhappy with the placement of the carport, but according to the planner, positioning it next to the house might be too steep. I have also attached the elevation measurements. A steep slope leading to the house would mean that the slope behind the terrace becomes less steep.
We might reconsider the bathroom layout. A T-shape arrangement was requested, but this reduces natural light and forces the shower to be located directly opposite the door. The master bedroom might be a bit small, while the office on the upper floor is rather large.
We are mainly constrained by knee wall height of about 1m (3 feet 3 inches).
Ground floor:
Upper floor:
We have incorporated some of the suggestions from last year. The fireplace might be removed since it would have to be placed too close to the sofa. The pantry might also be removed to create more space in the kitchen and allow for a window, which would improve the house’s appearance from the street. Is the pantry necessary, or would the kitchen be large enough without it? I personally feel that we currently have too little storage space.
We are still somewhat unhappy with the placement of the carport, but according to the planner, positioning it next to the house might be too steep. I have also attached the elevation measurements. A steep slope leading to the house would mean that the slope behind the terrace becomes less steep.
We might reconsider the bathroom layout. A T-shape arrangement was requested, but this reduces natural light and forces the shower to be located directly opposite the door. The master bedroom might be a bit small, while the office on the upper floor is rather large.
We are mainly constrained by knee wall height of about 1m (3 feet 3 inches).
Ground floor:
Upper floor:
Looks quite nice already.
I would change the stairway entrance and either place the pantry under the stairs or swap the kitchen and living room, as this would likely create a more relaxed atmosphere for the living/dining area.
The coat closet and the office cabinet are not standard 600mm (24 inches) deep wardrobes, so they don’t have the quality or capacity of actual wardrobes! Multiple jackets hanging on hooks will hardly fit there.
Upstairs, I would swap the office and the child’s room. The child’s room deserves the south-facing side, while the office can share a wall with the bedroom.
The shower in the bathroom is located right by the door, which might cause the area to frequently remain damp. You should be aware of this. It could be redesigned—see sketches.
Bathrooms under sloping roofs are not suitable for a T-shape layout, and usually not suitable for any partition walls that separate spaces unnecessarily.
By changing the stairway entrance, you can shift the bathroom door and move the central wall towards the bedroom’s advantage. This would also accommodate a standard wardrobe in the bedroom.
You should pay attention to this: currently, you have very little space for hanging clothes, neither in the coat closet nor in the bedroom. Two meters (6.5 feet) of wardrobe space in the bedroom is acceptable but not generous. Many people use the wardrobe space in the office, but there isn’t much room on the ground floor either. The office upstairs will probably be used more for hobbies and crafts.
Such fine-tuning should definitely be done by the architect, because simply moving the partition wall back won’t be enough; there is a reason it is where it is now.
If the pantry is planned to be larger, then turn it into a utility room that also accommodates laundry, and do not place it in the main hallway but rather create space for a proper coat closet with 2 meters (6.5 feet) length. The freezer room can handle that space-wise.
What I personally don’t like: 3 hallways, the space-consuming platform stair, and the lack of a window on the west side of the open living area. There definitely must be a window in the bay on the ground floor! I would plan the kitchen by the terrace (that’s where it belongs), otherwise your 6.57 meters (21.5 feet) will feel rather cramped if you want a larger sofa, fireplace, or often have many guests around the table.
I’m personally not a fan of floor-to-ceiling windows upstairs that mainly appear as narrow slits letting sunlight in only for a few hours and compromising privacy. I would prefer wider windows with sills.
I would change the stairway entrance and either place the pantry under the stairs or swap the kitchen and living room, as this would likely create a more relaxed atmosphere for the living/dining area.
The coat closet and the office cabinet are not standard 600mm (24 inches) deep wardrobes, so they don’t have the quality or capacity of actual wardrobes! Multiple jackets hanging on hooks will hardly fit there.
Upstairs, I would swap the office and the child’s room. The child’s room deserves the south-facing side, while the office can share a wall with the bedroom.
The shower in the bathroom is located right by the door, which might cause the area to frequently remain damp. You should be aware of this. It could be redesigned—see sketches.
Bathrooms under sloping roofs are not suitable for a T-shape layout, and usually not suitable for any partition walls that separate spaces unnecessarily.
By changing the stairway entrance, you can shift the bathroom door and move the central wall towards the bedroom’s advantage. This would also accommodate a standard wardrobe in the bedroom.
You should pay attention to this: currently, you have very little space for hanging clothes, neither in the coat closet nor in the bedroom. Two meters (6.5 feet) of wardrobe space in the bedroom is acceptable but not generous. Many people use the wardrobe space in the office, but there isn’t much room on the ground floor either. The office upstairs will probably be used more for hobbies and crafts.
Such fine-tuning should definitely be done by the architect, because simply moving the partition wall back won’t be enough; there is a reason it is where it is now.
If the pantry is planned to be larger, then turn it into a utility room that also accommodates laundry, and do not place it in the main hallway but rather create space for a proper coat closet with 2 meters (6.5 feet) length. The freezer room can handle that space-wise.
What I personally don’t like: 3 hallways, the space-consuming platform stair, and the lack of a window on the west side of the open living area. There definitely must be a window in the bay on the ground floor! I would plan the kitchen by the terrace (that’s where it belongs), otherwise your 6.57 meters (21.5 feet) will feel rather cramped if you want a larger sofa, fireplace, or often have many guests around the table.
I’m personally not a fan of floor-to-ceiling windows upstairs that mainly appear as narrow slits letting sunlight in only for a few hours and compromising privacy. I would prefer wider windows with sills.
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