We are renovating a terraced house from the 1960s with split-level floors. Since we want to have direct access to the garden on one level, our architect recommended a single-story extension (entrance, cloakroom, kitchen, and dining room). From there, the first split level would be reached by 7 steps. This level would include the living room, toilet, and office. One exterior wall of the original house will be removed.
At first, I thought this would be really cool, like a gallery or split-level house. Now, I’m not sure if it might be inconvenient in everyday life. You enter the living room by going up 7 steps in the dining room. The wall will be removed to create an open layout.
I would really appreciate your opinions!
At first, I thought this would be really cool, like a gallery or split-level house. Now, I’m not sure if it might be inconvenient in everyday life. You enter the living room by going up 7 steps in the dining room. The wall will be removed to create an open layout.
I would really appreciate your opinions!
dbertig schrieb:
I think the visual connection between the kitchen/dining area and the living room is very important because I prefer an open and continuous living space. Then please plan the new build with a ceiling height of around 2.80 or 3.0 meters (9.2 or 9.8 feet) instead of 2.40 meters (7.9 feet), so that you don’t end up looking directly at a lintel from the living room but can also have a view of the garden.
Zubi123 schrieb:
Then please plan the new build with a ceiling height of around 2.80 or 3.0 meters (9.2 or 9.8 feet) instead of 2.40 meters (7.9 feet), so that you don’t end up looking directly at the lintel from the living room, but can still see out into the garden.That was indeed my preference, but the architect said the extension would look disproportionate and visually unappealing that way. Since the extension wraps around the house, two side windows would need to be reduced in size, which would be fine with me (one will probably be removed anyway). However, I also think that raising the height by 0.40 to 0.60 meters (16 to 24 inches) wouldn’t be enough to see into the garden. You would almost have to match the full ceiling height, right?It’s understandable what the architect means.
In my opinion, the window in the hallway can be omitted if glass elements are installed in the front door. I cannot assess whether the removal of the windows in the storage room is acceptable.
On the front side, there is still about 60 cm (24 inches), and even 80 cm (32 inches) of space available, as you can see quite well in the section.
Is 60 cm (24 inches) enough? You are 1.15 m (3 ft 9 in) higher in the living room than in the kitchen. Your current windows are at 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in); if you raise them to 3 m (9 ft 10 in), the height in the living room will be 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in). That might be sufficient. With an increase to 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in), it will definitely be enough.
In my opinion, the window in the hallway can be omitted if glass elements are installed in the front door. I cannot assess whether the removal of the windows in the storage room is acceptable.
On the front side, there is still about 60 cm (24 inches), and even 80 cm (32 inches) of space available, as you can see quite well in the section.
Is 60 cm (24 inches) enough? You are 1.15 m (3 ft 9 in) higher in the living room than in the kitchen. Your current windows are at 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in); if you raise them to 3 m (9 ft 10 in), the height in the living room will be 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in). That might be sufficient. With an increase to 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in), it will definitely be enough.
dbertig schrieb:
That was actually my intention, but the architect said that the extension would then look disproportionate and visually unappealing. Since the extension goes around the house, two windows on the side would need to be reduced in size, which would be fine with me (one will probably be removed anyway). However, I think that raising it by 0.40–0.60 meters (16–24 inches) wouldn’t be enough to have a view into the garden. Then you’d almost have to go up to the same ceiling height, right? In that case, you probably have to choose between the advantages inside or outside. For me, the living space—the interior—would always take absolute priority, and yes, I would probably want to go up to the same height. If it ends up not being exactly the same or if a small section remains lower, I could probably live with that and maybe design that section intentionally. Perhaps you could look at it in a 3D animation; that really helped us with such detailed decisions.
I also believe that the exterior/facade can still be redesigned in a way that looks neat. The architect’s house will usually be judged by outsiders based on the outside, but you live inside, so I would carefully consider which option you prefer.
Zubi123 schrieb:
I understand what the architect means.
In my opinion, the window in the hallway can be omitted if glass elements are installed in the front door. I can’t judge the removal of the windows in the storage room.
There is easily about 60 cm (24 inches) or even 80 cm (31 inches) of space left at the gable end, as you can see quite well in the cross-section.
Is 60 cm (24 inches) enough? In the living room, you’re 1.15 m (3 ft 9 in) higher than in the kitchen. Your windows are currently at 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in); if you raise them to 3 m (9 ft 10 in), they will be at 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) in the living room. That might be sufficient. If you raise them to 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in), it will definitely be enough. Thanks for the suggestions, that’s a really good point. Looking at the cross-section, I also find the roof structure quite tall. I think this is due to the green roof, but isn’t it a bit much?
We had planned to place the sofa in the rear corner on the west side. From there, you probably can’t see much of the kitchen or garden anyway. We might have to rethink how exactly we want to arrange this living room soon.
Would you consider removing even more of the load-bearing wall towards the dining area, maybe even making it flush with the wall of the extension?
dbertig schrieb:
Would you try to remove even more of the load-bearing wall to the dining room, possibly so that it is flush with the wall of the extension?I’m not sure if I’m thinking of the same wall, but I would definitely want to have the space as open as possible. So I would want to completely remove the wall between the dining and living areas, or at most keep a half-height partition. You hadn’t mentioned that yet.I also think that from the living room sofa, you don’t often look through the dining room to the outside, and to me it’s more important to be able to look outside when moving through the space. That’s why I would want the ceiling in the extension to be higher.
Have you checked this out with a 3D model or walked through the rooms virtually?
You absolutely MUST place the furniture accurately now!
Similar topics