ᐅ Floor Plan Silverager New Single-Family House with Option to Upgrade to a Two-Family House
Created on: 15 Nov 2025 20:20
U
Underdog
Hello everyone,
As our planned construction project is gradually taking shape, I would like to share a first draft for discussion.
The plot is already secured, and we want to make full use of the space to maximize potential living area. Retirement is foreseeable for both of us, but after 28 years, we still want to build once more.
Our eldest daughter has made us grandparents twice over, and we often enjoy having the grandchildren stay during the day so their mother can go to work. Our younger daughter will be studying for about four more years and is planned to have her own space in the basement, which could later be converted into a guest room, office, etc. The plan includes a separate entrance via a generous lightwell, but with access to the ground floor (maximum of two living units).
The attic is not intended to be finished right away but will be designed for potential future development. Whether this will ever be implemented remains uncertain.
The ground floor should offer approximately 125 sqm (1,345 sq ft) within a 10x15m (33x49 ft) building envelope. The open kitchen/dining/living area should accommodate many guests, as we frequently host large family gatherings and groups of friends. The bathroom should be en suite, and the guest toilet should include a shower. A multipurpose room is planned as a utility/laundry room with direct access to the garden, serving as a mudroom with an integrated sink and/or washing machine. In emergencies, this room can also serve as a guest bedroom. This will be less necessary once the basement is available.
The ground floor is optimized for a couple without children but should also work well for families without needing to use the attic. The attic is designed to function as a fully independent living unit, which we consider important for maintaining property value.
Families with young children could use the utility room as a children's bedroom, while older children could occupy two bedrooms with a bathroom in the basement.
Our main request is constructive feedback on the draft. We like the ground floor layout so far but are open to improvements.
We haven’t spent much time on the attic plan yet; we find the concept acceptable for now. We do like the idea of accessing the attic via an external staircase, ensuring completely separate entrances for the attic and ground floor. If more information is needed, I am happy to provide it.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 677 sqm (7,284 sq ft)
Slope: 1m (3 ft) decline from sidewalk to field path
Floor area ratio:
Floor space index:
Building envelope, building line, and boundary: Exact building envelope for garage and house as shown in the draft
Adjacent buildings: Gap site with similar neighboring plots on left and right, development plan
Parking spaces: Double garage
Number of floors: 1
Roof type: Gable roof
Style: Modern
Orientation: Sketch shows southwest at the top
Maximum heights/limits: Ridge line max 8m (26 ft) above ground floor level, side exterior walls max 4m (13 ft)
Additional requirements
Owners’ Requirements
Style, roof type, building type:
Basement, floors: Basement yes, attic planned but not to be finished
Number of occupants, ages: Couple nearing retirement on ground floor, daughter (with partner) in basement until end of studies in about 4 years
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: approx. 125 sqm (1,345 sq ft) ground floor, potential about 100 sqm (1,076 sq ft) upper floor, approx. 60 sqm (646 sq ft) finished basement
Office: Family use or home office?
Number of overnight guests per year: about 2–3 times per year
Open or closed architecture: Open
Conservative or modern building style: Modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: Yes
Number of dining seats: Many, at least for 8, preferably 12
Fireplace: Somewhat
Music/sound system: Large TV, but not a priority
Balcony, roof terrace: Balcony planned facing northwest, as this side overlooks open fields
Garage, carport: Double garage, wide covered side walkway to the main entrance, effectively functioning as a carport
Utility garden, greenhouse: Raised beds for herbs and various berries (for grandchildren)
Further wishes, special features, daily routine, including reasons for choices or exclusions
As our planned construction project is gradually taking shape, I would like to share a first draft for discussion.
The plot is already secured, and we want to make full use of the space to maximize potential living area. Retirement is foreseeable for both of us, but after 28 years, we still want to build once more.
Our eldest daughter has made us grandparents twice over, and we often enjoy having the grandchildren stay during the day so their mother can go to work. Our younger daughter will be studying for about four more years and is planned to have her own space in the basement, which could later be converted into a guest room, office, etc. The plan includes a separate entrance via a generous lightwell, but with access to the ground floor (maximum of two living units).
The attic is not intended to be finished right away but will be designed for potential future development. Whether this will ever be implemented remains uncertain.
The ground floor should offer approximately 125 sqm (1,345 sq ft) within a 10x15m (33x49 ft) building envelope. The open kitchen/dining/living area should accommodate many guests, as we frequently host large family gatherings and groups of friends. The bathroom should be en suite, and the guest toilet should include a shower. A multipurpose room is planned as a utility/laundry room with direct access to the garden, serving as a mudroom with an integrated sink and/or washing machine. In emergencies, this room can also serve as a guest bedroom. This will be less necessary once the basement is available.
The ground floor is optimized for a couple without children but should also work well for families without needing to use the attic. The attic is designed to function as a fully independent living unit, which we consider important for maintaining property value.
Families with young children could use the utility room as a children's bedroom, while older children could occupy two bedrooms with a bathroom in the basement.
Our main request is constructive feedback on the draft. We like the ground floor layout so far but are open to improvements.
We haven’t spent much time on the attic plan yet; we find the concept acceptable for now. We do like the idea of accessing the attic via an external staircase, ensuring completely separate entrances for the attic and ground floor. If more information is needed, I am happy to provide it.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 677 sqm (7,284 sq ft)
Slope: 1m (3 ft) decline from sidewalk to field path
Floor area ratio:
Floor space index:
Building envelope, building line, and boundary: Exact building envelope for garage and house as shown in the draft
Adjacent buildings: Gap site with similar neighboring plots on left and right, development plan
Parking spaces: Double garage
Number of floors: 1
Roof type: Gable roof
Style: Modern
Orientation: Sketch shows southwest at the top
Maximum heights/limits: Ridge line max 8m (26 ft) above ground floor level, side exterior walls max 4m (13 ft)
Additional requirements
Owners’ Requirements
Style, roof type, building type:
Basement, floors: Basement yes, attic planned but not to be finished
Number of occupants, ages: Couple nearing retirement on ground floor, daughter (with partner) in basement until end of studies in about 4 years
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: approx. 125 sqm (1,345 sq ft) ground floor, potential about 100 sqm (1,076 sq ft) upper floor, approx. 60 sqm (646 sq ft) finished basement
Office: Family use or home office?
Number of overnight guests per year: about 2–3 times per year
Open or closed architecture: Open
Conservative or modern building style: Modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: Yes
Number of dining seats: Many, at least for 8, preferably 12
Fireplace: Somewhat
Music/sound system: Large TV, but not a priority
Balcony, roof terrace: Balcony planned facing northwest, as this side overlooks open fields
Garage, carport: Double garage, wide covered side walkway to the main entrance, effectively functioning as a carport
Utility garden, greenhouse: Raised beds for herbs and various berries (for grandchildren)
Further wishes, special features, daily routine, including reasons for choices or exclusions
ypg, thanks for the detailed response.
Unfortunately, the post with 3D views and explanatory text was deleted three times.
This is a bit frustrating and might be the reason why things got somewhat confused afterwards.
So I’ll try again.
Much of this stems from the misunderstanding about the stairs.
The planner’s design basically has two staircases, which I don’t find practical.
On the ground floor (GF), if I remove the outside stairs, you can already see there is a connection to the basement.
The stairs to the upper floor (UF) could also be placed inside the house at this point if the adjacent rooms are made a bit smaller.
However, this means there would be no proper separation into separate apartments.
In the basement (BSM), I avoided the term “granny flat” because a third housing unit is not allowed, so a connection to the ground floor is mandatory.
The focus remains on living space for two households on the ground floor.
Here are a few statements, which might sound a bit harsh in short form, but I don’t want to write a complete novel.
- A house without a basement is almost a no-go for me and only acceptable if finances force it.
- Renting out is definitely not planned.
- The living area in the basement must be on the shown side due to a slight slope.
The layout here is still completely open for major changes, especially if this simplifies construction.
- The planner’s design specifies exactly the same exterior dimensions.
- Parking spaces are planned according to the zoning plan / building permit.
- Children will not be moved away. From double experience I can say with certainty that from a certain age they are totally happy (even in the basement) to have their own space with a bathroom.
- The budget is fine. Better a two-family house without attic development for 1.0 million than a single-family house for 750k.
However, land costs for the two-family house will later be spread over almost twice as many square meters.
- What is the problem with the water connection in the kids’ room? I hope it’s not about dangerous esoteric fields.
- Attic: Agreed not to go too deep into planning here. Connections just have to fit for later.
- A semi-detached house where the second half is completely missing has no aesthetic character.
- Are the mentioned 60+ houses also usable in other ways?
A converted attic doesn’t sound like living on one level.
Back to square one, ground floor layout:
- Bathroom with a tub is not optimal at an older age: accepted.
You could make the bedroom smaller and the bathroom larger. What is meant by a walk-through room?
For a bathroom with style I hope this is not what is meant here:
ypg, your second post hits it pretty well, similar to Joedreck.
In both posts, the main difference seems to be whether the upper floor staircase should be inside or outside.
Our current preference for outside comes from the possibility of later converting this into a two-family house.
Unfortunately, the post with 3D views and explanatory text was deleted three times.
This is a bit frustrating and might be the reason why things got somewhat confused afterwards.
So I’ll try again.
Much of this stems from the misunderstanding about the stairs.
The planner’s design basically has two staircases, which I don’t find practical.
On the ground floor (GF), if I remove the outside stairs, you can already see there is a connection to the basement.
The stairs to the upper floor (UF) could also be placed inside the house at this point if the adjacent rooms are made a bit smaller.
However, this means there would be no proper separation into separate apartments.
In the basement (BSM), I avoided the term “granny flat” because a third housing unit is not allowed, so a connection to the ground floor is mandatory.
The focus remains on living space for two households on the ground floor.
Here are a few statements, which might sound a bit harsh in short form, but I don’t want to write a complete novel.
- A house without a basement is almost a no-go for me and only acceptable if finances force it.
- Renting out is definitely not planned.
- The living area in the basement must be on the shown side due to a slight slope.
The layout here is still completely open for major changes, especially if this simplifies construction.
- The planner’s design specifies exactly the same exterior dimensions.
- Parking spaces are planned according to the zoning plan / building permit.
- Children will not be moved away. From double experience I can say with certainty that from a certain age they are totally happy (even in the basement) to have their own space with a bathroom.
- The budget is fine. Better a two-family house without attic development for 1.0 million than a single-family house for 750k.
However, land costs for the two-family house will later be spread over almost twice as many square meters.
- What is the problem with the water connection in the kids’ room? I hope it’s not about dangerous esoteric fields.
- Attic: Agreed not to go too deep into planning here. Connections just have to fit for later.
- A semi-detached house where the second half is completely missing has no aesthetic character.
- Are the mentioned 60+ houses also usable in other ways?
A converted attic doesn’t sound like living on one level.
Back to square one, ground floor layout:
- Bathroom with a tub is not optimal at an older age: accepted.
You could make the bedroom smaller and the bathroom larger. What is meant by a walk-through room?
For a bathroom with style I hope this is not what is meant here:
ypg, your second post hits it pretty well, similar to Joedreck.
In both posts, the main difference seems to be whether the upper floor staircase should be inside or outside.
Our current preference for outside comes from the possibility of later converting this into a two-family house.
Arauki11 schrieb:
Nevertheless, I believe that by first helping myself in life, I also help the children, especially by easing their burden.Yes, that is a big topic. As is often the case with children, an approach that works for the first child might have the opposite effect on the second. Your concerns are absolutely valid, but I tend to continue what I have experienced myself and found to be good.
The fundamental question is whether we should
Option 1: build a smaller, stylish house just for the two of us. The upper floor initially without stairs (but with a stairwell), not finished. No separate basement apartment.
Option 2: ground floor for the two of us. Optional full apartment on the top floor. Basement with basement apartment and connection to the ground floor.
The conditions for the garden depend on the terrain and the neighboring gardens above and below, which have different elevations.
A multi-generational house is certainly an option, but what exactly do you mean by that? For me, that would rather be option 2.
H
hanghaus202316 Nov 2025 10:45Underdog schrieb:
Budget goal: to stay within six figures I prefer not to waste time on unrealistic plans. I roughly estimated around 1.2 million.
Underdog schrieb:
To communicate our ideas better, I created the DIY plan. What you’re proposing won’t work like that. @ypg has already written a lot about this.
Underdog schrieb:
The zoning plan is attached. I don’t have a topographic survey.
In general, you can say that the sidewalk (left) is level and the plot slopes away roughly 1 meter (3 feet) towards the also level field road (right).
Cross-sections don’t exist yet, but the ground floor should be about three steps above the sidewalk, so that the light well at the back of the house will be approximately 1.30 meters (4 feet 3 inches) deep. In my opinion, a basement is not within budget – unless the entire house becomes more compact.
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
I prefer to spend my time on realistic plans.If 1.0 million for the house isn’t enough, then I have to take that seriously, but does that make it a pipe dream?
I’m a bit frustrated that three posts were deleted afterwards, leading ypg to base things on wrong assumptions.
There is already an internal staircase from the ground floor to the basement.
Before I give up, I’ll try again with the 3D views.
To repeat:
Priority 1: Ground floor for a couple aged 60+
Priority 2: Basement with a granny flat but with access to the ground floor
Priority 3: Expandable attic with as much separate access as possible
H
hanghaus202316 Nov 2025 11:10I’m wondering why you are planning with a setback of 1.5 meters (5 feet). Did the architect also apply that?
The deletion can only be explained if you are violating rights and/or inserting links.
The deletion can only be explained if you are violating rights and/or inserting links.
Underdog schrieb:
Are the mentioned 60+ houses adaptable for other uses as well?
A finished attic doesn’t sound like single-level living. Yes, in our case.
After clearing out the basement in our family home, we decided never to have a basement again.
One level just for us,
expansion potential on the upper floor, which future owners can develop if needed.
Three rooms are enough for us, with space for grandchildren and family gatherings of up to 20 people.
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