ᐅ Floor plan design for a new build modern semi-detached house with 6-meter ceiling height and 239 square meters of living space
Created on: 9 Nov 2025 23:46
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lucaskilam
Hello everyone,
I am planning to demolish my existing semi-detached house and build a modern residential building on my property.
The new house will again be attached directly to the existing neighboring half.
The plot measures 1,027 sqm (about 11,060 sq ft), and the design comes from my architect.
I would appreciate honest and constructive feedback on the floor plan and room layout.
Elevations and floor plans are attached.
Development plan / restrictions
Client requirements
House design
I look forward to honest criticism and suggestions for improvement, especially regarding:
Thank you in advance for your feedback!
Best regards,
lucaskilam
I am planning to demolish my existing semi-detached house and build a modern residential building on my property.
The new house will again be attached directly to the existing neighboring half.
The plot measures 1,027 sqm (about 11,060 sq ft), and the design comes from my architect.
I would appreciate honest and constructive feedback on the floor plan and room layout.
Elevations and floor plans are attached.
Development plan / restrictions
- Plot size: 1,027 sqm (half share use for semi-detached house)
- Slope: no slope, flat area
- Site coverage ratio: 0.3
- Floor area ratio: 0.5
- Building envelope / building line / building boundary: according to development plan, semi-detached house permitted
- Edge development: attached to existing neighboring half
- Number of parking spaces: 2
- Number of floors: 1.5 floors
- Roof type: gable roof
- Architectural style: modern, clean lines
- Orientation: garden facing southwest
- Maximum building height: 10 m (33 ft)
- Other requirements: only one full storey allowed
Client requirements
- Building type: semi-detached house, new build after demolition
- Basement: no
- Living area: approx. 239 sqm (2,572 sq ft)
- Occupants: 5 persons (2 adults, 3 children)
- Ceiling height in living area: approx. 6 m (20 ft)
- Living/dining area: approx. 44 sqm (473 sq ft), open and bright
- Office: home office on ground floor
- Guest bedrooms: rare use (max. 2–3 times per year)
- Architecture: open, modern, large windows
- Construction method: solid construction
- Kitchen: open with cooking island
- Seating capacity: 6–8 people
- Fireplace: not planned
- Music/stereo wall: possible
- Balcony / roof terrace: currently not planned
- Garage / carport: double carport
- Garden: low maintenance, for family use
- Special features: high, open living area with gallery
House design
- Designed by: independent architect
- Positive aspects: the open living area with gallery and high ceiling, generous lighting
- Less favorable aspects: access to the gallery not yet optimal
- Price estimate according to architect: approx. 850,000 euros (including fittings, excluding landscaping)
- Personal budget limit: approx. 900,000 euros
- Heating system: air-to-water heat pump with underfloor heating
- Could be omitted: guest room on ground floor
- Must have: high ceiling in living area, open kitchen, gallery
- Reason for design: combination of modern living concept and development plan requirements (only 1 full storey, mandatory attachment)
- Special features: despite semi-detached structure, a spacious feel through 6 m ceiling height and open gallery
I look forward to honest criticism and suggestions for improvement, especially regarding:
- Floor plan layout
- Lighting and window areas
- Proportions with 1.5 floors
- Practical everyday use (family with three children)
Thank you in advance for your feedback!
Best regards,
lucaskilam
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wiltshire15 Nov 2025 08:56lucaskilam schrieb:
Can I simply change the architect? I assume I have to pay for the work done so far, meaning the initial design, even if we don’t like it. I just hope he doesn’t charge extra for having to start over. As the client, I am responsible for my contract. If, after meetings, I realize that I need to redefine the contract and therefore make some services obsolete, it is only fair that I pay for the work done in the wrong direction. Changing the architect only makes sense if the previous one didn’t solve the assignment well. However, this doesn’t seem to be the case here, because through the discussion in the forum your priorities are shifting, which leads to a change in the contract that the architect simply was not aware of.
It is well known that many architects spend too little time clarifying the contract, which is partly due to many future homeowners considering this process unnecessary and too time-consuming. Yet it is easy to understand that the contract definition determines the result.
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hanghaus202315 Nov 2025 09:12@wiltshire I see it differently. The architect is responsible for the success. This has not been achieved. What you see here is flawed. There is no compensation for that. Not even the first project phase has been completed.
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wiltshire15 Nov 2025 12:51hanghaus2023 schrieb:
@wiltshire I see it differently. The architect is responsible for the success. That has not been achieved. What we see here is flawed. There is no payment for that. Even phase 1 of the service is not fulfilled yet.1. We do not know to what extent this is a final result or just an interim status.2. Success depends on the contract. If someone orders milk and receives milk, even though they wanted coffee, they have to pay.
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Gerddieter15 Nov 2025 21:36hanghaus2023 schrieb:
@wiltshire I see it differently. The architect is responsible for the success. He has not achieved that. What you see here is flawed. There is no payment for that. Not even phase 1 of the service has been fulfilled yet. No – the architect has delivered as requested.
I have experience changing architects, and that costs...
Here, phases 1 and 2 of the service are fully due; phase 3 should be negotiated for a share.
GD
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lucaskilam16 Nov 2025 01:30lucaskilam schrieb:
I will send you any other documents I have later. Thanks.I couldn’t resist and sat down at the computer again. My focus is solely on the layout and the area with a ceiling height of about 6 meters (20 feet). Would this option be generally feasible? We would like to keep at least a smaller section with a very high ceiling. This would significantly reduce issues with acoustics, heat distribution, and similar concerns. Please don’t pay attention to details like window placement on the upper floor or the railing. Everything is provisional. I also won’t show it to the architect to avoid influencing him. But something like this could work well for the living and dining area.
Then always display a dimensioned floor plan for something like this as well.
According to the drawings at the beginning, the kitchen would only be 262 cm (103 inches) wide at that location... and what about the essential pantry?
In summary, you cannot plan something independently of everything else.
According to the drawings at the beginning, the kitchen would only be 262 cm (103 inches) wide at that location... and what about the essential pantry?
In summary, you cannot plan something independently of everything else.
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