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
Joedreck schrieb:
I am still working on designing a level exclusively for you, including an accessible grandchild’s room. I already did that a long time ago 😉
Joedreck schrieb:
To plan the attic as an apartment with a large open space for your big family celebrations. There isn’t enough information for that. I also have two grandchildren, and my child’s in-law family is many times larger than ours. For example, family gatherings rarely take place at our home because they tend to happen elsewhere — the younger generation organizes and celebrates them as they prefer, not how the grandparents on both sides want. But the original poster needs to consider that themselves. Also, not everyone wants to leave the comfort of the dining area with the kitchen to entertain guests. An attic, in whatever condition, would feel odd to me for gatherings. Why shouldn’t they take place in the home’s main living areas? Where does that idea come from?
Underdog schrieb:
We need to let the homeownership discussion settle for now. Yes, I agree. Let’s just let everything settle. I can also offer a tip: this forum brings together people who want to build. They all face the same challenges, just on different plots or with slightly different needs. There are also some experienced members here who have shared their floor plans. So: read the threads on floor plan design from your fellow participants — it broadens your perspective and teaches you new viewpoints, even if some of the threads become quite controversial.
ypg schrieb:
I already did that a long time ago 😉 What do you mean by that?
ypg schrieb:
An attic, regardless of its condition, would feel strange to me for parties. Yes, I feel the same way. We celebrate in the dining room, kitchen, terrace, and garden. The living room occasionally.
A complete attic conversion would simply provide more living space for our daughter, but it’s not really necessary.
The idea of a void space sounds appealing. Are the costs about the same?
From the original poster’s description, I understand that space for regular family gatherings with corresponding guests is planned.
I am considering the idea of creating a functional, accessible apartment on the ground floor where a guest could also stay. This apartment does not necessarily have to be large enough to accommodate the gatherings themselves. That could be the finished upper floor/attic, which is designed as an apartment in terms of layout and used specifically for these gatherings. Later, it could be separated and accessed from the outside as a rentable unit.
This setup would effectively separate permanent living from occasional hosting. It would also have the advantage of providing space for overnight guests.
Note: I am still assuming ample financial resources. With a very limited budget, of course, this is entirely out of the question.
I am considering the idea of creating a functional, accessible apartment on the ground floor where a guest could also stay. This apartment does not necessarily have to be large enough to accommodate the gatherings themselves. That could be the finished upper floor/attic, which is designed as an apartment in terms of layout and used specifically for these gatherings. Later, it could be separated and accessed from the outside as a rentable unit.
This setup would effectively separate permanent living from occasional hosting. It would also have the advantage of providing space for overnight guests.
Note: I am still assuming ample financial resources. With a very limited budget, of course, this is entirely out of the question.
Underdog schrieb:
What do you mean by that? I plan the house before I reply. Just kidding 😀
I plan what fits on the plot. So whether what ideas are flowing can actually be realized satisfactorily.
A modified standard floor plan from Viebrockhaus fits with two bedrooms, a utility room, and stairs. Also, a full basement with supporting walls fits under it.
I won’t show that in this case because it’s a quick and rough plan, and you’ve put so much effort into your own planning that you’ll dislike anything that’s different.
Just this much: no entrance in the front third, living area facing southeast and southwest, and the rear section for private rooms. Then the basement at the back can also have an undisturbed terrace.
Underdog schrieb:
The idea of the open space sounds attractive. The cost is the same. No, costs are not the same. The roof slope is larger than a horizontal ceiling (Pythagoras’ theorem), so insulation and cladding are more expensive.
We have an open space above a floor area of 25 sqm (270 sq ft); 12 years ago that cost 5,000 euros more, which was about 200 euros per sqm (18.6 per sq ft). Now it could be 300 euros per sqm (27.9 per sq ft).
I would start with the main living level for the homeowners. This should begin at street level, with no steps. Caregivers or general age-related limitations typically prefer neither steps nor ramps. It also makes things easier for paramedics.
Everything that is needed should be on one floor: sleeping, bathroom, kitchen, living, dining, and utility areas. A grandchild’s room can be on a different level. Then, from the living area, access to the terrace and garden should also be step-free. On the ground floor, plan for turning circles, and allow space for assistants in the bathroom and bedroom. Doors should be wide and electrical outlets placed higher.
The attic can be used for grandchildren, guests, or hobbies, and the daughter’s separate apartment as well. I don’t understand the purpose of a basement, so leave it out.
Everything that is needed should be on one floor: sleeping, bathroom, kitchen, living, dining, and utility areas. A grandchild’s room can be on a different level. Then, from the living area, access to the terrace and garden should also be step-free. On the ground floor, plan for turning circles, and allow space for assistants in the bathroom and bedroom. Doors should be wide and electrical outlets placed higher.
The attic can be used for grandchildren, guests, or hobbies, and the daughter’s separate apartment as well. I don’t understand the purpose of a basement, so leave it out.
haydee schrieb:
I don’t see the point of the basement. Therefore, leave out the basement.The basement is built into a slight slope and is also a must-have for the original poster. I agree that it doesn’t make much sense.Similar topics