ᐅ Single-family house with a split-level design for the living area
Created on: 3 Oct 2014 16:32
P
Projekt
Hello,
we have completed our final planning, and if anyone notices any possible improvements, we would appreciate your feedback. Our plot has a very slight slope, which is why we included a split-level step; this allows us to have the terrace at the same level as the living area.
A few additional notes...
- The split-level step on the ground floor means the entrance area has a plank floor, with a half step leading up to the living/dining room floor.
- The walls next to the concrete staircase on the ground floor are built handrails, not full-height walls.
- The ceiling height in the living/dining area is approximately 265 cm (8 ft 8 in), while in the front part of the ground floor it is about 300 cm (9 ft 10 in).
- The garden faces south-west.
We look forward to your input...
we have completed our final planning, and if anyone notices any possible improvements, we would appreciate your feedback. Our plot has a very slight slope, which is why we included a split-level step; this allows us to have the terrace at the same level as the living area.
A few additional notes...
- The split-level step on the ground floor means the entrance area has a plank floor, with a half step leading up to the living/dining room floor.
- The walls next to the concrete staircase on the ground floor are built handrails, not full-height walls.
- The ceiling height in the living/dining area is approximately 265 cm (8 ft 8 in), while in the front part of the ground floor it is about 300 cm (9 ft 10 in).
- The garden faces south-west.
We look forward to your input...
Oops, where is your floor plan? Did you delete it yourselves or have it removed?
I just noticed that the photos of the staircase don’t match your plan. Wasn’t the staircase located more in the hallway, so you could only see it from below when coming from the living area?
I was actually going to say something about the two steps, but apparently the original poster isn’t interested anyway...
I just noticed that the photos of the staircase don’t match your plan. Wasn’t the staircase located more in the hallway, so you could only see it from below when coming from the living area?
I was actually going to say something about the two steps, but apparently the original poster isn’t interested anyway...
Well, it’s quite different to read statements like,
“I would do it this way” or “I would do it that way,”
as more or less personal attacks on the architect.
That can be quite presumptuous. But there might be other reasons as well...
especially when an outsider can only really judge the floor plan itself, and not the process behind how that floor plan was developed.
In the end, the floor plan reflects about 90% our own ideas, not the concepts of the involved planners, whether the structural engineer or the architect. I think we take the suggestions from here into account, just as we do the planners’ ideas. We weigh these against our daily needs, personal habits, and the pros and cons.
And most likely it will stay as it is, because we personally do not see the disadvantages being suggested here as relevant for us.
“I would do it this way” or “I would do it that way,”
as more or less personal attacks on the architect.
That can be quite presumptuous. But there might be other reasons as well...
especially when an outsider can only really judge the floor plan itself, and not the process behind how that floor plan was developed.
In the end, the floor plan reflects about 90% our own ideas, not the concepts of the involved planners, whether the structural engineer or the architect. I think we take the suggestions from here into account, just as we do the planners’ ideas. We weigh these against our daily needs, personal habits, and the pros and cons.
And most likely it will stay as it is, because we personally do not see the disadvantages being suggested here as relevant for us.
It’s always a shame when a thread just fades away like this. And then when the plans are removed, the thread is basically dead.
What’s unfortunate is that there were no cross-sections or elevations included with the plans. Someone else had already mentioned that.
@Projekt, you shouldn’t forget that many people here are laypersons who have built their own homes and gained life experience along the way. Those experiences are shared here, sometimes more, sometimes less intensely 😉. Which of these experiences you decide to take into account is always up to you. I can only recommend carefully considering all the points that come up here. Regarding the following:
In general, I missed any suggested furniture layout. Often it helps to better understand the homeowner’s ideas when you can see how the space is intended to be used.
What’s unfortunate is that there were no cross-sections or elevations included with the plans. Someone else had already mentioned that.
@Projekt, you shouldn’t forget that many people here are laypersons who have built their own homes and gained life experience along the way. Those experiences are shared here, sometimes more, sometimes less intensely 😉. Which of these experiences you decide to take into account is always up to you. I can only recommend carefully considering all the points that come up here. Regarding the following:
- Access from garage to pantry… I find it rather useless in the current form because it’s very narrow. I would probably remove it or find another solution. The path around the outside isn’t that far anyway, especially since you emphasized your physical activity.
- Cloakroom / WC… I also find the cloakroom too small. For me, a cloakroom always includes a shoe cabinet for the shoes you have. With four people, that quickly adds up to a 150 cm (60 inches) cabinet just for shoes.
- The master suite layout didn’t fully convince me either.
- Children’s bathroom with bathtub, which hadn’t been drawn yet… okay. But you should make sure the bathtub is positioned so that later a suitable shower door can be installed for comfortable showering.
In general, I missed any suggested furniture layout. Often it helps to better understand the homeowner’s ideas when you can see how the space is intended to be used.
B
Bauherren20144 Oct 2014 15:10@Projekt: I agree with you that the comment directed at your architect definitely went too far, regardless of what one might think of the floor plan.
Other than that, my advice is to carefully consider the suggestions from the homeowners and experts here in the forum. Unfortunately, many of your responses give the impression that you are trying to defend your floor plan at all costs. Take a look at your lifestyle habits and what is truly necessary and practical. Don’t focus only on what looks good to you. Of course, aesthetics matter, but if functionality suffers significantly, it’s worth considering compromises.
Of course, many comments are influenced by personal preferences, but they also serve to make other homeowners think. For example, we have a wardrobe that is just over a meter wide, but we planned it consciously. It holds only seasonal jackets and the children’s daycare backpacks, and only the seasonal shoes are stored there. I should add that my husband actually owns more shoes than I do. Garden and muddy clothes are kept in the basement, and winter/summer clothing is stored accordingly in the wardrobe. This arrangement works for us. Whether this will suit your family, especially with more children coming, you will have to decide for yourselves. Similarly, there could be discussions about the children’s bathroom, the bedroom/dressing room/bathroom layout, and so on. These are truly individual matters that require thorough consideration, but they must be sensibly designed and functionally practical in the end.
However, I strongly suggest you reconsider the other comments and concerns. Especially when investing such a large amount of money, you want to make sure you get the best possible outcome, don’t you?
Other than that, my advice is to carefully consider the suggestions from the homeowners and experts here in the forum. Unfortunately, many of your responses give the impression that you are trying to defend your floor plan at all costs. Take a look at your lifestyle habits and what is truly necessary and practical. Don’t focus only on what looks good to you. Of course, aesthetics matter, but if functionality suffers significantly, it’s worth considering compromises.
Of course, many comments are influenced by personal preferences, but they also serve to make other homeowners think. For example, we have a wardrobe that is just over a meter wide, but we planned it consciously. It holds only seasonal jackets and the children’s daycare backpacks, and only the seasonal shoes are stored there. I should add that my husband actually owns more shoes than I do. Garden and muddy clothes are kept in the basement, and winter/summer clothing is stored accordingly in the wardrobe. This arrangement works for us. Whether this will suit your family, especially with more children coming, you will have to decide for yourselves. Similarly, there could be discussions about the children’s bathroom, the bedroom/dressing room/bathroom layout, and so on. These are truly individual matters that require thorough consideration, but they must be sensibly designed and functionally practical in the end.
However, I strongly suggest you reconsider the other comments and concerns. Especially when investing such a large amount of money, you want to make sure you get the best possible outcome, don’t you?
So, I can’t quite understand your reaction. We’re just giving you some advice here. Most people here already have children and know what they’re talking about.
I’m now living in my second house and we are currently building our second own home, and you always learn something new.
I would have been glad to receive tips from people with small children when building my first house because I might have avoided many mistakes. Kids don’t just come into the world and immediately go to school and do their homework in their rooms. Almost all the children I know do their homework, at least during primary school, at the dining table. Very few children carry their backpacks to their room after finishing homework. Besides, for me, children’s rooms should be just that—rooms—and not also storage space for school bags, coats, and shoes.
With two children, you accumulate so many shoes and stuff that you wouldn’t believe it—I never would have imagined it myself. We keep the shoes right next to the entrance, and the jackets too. When you open the door, it always looks like a mess. Then your staircase loses its effect because the clutter is the first thing you notice, not the stairs.
Where should muddy clothes go? Hanging them visibly in the hallway on a hook (like we do, because we have no other option)? No child will take the route through the garage and pantry. What about strollers and infant car seats? Where to store those? The pantry is too small for that.
Yes, a house should be lived in. Otherwise, it would be boring. But a house should also offer the possibility to withdraw without being disturbed by others. A baby simply has different habits than a teenager or an adult.
The floor plan itself is not so bad. It’s just small details that could still be changed, most of them without having to completely throw out the whole layout.
I’m now living in my second house and we are currently building our second own home, and you always learn something new.
I would have been glad to receive tips from people with small children when building my first house because I might have avoided many mistakes. Kids don’t just come into the world and immediately go to school and do their homework in their rooms. Almost all the children I know do their homework, at least during primary school, at the dining table. Very few children carry their backpacks to their room after finishing homework. Besides, for me, children’s rooms should be just that—rooms—and not also storage space for school bags, coats, and shoes.
With two children, you accumulate so many shoes and stuff that you wouldn’t believe it—I never would have imagined it myself. We keep the shoes right next to the entrance, and the jackets too. When you open the door, it always looks like a mess. Then your staircase loses its effect because the clutter is the first thing you notice, not the stairs.
Where should muddy clothes go? Hanging them visibly in the hallway on a hook (like we do, because we have no other option)? No child will take the route through the garage and pantry. What about strollers and infant car seats? Where to store those? The pantry is too small for that.
Yes, a house should be lived in. Otherwise, it would be boring. But a house should also offer the possibility to withdraw without being disturbed by others. A baby simply has different habits than a teenager or an adult.
The floor plan itself is not so bad. It’s just small details that could still be changed, most of them without having to completely throw out the whole layout.
Similar topics