We have reserved a plot and are still looking for the right floor plan. Technically, everything is possible, meaning a townhouse, one-and-a-half storeys, or even a bungalow. The plot is almost square and 600 sqm (6,458 sq ft) in size. It faces south-southwest. We need 2 children’s bedrooms (preferably on the south side), a master bedroom, a bathroom upstairs and downstairs, a living/dining/kitchen area that is as open as possible, a guest toilet, and a utility room (possibly 6–7 sqm (65–75 sq ft)). Both floors will of course be connected by a staircase. No basement, no finished attic, a very large double garage separate from but not directly attached to the house. We are thinking of around 130 sqm (1,400 sq ft) in total.
These are basically standard requirements, and the orientation with almost due south, plus the relatively large, square plot, should all make it easy to choose a very standard floor plan, right? But apparently, this is not possible, at least not with about 130 sqm (1,400 sq ft)?
In all the plans we have seen, something here or there doesn’t fit, or there is one big problem: The staircase to the upper floor is immediately at the entrance, placing it in the "dirt zone." Does anyone know of an absolutely standard floor plan, perhaps from a builder, self-built, or from friends or family, that is really good? Or is EVERY floor plan more or less a compromise, even when the requirements and the situation (plot, orientation, everything can be built) are actually so simple?
These are basically standard requirements, and the orientation with almost due south, plus the relatively large, square plot, should all make it easy to choose a very standard floor plan, right? But apparently, this is not possible, at least not with about 130 sqm (1,400 sq ft)?
In all the plans we have seen, something here or there doesn’t fit, or there is one big problem: The staircase to the upper floor is immediately at the entrance, placing it in the "dirt zone." Does anyone know of an absolutely standard floor plan, perhaps from a builder, self-built, or from friends or family, that is really good? Or is EVERY floor plan more or less a compromise, even when the requirements and the situation (plot, orientation, everything can be built) are actually so simple?
In recent months, I have mostly been researching the technical aspects (which mechanical ventilation system, where to run the ducts, which ground source heat pump, what type of collector, whether to include circulation or not, water heater and hygiene issues, hot water temperature, options for combining heating with photovoltaics, KNX/automation, etc.). Now it’s time to put together a floor plan. The original layout was actually fine until we decided that an 8sqm (86 sq ft) home office is too small. I’d rather work at the dining table in the large living area than be stuck in a tiny room like that.
While browsing, we came across the following:
Prefabricated houses
Would this be a good starting point for further planning? The external dimensions here are only 900x900 cm (29.5 ft x 29.5 ft), so there is even potential for a slight expansion if needed. The two children's rooms face south, the bathroom is large enough, and the bedroom has closet space as well. Upon entering, you walk towards the wardrobe area, and the stairs do not lead directly through this space. What we will do with the office and whether we might add it to the living area is still undecided. The first question is whether this floor plan fundamentally meets our needs.
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Good evening,
I have removed your link; please observe the forum rules. Thank you!
Building expert
While browsing, we came across the following:
Prefabricated houses
Would this be a good starting point for further planning? The external dimensions here are only 900x900 cm (29.5 ft x 29.5 ft), so there is even potential for a slight expansion if needed. The two children's rooms face south, the bathroom is large enough, and the bedroom has closet space as well. Upon entering, you walk towards the wardrobe area, and the stairs do not lead directly through this space. What we will do with the office and whether we might add it to the living area is still undecided. The first question is whether this floor plan fundamentally meets our needs.
-------------------
Good evening,
I have removed your link; please observe the forum rules. Thank you!
Building expert
Do you want to be the construction manager yourself?
If you are building with a general contractor, you probably won’t have control over which brand is used.
When building with architects, where you make the decisions yourself, the architect is usually responsible for the planning anyway, right?!
If you are building with a general contractor, you probably won’t have control over which brand is used.
When building with architects, where you make the decisions yourself, the architect is usually responsible for the planning anyway, right?!
We would probably build with a local construction company. What do you mean by which brand? Regarding the technical equipment? Why shouldn’t we be able to agree that I want controlled residential ventilation system x and geothermal heat pump y? If necessary, I can exclude that trade from the contract and have the controlled residential ventilation system and geothermal heat pump installed later.
That’s possible as long as you clarify it in advance. But always keep in mind that the general contractor (GC) might only be skilled with certain tasks—let’s say they’re good at potatoes but not carrots. If you force them to plant carrots, there’s a risk they’ll mess it up (to put it somewhat bluntly)...
Removing elements is possible—probably easier with the heating system than with the mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, I would guess. The challenge is usually coordinating between the different trades. For example, the GC might tell you it’s time to mark the locations for the electrical outlets together with the electrician before the ceiling for the ground floor goes up. If you handle this yourself, it’s unclear whether that could cause problems later.
What’s your budget? Your room layout? Any special requests? The 9x9 meter (30x30 feet) box design is available on almost every model home website nowadays.
Removing elements is possible—probably easier with the heating system than with the mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, I would guess. The challenge is usually coordinating between the different trades. For example, the GC might tell you it’s time to mark the locations for the electrical outlets together with the electrician before the ceiling for the ground floor goes up. If you handle this yourself, it’s unclear whether that could cause problems later.
What’s your budget? Your room layout? Any special requests? The 9x9 meter (30x30 feet) box design is available on almost every model home website nowadays.
New attempt, in my opinion completely independent of the previous versions:
I would design the hall-to-living area and hall-to-kitchen/dining area passages without doors. Windows are not planned yet. The layout of the two children’s rooms (one larger? the other smaller? etc.) is also not final. Possibly have a corridor running through with large windows on both sides. The walk-in closet itself will also not have a door (the exact wall placement there is not yet final).
If you think doors between the hall and living/dining area are necessary, I would consider sliding doors for those. Opening toward the hall, and then move the door to the utility room. Also, in my opinion, the front door swings the wrong way. The other way round would be better, with a coat rack and shoe storage right inside. The exterior dimensions currently exclude external walls, so about 70cm (28 inches) need to be added. That would make it approximately 1020 x 850 cm (402 x 335 inches). With this floor plan, I would consider a gable roof (possibly knee wall height 140cm (55 inches)? Roof pitch 35 degrees (°)?). I actually find bedrooms where you sleep under a sufficiently high knee wall quite cozy.
I would design the hall-to-living area and hall-to-kitchen/dining area passages without doors. Windows are not planned yet. The layout of the two children’s rooms (one larger? the other smaller? etc.) is also not final. Possibly have a corridor running through with large windows on both sides. The walk-in closet itself will also not have a door (the exact wall placement there is not yet final).
If you think doors between the hall and living/dining area are necessary, I would consider sliding doors for those. Opening toward the hall, and then move the door to the utility room. Also, in my opinion, the front door swings the wrong way. The other way round would be better, with a coat rack and shoe storage right inside. The exterior dimensions currently exclude external walls, so about 70cm (28 inches) need to be added. That would make it approximately 1020 x 850 cm (402 x 335 inches). With this floor plan, I would consider a gable roof (possibly knee wall height 140cm (55 inches)? Roof pitch 35 degrees (°)?). I actually find bedrooms where you sleep under a sufficiently high knee wall quite cozy.
S
Sebastian7922 Jun 2015 07:46Why don’t you just have someone who knows what they’re doing plan it? This will never work otherwise...
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