ᐅ Single-Family House on a Slope – Living Area on the Upper Floor, Open-Plan First Floor
Created on: 1 Apr 2026 13:34
B
Barnaby
Hello everyone,
we are planning a single-family house on a relatively steep slope (Northern Bavaria). An extension is mandatory, and the house shape is determined by the neighboring house.
The special feature is that we plan to live on the upper floor to have direct access to the terrace. Additionally, we want the upper floor to be open to the roof ridge—meaning no intermediate ceiling or attic space (no mezzanine, attic, etc.).
We really like the design. We are aware of the stairs (e.g., carrying groceries, etc.; water will come from a Quooker 😉...) but we still like the option of an upper-level terrace.
We have already received a turnkey offer from the general contractor, including our requests (parquet flooring, 4 m (13 ft) lift-and-slide door, 3 bathrooms) and exterior work, and we could start now. We are curious to hear what the professionals think, if there are any critical points we might have missed—we would build it like this!
Development plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 600 m2 (already owned)
Slope: yes, steep
Floor area ratio: 0.4 – 0.7
Floor space index: 0.47
Building window, building line, and boundary: determined by neighbor
Edge development: yes
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of stories: 2 main floors + basement
Roof type: gable roof
Style: modern
Orientation:
Maximum height/limitations: none
Other requirements:
Homeowners’ requirements
Style, roof type, building type: single-family house with gable roof
Basement: yes
Number of floors: 2
Number of people: 2 adults (mid-30s) + 2 small children
Space requirements on ground and upper floors
Office: 4 days home office
Overnight guests per year: few
Open or closed layout: open
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with kitchen block
Number of dining seats: 8–10
Fireplace: no
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: garage in basement
Utility garden, greenhouse: not currently, possibly later
House design
Origin of the design: based on existing floor plans from the internet + personal adjustments + adaptations with the general contractor’s planner
What do you particularly like? Why?
+ Open upper floor with high ceilings
+ Separate master suite
+ Separate children’s bathroom
What do you not like? ...mostly compromises we accept
- Rather tight space between the top of the stairs and entry on the ground floor
- Children’s bathroom without daylight
Price estimate according to architect/planner: offer from general contractor 750,000 including basement, incidental costs, fixtures, 100,000 for landscaping + groundworks
Personal price limit for the house, including features: 750,000
Preferred heating technology: heat pump
If you had to give up something, which details/extensions
- could you give up:
- could you not give up:
Why is the design the way it is?
The starting point was a found prefabricated house plan from the internet; we then swapped the ground and upper floors.
Other:
We will have a shaft prepared for an elevator (without the elevator). This will be left open in the floor slabs and will run from the garage → children’s bathroom → pantry upwards.
Thank you for your feedback
we are planning a single-family house on a relatively steep slope (Northern Bavaria). An extension is mandatory, and the house shape is determined by the neighboring house.
The special feature is that we plan to live on the upper floor to have direct access to the terrace. Additionally, we want the upper floor to be open to the roof ridge—meaning no intermediate ceiling or attic space (no mezzanine, attic, etc.).
We really like the design. We are aware of the stairs (e.g., carrying groceries, etc.; water will come from a Quooker 😉...) but we still like the option of an upper-level terrace.
We have already received a turnkey offer from the general contractor, including our requests (parquet flooring, 4 m (13 ft) lift-and-slide door, 3 bathrooms) and exterior work, and we could start now. We are curious to hear what the professionals think, if there are any critical points we might have missed—we would build it like this!
Development plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 600 m2 (already owned)
Slope: yes, steep
Floor area ratio: 0.4 – 0.7
Floor space index: 0.47
Building window, building line, and boundary: determined by neighbor
Edge development: yes
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of stories: 2 main floors + basement
Roof type: gable roof
Style: modern
Orientation:
Maximum height/limitations: none
Other requirements:
Homeowners’ requirements
Style, roof type, building type: single-family house with gable roof
Basement: yes
Number of floors: 2
Number of people: 2 adults (mid-30s) + 2 small children
Space requirements on ground and upper floors
Office: 4 days home office
Overnight guests per year: few
Open or closed layout: open
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with kitchen block
Number of dining seats: 8–10
Fireplace: no
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: garage in basement
Utility garden, greenhouse: not currently, possibly later
House design
Origin of the design: based on existing floor plans from the internet + personal adjustments + adaptations with the general contractor’s planner
What do you particularly like? Why?
+ Open upper floor with high ceilings
+ Separate master suite
+ Separate children’s bathroom
What do you not like? ...mostly compromises we accept
- Rather tight space between the top of the stairs and entry on the ground floor
- Children’s bathroom without daylight
Price estimate according to architect/planner: offer from general contractor 750,000 including basement, incidental costs, fixtures, 100,000 for landscaping + groundworks
Personal price limit for the house, including features: 750,000
Preferred heating technology: heat pump
If you had to give up something, which details/extensions
- could you give up:
- could you not give up:
Why is the design the way it is?
The starting point was a found prefabricated house plan from the internet; we then swapped the ground and upper floors.
Other:
We will have a shaft prepared for an elevator (without the elevator). This will be left open in the floor slabs and will run from the garage → children’s bathroom → pantry upwards.
Thank you for your feedback
Barnaby schrieb:
but yes, of course it can also all go down in one “go.” Yes, but rather involuntarily. Everything is pretty much tight to the edge with the walking flow – but you can only mention it and point it out.
Barnaby schrieb:
We get the impression that the small spike for supplies included is enough. No. You don’t store the everyday items you use three times a day in the pantry. I’m not talking about storage space, but about surface area for putting things down.
I know, I see it and say it. We have a tidy household of two people, and it’s still not enough. Or do you put your quote (KVA) in the pantry? You can take the toaster out on Sundays, but with small children, breakfast items and appliances end up on the kitchen island or by the sink at some point.
H
hanghaus20231 Apr 2026 18:28Is there a plan for the neighboring house? It is supposed to be attached.
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
Is there a plan of the neighboring house? They’re planning to extend onto it. Basically, it looks similar to ours and has been there for 30 years. The height and depth are the same; we are just offset forward by about 15cm (6 inches). The neighbor didn’t add fill behind the house but built a retaining wall about 5m (16 feet) towards the slope (red), 3m (10 feet) high. Above that, they built a balcony in the upper floor (blue), which is at the height of our terrace.
From an old draft, this might help:
Barnaby schrieb:
Height and depth are the same; we are just about 15cm (6 inches) offset forward. Offset because of what? – You should design the house profile exactly matching on the "shared boundary" side...
Barnaby schrieb:
The neighbor didn’t add fill behind the house but built a retaining wall about 5m (16 feet) towards the slope (red), height 3m (10 feet). ... this also applies to the terrain, not just the two "semi-detached halves." The construction guide already states, "no one should divert water onto another’s land." The change in level therefore carries the load of the slope. You (and/or your general contractor) seem to lack awareness that the challenge lies in the staggered construction of the second semi-detached unit. I see the need for detailed planning of the connections here, including re-roofing the existing half at the shared boundary. To put it politely, this is not trivial, and you cannot just ignore the responsibilities shared with your neighbor.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
H
hanghaus20231 Apr 2026 19:39In my opinion, the main entrance should be located at the front.
At the same time, remove the small cartoon-style windows.
Adjust the stair landing and garage door.
Move the staircase to the upper floor 50 cm (20 inches) north and remove the pantry. Instead, relocate the three tall cabinets.
I think the entire house could also be designed a bit narrower—about the same width as the neighboring house.
The exterior stairs should be better adapted to the terrain.
At the same time, remove the small cartoon-style windows.
Adjust the stair landing and garage door.
Move the staircase to the upper floor 50 cm (20 inches) north and remove the pantry. Instead, relocate the three tall cabinets.
I think the entire house could also be designed a bit narrower—about the same width as the neighboring house.
The exterior stairs should be better adapted to the terrain.