ᐅ Initial Floor Plan Draft – Backyard Development – 1.5 Stories
Created on: 15 Oct 2025 14:31
S
Steiger
Hello everyone,
we would like to present our first floor plan draft and kindly ask for your honest feedback.
The house is designed for 2 adults plus potentially 2 children in the future and will be built on a rural plot of land. We are currently in the design phase and welcome all constructive comments and suggestions for improvement.
The plot is a backyard development, which means there are some restrictions. For example, we are not allowed to exceed a length of 7.0 m (23 feet) and an eave height of 3.7 m (12 feet). In addition, the assigned plots are not yet developed, so we will need to build a road access here.
On the site plan we were allocated plot number 4.
More details are included in the notes..
Building Plan / Restrictions
Homeowner Requirements
House Design
Why the design looks like this
We wanted a home that is family-friendly, functional, and suitable for aging in place, while complying with the building plan.
The basic idea: parents live fully on the ground floor, children live upstairs.
We are still optimizing and would appreciate feedback on:
We look forward to your honest feedback!
What would you improve or arrange differently?
Thank you very much in advance for your time and suggestions.
we would like to present our first floor plan draft and kindly ask for your honest feedback.
The house is designed for 2 adults plus potentially 2 children in the future and will be built on a rural plot of land. We are currently in the design phase and welcome all constructive comments and suggestions for improvement.
The plot is a backyard development, which means there are some restrictions. For example, we are not allowed to exceed a length of 7.0 m (23 feet) and an eave height of 3.7 m (12 feet). In addition, the assigned plots are not yet developed, so we will need to build a road access here.
On the site plan we were allocated plot number 4.
More details are included in the notes..
Building Plan / Restrictions
- Plot size: approximately 27.5 m (90 feet) wide × 41 m (135 feet) deep (~1,100 m² (12,000 sq ft))
- Terrain: flat, no slope
- Site coverage ratio (floor area ratio): 0.4
- Floor space index (floor area ratio): 0.4
- Building envelope / setbacks: 3 m (10 feet) boundary setback, house positioned on the right side, garage may be built on the boundary
- Number of floors: 1.5 stories (maximum ridge height 7 m (23 feet), eave height approx. 3.7 m (12 feet))
- Roof type: gable roof, minimum 25° pitch
- Architectural style: modern country house style
- Orientation: south is at the top of the plan
- Maximum heights: 7 m (23 feet) ridge, 3.7 m (12 feet) eave
- Additional requirements: the plot must be accessed via a new road. The style must blend with the neighborhood.
Homeowner Requirements
- Building type: single-family home, 1.5 stories, no basement
- Occupants: 2 adults, later 2 children
- Ground floor needs: parents’ area fully on the ground floor (bedroom, dressing room, bathroom), living/dining/kitchen area (living area preferably separate), utility room with access to the garage, guest toilet
- Upper floor needs: 2 children’s bedrooms, 1 office, 1 bathroom, storage room
- Office: for home office and flexible use
- Guest accommodation: rare (max. 2–3 times per year)
- Architecture: open, welcoming, with clear sightlines
- Construction method: rather conservative-modern (no flat roof, but light materials, clean lines)
- Kitchen: open kitchen with island
- Dining area: spacious, table for 6–8 people
- Fireplace: optional, mainly for design/coziness, probably no
- Music/stereo: no specific plans yet
- Balcony/roof terrace: no
- Garage/carport: double garage, direct access to utility room, cars might be parked under a covered entrance to keep the garage space free since there will be no attic
- Garden: usable garden area, south-facing terrace → I would like to plan a conservatory here for the future or optionally build it right away. Since we will have a south-facing garden with farmland behind, a conservatory is desired as a separated area to be used all year round.
- Special features:
- Smart home planned
- Parents’ area deliberately on the ground floor
- Conservatory desired either in the future or built-in from the start
House Design
- Designed by: architect
- What we particularly like:
- South orientation with bright rooms
- Functional floor plan and parents’ area
- What we don’t like (yet):
- Children’s bathroom upstairs might be too large
- Bedroom too small
- Pantry/storage room has a door to the utility room; maybe reduce utility room size to enlarge pantry
- Children’s bedroom closets block windows and might reduce lighting
- Driveway to garage is not ideal. The garage may need to be moved further back
- Price estimate from architect: not available yet
- Personal price limit (house + fittings): around 500,000 € (approximately), completely self-built, land already purchased
- Heating system: ground source heat pump with borehole, underfloor heating, technical room probably in the garage equipment room
Why the design looks like this
We wanted a home that is family-friendly, functional, and suitable for aging in place, while complying with the building plan.
The basic idea: parents live fully on the ground floor, children live upstairs.
We are still optimizing and would appreciate feedback on:
- Room layout on the ground floor (hallway, sleeping area)
- Living/dining/kitchen area: solution with an adjacent conservatory. Living area preferably separate, so children or adults can use different paths when guests visit.
- Garage size
- Children’s bathroom: size and whether the storage room could be bigger and the bathroom smaller. Possibly separate the toilet from the children’s bathroom?
We look forward to your honest feedback!
What would you improve or arrange differently?
Thank you very much in advance for your time and suggestions.
11ant schrieb:
"I don't want to 'crush' anything at all." Stay calm. The original poster Steiger just took it literally. I'm explaining something that has nothing to do with you—except that he actually thought the technique would fit into the knee wall.
11ant schrieb:
The technical aspects should neither be handled separately nor discussed directly with the contractor bypassing the architect through skip-level negotiations, but should be planned properly. After all, we are talking about a new build. Is the plan to involve the architect only up to the approval stamp and then steer the project into trouble on your own? – this design, regardless of the version, is definitely an "architect-designed house" up to and including work phase 8! However, I doubt the architect’s suitability for the second phase if they forget to insulate the dormer cheek walls. By the way, there are no dormers here. You’re right. We include the architect here. Sometimes I also phrase things too simply. The HVAC system will be properly planned. Insulation will be addressed.
ypg schrieb:
literally taken That’s just how I am 🙂 😀
So then. Do you have any more ideas to improve the floor plan?
Which option do you prefer regarding the position of the garage/carport?
Steiger schrieb:
Steiger
We are including the architect here. Sometimes I phrase things a bit too simply. The energy performance certificate (HAR) is properly planned. Insulation is being addressed. The insulation itself is only a minor point here. It’s much more about the suitability of an architect who is unlikely to simply forget it when drafting the plans. I read this as an indicator of an inexperienced architect, which is why I asked about the scope of their mandate and your plans regarding who will handle the construction.
Steiger schrieb:
Well then. Do you have any ideas for improving the floor plan?
Which option do you prefer for the location of the garage/carport? Suggestions for improving the floor plan beyond those already made would be outside the scope of pro bono advice. My preferred choice for parking arrangements is well known: "America first" – the family comes first, and the cars get the leftover spaces. A carport is sufficient, and bicycles and rims are stored indoors.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Construction Management: Craftsmen hired directly by us, who have already completed many projects with the architect. I prefer to leave the execution to myself. This is just how things are done in our region. The architect is only responsible for the floor plan, static calculations, and the building permit/planning permission application. Once that is approved, the architect doesn’t need to visit the construction site. The rest is handled by us with selected tradespeople covering all areas or companies, and we carry out the construction ourselves. And yes, this works because I have already helped out as a “handyman” on several projects here. Most people in the village build this way. It works.
Therefore, I want to focus primarily on the floor plan here and whether any major mistakes have been made in the design. The execution will be my responsibility.
I am grateful to have already received some helpful tips from you. Of course, mistakes can happen during the architect’s planning, but you just have to make sure to correct them and not shift legal responsibilities back and forth.
I have seen mistakes on construction projects here in the village that happened with the architect, which is why I wanted support from others (you) who also have knowledge of floor plans and planning. As a layperson, you don’t really notice these things and aren’t sure what to pay attention to. If you want to know more about the process, send me a private message. Then we can continue discussing.
The carport is planned instead of a garage.
We are still deciding on which direction to place the carport. Right now, I personally prefer the third (last) design. I find the room layout nicer there.
Although, in my opinion, the appearance from outside looks better in the other designs.
Therefore, I want to focus primarily on the floor plan here and whether any major mistakes have been made in the design. The execution will be my responsibility.
I am grateful to have already received some helpful tips from you. Of course, mistakes can happen during the architect’s planning, but you just have to make sure to correct them and not shift legal responsibilities back and forth.
I have seen mistakes on construction projects here in the village that happened with the architect, which is why I wanted support from others (you) who also have knowledge of floor plans and planning. As a layperson, you don’t really notice these things and aren’t sure what to pay attention to. If you want to know more about the process, send me a private message. Then we can continue discussing.
The carport is planned instead of a garage.
We are still deciding on which direction to place the carport. Right now, I personally prefer the third (last) design. I find the room layout nicer there.
Although, in my opinion, the appearance from outside looks better in the other designs.
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