ᐅ 10x10 m urban villa (approximately 1,670 sq ft, 6 rooms), fine-tuning welcome
Created on: 20 Aug 2017 14:34
C
Changeling
Ground Floor:
Upper Floor:
Outdoor Areas:
Positioned on the Plot:
Development Plan / Restrictions:
The plot may only be built on the southern half; otherwise, there are no particular restrictions.
Plot size: 900 square meters (approx. 30 x 30 meters / 98 x 98 feet)
Slope: No, only on the west side does the land slope down 3 meters (10 feet) toward the street at the end of the plot. On the north side, there is a retaining wall because the plot is about 2 meters (7 feet) above street level there. Therefore, access by vehicle is only possible from the south.
Clients’ Requirements
Style, Roof Shape, Building Type: A two-story urban villa with a pyramid hip roof (square hipped roof), since the upper floor has no sloped ceilings.
Basement: No basement, as it is too expensive, impractical, and involves additional construction risks.
Number of Occupants, Age: 2 adults (30 years old), 1 child (3 years old), with 1-2 more children planned.
Living Room: A large, open living area was important to us as this is where life happens. A computer corner is planned in the lower right corner since we spend more time at the computer than watching TV. We also work a lot from home and do not want to be confined to a separate room.
Fireplace: Yes.
Guest Room: Also used as storage space, which is especially useful since there is no basement.
Kitchen: The stove and sink are not in their final positions yet – a cooking island is undesirable because of the extractor hood and impractical due to splashing.
Technical / Utility Room: Also serves as a pantry and should be filled with shelves up to the ceiling.
Children’s Rooms: Size should be adequate.
Bedroom: Almost too large, but necessary due to the large wardrobe and double bed.
Bathroom: The design is still at an early stage; for example, the shower is planned as a built-in enclosure without a cabin.
Terrace: Important to us, along with a covered area so we can leave items outside occasionally.
Garage, Carport: As large as possible! It should be a wooden carport, fully closed at the front with sectional doors, and open or closed at the rear as needed. We currently use our garage as a "second living room" and for storing garden tools and similar items. Due to the long car, space will be tight; likely the terrace will be slightly smaller and the carport deeper (or the roof overhang on the left extended). The additions on the far left are planned later as a garden shed or similar and are therefore not a fixed part of the house. The covered connection to the house is a must, so we can enter without getting wet. The lower part facing the street is purely for privacy and is not a solid wall.
Garden: We will build our greenhouse ourselves as we have it now.
House Design:
Planning by: Planner from a construction company; outdoor areas added by us.
What do you particularly like? Why?: The numerous outbuildings and large carport for space, the large living room with open kitchen (also for space). Also, the level access to the terrace (which we don’t have currently).
What do you dislike? Why?: The basement level feels a bit cramped (utility room/kitchen small), while the upper floor is very spacious, but so far this is the best solution.
Cost Estimate by Architect/Planner: $290,000 USD with a maximum of +10% overrun.
Insulation / Construction: Unfortunately, it is built only to the 2016 Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) standards; I would have preferred better insulation, but it is likely too expensive. The masonry consists of calcium silicate blocks (20 cm / 8 inches outside + 16 cm / 6 inches EPS (polystyrene) insulation boards).
Heating System: Ground-source heat pump (brine-water) with earth probe; gas connection would be too expensive and we do not want oil heating.
If you had to give up features / expansions
- Could you do without: At most one fewer children’s room; the rest should stay as is...
- Could you not do without: Everything? That would be difficult.
Why did the design turn out the way it is?
We reviewed suggestions from the planner, spent a weekend designing alternatives ourselves, and ultimately found the current compromise. It includes essentially all our wishes.
The design could have been better if the house orientation had been different; otherwise, the kitchen/terrace/dining area wouldn’t all have to be squeezed next to the carport. However, since the street is on the south side and the northern half of the plot cannot be built on, the house must be positioned as it is and the terrace on the south side to catch the sun. We do not want the carport on the east side, as that would place the house further toward the center of the plot and make the terrace fully visible from the neighboring house to the south.
A similar-sized building plot on the east side will be developed with another single-family urban villa.
What is the most important / fundamental question regarding the floor plan in 130 characters?
What do you think? What could be improved or is missing? Any concerns?
Upper Floor:
Outdoor Areas:
Positioned on the Plot:
Development Plan / Restrictions:
The plot may only be built on the southern half; otherwise, there are no particular restrictions.
Plot size: 900 square meters (approx. 30 x 30 meters / 98 x 98 feet)
Slope: No, only on the west side does the land slope down 3 meters (10 feet) toward the street at the end of the plot. On the north side, there is a retaining wall because the plot is about 2 meters (7 feet) above street level there. Therefore, access by vehicle is only possible from the south.
Clients’ Requirements
Style, Roof Shape, Building Type: A two-story urban villa with a pyramid hip roof (square hipped roof), since the upper floor has no sloped ceilings.
Basement: No basement, as it is too expensive, impractical, and involves additional construction risks.
Number of Occupants, Age: 2 adults (30 years old), 1 child (3 years old), with 1-2 more children planned.
Living Room: A large, open living area was important to us as this is where life happens. A computer corner is planned in the lower right corner since we spend more time at the computer than watching TV. We also work a lot from home and do not want to be confined to a separate room.
Fireplace: Yes.
Guest Room: Also used as storage space, which is especially useful since there is no basement.
Kitchen: The stove and sink are not in their final positions yet – a cooking island is undesirable because of the extractor hood and impractical due to splashing.
Technical / Utility Room: Also serves as a pantry and should be filled with shelves up to the ceiling.
Children’s Rooms: Size should be adequate.
Bedroom: Almost too large, but necessary due to the large wardrobe and double bed.
Bathroom: The design is still at an early stage; for example, the shower is planned as a built-in enclosure without a cabin.
Terrace: Important to us, along with a covered area so we can leave items outside occasionally.
Garage, Carport: As large as possible! It should be a wooden carport, fully closed at the front with sectional doors, and open or closed at the rear as needed. We currently use our garage as a "second living room" and for storing garden tools and similar items. Due to the long car, space will be tight; likely the terrace will be slightly smaller and the carport deeper (or the roof overhang on the left extended). The additions on the far left are planned later as a garden shed or similar and are therefore not a fixed part of the house. The covered connection to the house is a must, so we can enter without getting wet. The lower part facing the street is purely for privacy and is not a solid wall.
Garden: We will build our greenhouse ourselves as we have it now.
House Design:
Planning by: Planner from a construction company; outdoor areas added by us.
What do you particularly like? Why?: The numerous outbuildings and large carport for space, the large living room with open kitchen (also for space). Also, the level access to the terrace (which we don’t have currently).
What do you dislike? Why?: The basement level feels a bit cramped (utility room/kitchen small), while the upper floor is very spacious, but so far this is the best solution.
Cost Estimate by Architect/Planner: $290,000 USD with a maximum of +10% overrun.
Insulation / Construction: Unfortunately, it is built only to the 2016 Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) standards; I would have preferred better insulation, but it is likely too expensive. The masonry consists of calcium silicate blocks (20 cm / 8 inches outside + 16 cm / 6 inches EPS (polystyrene) insulation boards).
Heating System: Ground-source heat pump (brine-water) with earth probe; gas connection would be too expensive and we do not want oil heating.
If you had to give up features / expansions
- Could you do without: At most one fewer children’s room; the rest should stay as is...
- Could you not do without: Everything? That would be difficult.
Why did the design turn out the way it is?
We reviewed suggestions from the planner, spent a weekend designing alternatives ourselves, and ultimately found the current compromise. It includes essentially all our wishes.
The design could have been better if the house orientation had been different; otherwise, the kitchen/terrace/dining area wouldn’t all have to be squeezed next to the carport. However, since the street is on the south side and the northern half of the plot cannot be built on, the house must be positioned as it is and the terrace on the south side to catch the sun. We do not want the carport on the east side, as that would place the house further toward the center of the plot and make the terrace fully visible from the neighboring house to the south.
A similar-sized building plot on the east side will be developed with another single-family urban villa.
What is the most important / fundamental question regarding the floor plan in 130 characters?
What do you think? What could be improved or is missing? Any concerns?
C
Changeling21 Aug 2017 11:09winnetou78 schrieb:
I think the utility room is a bit oversized again.
It’s definitely not huge, but the equipment and the washing machine will definitely fit in there.It is also meant to serve as a small pantry. Our plan is to fill it with shelves up to the ceiling. It will get quite tight then.Invi85 schrieb:
Is the red-framed area really the building permit area on this huge lot?
Living room and terrace facing south are definitely out of the question because of the tall house opposite, right?Yes, that is the building permit area for the house (setback areas are already included – the carport can be moved 3m (10 feet) further east to the property line, but not to the south because of the street). We have had worse (a 300m² (3,230 sq ft) building area on a 1700m² (18,300 sq ft) lot)...Facing south is actually not feasible because the house is quite large and you would automatically be sitting in the shade. The terrace would also be right next to the street because of the building permit area.
RobsonMKK schrieb:
What does that mean? What technical equipment is included? What additional features? Electrical installations? Have you already selected materials and fixtures?I need to look it up again, but we haven’t finalized the selections yet. I just recall that the interior doors were estimated at 5400.- €, the staircase at 4200.- €, and the electrical work at almost 9000.- €. I actually think 540€ per door is not bad, including installation. Or am I mistaken?W
winnetou7821 Aug 2017 11:13Okay, I overlooked the pantry. It’s too small anyway. In my opinion, a utility room is only suitable to a limited extent, since even the beer gets warm there.
Changeling schrieb:
I need to check again, but we haven’t selected samples yet. I saw that the heating issue has been resolved.
Is a ventilation system included?
How many electrical outlets will the house have?
What sanitary fixtures have been agreed upon?
What type of tiles are included?
If you say you are already at the limit and haven’t chosen the samples yet... this could get interesting.
Just as an example: we paid the same amount for the upgrade to our desired staircase as you are paying for your entire staircase.
I understand the concern about neighbors being able to see inside. When I’m at our family doctor’s office, I can easily look into our garden, which doesn’t exist yet, and into the first children’s room. The bedroom probably wouldn’t be visible.
The advantage for us is that the practice is closed on weekends and evenings.
Design your home to be bright and sunlit, oriented toward the sun. Use the terrace as a play area for the kids or for quickly having a cup of coffee. It doesn’t matter if the neighbors might see a little there. Choose a nice spot on your property for a second, more private terrace.
How do you manage to keep the hallway clean when coming in with house slippers or socks, especially when the cars are wet or covered with snow?
The advantage for us is that the practice is closed on weekends and evenings.
Design your home to be bright and sunlit, oriented toward the sun. Use the terrace as a play area for the kids or for quickly having a cup of coffee. It doesn’t matter if the neighbors might see a little there. Choose a nice spot on your property for a second, more private terrace.
How do you manage to keep the hallway clean when coming in with house slippers or socks, especially when the cars are wet or covered with snow?
C
chand198621 Aug 2017 11:20Changeling schrieb:
If you position the entrance facing south, you could connect the utility room directly to the kitchen and avoid the long hallway. But then you’d need to come up with a good design for the canopy leading to the carport, which is still missing.Looking at the plan from above: attach the carport to the right side of the house and then move it downwards. Place a porch roof on the south side with the main entrance underneath.
Changeling schrieb:
Oh, one more thing about moving the carport to the east side: the terrace would then be closer to the trees and the street. Unless you make a tandem double carport. We currently have that, and it’s really annoying because we constantly have to shuffle the cars. In either case, however, the terrace would be fully visible from the apartments to the south :-/Nonsense. A privacy screen about 3m (10 feet) tall can be installed if desired, without blocking your evening sunlight. That’s not a valid argument. Hedge, wall, wooden fence—all options are equally opaque.
Changeling schrieb:
The carport is actually our space saver.Explanation? Why does space need to be saved there, where exactly is space tight, and why? Obviously, you need more than just a place to park cars.
I notice your views differ somewhat from the common opinion on what is optimal and what isn’t. That’s fine, but please check that your reasons for deviating don’t end up in the two German favorites: “We’ve never done it that way” or “We’ve always done it that way.”
Your concern that neighbors might crowd around a few windows from which they could see the terrace just because you’re using it is quite unrealistic. On nice weather days, people usually have better things to do than hang out at upstairs windows. If they are normal people, they always have better things to do.
You have prioritized the “privacy” of the terrace so much that you’re actually blocking natural light from the house itself. You really should reconsider your priorities. Especially during the months when you spend little time outside, you’ve planned the biggest loss of natural light for yourselves. Just because the neighbor has two tall windows on the south side...? Come on!
W
winnetou7821 Aug 2017 11:23Actually, you’re not really allowed to post floor plans here, as there are so many self-proclaimed architects around, and everything gets heavily criticized.
It doesn’t even seem to matter that the actual home builder, who is also paying, likes it.
It doesn’t even seem to matter that the actual home builder, who is also paying, likes it.
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