ᐅ 12 x 9.6 m, 2 full stories, basement, attic, 4 children's bedrooms

Created on: 26 Apr 2018 22:24
J
Johannes L
Hello everyone,

After more than six years of searching, we will soon be able to purchase a plot of land, so it’s time to advance the planning.

Since we are still undecided whether to build with an architect or a developer, we started drawing ourselves and have been diligently browsing internet forums like this one. The floor plans below are the result, thanks to SketchUp.

I hope we understand the floor area ratio correctly, meaning the basement is not included. Otherwise, we have a problem...

Development plan/restrictions
Plot size 15.6 x 29.95 m = 436 sqm (51.2 x 98.3 ft = 4,692 sq ft)
Slope no
Site coverage ratio 0.4 = 174.4 sqm (1,878 sq ft)
Floor area ratio 0.8 = 348.8 sqm (3,753 sq ft)
Building envelope, building line and boundary 12 m depth (39 ft)
Setbacks 3 m (10 ft) on right and left
Number of parking spaces only in front of the garage planned
Number of storeys 2 full storeys
Roof type Gable roof 42 degrees
Style brick + Wienerberger Poroton T7 P 36.5
Orientation garden facing east-northeast
Maximum height restrictions 10 m (33 ft) high
Other requirements finished floor level at least 30 cm (12 inches) above reference mark

Client requirements
Style, roof shape, building type gable roof is mandatory
Basement, number of storeys 2 full
Number and ages of occupants 6 (37, 36, 6, 4, 2, 0)
Space requirements on ground and upper floors (see plan)
Office: family use or home office? both
Guests sleeping per year the attic provides enough space
Open or closed architecture
Traditional or modern design it will be a smart home with KNX, photovoltaic system, heat pump, possibly battery storage…
Open kitchen, kitchen island open kitchen
Number of dining seats 6
Fireplace no
Music/stereo wall I was thinking of multi-room audio, i.e. one ceiling speaker per room
Balcony, roof terrace no
Garage, carport garage
Utility garden, greenhouse later
Additional wishes/particulars/daily routine, also reasons why certain things are required or excluded The house should be divisible in 25 years, hence the staircase placement. There is a kitchen shown on the upper floor, but it will only be relevant in 25 years. I roughly marked the ventilation system, indicating where ceiling or wall outlets might be and where ducts lead to the upper floors. The two offices are important. The master bedroom on the ground floor is future-proof. Everyone gets old!

House design
Who designed the plan: us amateurs
What do you like most? Why? four equally sized children’s rooms
What do you like least? Why? the upstairs hallway might be somewhat dark
Price estimate according to architect/planner: if only we knew
Personal price limit for the house including fittings: 400 + building allowance
Preferred heating technology: ground-source heat pump

If you have to give up features or extensions
- what can you do without: I hope we don’t have to
- what can you not do without: we definitely want to keep the base dimensions and the basement is a must, but we may have to save on components.

Why is the design like it is now? 4 children’s rooms, two offices, ground floor master bedroom, divisibility in 25 years…
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad? that’s what we want to know from you

What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
What would you do differently and why?
M
Maria16
2 May 2018 08:34
The idea of rearranging furniture more or less regularly is rarely put into practice. In my opinion, such a thing should not even be considered to cover up problems in a new build.
kaho6742 May 2018 08:44
No, the views definitely wouldn’t win any beauty contests. The exterior appearance does matter, though, and it’s perfectly reasonable to skip a large glass window on the ground floor if it means the windows in the gable above can be symmetrical and better match those on the ground floor.

I’m usually not a fan of strict symmetry, but a bit more balance here would be easier on the eyes and could be achieved without significantly reducing living comfort.

And please, get rid of that tiny toilet once and for all. It hurts my eyes even more. Imagine standing inside a 1m (3 ft) walk-in closet and having to use the toilet there. That’s a nightmare! No one should have to put up with that. I’m picturing the mayor coming over and having to use such a toilet—it would be so embarrassing!
C
chand1986
2 May 2018 08:52
It might be more of a mother-in-law bathroom than a mayor’s bathroom...
J
Johannes L
2 May 2018 09:14
Hi Katja,

Which view exactly do you mean? Both the west and east sides are somewhat asymmetrical. If I move the windows on the west side, it no longer fits with the study. On the east side, the imbalance is caused by the kitchen on the ground floor. To balance that on the other side, you would need to extend the wall there by about one meter (3 feet) and move the window on the upper floor. That would be possible, of course.

Guests should use the guest toilet!

Best regards,
Johannes
kaho6742 May 2018 09:29
The windows could definitely be better—kitchen or not.
I understand that the guest WC is meant for guests. That actually makes it even more embarrassing! I would never want to visit you, just because of the toilet.
Y
ypg
2 May 2018 09:53
The windows appear completely misaligned.