Hello dear forum,
Our ideas are slowly becoming more concrete, and we have found a floor plan that we quite like and that fits our requirements. We would love to hear your opinions and suggestions for improvement.
Development Plan/Restrictions
Plot size 518 sqm (5574 sq ft)
Slope Yes, about 2 m (6.5 ft) within the building zone, total about 3.5 m (11.5 ft), rising from the street
Floor area ratio 0.3
Plot ratio 0.6
Building zone, building line, and boundary approximately 13.5 x 12 m (44 x 39 ft)
Edge development As a new development area, everyone has the same specifications
Number of parking spaces 2
Number of floors 1.5 plus a basement, which is allowed and intended to be a full floor
Roof type gable roof, shed roof
Style open construction method
Orientation north-south
Maximum heights/limits 11 m (36 ft) ridge height
Homeowners’ Requirements
Style, roof type, building type single-family house with basement and gable roof
Basement, floors basement for living space plus 1.5 floors
Number of people, age currently a couple in their mid-30s plus a one-year-old child, more children planned
Space requirements
Ground floor: open plan living area, pantry/storage room, guest WC, 1 children’s room
Upper floor: 2 children’s rooms, family bathroom with bathtub, master bedroom with walk-in closet and shower bath
Basement: 2 offices, small shower bath, technical room/storage
Office: home office
Guest sleeping per year: rarely, so the office might occasionally be used as guest room
Open or closed architecture: open architecture
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with island
Number of dining seats: at least 6
Fireplace: yes
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: standard terrace
Garage, carport: garage, but planned for later; possibly a carport
Utility garden, greenhouse: utility and play garden
Additional wishes/particulars: the main entrance will be moved to the basement, where the two offices are also planned. We want a high knee wall, which is why we plan a bay window to better utilize the 75% rule.
We are also still considering whether to place the main entrance on the left side of the house to make better use of space in the basement.
Furthermore, if possible, the terrace should be located above the garage on the right side of the house, as this side receives the most sun.
House Design
Who designed it: planner from a construction company plus do-it-yourself
What do you particularly like? the open and bright staircase, the living and dining area because everything is very bright
What do you dislike? Why? the solution with the parents’ area on the upper floor — hard to imagine and possibly too small
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 375,000
Personal price limit for the house, including equipment: 400,000
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up something, which details/ extensions
-can you do without: fireplace
-can you not give up: parents’ area with walk-in and bathroom
Why did the design turn out as it is now? For example:
Standard design by the planner?
Which wishes were implemented by the architect? the plan is mainly the result of the spatial concept
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad? good question, it’s nothing exceptional, rather practical
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
What advantages or disadvantages do you see in the floor plan and design, especially regarding our large spatial concept?



Our ideas are slowly becoming more concrete, and we have found a floor plan that we quite like and that fits our requirements. We would love to hear your opinions and suggestions for improvement.
Development Plan/Restrictions
Plot size 518 sqm (5574 sq ft)
Slope Yes, about 2 m (6.5 ft) within the building zone, total about 3.5 m (11.5 ft), rising from the street
Floor area ratio 0.3
Plot ratio 0.6
Building zone, building line, and boundary approximately 13.5 x 12 m (44 x 39 ft)
Edge development As a new development area, everyone has the same specifications
Number of parking spaces 2
Number of floors 1.5 plus a basement, which is allowed and intended to be a full floor
Roof type gable roof, shed roof
Style open construction method
Orientation north-south
Maximum heights/limits 11 m (36 ft) ridge height
Homeowners’ Requirements
Style, roof type, building type single-family house with basement and gable roof
Basement, floors basement for living space plus 1.5 floors
Number of people, age currently a couple in their mid-30s plus a one-year-old child, more children planned
Space requirements
Ground floor: open plan living area, pantry/storage room, guest WC, 1 children’s room
Upper floor: 2 children’s rooms, family bathroom with bathtub, master bedroom with walk-in closet and shower bath
Basement: 2 offices, small shower bath, technical room/storage
Office: home office
Guest sleeping per year: rarely, so the office might occasionally be used as guest room
Open or closed architecture: open architecture
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with island
Number of dining seats: at least 6
Fireplace: yes
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: standard terrace
Garage, carport: garage, but planned for later; possibly a carport
Utility garden, greenhouse: utility and play garden
Additional wishes/particulars: the main entrance will be moved to the basement, where the two offices are also planned. We want a high knee wall, which is why we plan a bay window to better utilize the 75% rule.
We are also still considering whether to place the main entrance on the left side of the house to make better use of space in the basement.
Furthermore, if possible, the terrace should be located above the garage on the right side of the house, as this side receives the most sun.
House Design
Who designed it: planner from a construction company plus do-it-yourself
What do you particularly like? the open and bright staircase, the living and dining area because everything is very bright
What do you dislike? Why? the solution with the parents’ area on the upper floor — hard to imagine and possibly too small
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 375,000
Personal price limit for the house, including equipment: 400,000
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up something, which details/ extensions
-can you do without: fireplace
-can you not give up: parents’ area with walk-in and bathroom
Why did the design turn out as it is now? For example:
Standard design by the planner?
Which wishes were implemented by the architect? the plan is mainly the result of the spatial concept
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad? good question, it’s nothing exceptional, rather practical
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
What advantages or disadvantages do you see in the floor plan and design, especially regarding our large spatial concept?
P
pagoni20209 Jul 2020 12:26Würfel* schrieb:
I slept for a few years on the ground floor and actually had visits from hedgehogs, neighbor’s cats, and various crawling insects when the window was open. When my husband wasn’t home, I didn’t dare sleep with the window open—it felt like anyone could just jump over the fence and come inside. So, I definitely had some bad experiences.
Wouldn’t a northeast-facing bedroom be ideal? Children’s room / office facing south, as the view seems unobstructed there? Obviously, there is greenery on two sides—lovely. A northeast-facing bedroom is of course absolutely ideal, no question.
Hedgehogs..? so cuuute.
Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves how that feels. For me, it worked perfectly. The original poster can find plenty of approaches here to choose what suits them best.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
My idea of "age-proofing" would be more about the concept of getting rid of a property that no longer suits one’s needs.Exactly. The original poster, on the other hand, is considering installing a second kitchen in the basement of a house that will be occupied by other people by the time she is retired. That’s possible, but not at the same time as "the general contractor didn’t understand our budget." Rehab won’t start before the mandatory tasks are completed.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
T
T_im_Norden9 Jul 2020 12:48Thirteen schrieb:
Sure. But how should we proceed? At the moment, we only have offers from prefabricated house manufacturers. The two regional general contractors quoted prices that are clearly beyond our budget. We are still waiting on others. We’re a bit lacking guidance on the correct approach. Assume the prices from the regional providers are realistic. They know the area and the potential issues that may arise.
If you don’t have a clear idea of what you want, make a list of requirements and present that to the contractor.
Do not provide floor plans, only text.
T_im_Norden schrieb:
Assume that the price from local providers is realistic. They know the area and the potential issues that can arise there. Above all, they have their reputation to protect. The big names can easily hide behind franchisees "whom we unfortunately had to part ways with" or sales agents acting "on their own accord" when caught cutting corners. If the price "doesn't taste sweet enough," it indicates that it is a more "complete" offer than the "cheaper" one; and if it is "too high," then the house is too large or the faucets are too fancy. Then you have to cut back (not just repaint – but I’ve already mentioned that). Persistently requesting bids until you get the largest possible house within your desired budget usually leads to anything but happiness.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/