Good evening!
I’m hoping for some collective advice. We want to expand a two-family house – the options we considered at the time were either an extension or creating a usable attic by slightly raising the knee wall. I had major reservations about the first option because I’ve hardly ever seen an attractive extension. Then the architect sent me a design that I quite liked. However, it later turned out that structurally it only works with so many compromises that it’s unusable again. For several days now, I’ve been looking at this view and it only looks worse. It resembles a garage. But that’s not all – what was supposed to be a shaded area is unfortunately only 1.7m (5.6 ft) high. Yet that matches the balcony, as it was trimmed to the same width.
All parties involved, meaning us and the architect, generally get along well but are currently a bit stressed with each other. How does one handle a situation like this? By the way, we’re still puzzled about how the chaotic arrangement of windows on the garden side came about.
I’m hoping for some collective advice. We want to expand a two-family house – the options we considered at the time were either an extension or creating a usable attic by slightly raising the knee wall. I had major reservations about the first option because I’ve hardly ever seen an attractive extension. Then the architect sent me a design that I quite liked. However, it later turned out that structurally it only works with so many compromises that it’s unusable again. For several days now, I’ve been looking at this view and it only looks worse. It resembles a garage. But that’s not all – what was supposed to be a shaded area is unfortunately only 1.7m (5.6 ft) high. Yet that matches the balcony, as it was trimmed to the same width.
All parties involved, meaning us and the architect, generally get along well but are currently a bit stressed with each other. How does one handle a situation like this? By the way, we’re still puzzled about how the chaotic arrangement of windows on the garden side came about.
In principle, the property allows for an extension.
A second residential unit, why not. Maybe design it so that it can be rented out to third parties or swapped with the daughter.
From what I understand, the original poster doesn’t just want a simple attached box.
Two rooms are extremely small for three people. Working from home is out of the question.
A second residential unit, why not. Maybe design it so that it can be rented out to third parties or swapped with the daughter.
From what I understand, the original poster doesn’t just want a simple attached box.
Two rooms are extremely small for three people. Working from home is out of the question.
P
pagoni202025 Apr 2021 14:18Hausbau0815 schrieb:
There are also people – myself included – who enjoy planning and carrying out a house project together with their adult children. I think there is a misunderstanding here, because it is exactly this multigenerational way of living that I fully support.
My comments specifically referred to the points you mentioned, which seem to be missing: namely "together" and "planning"; I didn’t see either of these addressed.
Furthermore, I did not notice any real planning regarding the nice idea of eventually accommodating parents appropriately in the house. That should also be carefully "planned" and "agreed upon" with those involved.
Tassimat schrieb:
I understand that well, and a relationship of equals among adults is a wonderful thing.
The issue is, at least from my perspective, it sounded as though the adult child was merely included in the plan rather than actually planning together. It was planned for them, not with them. And in that case, a 3.5-room apartment isn’t exactly ideal for the family plans of an adult child who has already finished their studies. Hence my questions about what the “last-born” really wants. Nobody here knows the real situation on site. At least to me it’s unclear, or maybe I misinterpreted it. But that doesn’t really matter, this is an internet forum.
I think this thread has brought up many important points. This is about a substantial amount of money for a potential project, about which the original poster has already expressed some doubts. Yes, I find all the responses here reasonable and quite important. Even if the OP suggests, indirectly, that leftover money could be spent on a special house, or in the worst case opened as a retirement flatshare or even sold, economic feasibility must still be considered, because the child moving out in the near future is a very realistic scenario. Only by considering this can a conscious decision be made. Exactly my view!!!
Tassimat schrieb:
The thing is, at least to me, it sounded as though the adult child was simply planned for rather than planned with. That’s exactly how I understood it too, and I felt that the intention of possible later care for the parents had not yet been adequately considered.
So, when I look at the 3D design with the huge glass façade and then see the pool in the satellite image (I assume the blue area is a pool), the extension just needs a diving board, and everyone would think it’s both an outdoor and indoor swimming pool.
But it could also be the mountain station of a cable car. 😉
In my opinion, it’s understandable that your relationship with the architect is or was somewhat strained. Was the architect able to convince you of a design in the end?
But it could also be the mountain station of a cable car. 😉
In my opinion, it’s understandable that your relationship with the architect is or was somewhat strained. Was the architect able to convince you of a design in the end?
Hey, okay, it’s really time for an update. We needed some time to process everything and then decided to follow the majority opinion. We are now renovating it properly for ourselves, and the youngest is being prepared for moving out. A large guest room provides space for the transition period and possible setbacks. Architecturally, we will only be changing the garage, dormer, terrace, and of course the window lintels. The redesign will be completed in the next few weeks, and then I would be happy to share some details for discussion 🙂 Although it was mentally difficult, the solution is definitely better and financially less demanding. PS: In the end, the architect had to admit that his plan exceeded the financial budget by more than 50%. There was no mention of fees after that.
G
GeradeSchräg11 Jun 2021 08:08Are you planning the renovation with the same architect?
I think that’s quite tough. As a client, you should be able to rely on the architect to plan according to the budget, rather than letting their creativity run free and assuming the builders will be financially able to cover the extra costs and eventually give in.
I think that’s great! I’m glad you found a good solution. The “moving out” won’t harm your youngest child 😉 I moved out voluntarily on my 18th birthday. It was difficult at first but looking back it was a good decision. You learn to manage with less and develop a sense for what is truly essential. Some of my friends are still living in their “child’s bedroom” in their late 20s, certainly not for financial reasons. But when talking to them, it’s clear they don’t really understand what it means to run your own household.
Looking forward to the new plans.
Best regards
Schelli schrieb:
PS: In the end, the architect had to admit that his design exceeded the financial budget by more than 50%.
I think that’s quite tough. As a client, you should be able to rely on the architect to plan according to the budget, rather than letting their creativity run free and assuming the builders will be financially able to cover the extra costs and eventually give in.
Schelli schrieb:
We are now renovating it properly for ourselves, and the youngest is being prepared for moving out.
I think that’s great! I’m glad you found a good solution. The “moving out” won’t harm your youngest child 😉 I moved out voluntarily on my 18th birthday. It was difficult at first but looking back it was a good decision. You learn to manage with less and develop a sense for what is truly essential. Some of my friends are still living in their “child’s bedroom” in their late 20s, certainly not for financial reasons. But when talking to them, it’s clear they don’t really understand what it means to run your own household.
Looking forward to the new plans.
Best regards
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