ᐅ Modernist Concrete Villa with Cavity Wall Insulation – Experiences
Created on: 11 Sep 2018 07:32
R
rick2018
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to briefly introduce myself and say thank you.
For about a year and a half, I have been a silent reader here to gather inspiration and especially to gain more knowledge about construction technology.
Now a bit about me:
After more than a year of searching for a plot of land, I was able to purchase one from a developer who couldn’t move forward quickly with his plans.
So we found our dream plot (good location, 2500 m² (0.62 acres), slight slope, underground private spring that we have to preserve and are allowed to use).
There was an old house on the property, which we have since demolished.
There is no zoning plan, so §34 applies. During an initial informal inquiry at the building authority, almost everything we planned was rejected.
So we submitted an official preliminary building inquiry, involved the right people, and had lengthy discussions. In the end, we received a positive decision.
Therefore, there is nothing standing in the way of the building permit. The building permit should be granted within the next few weeks as there are no changes from the preliminary inquiry.
My wife (37) and I (36) want to build a Bauhaus-style villa in southern Baden-Württemberg.
It will be constructed from concrete (with core insulation) or in combination with insulated precast elements.
A lot of glass (full-glass system), textile shading, KNX, fast network both wired and wireless, strong mechanical ventilation with additional cooling coils, stainless steel pool, large cistern, and more.
The electrical planning must be 100% spot on since it’s almost impossible to make changes afterward.
Since I am friends with an architect from a larger firm, it was clear which route we would take. Such a house can basically only be realized with an architect.
I also personally know the electrician and KNX system integrator, as well as the owners and work approach of the heating, plumbing, and ventilation companies involved.
Some trades have already been contracted, and part of the equipment has already been ordered.
I’m really looking forward to getting started and to the final result. The goal is to move in by the end of 2019.
Once again, many thanks for the information I have received from you so far.
If you have any questions, just let me know.
Attached is the design, though not the final version. There have been a few minor changes.
Greetings from Swabia
I just wanted to briefly introduce myself and say thank you.
For about a year and a half, I have been a silent reader here to gather inspiration and especially to gain more knowledge about construction technology.
Now a bit about me:
After more than a year of searching for a plot of land, I was able to purchase one from a developer who couldn’t move forward quickly with his plans.
So we found our dream plot (good location, 2500 m² (0.62 acres), slight slope, underground private spring that we have to preserve and are allowed to use).
There was an old house on the property, which we have since demolished.
There is no zoning plan, so §34 applies. During an initial informal inquiry at the building authority, almost everything we planned was rejected.
So we submitted an official preliminary building inquiry, involved the right people, and had lengthy discussions. In the end, we received a positive decision.
Therefore, there is nothing standing in the way of the building permit. The building permit should be granted within the next few weeks as there are no changes from the preliminary inquiry.
My wife (37) and I (36) want to build a Bauhaus-style villa in southern Baden-Württemberg.
It will be constructed from concrete (with core insulation) or in combination with insulated precast elements.
A lot of glass (full-glass system), textile shading, KNX, fast network both wired and wireless, strong mechanical ventilation with additional cooling coils, stainless steel pool, large cistern, and more.
The electrical planning must be 100% spot on since it’s almost impossible to make changes afterward.
Since I am friends with an architect from a larger firm, it was clear which route we would take. Such a house can basically only be realized with an architect.
I also personally know the electrician and KNX system integrator, as well as the owners and work approach of the heating, plumbing, and ventilation companies involved.
Some trades have already been contracted, and part of the equipment has already been ordered.
I’m really looking forward to getting started and to the final result. The goal is to move in by the end of 2019.
Once again, many thanks for the information I have received from you so far.
If you have any questions, just let me know.
Attached is the design, though not the final version. There have been a few minor changes.
Greetings from Swabia
@rick2018
Thanks for your feedback. I have one more question about your pool. We are currently undecided between a Paradiso sliding roof and polycarbonate slats. With the Paradiso, I’m concerned about the tile bonding. For the slats, people often advise against them because of dirt buildup and the supposed “unsightly” appearance after a few years. Have you gained any experience regarding dirt accumulation?
Thanks for your feedback. I have one more question about your pool. We are currently undecided between a Paradiso sliding roof and polycarbonate slats. With the Paradiso, I’m concerned about the tile bonding. For the slats, people often advise against them because of dirt buildup and the supposed “unsightly” appearance after a few years. Have you gained any experience regarding dirt accumulation?
@stekna We have an infinity pool, so a sliding roof was never an option. I also don’t like the look, and you need space to slide it open. However, it still makes sense to have a cover on the water.
Our advantage is that we have almost no biomass entering the pool. I simply open the (floating) cover. A few leaves end up in the pool, which I either pick out while swimming or the robot cleans up.
If there is a lot of debris on it, you can also use a leaf blower or garden hose to remove it (the debris then falls over the edge).
The polycarbonate covers are easy to clean with a pressure washer or brush. This only needs to be done once a year. It’s important that they are always kept in the water or protected from sunlight.
Ours is a polycarbonate solar cover that rolls up into a hidden pocket underwater, so nothing is visible.
I would definitely do this again. Even covers that are several years old still looked great.
Cheaper PVC covers are more problematic and prone to damage.
Even with minimal maintenance, you will enjoy a polycarbonate cover for a very long time. The rest of the pool actually requires more effort, even if most of it is automated.
Our advantage is that we have almost no biomass entering the pool. I simply open the (floating) cover. A few leaves end up in the pool, which I either pick out while swimming or the robot cleans up.
If there is a lot of debris on it, you can also use a leaf blower or garden hose to remove it (the debris then falls over the edge).
The polycarbonate covers are easy to clean with a pressure washer or brush. This only needs to be done once a year. It’s important that they are always kept in the water or protected from sunlight.
Ours is a polycarbonate solar cover that rolls up into a hidden pocket underwater, so nothing is visible.
I would definitely do this again. Even covers that are several years old still looked great.
Cheaper PVC covers are more problematic and prone to damage.
Even with minimal maintenance, you will enjoy a polycarbonate cover for a very long time. The rest of the pool actually requires more effort, even if most of it is automated.
K
k-man202110 May 2021 16:04@rick2018
I’m new here and have spent the last few days reading through about half of the thread – really impressive what you have planned and, above all, accomplished!
We decided a while ago to build again, and also a Bauhaus-style house – probably a smaller version, but in terms of appearance it could look similar to yours.... There is one question that concerns us, namely the architect. Unfortunately, I don’t have a friend who is an architect and also likes Bauhaus :-(
When we look for architects who have designed houses we like, we either find them in southern Germany/Baden-Württemberg or Belgium, but unfortunately we are building in Hesse. Did the same firm that did your design also supervise the construction on site, meaning all project phases? Based on your experience, do you think it’s possible to split these services?
I’m new here and have spent the last few days reading through about half of the thread – really impressive what you have planned and, above all, accomplished!
We decided a while ago to build again, and also a Bauhaus-style house – probably a smaller version, but in terms of appearance it could look similar to yours.... There is one question that concerns us, namely the architect. Unfortunately, I don’t have a friend who is an architect and also likes Bauhaus :-(
When we look for architects who have designed houses we like, we either find them in southern Germany/Baden-Württemberg or Belgium, but unfortunately we are building in Hesse. Did the same firm that did your design also supervise the construction on site, meaning all project phases? Based on your experience, do you think it’s possible to split these services?
@k-man2021 First of all, welcome to the forum and good luck with your project. Please share updates here as well.
Most of our work was done by a single contractor. Some trades were managed directly by me.
It is possible to split the work, but the contractors should not be just any run-of-the-mill company; they need to be familiar with the materials and so on.
Our house is connected, very detail-oriented, and has several special features. It wouldn’t have worked without me being on site almost every day (usually all day). I also did some of the work myself.
Are you planning to build with concrete? Consider opening a thread where you present your dream home.
Most of our work was done by a single contractor. Some trades were managed directly by me.
It is possible to split the work, but the contractors should not be just any run-of-the-mill company; they need to be familiar with the materials and so on.
Our house is connected, very detail-oriented, and has several special features. It wouldn’t have worked without me being on site almost every day (usually all day). I also did some of the work myself.
Are you planning to build with concrete? Consider opening a thread where you present your dream home.
B
Bauherr am L11 May 2021 08:24From personal experience: Rick is right. A high level of personal involvement is necessary, especially when you have elevated desires and expectations.
It might also depend on the architectural firm. If you have one that regularly designs such demanding single-family homes, you could at least expect them to manage the process well.
In our case, the architects were often overwhelmed—unfortunately also on a technical level. As a result, things were chaotic. At times, I even had to explain the correct handling of building materials on site—particularly in the area of waterproofing (both above and below).
My personal recommendation: choose your architectural firm very carefully. These are the people on whom most of the success depends and who will affect whether you have restful or restless nights. Those with higher demands need to hire professionals accordingly. Looking back, I would also be willing to pay more for this. Don’t just focus on attractive designs but also on whether the firm can manage construction sites professionally and technically without gaps.
It might also depend on the architectural firm. If you have one that regularly designs such demanding single-family homes, you could at least expect them to manage the process well.
In our case, the architects were often overwhelmed—unfortunately also on a technical level. As a result, things were chaotic. At times, I even had to explain the correct handling of building materials on site—particularly in the area of waterproofing (both above and below).
My personal recommendation: choose your architectural firm very carefully. These are the people on whom most of the success depends and who will affect whether you have restful or restless nights. Those with higher demands need to hire professionals accordingly. Looking back, I would also be willing to pay more for this. Don’t just focus on attractive designs but also on whether the firm can manage construction sites professionally and technically without gaps.
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