Dear house building forum members,
I am new here and would appreciate creative ideas, opinions, and suggestions regarding our building plot:
Our plans:
Our goal is to build a spacious single-family house (220-240 sqm (2,370-2,580 sq ft)) with a separate apartment (about 60-70 sqm (650-750 sq ft)) for two adults and two small children.
It would be ideal to have a wide/long double garage plus two additional parking spaces in front.
One full floor (plus basement and attic) according to the development plan.
Style: open, modern, minimalist but without extravagant or unnecessary luxury.
Of course, good privacy from neighbors is very important.
Plot size: approx. 920 m² (approx. 7,860 sq ft) = approx. 730 m² (7,860 sq ft) plus approx. 190 m² (2,045 sq ft) driveway.
Development plan:
Site coverage ratio (floor area ratio): 0.3
Gross floor area ratio: 0.5
Open building style
1 full floor
Gable roof 28-38°
Knee wall max. 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
(see attached images)
Additional information / my thoughts:
– Nice plot in Baden-Württemberg with private access road (see photos attached)
– West edge: adjacent to open fields
– Not entirely flat: about 1 to 2 m (3-6 ft) height difference from west to east; sloping downwards to the east
– Plot width (north-south) is 20 m (66 ft).
My questions:
1. Do my plans for the size of our desired house fit within the development plan? Can I build about 300 m² (3,230 sq ft) (house plus separate apartment) there?
(Sorry for asking so simply for reassurance. Based on my calculations and my understanding of site coverage and floor area ratios, it should be possible.)
2. How do you assess the situation? Will it feel relatively “tight” in relation to the two neighboring houses (north and south)?
Theoretically, quite large houses can also be built there according to the development plan (see photos attached).
I know this is a high-level concern, but at this early planning stage, I would like to get your valued and experienced opinions.
For example, where to best position our house within the building zone to be as “safe” as possible, regardless of where and how neighbors may build.
The goal of this discussion at this point is not to develop detailed floor plans, but rather to collect initial assessments and ideas about the best way to build on this plot.
Thank you very much in advance!
If further information is needed, I’m happy to provide it!
Thanks in advance and best regards!
I am new here and would appreciate creative ideas, opinions, and suggestions regarding our building plot:
Our plans:
Our goal is to build a spacious single-family house (220-240 sqm (2,370-2,580 sq ft)) with a separate apartment (about 60-70 sqm (650-750 sq ft)) for two adults and two small children.
It would be ideal to have a wide/long double garage plus two additional parking spaces in front.
One full floor (plus basement and attic) according to the development plan.
Style: open, modern, minimalist but without extravagant or unnecessary luxury.
Of course, good privacy from neighbors is very important.
Plot size: approx. 920 m² (approx. 7,860 sq ft) = approx. 730 m² (7,860 sq ft) plus approx. 190 m² (2,045 sq ft) driveway.
Development plan:
Site coverage ratio (floor area ratio): 0.3
Gross floor area ratio: 0.5
Open building style
1 full floor
Gable roof 28-38°
Knee wall max. 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
(see attached images)
Additional information / my thoughts:
– Nice plot in Baden-Württemberg with private access road (see photos attached)
– West edge: adjacent to open fields
– Not entirely flat: about 1 to 2 m (3-6 ft) height difference from west to east; sloping downwards to the east
– Plot width (north-south) is 20 m (66 ft).
My questions:
1. Do my plans for the size of our desired house fit within the development plan? Can I build about 300 m² (3,230 sq ft) (house plus separate apartment) there?
(Sorry for asking so simply for reassurance. Based on my calculations and my understanding of site coverage and floor area ratios, it should be possible.)
2. How do you assess the situation? Will it feel relatively “tight” in relation to the two neighboring houses (north and south)?
Theoretically, quite large houses can also be built there according to the development plan (see photos attached).
I know this is a high-level concern, but at this early planning stage, I would like to get your valued and experienced opinions.
For example, where to best position our house within the building zone to be as “safe” as possible, regardless of where and how neighbors may build.
The goal of this discussion at this point is not to develop detailed floor plans, but rather to collect initial assessments and ideas about the best way to build on this plot.
Thank you very much in advance!
If further information is needed, I’m happy to provide it!
Thanks in advance and best regards!
According to the floor area ratio, you could theoretically build up to 276 sqm (2,971 sq ft). Since the exact dimensions of the plot are missing, I’m roughly estimating about 20 x 40 meters (66 x 131 ft) for the actual lot, probably less. The building envelope might be around 20 x 20 meters (66 x 66 ft).
If you subtract the boundary setback and a 6-meter (20 ft) double garage, you could theoretically build a house measuring 20 x 11 meters (66 x 36 ft). That would provide around 180 to 190 sqm (1,938 to 2,045 sq ft) of living space plus a half-story in the roof. So overall, your desired size is feasible.
However, you would have to share the 11-meter (36 ft) width of the house with the tenant. If you add an external staircase, the house will have to be smaller, and the same applies to side terraces. I also doubt that parking spaces can be created in front of the double garage. For your guests, that’s probably okay, but the parking spot for the tenant apartment also has to be accommodated somewhere. You would be constantly in sight of each other. There’s no option for side access, a concealed entrance, or wrap-around terraces. It doesn’t have the feel of a single-family home but rather resembles a two-family house setup, where neighbors share many things.
That’s my quick assessment.
What are the exact dimensions of the plot (excluding the driveway)?
If you subtract the boundary setback and a 6-meter (20 ft) double garage, you could theoretically build a house measuring 20 x 11 meters (66 x 36 ft). That would provide around 180 to 190 sqm (1,938 to 2,045 sq ft) of living space plus a half-story in the roof. So overall, your desired size is feasible.
However, you would have to share the 11-meter (36 ft) width of the house with the tenant. If you add an external staircase, the house will have to be smaller, and the same applies to side terraces. I also doubt that parking spaces can be created in front of the double garage. For your guests, that’s probably okay, but the parking spot for the tenant apartment also has to be accommodated somewhere. You would be constantly in sight of each other. There’s no option for side access, a concealed entrance, or wrap-around terraces. It doesn’t have the feel of a single-family home but rather resembles a two-family house setup, where neighbors share many things.
That’s my quick assessment.
What are the exact dimensions of the plot (excluding the driveway)?
And an additional question... what is the secondary apartment intended for?
Clarification on whether garages are allowed outside the building envelope.
Is the driveway exclusively for your use?
Measurements would be helpful, and how evenly are the 2 m (6.5 ft) height differences distributed?
Clarification on whether garages are allowed outside the building envelope.
Is the driveway exclusively for your use?
Measurements would be helpful, and how evenly are the 2 m (6.5 ft) height differences distributed?
sanftmut schrieb:
If you need further information, feel free to ask!The most important factor for a house like this is the budget. There’s no point discussing anything under 600K just for the house itself.You are all amazing – thank you very much for your replies and feedback.
I will try to answer everything and also aim to provide more precise measurements soon.
1. Driveway: yes – thankfully used only for this property alone.
2. Granny flat / basement apartment: is intended to help partially finance the project and possibly to have someone who can check on everything during holidays.
Question: Neighbors solved this with a light well / excavation and placed the granny flat in the basement, facing east.
Is this a (good) idea?
3. Budget: yes – that is roughly what we had in mind as well – at least about 600,000 to 800,000 EUR.
4. Slope: yes, the 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) are quite evenly distributed across the entire width.
I also believe there is a slight gradient of about 0.3 to 0.5 meters (1 to 1.5 feet) over 20 meters (65 feet) from north to south.
5. Clarification on whether garages are allowed outside the building permit / planning permission area: I will try to clarify this soon.
Thanks!
I will try to answer everything and also aim to provide more precise measurements soon.
1. Driveway: yes – thankfully used only for this property alone.
2. Granny flat / basement apartment: is intended to help partially finance the project and possibly to have someone who can check on everything during holidays.
Question: Neighbors solved this with a light well / excavation and placed the granny flat in the basement, facing east.
Is this a (good) idea?
3. Budget: yes – that is roughly what we had in mind as well – at least about 600,000 to 800,000 EUR.
4. Slope: yes, the 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) are quite evenly distributed across the entire width.
I also believe there is a slight gradient of about 0.3 to 0.5 meters (1 to 1.5 feet) over 20 meters (65 feet) from north to south.
5. Clarification on whether garages are allowed outside the building permit / planning permission area: I will try to clarify this soon.
Thanks!
kaho674 schrieb:
The first important factor for a project like this is the budget. Anything under 600,000 just for the house isn’t worth discussing.I see it differently. Close to 300 sqm (3,230 sq ft) plus basement... and then doubled when considering what actually drives up the cost of a house.
750,000 for the house alone, plus, plus, plus the usual additional costs...
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