Hello everyone,
finally, we have reached an important step… the plot is signed for.
We want to build with an architect and already have some ideas about what we like and what we don’t.
We definitely want to give the architect the opportunity to apply their expertise regarding the floor plan… maybe they can convince us.
But if not, we are currently (almost) quite happy with this self-drawn floor plan.
A few key facts…
Plot size: 660 sqm (about 7100 sq ft), floor area ratio 0.4, no slope, approximately 26m x 25m (85 ft x 82 ft)
Longest building side allowed: max. 15m (about 49 ft)
L-shaped bungalow with covered terrace (southwest side)
We want to build with a basement. This should have windows with natural daylight behind the garage on the east side. There will be 2–3 living rooms down there (playroom, hobby room, later for the kids or grandparents if necessary).
The roof will not be converted into a living space — 20-22° (degrees) pitch, hip roof, for aesthetic reasons.
We know that a basement is more expensive than a second floor, etc. The budget is roughly 650,000–700,000 (currency).
Utility room, laundry room, sauna, etc. will all be located in the basement since there is enough space. 🙂
Now to the floor plan:
We like an open design with a large entrance area.
What we like about this floor plan:
Children’s area separated from parents
Connection from the garage with access to the storage room and basement
Access from kitchen and living room to the terrace possible
Master bedroom with direct view of the garden on the southeast side (in summer the shutters are closed anyway)
Children’s rooms with windows facing west, slightly southwest.
Open questions…
Are the children’s rooms too narrow at almost 3m (about 10 ft)?
Is the living room too narrow at almost 4.5m (about 15 ft)?
The L-shape at the terrace is about 3m (10 ft) deep — here we could possibly adjust a bit to enlarge the children’s rooms.
My wife doesn’t like that the kitchen is visible directly from the entrance area.
(I prefer the kitchen visibility over the living room couch). What do you think is better or worse?
The kitchen window is on the south side, possibly too much sun… maybe we should add an awning if needed.
I can’t fit a second toilet elsewhere without making the children’s rooms even smaller… so it will remain a guest toilet for the parents.
Is a door between the entrance area and the living area for a windbreak useful, or unnecessary? (We have underfloor heating.)
(Maybe a hidden interior door, but I’m unsure what happens if it gets damaged.)
The floor area ratio will be tight… 15m x 15m = 225 sqm (about 11,200 sq ft) + garage + driveway… we might need to reduce the width a bit.
660 sqm x 0.4 = 264 sqm (about 2,840 sq ft).
I have seen many floor plans here… wishes and practicality have to match somewhere.
I’m really curious about the experts’ opinions…
Is it rubbish or usable?
Thanks
finally, we have reached an important step… the plot is signed for.
We want to build with an architect and already have some ideas about what we like and what we don’t.
We definitely want to give the architect the opportunity to apply their expertise regarding the floor plan… maybe they can convince us.
But if not, we are currently (almost) quite happy with this self-drawn floor plan.
A few key facts…
Plot size: 660 sqm (about 7100 sq ft), floor area ratio 0.4, no slope, approximately 26m x 25m (85 ft x 82 ft)
Longest building side allowed: max. 15m (about 49 ft)
L-shaped bungalow with covered terrace (southwest side)
We want to build with a basement. This should have windows with natural daylight behind the garage on the east side. There will be 2–3 living rooms down there (playroom, hobby room, later for the kids or grandparents if necessary).
The roof will not be converted into a living space — 20-22° (degrees) pitch, hip roof, for aesthetic reasons.
We know that a basement is more expensive than a second floor, etc. The budget is roughly 650,000–700,000 (currency).
Utility room, laundry room, sauna, etc. will all be located in the basement since there is enough space. 🙂
Now to the floor plan:
We like an open design with a large entrance area.
What we like about this floor plan:
Children’s area separated from parents
Connection from the garage with access to the storage room and basement
Access from kitchen and living room to the terrace possible
Master bedroom with direct view of the garden on the southeast side (in summer the shutters are closed anyway)
Children’s rooms with windows facing west, slightly southwest.
Open questions…
Are the children’s rooms too narrow at almost 3m (about 10 ft)?
Is the living room too narrow at almost 4.5m (about 15 ft)?
The L-shape at the terrace is about 3m (10 ft) deep — here we could possibly adjust a bit to enlarge the children’s rooms.
My wife doesn’t like that the kitchen is visible directly from the entrance area.
(I prefer the kitchen visibility over the living room couch). What do you think is better or worse?
The kitchen window is on the south side, possibly too much sun… maybe we should add an awning if needed.
I can’t fit a second toilet elsewhere without making the children’s rooms even smaller… so it will remain a guest toilet for the parents.
Is a door between the entrance area and the living area for a windbreak useful, or unnecessary? (We have underfloor heating.)
(Maybe a hidden interior door, but I’m unsure what happens if it gets damaged.)
The floor area ratio will be tight… 15m x 15m = 225 sqm (about 11,200 sq ft) + garage + driveway… we might need to reduce the width a bit.
660 sqm x 0.4 = 264 sqm (about 2,840 sq ft).
I have seen many floor plans here… wishes and practicality have to match somewhere.
I’m really curious about the experts’ opinions…
Is it rubbish or usable?
Thanks
I
Iotafreak16 Apr 2021 20:36ypg schrieb:
Let me explain slowly again... not that any of us haven’t understood 😉
We never advised you to build “a second floor”!
Define basement! Isn’t a basement also a “floor”?
By the way, people usually say “stories” rather than “floors,” and then there’s the definition of a “half-story”… but let’s get to the point:
So you’re planning a ground floor (GF) plus basement, because a GF plus a converted attic is considered two stories, and GF plus basement also counts as two stories? 🤨
A staircase leading to the attic bothers you, but a staircase to the basement doesn’t? 🤨
You’re putting necessary rooms like laundry, mechanical room, storage into your other story (the basement), even though the staircase might become a problem one day. 🤨
You’re making an argument that doesn’t really hold up because you’re planning two stories anyway, so a staircase is involved. If you’re unlucky and have knee problems later, that will be a challenge.
Furthermore, you plan “2-3 living rooms with daylight” in the basement. This means you want 2-3 additional living spaces down there, fully finished with electricity, bathroom (you mentioned parents using it) (-> sewage pump), heating, ventilation, proper daylight, and a ceiling height that turns a basement room into a habitable space, so it is allowed and approved for living. Daylight in a basement only comes through special light wells, so real windows require significant excavation; there are several options. But all of these must be on the exterior wall of the house (since they are basement windows), posing a safety risk for children playing in the garden (not to mention burglary protection).
Therefore, they must be secured accordingly but still allow for a second escape route -> fall protection and emergency exit from inside to outside.
All of this turns a simple basement into a living basement.
That means: 180 square meters (sq m) basement = €180,000
180 sq m basement to living space standard (let’s say half, since utility and laundry rooms don’t need to be fully finished, but the ceiling height must be adjusted), so 90 sq m basement + 90 sq m living basement = €300,000
The attic remains unheated, but you have 180 sq m of space nobody sees because it’s hidden in the basement. Most of that area isn’t really needed (180 sq m for a basement is quite large), and if the kids are partying down there, two rooms on the ground floor suffer.
As already mentioned, you’re not the first person to consider a bungalow approach.
By your argument, it would be more logical to have the basement stairs lead up to the attic, since it’s already there. You can simply leave out the basement.
The rooms you’ll need later in life or with knee problems can be planned on the ground floor (remember: “We want everything on one level…”). A small utility room, laundry next to the kitchen… all bungalow-style and tailored for you.
One room close to the parents for small kids, then two rooms with a bathroom in the converted attic for the kids when they reach school age. The construction effort is minimal, perhaps around €50,000. Windows that look at the sky instead of the concrete look of a light well.
That’s a space separation (children/parents). And when the kids move out, the two 40 sq m rooms in the attic won’t be a problem if left unused, converted to a gym, or used for grandchildren to stay overnight. In any case, you keep the single-level living you want, and whatever is upstairs doesn’t bother you.
Where’s the catch?
You invest €250,000 more for less living comfort, end up with a huge basement you possibly can’t even enter to do laundry in the worst case, and have two empty rooms on the ground floor… then think: I should’ve rather had utility and laundry rooms here… I’m happy to explain our perspective on the basement in more detail.
Utility room, laundry room, large sauna room (at least 50 sq m), hobby room, office/playroom/guest room, bathroom... all of these need to fit somewhere.
We initially considered a 25 DN house (25 decimeters = 2.5 meters ceiling height) but felt the proportions between attic and ground floor were no longer optimal with that height… Also, that would have yielded only about 50 sq m.
A 22 DN is still reasonable, but that doesn’t result in anything usable…
So the choice remains between basement or an 11.5 DN house. Of course, either way there are two stories, but the basement simply isn’t visible. In my opinion, a bungalow also has a holiday feel, and you can cover the corner as a terrace without needing to build anything extra. A visual difference.
The basement is planned to have a small terrace behind the garage on the east side, about 2 by 4 meters (6.5 by 13 ft) with an exit and stairs. That should allow for 2 living rooms. Meaning kids or parents would have their own separate entrance later. Until then, I can gladly go outside after the sauna. The other rooms would have light wells.
Again, I joined this forum to get tips and share experiences, for which I’m very grateful. However, constantly being told the basement is unnecessary eventually gets tiresome.
My original idea was to have the stairs completely behind a door, but by now I’m fine with arranging it differently.
Thank you for your explanation. This reads quite differently than in the original thread
...actually, when reading, these are more like “placeholder” rooms rather than fully defined ones. You didn’t mention anything about these in the questionnaire either, so it had to be assumed that a basement was simply being built because “somewhere the technical equipment needs to go, and the rest can be used for something.”
That now sauna, office, and guest room should also fit is actually a higher priority or should be planned accordingly. Then the remaining space could be used to entertain the children – this way, at least for me, it makes sense if a basement is to be built.
The Vita can be “relatively easily” redesigned while keeping its character.
The problem is the 15 meters (49 feet)... you have already recognized that yourself.
Furthermore, you will deviate from your budget. For 180m² (1,940 sq ft) with the complex bungalow design, I come to about 440,000. Then a double garage would cost an additional 30,000–40,000 (I’m not that familiar with that).
The basement I estimated at 270,000... overall 750,000 plus other expenses, incidental construction costs, outdoor areas, garden and landscaping (GALA construction).
How about the garage/garages? Do they count toward the 15 meters (49 feet)? Is it possible to separate them if the other rooms use up the 15 meters? ...
I sketched something out, but the garages always seem to protrude too much... What options do you see for yourself there?
Iotafreak schrieb:
So there are supposed to be 2-3 living rooms as well...
(playroom, hobby room, etc., later also for the kids or grandparents, if necessary)
...actually, when reading, these are more like “placeholder” rooms rather than fully defined ones. You didn’t mention anything about these in the questionnaire either, so it had to be assumed that a basement was simply being built because “somewhere the technical equipment needs to go, and the rest can be used for something.”
Iotafreak schrieb:
I am happy to explain our view on the basement in more detail.
Utility room, laundry room, large sauna room of at least 50m² (540 sq ft), hobby room, office/playroom/guest room, bathroom... all of this should find space somewhere.
That now sauna, office, and guest room should also fit is actually a higher priority or should be planned accordingly. Then the remaining space could be used to entertain the children – this way, at least for me, it makes sense if a basement is to be built.
The Vita can be “relatively easily” redesigned while keeping its character.
The problem is the 15 meters (49 feet)... you have already recognized that yourself.
Furthermore, you will deviate from your budget. For 180m² (1,940 sq ft) with the complex bungalow design, I come to about 440,000. Then a double garage would cost an additional 30,000–40,000 (I’m not that familiar with that).
The basement I estimated at 270,000... overall 750,000 plus other expenses, incidental construction costs, outdoor areas, garden and landscaping (GALA construction).
How about the garage/garages? Do they count toward the 15 meters (49 feet)? Is it possible to separate them if the other rooms use up the 15 meters? ...
I sketched something out, but the garages always seem to protrude too much... What options do you see for yourself there?
I
Iotafreak17 Apr 2021 09:19ypg schrieb:
Thank you for your explanation. This reads quite differently from the original thread.
…actually, when reading, there seem to be more “placeholder” rooms rather than properly defined ones. You also didn’t mention anything in the questionnaire, so one had to assume that a basement is simply built because “somewhere the technical equipment has to go, and you can make some use of the rest of the space.”
The fact that now there is supposed to be room for a sauna, office, and guest room means these have a higher priority or should be planned accordingly, and then the remaining space could be used for the children’s activities – that’s how it makes sense to me, at least, if a basement is included.
The Vita can be “quite easily” modified so that its character remains.
The problem is the 15 meters (49 feet 3 inches)… you’ve already noticed that yourself.
Furthermore, you will likely exceed your budget. For 180 sqm (1,938 sq ft) with the complex bungalow design, I estimate about 440,000. Then a double garage (DGarage) would add 30,000–40,000 (I’m not very familiar with that).
For the basement, I was at about 270,000... a total of 750,000 plus the additional expenses, ancillary building costs, outdoor facilities, garden and landscaping (GALA construction).
How about the garage or garages? Are they counted within the 15 meters? Is it possible to separate them if the other rooms use up the 15 meters? …
I’ve sketched something, but the garages always seem to protrude too much... What options do you see for yourself here? My mistake, I should have described that more clearly... sorry…
The garage can be attached to the 15 meters, but it has to be slightly offset...
My eldest has a birthday today, might have an event, so I can only respond in the evening...
S
Seven198418 Apr 2021 11:22Iotafreak schrieb:
Thank you very much for your comments.
We are not fixated on this design at all and I am very grateful for every tip...
We are also aware that compromises have to be made...
But so far I haven’t seen any floor plan that even comes close to meeting our wishes in any way.
Currently, I found the website Extradom.pl... they also have interesting bungalows/floor plans with pictures, which helps to visualize better...
The architect hasn’t received any sketch from us (this was recommended here).
Only the room program... I am very curious myself about what will come out of it...
Maybe I am just stressing myself unnecessarily, and something can really be made from the plan...
I just don’t want to lose several weeks unused, only to start afterwards...
Certainly, a second floor could create a well-separated area...
Our thoughts however are as follows:
We want everything on one level ourselves...
Let’s say 40-50 years (if we are lucky... 🙂
As long as the kids are small, a completely separated area on ground and upper floors is not practical... because you end up running up and down the stairs constantly...
In the teenage years, it would definitely be ideal for about 10 years...
Afterwards they might go to university or move out, etc...
Then the whole second floor would be completely empty...
With the basement, we would create more flexibility, as many rooms would be located there... including laundry, etc...
Through 2-3 living rooms with daylight, the kids would have retreat areas during their teenage years or later...
We would continue to live on one level...
The kids move out -> the basement doesn’t bother us, and the 2 or 3 rooms stand empty... which doesn’t really matter...
Our wish is therefore everything on one level, with a slightly separated kids’ area...
Certainly not everyone thinks this way... and that’s okay... We planned a bungalow that allows us comfortable living on 150sqm (1615 sq ft) as a couple in old age, with a large children’s room in the basement that could be rented later as a 2-room apartment with kitchen and bath plus a cellar. Because we have a sloped lot, we had the special situation of developing and repurposing an existing cellar.
Maybe you will find some ideas for yourself:
ᐅ Bungalow geplant auf vorhandenem Keller: Ideen?Seite 3 | Erfahrungen von Bauherren und Bauexperten (hausbau-forum.de)
It was important to us not to have unnecessary rooms standing empty later when our daughter moves out. Currently, she is still a bit too young for the concept, but kids grow up so fast and she will probably soon be happy to have little to do with us during her teenage years ;-)
I
Iotafreak18 Apr 2021 11:37Seven1984 schrieb:
We planned a bungalow that will allow us comfortable living in old age on 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft) for two people, with a large children’s room in the basement that could later be rented out as a separate 2-room apartment plus a cellar. However, we have a sloped plot and the special challenge was to build on and repurpose an existing cellar.
Maybe you’ll find some ideas for yourself:
ᐅ Bungalow planned on existing cellar: ideas? Page 3 | experiences from homeowners and building experts (hausbau-forum.de)
It was important for us not to have unnecessary rooms left empty later when our daughter moves out. She is still a bit too young for this concept right now, but kids grow up so fast and she will probably be relieved to have little to do with us during her teenage years ;-) Cool, thanks, I’ll read it carefully later... The bungalow definitely looks very stylish.
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