Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size
687 sqm (7,395 sq ft)
Slope
No / approx. 1m (3 ft) slope side to side - zero slope lengthwise
Site coverage ratio
0.4
Floor area ratio
0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundary
Setback 3m (10 ft) at front (in floor plan), window from there 16m (52 ft) – total 19m (62 ft) from boundary
Edge development
Allowed on both sides for garage – maximum building height 3.2 m (10.5 ft)
Number of parking spaces
2 mandatory
Number of floors
2 full stories
Roof style
No flat roof
Architectural style
Urban villa
Orientation
Maximum heights / limits
Ridge height 6.5 m (21 ft), eaves height 10.5 m (34 ft) – measured from street reference point (center)
Additional requirements
Owners’ Requirements
Style, roof shape, building type
Urban villa fixed – hip roof (no pyramid/campanile roof)
Basement, floors
No basement, instead 2 full stories (usable attic space?)
Number of occupants, ages
36 + 32 + 2 + planned
Room requirements on ground floor and upper floor
Ground floor: Kitchen, dining, living + office/bathroom + utility/technical room
Upper floor: Master bedroom, 2 children’s rooms, 2 bathrooms, children’s bathroom next to utility room upstairs – against dryer use, laundry will be air-dried, so washing on upper floor is questionable and carefully considered.
Office: family use or home office?
Mandatory: Both adults to be able to work 100% from home
Overnight guests per year
Plenty – usually 2 guests for 2-3 weekends per month
Open or closed architecture
Open: open kitchen, open void
Traditional or modern construction
Does not matter
Open kitchen, kitchen island
L-shaped counter rather than island, but open.
Number of dining seats
8
Fireplace
Desired
Music / stereo wall
Unnecessary
Balcony, roof terrace
Not needed upstairs
Garage, carport
Double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse
Exists, accessible within minutes next to garage with lift and already owned
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons for preferences or exclusions
1. My wife cannot use straight stairs, therefore a winder or landing is mandatory
2. Open void and lots of light are mandatory
3. Fireplace desired
4. We can and do work a lot from home. Usually one adult is at home during the day: priority ground floor for living, upper floor for sleeping
5. Utility room upstairs not preferred. We air-dry laundry outdoors
House Design
Who planned it:
- Do-it-yourself: my wife and I, using ArchiCAD software provided by an acquaintance
What do you particularly like? Why?
5.4–6 m (18–20 ft) windows are mandatory. / Ability to separate office + children’s room from living areas.
Use of the full 17 m (56 ft) width
Children’s rooms about 16 sqm (172 sq ft) each + open void and usable circulation space next to them.
What do you dislike? Why?
All 3 bathrooms – we need input on these and possibly use pantry or under-stair space?
Cost estimate according to architect / planner:
None available
Personal budget limit for house including equipment:
500,000 (local currency) – plot already owned including ancillary costs
Preferred heating system:
Gas condensing boiler or air-source heat pump competing
If you have to compromise, on which details or extensions
- you can do without:
Shower in guest WC
Pantry – possibly use space under stairs and utility room
- you cannot do without:
Bathtub, dressing room, window to terrace.
Why is the design the way it is now? For example:
A mix of many examples from various magazines...
and your input here.
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad?
We love the way the stairs lead straight down into the kitchen.
Windows up to 6 m (20 ft) wide
Dressing room 3 m (10 ft) long / usable with bathroom
Minimal circulation space
What is the most important / fundamental question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
- The upper bathroom(s)? Help with layout including windows
Priority 1!!
- Structural support above the 5–6 m (16–20 ft) sliding window on the ground floor
Priority 2
- Utility/technical rooms are currently combined / separating wall to “dark” technical corner possible
- Open void above could mean 17 m (56 ft) high walls?
- How to use space under stairs? Can hall open directly into kitchen? Perhaps even attach wall to stairs?
- Maximum ceiling height and daylight at 6.5 m (21 ft) ridge height?
- Pantry? Yes or no?
What I can do without:
Discussion about open void. Yes, odor and noise versus openness. This is a conscious decision.
Note: We decided to build in June.
Bought the plot and started planning early July during vacation.
Now the first own idea is set, after reading many tips here, but overall we have only been working on it for about 6 weeks
Plot size
687 sqm (7,395 sq ft)
Slope
No / approx. 1m (3 ft) slope side to side - zero slope lengthwise
Site coverage ratio
0.4
Floor area ratio
0.8
Building envelope, building line and boundary
Setback 3m (10 ft) at front (in floor plan), window from there 16m (52 ft) – total 19m (62 ft) from boundary
Edge development
Allowed on both sides for garage – maximum building height 3.2 m (10.5 ft)
Number of parking spaces
2 mandatory
Number of floors
2 full stories
Roof style
No flat roof
Architectural style
Urban villa
Orientation
Maximum heights / limits
Ridge height 6.5 m (21 ft), eaves height 10.5 m (34 ft) – measured from street reference point (center)
Additional requirements
Owners’ Requirements
Style, roof shape, building type
Urban villa fixed – hip roof (no pyramid/campanile roof)
Basement, floors
No basement, instead 2 full stories (usable attic space?)
Number of occupants, ages
36 + 32 + 2 + planned
Room requirements on ground floor and upper floor
Ground floor: Kitchen, dining, living + office/bathroom + utility/technical room
Upper floor: Master bedroom, 2 children’s rooms, 2 bathrooms, children’s bathroom next to utility room upstairs – against dryer use, laundry will be air-dried, so washing on upper floor is questionable and carefully considered.
Office: family use or home office?
Mandatory: Both adults to be able to work 100% from home
Overnight guests per year
Plenty – usually 2 guests for 2-3 weekends per month
Open or closed architecture
Open: open kitchen, open void
Traditional or modern construction
Does not matter
Open kitchen, kitchen island
L-shaped counter rather than island, but open.
Number of dining seats
8
Fireplace
Desired
Music / stereo wall
Unnecessary
Balcony, roof terrace
Not needed upstairs
Garage, carport
Double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse
Exists, accessible within minutes next to garage with lift and already owned
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons for preferences or exclusions
1. My wife cannot use straight stairs, therefore a winder or landing is mandatory
2. Open void and lots of light are mandatory
3. Fireplace desired
4. We can and do work a lot from home. Usually one adult is at home during the day: priority ground floor for living, upper floor for sleeping
5. Utility room upstairs not preferred. We air-dry laundry outdoors
House Design
Who planned it:
- Do-it-yourself: my wife and I, using ArchiCAD software provided by an acquaintance
What do you particularly like? Why?
5.4–6 m (18–20 ft) windows are mandatory. / Ability to separate office + children’s room from living areas.
Use of the full 17 m (56 ft) width
Children’s rooms about 16 sqm (172 sq ft) each + open void and usable circulation space next to them.
What do you dislike? Why?
All 3 bathrooms – we need input on these and possibly use pantry or under-stair space?
Cost estimate according to architect / planner:
None available
Personal budget limit for house including equipment:
500,000 (local currency) – plot already owned including ancillary costs
Preferred heating system:
Gas condensing boiler or air-source heat pump competing
If you have to compromise, on which details or extensions
- you can do without:
Shower in guest WC
Pantry – possibly use space under stairs and utility room
- you cannot do without:
Bathtub, dressing room, window to terrace.
Why is the design the way it is now? For example:
A mix of many examples from various magazines...
and your input here.
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad?
We love the way the stairs lead straight down into the kitchen.
Windows up to 6 m (20 ft) wide
Dressing room 3 m (10 ft) long / usable with bathroom
Minimal circulation space
What is the most important / fundamental question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
- The upper bathroom(s)? Help with layout including windows
Priority 1!!
- Structural support above the 5–6 m (16–20 ft) sliding window on the ground floor
Priority 2
- Utility/technical rooms are currently combined / separating wall to “dark” technical corner possible
- Open void above could mean 17 m (56 ft) high walls?
- How to use space under stairs? Can hall open directly into kitchen? Perhaps even attach wall to stairs?
- Maximum ceiling height and daylight at 6.5 m (21 ft) ridge height?
- Pantry? Yes or no?
What I can do without:
Discussion about open void. Yes, odor and noise versus openness. This is a conscious decision.
Note: We decided to build in June.
Bought the plot and started planning early July during vacation.
Now the first own idea is set, after reading many tips here, but overall we have only been working on it for about 6 weeks
C
Christobal9 Aug 2020 02:05Hello 11ant,
First of all, thank you. I started with sketches and paper. For your information: I have an engineering degree in mechanical engineering and have learned SolidWorks, CATIA, etc. So, drawing and dimensioning are manageable for me. However, I am a beginner when it comes to housebuilding and architecture. Everyone has their own strengths.
The ideas are naturally a mix of favorites, master builders, core concepts, and other inspirations. I consider the design mainly solution-oriented and conventional, but by no means innovative.
Please, let’s get back to the topic. I am looking for constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement and I know that you have seen what makes sense and what doesn’t over the years here.
Thank you
First of all, thank you. I started with sketches and paper. For your information: I have an engineering degree in mechanical engineering and have learned SolidWorks, CATIA, etc. So, drawing and dimensioning are manageable for me. However, I am a beginner when it comes to housebuilding and architecture. Everyone has their own strengths.
The ideas are naturally a mix of favorites, master builders, core concepts, and other inspirations. I consider the design mainly solution-oriented and conventional, but by no means innovative.
Please, let’s get back to the topic. I am looking for constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement and I know that you have seen what makes sense and what doesn’t over the years here.
Thank you
H
hampshire9 Aug 2020 08:40If you really like a lot of light, consider making the windows larger and don’t limit yourself by floor boundaries or the symmetry of the exterior facade. Extend the large garden-facing windows all the way to the top. No half measures.
Increase the open space behind and also allow natural light into the children’s rooms.
Simply remove the partition wall between the kitchen and the stairs.
I’m not satisfied with the pantry and the positioning of the guest toilet and utility room yet, but I don’t have a good idea for that. Same goes for the bathroom upstairs. A square floor plan is not very efficient in the center, but it’s already set.
The pantry is too narrow, and the kitchen layout is impractical — I would revisit that as well.
Increase the open space behind and also allow natural light into the children’s rooms.
Simply remove the partition wall between the kitchen and the stairs.
I’m not satisfied with the pantry and the positioning of the guest toilet and utility room yet, but I don’t have a good idea for that. Same goes for the bathroom upstairs. A square floor plan is not very efficient in the center, but it’s already set.
The pantry is too narrow, and the kitchen layout is impractical — I would revisit that as well.
For the large windows, you should definitely consider shading. Otherwise, I would place the garage flush at the back, so you still have a parking space in front of the door.
I would also eliminate the pantry and incorporate it into the kitchen. However, consider adding a door to the living area.
I would also eliminate the pantry and incorporate it into the kitchen. However, consider adding a door to the living area.
C
Christobal9 Aug 2020 13:00Hello everyone,
Thanks for the feedback.
The corona trial run clearly says yes.
My wife thinks so too
As a child, I had a “play area” on the gallery, so for me it’s not just a hallway to look down from, but usable space.
Thanks for adapting the visualization for us.
I’m currently thinking about how to combine the wide window front with some gallery space behind it. A ceiling would split the windows. Maybe something with wooden beams as an indoor “balcony”?
Why didn’t we plan a steel-glass corner facade? Our neighbor is building at the same height, and our view would be of a house wall at about 10m (33 feet). At the same time, they could look too much inside.
Shading is definitely planned. It’s the absolute south side. Otherwise, it gets too hot.
The garage will not have the same front as the house. This was already suggested to break up the front façade.
We were actually thinking about pulling it forward to possibly add a side door. Access from the street without passing through the gate.
The half wall in the garage is so you can park staggered to open the doors and also drive one car further through to have dry space behind at the trunk.
All comments regarding kitchen, pantry, bathroom:
The pantry is still under consideration. Without it, we could have more tall cabinets (where the door to the pantry is).
Question for the group: How to make good use of the space under the spiral staircase? Toward the back for technical installations or perhaps toward the front as a pantry/closet?
@ypg
Regarding the upstairs bathroom – exactly right.
We wanted 3m (10 feet) of wardrobe space. That gives us about 3.12m (10.2 feet) raw construction dimension. This creates the corner in the bathroom. So does the bathroom have that space by the door to the hallway for a cabinet?
I can also make the corner in the bedroom instead and have a straight wall in the bathroom. That would give me a built-in corner behind the bedroom door for bed linens, etc.
Maybe plan from the bathroom toward the bedroom. You have a good eye; we planned it the other way around.
Also, I think the idea came from a Centro core? The master bathroom there is trapped. That doesn’t appeal because of the path through the bedroom and the usability of the bathtub for other family members.
Thanks for the feedback.
Pinky0301 schrieb:
If you both work from home, is a single office that also serves as a guest room enough for you?
The corona trial run clearly says yes.
hampshire schrieb:
If you really like a lot of light, consider making the windows larger and don’t limit yourself with floor boundaries or symmetry on the exterior. Extend the large windows toward the garden all the way up. No half measures.
My wife thinks so too
As a child, I had a “play area” on the gallery, so for me it’s not just a hallway to look down from, but usable space.
Thanks for adapting the visualization for us.
I’m currently thinking about how to combine the wide window front with some gallery space behind it. A ceiling would split the windows. Maybe something with wooden beams as an indoor “balcony”?
Why didn’t we plan a steel-glass corner facade? Our neighbor is building at the same height, and our view would be of a house wall at about 10m (33 feet). At the same time, they could look too much inside.
Shading is definitely planned. It’s the absolute south side. Otherwise, it gets too hot.
K1300S schrieb:
Otherwise, I would set the garage flush at the back, so you still get a parking space in front of the gate.
The garage will not have the same front as the house. This was already suggested to break up the front façade.
We were actually thinking about pulling it forward to possibly add a side door. Access from the street without passing through the gate.
The half wall in the garage is so you can park staggered to open the doors and also drive one car further through to have dry space behind at the trunk.
All comments regarding kitchen, pantry, bathroom:
The pantry is still under consideration. Without it, we could have more tall cabinets (where the door to the pantry is).
Question for the group: How to make good use of the space under the spiral staircase? Toward the back for technical installations or perhaps toward the front as a pantry/closet?
@ypg
Regarding the upstairs bathroom – exactly right.
We wanted 3m (10 feet) of wardrobe space. That gives us about 3.12m (10.2 feet) raw construction dimension. This creates the corner in the bathroom. So does the bathroom have that space by the door to the hallway for a cabinet?
I can also make the corner in the bedroom instead and have a straight wall in the bathroom. That would give me a built-in corner behind the bedroom door for bed linens, etc.
Maybe plan from the bathroom toward the bedroom. You have a good eye; we planned it the other way around.
Also, I think the idea came from a Centro core? The master bathroom there is trapped. That doesn’t appeal because of the path through the bedroom and the usability of the bathtub for other family members.
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