Hello House Building Forum
I am new here, and we are currently planning our house with an architect. There are currently 4 of us, but we plan to have a 5th. Therefore, the house will include 3 children's bedrooms.
Here is the questionnaire:
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 1250 sqm (13455 sq ft) on 25m x 50m (82 ft x 164 ft)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: not sure at the moment
Edge development: allowed but I want to avoid it
Number of parking spaces: double carport + 2 cars in front
Roof style: gable roof
Architectural style: classic single-family home
Orientation: see drawing
Owners’ Requirements
Open floor plan on the ground floor, 4 bedrooms on the upper floor, attic with enough space for storage and a hobby area
House Design
Who created the design:
- Architect
What do you like most? Why?
Ground floor: open kitchen and living room. Office accessible from the living room. Direct access to the terrace.
Upper floor: accommodate 3 children’s bedrooms, bedroom with walk-in closet area. The large dormer. The stairs to the attic, where the hobby room will be located.
What do you dislike? Why?
Basically only the staircase to the upper floor. I am a bit bothered by having to walk “around the corner” when coming up. I am looking for ideas to improve this. Or is this concern unfounded?
Cost estimate according to architect/planner:
Not determined yet.
Personal budget limit for the house, including fittings:
350,000 Euro
Preferred heating system:
Gas boiler, solar thermal, and underfloor heating
If you have to give up something, which details or extensions can you do without:
We have already eliminated everything we could possibly do without.
Why is the design the way it is? For example:
We went to the architect with our preferred design. He used our floor plan as a basis and created a floor plan that we like even better. Only the staircase layout is not yet 100% satisfactory for me.
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
As mentioned, the staircase to the upper floor is my biggest concern. I hope to get some ideas on how to improve it and maybe some feedback on the rest.
South is “up” on the drawings
If more information is needed, I am happy to provide it.
Best regards
I am new here, and we are currently planning our house with an architect. There are currently 4 of us, but we plan to have a 5th. Therefore, the house will include 3 children's bedrooms.
Here is the questionnaire:
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 1250 sqm (13455 sq ft) on 25m x 50m (82 ft x 164 ft)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: not sure at the moment
Edge development: allowed but I want to avoid it
Number of parking spaces: double carport + 2 cars in front
Roof style: gable roof
Architectural style: classic single-family home
Orientation: see drawing
Owners’ Requirements
Open floor plan on the ground floor, 4 bedrooms on the upper floor, attic with enough space for storage and a hobby area
House Design
Who created the design:
- Architect
What do you like most? Why?
Ground floor: open kitchen and living room. Office accessible from the living room. Direct access to the terrace.
Upper floor: accommodate 3 children’s bedrooms, bedroom with walk-in closet area. The large dormer. The stairs to the attic, where the hobby room will be located.
What do you dislike? Why?
Basically only the staircase to the upper floor. I am a bit bothered by having to walk “around the corner” when coming up. I am looking for ideas to improve this. Or is this concern unfounded?
Cost estimate according to architect/planner:
Not determined yet.
Personal budget limit for the house, including fittings:
350,000 Euro
Preferred heating system:
Gas boiler, solar thermal, and underfloor heating
If you have to give up something, which details or extensions can you do without:
We have already eliminated everything we could possibly do without.
Why is the design the way it is? For example:
We went to the architect with our preferred design. He used our floor plan as a basis and created a floor plan that we like even better. Only the staircase layout is not yet 100% satisfactory for me.
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
As mentioned, the staircase to the upper floor is my biggest concern. I hope to get some ideas on how to improve it and maybe some feedback on the rest.
South is “up” on the drawings
If more information is needed, I am happy to provide it.
Best regards
Sparfuchs_ schrieb:
Does it really matter if the kids have to pass through the living area to get to the kitchen when they’re already making noise in that very space? I don’t know what you’re referring to, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be about noise when friends meet up for a beer, pizza, or coffee.
They should be able to meet, and the house should offer each occupant the maximum necessary privacy while respecting others, allowing them personal space to develop.
And before anyone assumes I’m trying to impose my lifestyle on others: yes, I grew up with an open staircase leading to the dining/living area. My parents designed it that way and justified it over the years. Still, I eventually avoided inviting friends over. Why, you can figure that out yourself. Incidentally, my parents had only one child, who also invited only one person at a time. But of course, it’s fine if you’re selfish.
With three children, you probably can’t sugarcoat that trouble anymore, at least not if you want to enjoy some time together as a couple.
Yes, I agree. Nowadays, my recommendation is generally to have a more closed-off, separately accessible living/TV/reading room, and a larger open-plan area combining kitchen/dining/sitting/playing, ideally located near the garden. I observed this at my brother’s house with his children. They would arrange to cook together, but the parents could easily retreat discreetly. It wasn’t that parents and even friends didn’t sometimes join in, but the setup offered more independence.
This basically starts as a couple as well. One person has guests over, wanting to chat, eat, and drink, while the other also has visitors, maybe watching football or something similar.
This basically starts as a couple as well. One person has guests over, wanting to chat, eat, and drink, while the other also has visitors, maybe watching football or something similar.
kbt09 schrieb:
Not that I didn’t also do things with parents and even friends, but it was simply more independent.
It basically starts as a married couple. One has visitors, you want to chat, eat, drink, the other also has visitors... watching football or something. Exactly. And the more people live under one roof, the more attention has to be paid during construction to whether it works “together.”
You can’t just say “we all love each other” – groups don’t want to be in the same room, whether it’s a girls’ night among wives or a football crowd of any age.
The popular mezzanine/open space is the same: many want it. But the fact that open spaces carry sound is often overlooked. You can live with it as a couple, with children you could realize the dream if you create a closed corridor on the upper floor for the sleeping area. But if you just build without thinking, don’t be surprised if complaints arise.
ypg schrieb:
because the kids’ room was located behind the living room.Who planned that?With three children, I would reconsider the entire layout:
1. I would build a bit larger and omit dormers and bay windows from the plan.
2. I would completely separate the lounge area and the kitchen/dining area. The lounge can be small, while the play area should be bigger.
3. I would cancel the chimney. As you can see, it hardly gets cold anymore in Germany. The new heating systems also ensure that you never really feel the need to light the fireplace. Instead, plan for a nice aquarium or plants. In this heat, any source of additional humidity is welcome.
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