Hello dear forum community,
after quietly reading along for a long time, we have now registered here and want to share our house plans with you.
First of all, we would like to say a big THANK YOU – the information you get here is truly invaluable.
Now a bit about us: we are both around 50, and our two grown children have moved out. Currently, we live in my parents’ house, but we want to realize our own dream of building a house. We are very fortunate to be able to afford the construction without any problems. The building plot belongs to us, and the local building authority has given us a verbal go-ahead so far (there is no zoning plan as it is currently farmland). We only have to contribute proportionally to the development costs, which is fine for us.
Our children and guests enjoy visiting, so we want to set up a guest apartment in the basement. For old age, our design allows us to convert the ground floor barrier-free at any time with minor modifications, including an elevator if needed. In case of emergency, the guest apartment could also be used for a carer, although hopefully this will never be necessary.
Zoning Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 2,100m² (0.52 acres)
Slope: Yes, see elevations
Floor area ratio: no zoning plan
Floor space index: no zoning plan
Building envelope, building line and boundary: no zoning plan, we keep at least 6.0m (20 feet) clearance all around
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1 story, basement
Roof style: hinted “shed roof”
Architectural style: ???
Orientation: North/South
Maximum height / limitations: No specifications
Further requirements: No valid zoning plan, planning permission granted for usual residential construction
Owner’s Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: one-story bungalow with basement (prepared for barrier-free access)
Basement, floors: basement yes, single-story with open roof structure
Number of people, age: 2, me 50, her 48, 1 dog
Space requirements ground floor / upper floor: see floor plan
Office: family use or home office? Occasional home office for me
Overnight guests per year: many
Open or closed architecture: rather open
Conservative or modern construction: special
Open kitchen, kitchen island: definitely yes
Number of dining seats: minimum 8
Fireplace: yes
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: integrated in the house
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Further wishes / special features / daily routine, also reasons why something should or should not be included
House Design
Who created the design?
- Planner from a construction company
- Architect
- Do-it-Yourself (DIY)
The planning was done by us ourselves.
What do you particularly like? Why?
Optimized for our personal wishes— we have incorporated all our requirements.
What do you dislike? Why?
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Personal price limit for house including fittings: We estimate construction costs around €700,000–800,000 (about $750,000–860,000), but financing is secured and this is not the main focus here.
Preferred heating technology: not finalized yet, definitely photovoltaic and solar panels on the roof, air-to-water heat pump or geothermal energy.
If you had to give up something, on which details / additional features could you do without?
Good question, probably the pool if it meant we could get a hot tub instead...
What can you absolutely not do without?
The large open space and the guest apartment.
Why did the design turn out the way it is? For example:
Standard planter’s template? No, we simply planned according to our preferences, open roof structure, large open space because we like to entertain guests, wellness area is a must.
Which wishes were implemented by the architect?
A mix of many examples from various magazines...
What makes it particularly good or bad in your opinion?
What is the most important fundamental question regarding the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
after quietly reading along for a long time, we have now registered here and want to share our house plans with you.
First of all, we would like to say a big THANK YOU – the information you get here is truly invaluable.
Now a bit about us: we are both around 50, and our two grown children have moved out. Currently, we live in my parents’ house, but we want to realize our own dream of building a house. We are very fortunate to be able to afford the construction without any problems. The building plot belongs to us, and the local building authority has given us a verbal go-ahead so far (there is no zoning plan as it is currently farmland). We only have to contribute proportionally to the development costs, which is fine for us.
Our children and guests enjoy visiting, so we want to set up a guest apartment in the basement. For old age, our design allows us to convert the ground floor barrier-free at any time with minor modifications, including an elevator if needed. In case of emergency, the guest apartment could also be used for a carer, although hopefully this will never be necessary.
Zoning Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 2,100m² (0.52 acres)
Slope: Yes, see elevations
Floor area ratio: no zoning plan
Floor space index: no zoning plan
Building envelope, building line and boundary: no zoning plan, we keep at least 6.0m (20 feet) clearance all around
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1 story, basement
Roof style: hinted “shed roof”
Architectural style: ???
Orientation: North/South
Maximum height / limitations: No specifications
Further requirements: No valid zoning plan, planning permission granted for usual residential construction
Owner’s Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: one-story bungalow with basement (prepared for barrier-free access)
Basement, floors: basement yes, single-story with open roof structure
Number of people, age: 2, me 50, her 48, 1 dog
Space requirements ground floor / upper floor: see floor plan
Office: family use or home office? Occasional home office for me
Overnight guests per year: many
Open or closed architecture: rather open
Conservative or modern construction: special
Open kitchen, kitchen island: definitely yes
Number of dining seats: minimum 8
Fireplace: yes
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: integrated in the house
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Further wishes / special features / daily routine, also reasons why something should or should not be included
House Design
Who created the design?
- Planner from a construction company
- Architect
- Do-it-Yourself (DIY)
The planning was done by us ourselves.
What do you particularly like? Why?
Optimized for our personal wishes— we have incorporated all our requirements.
What do you dislike? Why?
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Personal price limit for house including fittings: We estimate construction costs around €700,000–800,000 (about $750,000–860,000), but financing is secured and this is not the main focus here.
Preferred heating technology: not finalized yet, definitely photovoltaic and solar panels on the roof, air-to-water heat pump or geothermal energy.
If you had to give up something, on which details / additional features could you do without?
Good question, probably the pool if it meant we could get a hot tub instead...
What can you absolutely not do without?
The large open space and the guest apartment.
Why did the design turn out the way it is? For example:
Standard planter’s template? No, we simply planned according to our preferences, open roof structure, large open space because we like to entertain guests, wellness area is a must.
Which wishes were implemented by the architect?
A mix of many examples from various magazines...
What makes it particularly good or bad in your opinion?
What is the most important fundamental question regarding the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
K
k-man20218 Oct 2022 20:09As many have already mentioned here, I can also warn from personal experience against taking finalized plans to the architect. We also have a sloped plot and had considered several design options in advance for how we imagined our dream house, although not nearly as detailed as the original poster. We didn’t bring any of those ideas to the architect – fortunately, I think. Our architect took two to three months to develop the design, which was quite different from our initial thoughts, but so brilliant that apart from minor details we didn’t change anything and are now working on the building permit / planning permission.
In my opinion, trying to save money on the design for a sloped plot is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when building (in general, I believe it’s wrong to skimp on the architect).
In my opinion, trying to save money on the design for a sloped plot is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when building (in general, I believe it’s wrong to skimp on the architect).
So, gardening and dog walking done, now I can join in again.
I didn’t expect to spark a discussion about the profession of architects here...
The fact is, we are still at the very beginning of our planning, an architect will be involved, and the floor plan is far from finalized. This was simply an implementation of our wishes and ideas. I understand that many find it confusing or reject it—it’s not the usual, but rather “special.” I created the plans with this level of detail because I simply enjoy it. The architect we choose will at most receive the rough floor plan as a basis for planning. But I have already achieved one thing: it’s being discussed...
One more thing I want to clarify, I don’t know if it was miscommunicated or misunderstood, but the €800,000 (about $880,000) is the budget we have available without overextending ourselves financially (equity and partial financing). So ideas like wrap-around balconies, garden entrances from every room, etc., are not affordable for us—our budget is limited as well.
@11ant
Right, at the moment there is only a verbal approval—which doesn’t hold much weight. The final decision will be made by the municipal council when we officially apply for the change of land use. Our advantage is that for years it was neglected to create development plans and new building land. We wouldn’t be the first to get approval in the so-called “fringe area.” Our advantage is that we own the farmland and our desired building plot adjoins the existing peripheral development. In the countryside, we probably wouldn’t have a chance.
Not really the roof itself, but we like the indirect lighting from the north-facing windows. Let’s be honest, the open southern view is always preferred, but in summer all the shutters are closed during the day because of the heat, and in winter, the sun is so low that shading is necessary again—which is kind of pointless, isn’t it?
I didn’t expect to spark a discussion about the profession of architects here...
The fact is, we are still at the very beginning of our planning, an architect will be involved, and the floor plan is far from finalized. This was simply an implementation of our wishes and ideas. I understand that many find it confusing or reject it—it’s not the usual, but rather “special.” I created the plans with this level of detail because I simply enjoy it. The architect we choose will at most receive the rough floor plan as a basis for planning. But I have already achieved one thing: it’s being discussed...
One more thing I want to clarify, I don’t know if it was miscommunicated or misunderstood, but the €800,000 (about $880,000) is the budget we have available without overextending ourselves financially (equity and partial financing). So ideas like wrap-around balconies, garden entrances from every room, etc., are not affordable for us—our budget is limited as well.
@11ant
Right, at the moment there is only a verbal approval—which doesn’t hold much weight. The final decision will be made by the municipal council when we officially apply for the change of land use. Our advantage is that for years it was neglected to create development plans and new building land. We wouldn’t be the first to get approval in the so-called “fringe area.” Our advantage is that we own the farmland and our desired building plot adjoins the existing peripheral development. In the countryside, we probably wouldn’t have a chance.
Not really the roof itself, but we like the indirect lighting from the north-facing windows. Let’s be honest, the open southern view is always preferred, but in summer all the shutters are closed during the day because of the heat, and in winter, the sun is so low that shading is necessary again—which is kind of pointless, isn’t it?
- Now I have to ask again, what do you mean when you say we don’t value the plot and the connection between house and garden – the large terrace actually integrates the main living area of the house into the outdoor space, doesn’t it?
- The office space really came about because we don’t need the ceiling height in the bathroom; if that disappears due to a different roof design, no problem – it’s not really necessary.
- A built-in wardrobe should be included, though, isn’t that just nitpicking?
- Where is the privacy compromised? There are just two of us, no public visitor traffic, and a proper plot surrounding the house...
- Actually, the main focus is on the sauna session, relaxation room, pool bar, and we get attractive service staff when we go to the spa.
- Tank slits for shooting – all windows are at least 1 meter (3 feet) wide, what’s wrong with that?
- The office space really came about because we don’t need the ceiling height in the bathroom; if that disappears due to a different roof design, no problem – it’s not really necessary.
- A built-in wardrobe should be included, though, isn’t that just nitpicking?
- Where is the privacy compromised? There are just two of us, no public visitor traffic, and a proper plot surrounding the house...
- Actually, the main focus is on the sauna session, relaxation room, pool bar, and we get attractive service staff when we go to the spa.
- Tank slits for shooting – all windows are at least 1 meter (3 feet) wide, what’s wrong with that?
ypg schrieb:
That’s exactly the architect’s responsibility. That’s the point — not to start as an amateur planner if you don’t have the ideas and technical knowledge to realize it. In my opinion, a slope should _always_ be in the hands of an architect — from the very beginning and in the fundamental concept.We did the same with our current house (also on a slope) because I lacked the imagination to reconcile living space, garden, and slope, and thought, “There are people who studied this.” I’m really glad we had a custom design made based on our detailed written wishes. What the architect came up with, in terms of layout and how efficiently the terrain can be used, I find truly impressive. I couldn’t have imagined it properly — especially not how much material has to be excavated and then relocated. A slope is hard to visualize as a layperson.
One should never give architects or salespeople a floor plan.
Even the proposals that end up in the bin are not useless. They help clarify what you don’t want.
Moderately competent architects need a room program, style specifications, etc. They are better at arranging rooms.
By the way, the two floor plans I mentioned yesterday include loft spaces and have an open roof truss without the roof looking damaged from the outside.
Soundproofing is an important issue; otherwise, there will be echoes due to the ceiling height.
Even the proposals that end up in the bin are not useless. They help clarify what you don’t want.
Moderately competent architects need a room program, style specifications, etc. They are better at arranging rooms.
By the way, the two floor plans I mentioned yesterday include loft spaces and have an open roof truss without the roof looking damaged from the outside.
Soundproofing is an important issue; otherwise, there will be echoes due to the ceiling height.
haydee schrieb:
Sound insulation is a topic; otherwise, there is an echo due to the room height.The fact that there is an echo does not have to be the case (solution see @hampshire, if I remember correctly: Lignotrend).https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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