Hello everyone,
it's me again. But now things are getting concrete. We have actually found OUR plot of land and had it surveyed. The preliminary contract is already here. 🙂
The architect is currently preparing the first draft after I clarified everything with him on Tuesday. For this plot, he also suggested placing the entrance to the basement level there and is now designing accordingly... I find the idea very interesting. My husband is a bit skeptical. What do you think? Practical or rather inconvenient, or how? Has anyone planned like this before or maybe already lives in such a house and can share their experience?
About the plot: It is a 700 sqm (7,535 sq ft) plot, about 17 m (56 ft) wide and 42 m (138 ft) long. It slopes upward towards the back by about 4-5 m (13-16 ft) along the full length, with the first 3 m (10 ft) of height difference rising within the first third. It is a south-facing slope, so the garden will be at the back, facing north (which doesn’t bother us given the length of the plot, and we find a north-facing terrace quite pleasant). We have only one immediate neighbor on the right side (east). The left side (west) is completely undeveloped, and the neighbor at the back (north) is about 100 m (328 ft) or even further away. The street, along with the driveway and planned main entrance, will be at the front (south).
House concept: To use the full buildable width of 11 m (36 ft) and since a double garage is a must for us, the architect suggests placing it in the basement. This means essentially a full basement where you can drive into the garage at street level. Next to it, the architect plans to position the main entrance with a nice foyer and stairs leading up. The basement will otherwise mostly contain storage rooms, with the living room, kitchen, etc., located on the upper floors. From there, you can access the garden at the back on the same level.
I would appreciate hearing about some experiences and any feedback.
it's me again. But now things are getting concrete. We have actually found OUR plot of land and had it surveyed. The preliminary contract is already here. 🙂
The architect is currently preparing the first draft after I clarified everything with him on Tuesday. For this plot, he also suggested placing the entrance to the basement level there and is now designing accordingly... I find the idea very interesting. My husband is a bit skeptical. What do you think? Practical or rather inconvenient, or how? Has anyone planned like this before or maybe already lives in such a house and can share their experience?
About the plot: It is a 700 sqm (7,535 sq ft) plot, about 17 m (56 ft) wide and 42 m (138 ft) long. It slopes upward towards the back by about 4-5 m (13-16 ft) along the full length, with the first 3 m (10 ft) of height difference rising within the first third. It is a south-facing slope, so the garden will be at the back, facing north (which doesn’t bother us given the length of the plot, and we find a north-facing terrace quite pleasant). We have only one immediate neighbor on the right side (east). The left side (west) is completely undeveloped, and the neighbor at the back (north) is about 100 m (328 ft) or even further away. The street, along with the driveway and planned main entrance, will be at the front (south).
House concept: To use the full buildable width of 11 m (36 ft) and since a double garage is a must for us, the architect suggests placing it in the basement. This means essentially a full basement where you can drive into the garage at street level. Next to it, the architect plans to position the main entrance with a nice foyer and stairs leading up. The basement will otherwise mostly contain storage rooms, with the living room, kitchen, etc., located on the upper floors. From there, you can access the garden at the back on the same level.
I would appreciate hearing about some experiences and any feedback.
W
wadenkneifer13 Feb 2014 22:21Hello,
I’m still not quite sure what the architect has planned and I’m looking forward to seeing the site plan and floor plan.
Where exactly is the south-facing garden if you enter the garage from the south and the main entrance is supposed to be right next to it?
How far is the house approximately from the street? With a 42m (138 feet) long plot and a house depth of 9–10m (30–33 feet), about 30m (98 feet) from the street? That would mean a lot of snow to shovel and a large area to pave in the yard.
How many square meters of living space are you planning? So roughly an overall house width of 11m (36 feet)?
How much does the land slope in the area where you plan to build? With a 4–5m (13–16 feet) rise over the total length, mostly in the first third of the plot, it sounds like you will need to build quite deep to reach street level at the garage entrance.
Personally, I would find it inconvenient to always have to go up a flight of stairs from the front door. We don’t get younger. What about older, regular visitors? Children and possibly strollers? Carrying groceries up the stairs every time?
Best regards,
Michael
I’m still not quite sure what the architect has planned and I’m looking forward to seeing the site plan and floor plan.
Where exactly is the south-facing garden if you enter the garage from the south and the main entrance is supposed to be right next to it?
How far is the house approximately from the street? With a 42m (138 feet) long plot and a house depth of 9–10m (30–33 feet), about 30m (98 feet) from the street? That would mean a lot of snow to shovel and a large area to pave in the yard.
How many square meters of living space are you planning? So roughly an overall house width of 11m (36 feet)?
How much does the land slope in the area where you plan to build? With a 4–5m (13–16 feet) rise over the total length, mostly in the first third of the plot, it sounds like you will need to build quite deep to reach street level at the garage entrance.
Personally, I would find it inconvenient to always have to go up a flight of stairs from the front door. We don’t get younger. What about older, regular visitors? Children and possibly strollers? Carrying groceries up the stairs every time?
Best regards,
Michael
Where exactly is the south-facing garden if you drive into the garage from the south and the main entrance is supposed to be next to it?
There is no south-facing garden. Possibly just a south-facing terrace on part of the garage roof. But as mentioned, we don’t mind that.
How far is the house approximately from the street? With a plot length of 42m (138 feet) and a house depth of 9-10m (30-33 feet), approximately 30m (98 feet)?
The house should only be about 6-7m (20-23 feet) from the street for the driveway. In front of the double garage, there should be space for two cars, and the area in front of the entrance will be paved. I estimate a minimum of 6m x 8m (20 x 26 feet) or a maximum of 6m x 11m (20 x 36 feet) or so. I’m also curious what the architect will plan. :o
How much living space are you planning? Overall house dimensions around 11m (36 feet) wide?
Somewhere between 150-170sqm (1600-1830 sq ft), depending on the basement size, garage size, type of heating, and so on.
How much does the ground slope in the area where you plan to build the house?
We are planning it in the first third or slightly more. The garden is then flat at the back. At the front, there is a “real” slope where the garage will be partly built into it. I hope that makes sense... :o
Personally, I would find it annoying to always have to go up a flight of stairs from the front door. We don’t get younger. What about older regular visitors? Children and possibly strollers? Always carrying groceries up the stairs?
These are exactly our concerns, especially my husband’s. We don’t have regular older visitors, although our parents are getting older. But the height difference has to be overcome one way or another—either inside or outside. We don’t have a good alternative yet if we want to keep the double garage. Children can walk or crawl upstairs, and the stroller can simply stay downstairs. I actually find that quite good! Yes, groceries will always need to be carried upstairs, although water, juice, and beer crates, as well as larger supplies, can stay in the basement.
Thanks, Michael!!!
Are there any more opinions, criticisms, or maybe experiences?
There is no south-facing garden. Possibly just a south-facing terrace on part of the garage roof. But as mentioned, we don’t mind that.
How far is the house approximately from the street? With a plot length of 42m (138 feet) and a house depth of 9-10m (30-33 feet), approximately 30m (98 feet)?
The house should only be about 6-7m (20-23 feet) from the street for the driveway. In front of the double garage, there should be space for two cars, and the area in front of the entrance will be paved. I estimate a minimum of 6m x 8m (20 x 26 feet) or a maximum of 6m x 11m (20 x 36 feet) or so. I’m also curious what the architect will plan. :o
How much living space are you planning? Overall house dimensions around 11m (36 feet) wide?
Somewhere between 150-170sqm (1600-1830 sq ft), depending on the basement size, garage size, type of heating, and so on.
How much does the ground slope in the area where you plan to build the house?
We are planning it in the first third or slightly more. The garden is then flat at the back. At the front, there is a “real” slope where the garage will be partly built into it. I hope that makes sense... :o
Personally, I would find it annoying to always have to go up a flight of stairs from the front door. We don’t get younger. What about older regular visitors? Children and possibly strollers? Always carrying groceries up the stairs?
These are exactly our concerns, especially my husband’s. We don’t have regular older visitors, although our parents are getting older. But the height difference has to be overcome one way or another—either inside or outside. We don’t have a good alternative yet if we want to keep the double garage. Children can walk or crawl upstairs, and the stroller can simply stay downstairs. I actually find that quite good! Yes, groceries will always need to be carried upstairs, although water, juice, and beer crates, as well as larger supplies, can stay in the basement.
Thanks, Michael!!!
Are there any more opinions, criticisms, or maybe experiences?
J
Justifier14 Feb 2014 08:13Is there a way to access the property from the back? If so, I would orient the garage and entrance to the north, allowing for level entry. Depending on personal preference (tastes can vary), the living area (living room, kitchen, etc.) could be located on the upper or lower floor to take full advantage of the nice southern exposure.
Justifier schrieb:
Is there a way to access the property from the back? That way, I would orient the garage and entrance to the north, allowing level access, and depending on personal preference (tastes vary), the living area (living room, kitchen, etc.) could be placed on the upper or lower floor to take advantage of the lovely south-facing exposure.No, that’s not possible. It’s garden to garden back there! And on the front south side, there is a shared street for play and houses. Our nice views are to the southwest, west, north, and northeast. These sides are basically unobstructed and green, and the neighbor’s garden is large enough that we have a pleasant garden view.
Hello,
our plot is similar. We also have a southwest-facing slope, and the driveway/access is only possible from the lower side. We are also considering making the entrance from below, in the basement. I don’t think that’s a bad idea. After all, on a slope you need steps or a ramp to reach the ground floor anyway. Whether the stairs are located outside or inside doesn’t really matter. Inside might even be better later regarding weather protection or a stairlift. Also, all the dirt/shoes/outerwear stays in the basement, and the upper floors remain “clean” ;-)
I found some floor plans/examples online that I think are quite good. How we will actually do it remains to be seen; we still need to have talks with the architects.
our plot is similar. We also have a southwest-facing slope, and the driveway/access is only possible from the lower side. We are also considering making the entrance from below, in the basement. I don’t think that’s a bad idea. After all, on a slope you need steps or a ramp to reach the ground floor anyway. Whether the stairs are located outside or inside doesn’t really matter. Inside might even be better later regarding weather protection or a stairlift. Also, all the dirt/shoes/outerwear stays in the basement, and the upper floors remain “clean” ;-)
I found some floor plans/examples online that I think are quite good. How we will actually do it remains to be seen; we still need to have talks with the architects.
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