Hello, we are currently planning the construction of our future home. We have a fairly clear idea of how the house should look and have already presented our plans to four construction companies. They all basically accepted our ideas without much criticism, gave a few minor suggestions here and there, and provided initial cost estimates. Since the companies all took our ideas quite quietly, we assume we are on the right track 🙂
We would like to hear your opinions on the floor plan before we hand over the fine-tuned plans to the construction companies for detailed pricing.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 1,150 sqm (12,379 sq ft) - Parcels 19 + 19a - (plot contractually reserved, buildability likely from Jan 22)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio: 0.3
Floor area ratio: 0.6
Building envelope, building line, and boundary: at least 3 m (10 ft) must be left free for landscaping along the street
Edge development: I found nothing further about edge development in the development plan, so I assume 3 meters (10 ft)
Number of parking spaces: parking spaces must be created for our own cars
Number of storeys: max 2 full storeys
Roof style
Architectural style
Orientation
Maximum height/limitations: max ridge height 9.5 m (31 ft)
Further regulations: garages must be at least 3 m (10 ft) away from public traffic areas
Requirements from the Homeowners
Architectural style, roof style, building type: urban villa with flat gable roof (KfW55 standard)
Basement, storeys: no basement, 2 storeys
Number of occupants, ages: 2 adults, 1 child (29, 29, 2 years), another child planned
Space requirements on ground and upper floors:
Ground floor: guest room/office + shower bathroom
Upper floor: 2 children’s rooms, master bedroom, dressing room, children’s bathroom, master bathroom
Office: family use or home office? Home office possibility + overnight guests
Guest stays per year: at least 10 times a year for 2 guests, possibly more
Open or closed architecture
Conservative or modern design: rather modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with island
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: no
Music/sound wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: we plan a carport
Utility garden, greenhouse: some use planned
Additional wishes/particulars/daily routine, including reasons for choices: We definitely wanted a storage room, which one company then added upstairs. The last company we spoke with suggested this: concrete stairs with a separate storage room under the stairs behind a door (unfortunately not included in the floor plan as my "Sweet Home 3D" skills ended there). The stairwell would then face the entrance door rather than the living room. We like this idea but wonder if we could give up the second storage room upstairs in favor of more space for the children’s rooms.
House Design
Who designed the plan: mainly our ideas, digitalized by the construction company
What do you like? Why?:
1. The living room-kitchen area was taken 1:1 from a model home where we liked the feeling of space very much.
2. Bedroom and master bathroom are accessed via the dressing room.
3. The master bathroom is also taken almost exactly from a model home.
What do you not like? Why?: We wonder if the hallway is sufficient. It will definitely not be spacious, just functional, but is there enough space?
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings:
Preferred heating technology: heat pump, possibly photovoltaic with battery storage (consultation still needed)
If you had to give up details or expansions
- what could you give up: a storage room?
- what couldn’t you give up:
Why did the design turn out as it is now?
A mix of house catalogs, model home visits, and ideas from the construction companies
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
Due to my limited "Sweet Home 3D" skills, the ground floor plan looks a bit odd. I superimposed an earlier floor plan as a reference under the new one. Please only pay attention to the stronger outlines for the sofa and dining table. Sorry about that, but it’s the best I could do.
Let me know if we forgot any relevant information. Sorry in advance if my responses are not immediate; I will try to reply as soon as possible.
So, we look forward to your feedback.
We would like to hear your opinions on the floor plan before we hand over the fine-tuned plans to the construction companies for detailed pricing.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 1,150 sqm (12,379 sq ft) - Parcels 19 + 19a - (plot contractually reserved, buildability likely from Jan 22)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio: 0.3
Floor area ratio: 0.6
Building envelope, building line, and boundary: at least 3 m (10 ft) must be left free for landscaping along the street
Edge development: I found nothing further about edge development in the development plan, so I assume 3 meters (10 ft)
Number of parking spaces: parking spaces must be created for our own cars
Number of storeys: max 2 full storeys
Roof style
Architectural style
Orientation
Maximum height/limitations: max ridge height 9.5 m (31 ft)
Further regulations: garages must be at least 3 m (10 ft) away from public traffic areas
Requirements from the Homeowners
Architectural style, roof style, building type: urban villa with flat gable roof (KfW55 standard)
Basement, storeys: no basement, 2 storeys
Number of occupants, ages: 2 adults, 1 child (29, 29, 2 years), another child planned
Space requirements on ground and upper floors:
Ground floor: guest room/office + shower bathroom
Upper floor: 2 children’s rooms, master bedroom, dressing room, children’s bathroom, master bathroom
Office: family use or home office? Home office possibility + overnight guests
Guest stays per year: at least 10 times a year for 2 guests, possibly more
Open or closed architecture
Conservative or modern design: rather modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with island
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: no
Music/sound wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: we plan a carport
Utility garden, greenhouse: some use planned
Additional wishes/particulars/daily routine, including reasons for choices: We definitely wanted a storage room, which one company then added upstairs. The last company we spoke with suggested this: concrete stairs with a separate storage room under the stairs behind a door (unfortunately not included in the floor plan as my "Sweet Home 3D" skills ended there). The stairwell would then face the entrance door rather than the living room. We like this idea but wonder if we could give up the second storage room upstairs in favor of more space for the children’s rooms.
House Design
Who designed the plan: mainly our ideas, digitalized by the construction company
What do you like? Why?:
1. The living room-kitchen area was taken 1:1 from a model home where we liked the feeling of space very much.
2. Bedroom and master bathroom are accessed via the dressing room.
3. The master bathroom is also taken almost exactly from a model home.
What do you not like? Why?: We wonder if the hallway is sufficient. It will definitely not be spacious, just functional, but is there enough space?
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings:
Preferred heating technology: heat pump, possibly photovoltaic with battery storage (consultation still needed)
If you had to give up details or expansions
- what could you give up: a storage room?
- what couldn’t you give up:
Why did the design turn out as it is now?
A mix of house catalogs, model home visits, and ideas from the construction companies
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
- Positioning/orientation on the plot: we are still unsure about what looks good or unusual and how the room orientation toward cardinal directions makes sense. We also have photovoltaic with a corresponding south-facing roof in mind. (I attached 2 orientation ideas)
- Does an additional window near the couch in the living room make sense?
- Can the stairwell/gallery window be smaller, will the light be sufficient?
- What are your general thoughts on the floor plan?
Due to my limited "Sweet Home 3D" skills, the ground floor plan looks a bit odd. I superimposed an earlier floor plan as a reference under the new one. Please only pay attention to the stronger outlines for the sofa and dining table. Sorry about that, but it’s the best I could do.
Let me know if we forgot any relevant information. Sorry in advance if my responses are not immediate; I will try to reply as soon as possible.
So, we look forward to your feedback.
M
Myrna_Loy14 Sep 2021 17:16The upper floor layout would probably rank among the top 10 most unsuccessful floor plans. So much wasted space without any added value, resulting in a tight constraint for any furniture arrangement.
H
hampshire15 Sep 2021 08:40motorradsilke schrieb:
No speculation, just experience. My sons lived at home for a long time and also had their girlfriends over. That’s why we “moved out” our sons with the new house and made them neighbors... (and placed a hot tub on the lower terrace for shared use). In a layout with the bathtub behind the dressing room, I would generally block off this area for guests. That is manageable for young people.
…I find it quite bold that some people resent someone having a plot of land or criticize the construction on it just because the owner doesn’t build an extravagant little mansion that doesn’t suit their own character but is supposed to satisfy the so-called logic of others…
Everyone should be free to do what they want on their own property as long as they don’t disturb others; a "too small house" is certainly not an intrusion on other people’s lives.
Everyone should be free to do what they want on their own property as long as they don’t disturb others; a "too small house" is certainly not an intrusion on other people’s lives.
Hello, I think it’s best to keep spaces as small as possible but as large as necessary. I spend only a short time in a small bathroom but a lot of time in the living room. So, that would be my priority. And I have to say, a living room with a staircase is almost a no-go for me. Think about it: all the noise travels upstairs. You have guests, the kids can’t sleep or they sit on the stairs watching the movie. Pre-teens can be as young as 10 years old, and they usually move out late because of high rents...
Have you considered a different staircase, like a 1x half-turn or quarter-turn? Then you could use the space in front of the stairs and possibly close it off to the living room. Also, you would have a longer wall on the left side of the living room and could place the sofa or dining table there. I would find a sofa placed freely in the room very uncomfortable. I would also close off one side of the kitchen more for additional storage space. Maybe even swap the dining table and sofa areas. Just some ideas. Even if it’s seen differently here, the living room has to function well and be cozy. I would be willing to compromise elsewhere.
Have you considered a different staircase, like a 1x half-turn or quarter-turn? Then you could use the space in front of the stairs and possibly close it off to the living room. Also, you would have a longer wall on the left side of the living room and could place the sofa or dining table there. I would find a sofa placed freely in the room very uncomfortable. I would also close off one side of the kitchen more for additional storage space. Maybe even swap the dining table and sofa areas. Just some ideas. Even if it’s seen differently here, the living room has to function well and be cozy. I would be willing to compromise elsewhere.
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