ᐅ Floor plan of a 172 m² bungalow in Brandenburg, south of Berlin
Created on: 14 Jan 2022 15:18
S
Sorrow87
Hello everyone,
I’m new to the forum and have already found some valuable tips here. My wife and I have purchased a plot of land in Brandenburg, south of Berlin. We plan to contact the first construction companies in February, work on the planning, and aim to start the building phase by the end of the year. Our goal is to move into the bungalow by January 1, 2024, at the latest.
Our ideas for our own home are already quite well developed. At the moment, we have two main questions: Is our project feasible, and if so, which local construction companies would be suitable in the area? Perhaps some of you can offer valuable advice. We thank you in advance for your time and support. Below, I would like to present our design while considering the list of questions. The floor plan is also attached, and I hope it uploads at the same quality as the original image file I have.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Homeowner Requirements
House Design
What can we give up?
What can we give up?
Why is our design like this?
Main question
Is our building project feasible according to the development plan, our specifications and wishes, and within our budget? If yes, with whom?
We look forward to your feedback and are open to honest criticism because only that will help us move forward and open opportunities we may not currently consider due to being perhaps too convinced of our floor plan.
We are currently looking for both local and larger construction companies for a project south of Berlin. We would appreciate any tips on companies that can realize such a project (especially a bungalow). If necessary, private messages are also welcome.
Thank you in advance for all your efforts.
I’m new to the forum and have already found some valuable tips here. My wife and I have purchased a plot of land in Brandenburg, south of Berlin. We plan to contact the first construction companies in February, work on the planning, and aim to start the building phase by the end of the year. Our goal is to move into the bungalow by January 1, 2024, at the latest.
Our ideas for our own home are already quite well developed. At the moment, we have two main questions: Is our project feasible, and if so, which local construction companies would be suitable in the area? Perhaps some of you can offer valuable advice. We thank you in advance for your time and support. Below, I would like to present our design while considering the list of questions. The floor plan is also attached, and I hope it uploads at the same quality as the original image file I have.
Development Plan / Restrictions
- Approximately 763 m2 (8,210 sq ft) with a 23.41 m (77 ft) frontage and 32.58 m (107 ft) depth, facing northwest.
- Construction according to development plan
- No slope on the land
- Site coverage ratio = 0.4 (may be exceeded by 50% due to garages, parking spaces with access routes, and ancillary structures as per § 14 of the Land Use Ordinance)
- Floor area ratio not specified
- Building envelope
- Building setback 4 m (13 ft) from street boundary line
- Building area: 23.41 m (length) x 20 m (depth)
- Protrusions up to 1.5 m (5 ft) allowed beyond building boundaries (pillars, cornices, roof overhangs, balconies, loggias, terraces, entrance steps and their coverings)
- Boundary construction
- Buildings allowed with side boundary setback and maximum length of 20 m (66 ft)
- Setbacks and distances according to § 6 of Brandenburg Building Regulations (BbgBO)
- Parking spaces, garages, and ancillary structures as per § 14 of the Land Use Ordinance are not allowed on non-buildable areas of the plot within 5.0 m (16 ft) measured from the street boundary line. For more than one parking space, an uncovered space may be located on the access area at a minimum distance of 3.0 m (10 ft) from the street boundary.
- Number of permitted full stories = I-II
- Construction method: variant "a"
- Maximum roof pitch 30°
- Roof covering
- Tiles and roof slates, flat and shaped metal sheets and strips, flat slate shingles, and green roofs
- Solar thermal and photovoltaic systems permitted
- Permanently shiny and glazed roof surfaces are not allowed
- Landscaping requirements
- Driveways, parking spaces, and other ancillary areas must be constructed with water- and air-permeable surfaces
- Rainwater must infiltrate on-site
- At least one nesting aid must be installed on each residential building
- At least one tree with a minimum trunk circumference of 10 m (33 ft) must be planted every 18 m (59 ft) of plot frontage within 5 m (16 ft) of the street boundary
- An additional tree with a trunk circumference of 10 to 12 m (33 to 39 ft) must be planted on each plot
Homeowner Requirements
- A single-story, nearly square bungalow without a basement, with a hipped roof
- Construction method
- Solid and monolithic
- Stone: Sandstone for sound insulation, but since we definitely do not want external insulation (ETICS), this is not possible; we will use the stone type that the builder is most experienced with; based on research, we prefer perlite-filled bricks, but expanded clay types are also acceptable
- Exterior plaster: Whatever the builder has the best experience with, painted in a light smoky blue; no brick cladding
- Roof: Cold roof (no attic use), so the ceiling must be insulated
- Two people in their mid-30s, planning to remain childfree
- Guests per year: so far none, as this is just being made possible now
- Currently planned living area approximately 172 m2 (1,850 sq ft)
- An open living area including
- Kitchen with island
- Two dining areas (breakfast table for two and dining table for up to eight people)
- Fireplace area with seating, wine fridge, and storage for fine beverages
- A home cinema area with surround sound system, TV, large couch, and storage furniture
- A bedroom with a 2 m x 2 m (6.6 ft x 6.6 ft) bed, two nightstands, and a dresser
- A walk-in closet and dressing room
- A bathroom with bathtub and T-wall for a large sink, shower, toilet, and two entrances
- No guest bathroom, since we have no children, do not build for guests, our planned main bathroom will be nice, and guest visits will be rare and orderly; we consider a guest bathroom unnecessary for all these reasons
- A multi-purpose room for mobile work, hobbies, and a pull-out sofa bed for up to two guests
- A technical room with heating system, electrical connection, water connection, main utility connection box, and possibly a water softener
- A utility room for washing machine, dryer, chest freezer, shelves, and work surface for small DIY tasks
- Entrance area with built-in closet for shoes and clothing
- Outdoor area with
- Terrace with a maximum depth of 3 m (10 ft) wrapping around the left corner of the house, facing northwest and southwest
- One parking space for one car, probably as a carport on the left; two spaces would be ideal if a second car is acquired, but this would likely require building on the boundary line on the right side, which we want to avoid; tips on enabling two parking spaces are welcome
- Entrance: gentle ramp to the front door with no steps and no canopy
- Window design
- Floor-to-ceiling windows with black plastic frames in the open living area and bedroom, 35 cm (14 in) below the ceiling
- Terrace door without threshold
- Windows with black plastic frames in every room with a sill height of 87.5 cm (34 in) and 35 cm (14 in) below the ceiling; we would appreciate advice on whether this is suitable for the bathroom, dressing room, utility room, and technical room or if other heights would be better
- All windows with external blinds (raffstores), with very good burglary protection and sound insulation
- No aluminum window sills on the outside (they make noise in rain); materials are not yet decided
- Front door without threshold, simple design with frosted side glass, very good sound insulation and burglary protection
- Interior finishing
- Room height after all construction work should be 2.60 to 2.70 m (8.5 to 8.9 ft)
- Interior plaster: lime plaster, no lime-cement or gypsum plaster
- Kitchen and bathroom tiled, all other rooms with light parquet (parquet to be installed by us)
- Hi-fi room painted matte black, all other rooms painted white; no wallpaper in any room
- Utility room initially concrete, will be tiled later
- Technical room concrete floor
- Technical systems
- Heating systems
- Ground heat collectors or ground source heat pump
- Underfloor heating
- Ventilation: manual
- Water softener: probably yes, but we need more information before confirming
- Photovoltaic/solar thermal: desirable if at no extra cost, but we are skeptical about payback; if someone can convince us otherwise, we’re open
- Hot water storage tank: yes, since we prefer bathing over showering
- No KfW (energy efficiency) subsidy, as we’re not convinced, but would like to know what we can achieve with our house
House Design
- Own design made using HomeByMe
- We particularly like:
- That we were able to create a design at all
- Separation of technical and living areas
- Open large living area with kitchen, fireplace, and big dining table
- Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area
- Barrier-free entry and exit with no thresholds
- Separation of technical room and utility room
- Living on one level (we are fit but want comfort and consider aging)
- We do not like:
- That prices and interest rates are rising and materials are in short supply, and we probably should have started building two years earlier
- Our needs resulted in such a large living area
- Two cars probably cannot fit side by side into a carport
- Our ideas will probably lead to significant additional costs
- We have not yet obtained a price estimate from an expert
- Price limit for the house excluding land: 400,000 €
- The plot was purchased recently and is being paid off with a variable loan that will be converted to a fixed construction loan
What can we give up?
- We can give up
- Living space, if a few centimeters can be saved here and there to reduce costs
- Separation of utility room and technical room, if necessary
- A poor-quality construction company
- We cannot give up
- Monolithic construction method
- Separation of home cinema and living area
- Open kitchen with island
- Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area and barrier-free house entry
- Bathroom design
- Dressing room
- Fireplace
- Excellent burglary protection
What can we give up?
- Living space, if a few centimeters can be saved
- Separation of utility room and technical room, if not feasible
- Poor-quality construction company
Why is our design like this?
- We thought carefully about what we absolutely want and then started planning accordingly
- The design feels very right to us
Main question
Is our building project feasible according to the development plan, our specifications and wishes, and within our budget? If yes, with whom?
We look forward to your feedback and are open to honest criticism because only that will help us move forward and open opportunities we may not currently consider due to being perhaps too convinced of our floor plan.
We are currently looking for both local and larger construction companies for a project south of Berlin. We would appreciate any tips on companies that can realize such a project (especially a bungalow). If necessary, private messages are also welcome.
Thank you in advance for all your efforts.
M
Myrna_Loy14 Jan 2022 21:35Only one toilet???
Have you ever considered that there are numerous temporary and chronic illnesses that can cause a toilet to be occupied for extended periods?
I know too many cancer patients who have practically lived in the bathroom for some time.
Have you ever considered that there are numerous temporary and chronic illnesses that can cause a toilet to be occupied for extended periods?
I know too many cancer patients who have practically lived in the bathroom for some time.
Cinema or not...
...before it’s even realistic, I’ll play the devil’s advocate 🙁
That’s counterproductive since a toilet should have some natural daylight through a window. Also, looking at a wall or door is unpleasant.
Or simply move away from the pitched roof concept and choose a rectangular volume for the house. That way, light would reach every corner.
172 sqm (1850 sq ft) and then being stingy—that doesn’t fit. The villa will be almost impossible to sell if someone notices that 😉
I don’t even have mobile working, but personally I have tons of folders for private use, not just related to the build. I always recommend planning around 3 linear meters (10 feet) of closet space (60 cm / 24 inches deep) in every bedroom if possible. Exceptions are rare, but that usually refers to width. 50 cm (20 inches) can work, we have that too. But we don’t have 172 sqm (1850 sq ft)... If I had 10 sqm (110 sq ft) more space, the walk-in closet would have been larger.
Why do you think that is? Because someone has to pay for the house. Priorities must be set, for example a proper TV area... with two kids, the design is focused on family needs, which is what typical model homes are designed for.
Oh, without a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery?! 😱
We’re not here to discuss taste, but rather cost, implementation, and functionality. A bit of aesthetics never hurts either.
What type of fireplace do you want? With or without a glass front? Wood or gas?
Well then, I’m always happy when someone creates something with user-friendly software and has clear ideas. But at some point you have to be realistic.
You know exactly what you want, listing all kinds of bells and whistles and nice-to-haves, but you can’t pay for it. With the features you want, €400,000 (about $430,000) would get you around 133 sqm (1430 sq ft)! Maybe just under 140 sqm (1500 sq ft). It will settle somewhere there. Without any DIY work, landscaping, terrace and paving/carport. And without additional construction costs.
If you want your 170 sqm (1830 sq ft), expect close to €500,000 (about $535,000) or even €550,000 (about $590,000). But still: without DIY, without landscaping, without terrace and paving/carport. And without additional costs.
Of course, if you don’t insist on renewable energy systems or you’re building in Brandenburg, maybe you can afford 150 sqm (1615 sq ft) or get 170 sqm (1830 sq ft) for only €460,000 (about $490,000). Either way: a bit of reality before planning never hurt anyone.
About the house itself:
I count 7 different window widths: front 70 cm (28 inches) and 120 cm (47 inches), southwest side 90 cm (35 inches), living area 270 cm (106 inches), northeast 230 cm (91 inches) and 140 cm (55 inches). That’s what I call aesthetics 😉 How about choosing one window size for the “smaller” windows? Your design will thank you for that. Even a bungalow needs a load-bearing wall. With a width close to 15 meters (49 feet), two load-bearing walls would make the structural engineering cheaper.
Basically: the house is very dark. Where there is daylight, there are small windows, and where there aren’t windows, they’re big. But the big ones don’t illuminate the center. The kitchen is the darkest spot in the entire house. The brightest spot is the computer workstation in the office (which really doesn’t need any extra light).
Do yourselves a favor and position the rooms so that the home theater is in the northeast, the kitchen gets the light with at least 2 sqm (21.5 sq ft) of window area. If you have to give up 20 sqm (215 sq ft) for cost reasons, move the home theater upstairs. With a gable roof, that’s very possible.
Your office:
Your living room:
A comparable other property facing south:
Homebyme only indicates the sun at noon weakly, but that’s a hint whether light actually shines through a window.
Tolentino schrieb:
That’s where the fun really starts at around 40 sqm (430 sq ft).
...before it’s even realistic, I’ll play the devil’s advocate 🙁
Sorrow87 schrieb:
Good point. We hadn’t settled on that yet. We’d also swap the shower with the toilet so guests can reach the toilet quicker. Now we have another reason to do that.
That’s counterproductive since a toilet should have some natural daylight through a window. Also, looking at a wall or door is unpleasant.
Sorrow87 schrieb:
And if two cars are supposed to fit there, then on the left side you'd have to move closer to the boundary.
Or simply move away from the pitched roof concept and choose a rectangular volume for the house. That way, light would reach every corner.
Sorrow87 schrieb:
50 cm (20 inches) would be enough for us.
172 sqm (1850 sq ft) and then being stingy—that doesn’t fit. The villa will be almost impossible to sell if someone notices that 😉
Sorrow87 schrieb:
We don’t sit there often. Mobile working hardly happens.
I don’t even have mobile working, but personally I have tons of folders for private use, not just related to the build. I always recommend planning around 3 linear meters (10 feet) of closet space (60 cm / 24 inches deep) in every bedroom if possible. Exceptions are rare, but that usually refers to width. 50 cm (20 inches) can work, we have that too. But we don’t have 172 sqm (1850 sq ft)... If I had 10 sqm (110 sq ft) more space, the walk-in closet would have been larger.
Sorrow87 schrieb:
The living areas planned in most standard builder’s model homes today almost completely neglect TV and Hi-Fi setups. The sofa is always placed against the wall. That’s frustrating if you’re an audiophile.
Why do you think that is? Because someone has to pay for the house. Priorities must be set, for example a proper TV area... with two kids, the design is focused on family needs, which is what typical model homes are designed for.
Sorrow87 schrieb:
The window, which is not very big, is just there to allow ventilation.
Oh, without a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery?! 😱
Sorrow87 schrieb:
Of course, that’s a matter of taste.
We’re not here to discuss taste, but rather cost, implementation, and functionality. A bit of aesthetics never hurts either.
Sorrow87 schrieb:
Sorry, I should have explained better. It’s a suspended fireplace. The base looks something like a UFO.
What type of fireplace do you want? With or without a glass front? Wood or gas?
Well then, I’m always happy when someone creates something with user-friendly software and has clear ideas. But at some point you have to be realistic.
You know exactly what you want, listing all kinds of bells and whistles and nice-to-haves, but you can’t pay for it. With the features you want, €400,000 (about $430,000) would get you around 133 sqm (1430 sq ft)! Maybe just under 140 sqm (1500 sq ft). It will settle somewhere there. Without any DIY work, landscaping, terrace and paving/carport. And without additional construction costs.
If you want your 170 sqm (1830 sq ft), expect close to €500,000 (about $535,000) or even €550,000 (about $590,000). But still: without DIY, without landscaping, without terrace and paving/carport. And without additional costs.
Of course, if you don’t insist on renewable energy systems or you’re building in Brandenburg, maybe you can afford 150 sqm (1615 sq ft) or get 170 sqm (1830 sq ft) for only €460,000 (about $490,000). Either way: a bit of reality before planning never hurt anyone.
About the house itself:
I count 7 different window widths: front 70 cm (28 inches) and 120 cm (47 inches), southwest side 90 cm (35 inches), living area 270 cm (106 inches), northeast 230 cm (91 inches) and 140 cm (55 inches). That’s what I call aesthetics 😉 How about choosing one window size for the “smaller” windows? Your design will thank you for that. Even a bungalow needs a load-bearing wall. With a width close to 15 meters (49 feet), two load-bearing walls would make the structural engineering cheaper.
Basically: the house is very dark. Where there is daylight, there are small windows, and where there aren’t windows, they’re big. But the big ones don’t illuminate the center. The kitchen is the darkest spot in the entire house. The brightest spot is the computer workstation in the office (which really doesn’t need any extra light).
Do yourselves a favor and position the rooms so that the home theater is in the northeast, the kitchen gets the light with at least 2 sqm (21.5 sq ft) of window area. If you have to give up 20 sqm (215 sq ft) for cost reasons, move the home theater upstairs. With a gable roof, that’s very possible.
Your office:
Your living room:
A comparable other property facing south:
Homebyme only indicates the sun at noon weakly, but that’s a hint whether light actually shines through a window.
Sorrow87 schrieb:
This is exactly what we expected with 400,000. We already thought it would be more expensive and are budgeting accordingly. Thanks for the realistic assessment. ??? – The answer to the price question should inform the other participants, not provoke them.
Sorrow87 schrieb:
I gave the wrong color. We want anthracite. But that might also cause a problem. Also for the PVC window frames, yes. In other areas, it depends, i.e. on the shading.
Nida35a schrieb:
Leave out the wall? Partition walls take up a lot of space because various clearance and passage distances are required on both sides of the separating wall. With the expected budget difference here, it won’t be possible without cutting back on "room divisions." Why is the second living room, which is not optimized for a home theater, actually needed?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Myrna_Loy schrieb:
Only one toilet???
Have you ever considered that there are many temporary and chronic illnesses that can cause a toilet to be occupied for a long time?
I know too many cancer patients who have practically lived in the bathroom for a while. I’m sorry, but I can’t share that negative perspective, nor am I a fan of it. Although I do have disability insurance, designing our house based on the possibility of developing cancer or other chronic illnesses someday doesn’t help me.
We do not want a second toilet. This was also clearly explained in the original comment.
You don’t have to be ill to appreciate having a second toilet. Showering or bathing is simply more comfortable when no one is sitting on the toilet next door. You arrive home together, leave the house at the same time – both need to use the bathroom quickly. I can think of quite a few situations in our household of five where all four toilets were occupied. But of course, that’s something you have to decide for yourselves. Maybe not necessary for guests, but for your own use?
Ibdk14 schrieb:
Showering or bathing is simply more comfortable when no one is sitting next to you on the toilet."As I remember, 'I can’t do it if someone’s watching' even applies among friends in Mullewapp 🙂"https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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