Hello dear forum,
we are planning to start building our house in 2018 and already have a first draft of our floor plan.
We want a single-story house of about 160 square meters (approximately 1,722 square feet) with a pitched roof and a glazed gable front in the living area. The plot is 2000 square meters (approximately 21,528 square feet).
There will be 4 people living in the house, with both parents working full time. The house is surrounded by fields on the north and west sides. To the south, there is a street with fields beyond it, and only to the east does the plot border a neighboring property. For this reason, the living room gable faces northwest.
I look forward to constructive criticism and hope for possible suggestions for improvement, as we have had little experience so far.
Best regards
we are planning to start building our house in 2018 and already have a first draft of our floor plan.
We want a single-story house of about 160 square meters (approximately 1,722 square feet) with a pitched roof and a glazed gable front in the living area. The plot is 2000 square meters (approximately 21,528 square feet).
There will be 4 people living in the house, with both parents working full time. The house is surrounded by fields on the north and west sides. To the south, there is a street with fields beyond it, and only to the east does the plot border a neighboring property. For this reason, the living room gable faces northwest.
I look forward to constructive criticism and hope for possible suggestions for improvement, as we have had little experience so far.
Best regards
How is the building envelope defined? Could you possibly use a larger footprint?
Why does it have to be this Y-shape? It simply creates unnecessary slopes and corners that make furnishing difficult and increase costs.
Our architect says a good floor plan should be simple enough to "draw in the snow." I don’t want to offend anyone who has practiced this art for years, but I would claim even the most skilled wouldn’t manage well with this one.
You have a lot of space on the plot. I would suggest allowing for a larger footprint here and significantly simplifying the floor plan. A rectangular, L-shape, or at most a U-shape (although the latter is not ideal for sun exposure) would be much better—definitely with right angles.
Whether or not to include a kids’/guest bathroom is a personal preference. I would want one, but if you don’t, that’s fine.
Another thing I notice is the lack of storage space. Especially since you have room, I recommend adding some here as well. It’s not great having to drag everything from the attic. That’s manageable for something like an inflatable boat you use once a year, but annoying for items you use regularly (tools, etc.). I would definitely plan for a sufficiently large storage room. With two kids, you accumulate quite a bit—strollers, buggies, larger toys, and so on.
Once you move away from the Y-shape, furnishing the living/dining/kitchen area will also be much easier… so I won’t comment further on that.
In short, I consider the current shape fundamentally impractical.
Why does it have to be this Y-shape? It simply creates unnecessary slopes and corners that make furnishing difficult and increase costs.
Our architect says a good floor plan should be simple enough to "draw in the snow." I don’t want to offend anyone who has practiced this art for years, but I would claim even the most skilled wouldn’t manage well with this one.
You have a lot of space on the plot. I would suggest allowing for a larger footprint here and significantly simplifying the floor plan. A rectangular, L-shape, or at most a U-shape (although the latter is not ideal for sun exposure) would be much better—definitely with right angles.
Whether or not to include a kids’/guest bathroom is a personal preference. I would want one, but if you don’t, that’s fine.
Another thing I notice is the lack of storage space. Especially since you have room, I recommend adding some here as well. It’s not great having to drag everything from the attic. That’s manageable for something like an inflatable boat you use once a year, but annoying for items you use regularly (tools, etc.). I would definitely plan for a sufficiently large storage room. With two kids, you accumulate quite a bit—strollers, buggies, larger toys, and so on.
Once you move away from the Y-shape, furnishing the living/dining/kitchen area will also be much easier… so I won’t comment further on that.
In short, I consider the current shape fundamentally impractical.
Thank you, Climbee, you are right about the Y-shape, but we just like it. The second option would be to rotate the "living room" by another 45° to create a T-shaped building.
There is definitely enough space on the plot. However, there is a workshop and a bike shed on the property.
There is definitely enough space on the plot. However, there is a workshop and a bike shed on the property.
I can understand that you want an "interesting" building design; however, I would prioritize functionality.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any specific improvement suggestions, but I would recommend separating the public and private areas. This doesn’t necessarily have to be done with doors or similar elements, but can also be achieved by creating distinct zones. It would certainly be nicer for your children if, at night, when they are in their pajamas on the way to the bathroom, they are less visible to guests.
Oh, and one small detail I’d like to mention: the floor plan seems designed for impact—very spacious hallway, an interestingly shaped living/dining area, and long walls in between. In my opinion, a large glass door between the hallway and living area, along with a direct line of sight from the entrance to the outside, would really suit this.
Instead, you have a relatively small door, and the view is blocked by the fireplace (which I also feel somewhat restricts the openness of the living/dining/kitchen area). Considering the large hallway, I find that a bit of a pity.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any specific improvement suggestions, but I would recommend separating the public and private areas. This doesn’t necessarily have to be done with doors or similar elements, but can also be achieved by creating distinct zones. It would certainly be nicer for your children if, at night, when they are in their pajamas on the way to the bathroom, they are less visible to guests.
Oh, and one small detail I’d like to mention: the floor plan seems designed for impact—very spacious hallway, an interestingly shaped living/dining area, and long walls in between. In my opinion, a large glass door between the hallway and living area, along with a direct line of sight from the entrance to the outside, would really suit this.
Instead, you have a relatively small door, and the view is blocked by the fireplace (which I also feel somewhat restricts the openness of the living/dining/kitchen area). Considering the large hallway, I find that a bit of a pity.
Thank you, Maria. The door is actually already double-leaf, but you’re right that the fireplace will get in the way. I have considered one with a see-through design, even though the "window" isn’t very large.
I always find it difficult to include an extra living area for the residents in a bungalow, and it’s not a problem at all in our current apartment.
I always find it difficult to include an extra living area for the residents in a bungalow, and it’s not a problem at all in our current apartment.
Kusmar, you are building your house now. Of course, you have to accept certain conditions when living in an apartment, and yes, it usually works out. But if I am building a house, especially with your circumstances (a large plot of land and apparently few restrictions regarding architectural style, etc.), I would definitely try to make the most of it rather than just settle for something that "works."
It makes sense to arrange the different areas so that there is some separation. Right now, it’s the children who don’t necessarily want or should be wandering around in their pajamas. Later, when those cute kids have turned into teenagers,
It makes sense to arrange the different areas so that there is some separation. Right now, it’s the children who don’t necessarily want or should be wandering around in their pajamas. Later, when those cute kids have turned into teenagers,
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