ᐅ Floor Plan Design for a Single-Family Home on a South-Facing Slope
Created on: 4 Mar 2019 20:17
G
Guido1980
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size 639 m2 (6875 ft2). This is plot No. 1 from the exposé.
Slope yes, south-facing slope
Floor area ratio 0.4 (50% exceedance not allowed) => for this design 0.3873
Floor space index 0.5 => for this design 0.376 (however, basement “living spaces” may still need to be considered if the building authority requires it)
Building envelope, building line and boundary There is a building boundary with the following setback distances: North 3 m (10 ft), East 3 m (10 ft), South 5 m (16 ft), and West 8 m (26 ft)
Edge development with ancillary structures allowed, max. 15 m (49 ft) total or max. 9 m (30 ft) on one boundary
Number of parking spaces double garage + possibly 1 carport with one parking space on the north side
Number of stories 1.5 stories plus a basement level
Roof style gable roof, 28° – 35° pitch
Architectural style modern
Orientation facing south, meaning ridge runs west-east across the slope, with roof surfaces facing north and south
Maximum heights/limits Eaves max. 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) above finished floor level ground floor (FFL GF), maximum ridge height 8.50 m (28 ft) above finished floor level ground floor (FFL GF)
Further specifications
Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type modern, white plastered with gable roof at maximum pitch and dark roof tiles
Basement, floors basement with fitness/wellness room
Ground floor living and dining area + guest room, upper floor bedroom with dressing room, office, child’s bedroom, bathroom
Number of persons, ages three people; 2 x 38 years old, 1 x 16 years old
Space requirements on GF, UF floor plans available, living area approx. 170 m2 (1830 ft2) + 75 m2 (807 ft2) basement
Office use: family use or home office? home office
Overnight guests per year 10
Open or closed architecture open
Conservative or modern construction modern
Open kitchen preferred, with kitchen island
Number of dining seats minimum 6
Fireplace yes, in living room and possibly in fitness/wellness room
Music/sound system wall yes
Balcony, roof terrace yes, balcony on upper floor facing west, terrace on double garage facing southwest
Garage, carport yes, double garage with driveway from south connecting to basement and rooftop terrace above, facing southwest
Utility garden, greenhouse no, possibly a small vegetable garden
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why certain features should or shouldn’t be included preferably a small garden shed, possibly a built-in garden pool, garden pond, fitness room possibly with sauna and whirlpool
House Design
Who designed the plan: myself
- Planner freelance architect
- Architect first meeting with architect took place, concept available (see pictures)
- Do-it-yourself no, turnkey contract, possibly some trades subcontracted or partial self-performed or trades contracted individually
What do you like most and why? south-facing slope location with a view
What don’t you like and why? plot size is a bit small but no alternative
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 2000 €/m2 (186 €/ft2) living area, plot 83,000 €
Personal price limit for house including fittings: 600,000 € (excluding plot)
Preferred heating technology: n/a
If you had to give up some details/additions
- can give up: garden pool
- cannot give up: double garage with rooftop terrace
Why is the design as it is now? because it meets the requirements and fits the plot
Standard design from planner? no! individually designed
Which wishes were implemented by the architect? double garage with rooftop terrace
What do you think of it or do you have any suggestions for improvement?
Plot size 639 m2 (6875 ft2). This is plot No. 1 from the exposé.
Slope yes, south-facing slope
Floor area ratio 0.4 (50% exceedance not allowed) => for this design 0.3873
Floor space index 0.5 => for this design 0.376 (however, basement “living spaces” may still need to be considered if the building authority requires it)
Building envelope, building line and boundary There is a building boundary with the following setback distances: North 3 m (10 ft), East 3 m (10 ft), South 5 m (16 ft), and West 8 m (26 ft)
Edge development with ancillary structures allowed, max. 15 m (49 ft) total or max. 9 m (30 ft) on one boundary
Number of parking spaces double garage + possibly 1 carport with one parking space on the north side
Number of stories 1.5 stories plus a basement level
Roof style gable roof, 28° – 35° pitch
Architectural style modern
Orientation facing south, meaning ridge runs west-east across the slope, with roof surfaces facing north and south
Maximum heights/limits Eaves max. 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) above finished floor level ground floor (FFL GF), maximum ridge height 8.50 m (28 ft) above finished floor level ground floor (FFL GF)
Further specifications
Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type modern, white plastered with gable roof at maximum pitch and dark roof tiles
Basement, floors basement with fitness/wellness room
Ground floor living and dining area + guest room, upper floor bedroom with dressing room, office, child’s bedroom, bathroom
Number of persons, ages three people; 2 x 38 years old, 1 x 16 years old
Space requirements on GF, UF floor plans available, living area approx. 170 m2 (1830 ft2) + 75 m2 (807 ft2) basement
Office use: family use or home office? home office
Overnight guests per year 10
Open or closed architecture open
Conservative or modern construction modern
Open kitchen preferred, with kitchen island
Number of dining seats minimum 6
Fireplace yes, in living room and possibly in fitness/wellness room
Music/sound system wall yes
Balcony, roof terrace yes, balcony on upper floor facing west, terrace on double garage facing southwest
Garage, carport yes, double garage with driveway from south connecting to basement and rooftop terrace above, facing southwest
Utility garden, greenhouse no, possibly a small vegetable garden
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why certain features should or shouldn’t be included preferably a small garden shed, possibly a built-in garden pool, garden pond, fitness room possibly with sauna and whirlpool
House Design
Who designed the plan: myself
- Planner freelance architect
- Architect first meeting with architect took place, concept available (see pictures)
- Do-it-yourself no, turnkey contract, possibly some trades subcontracted or partial self-performed or trades contracted individually
What do you like most and why? south-facing slope location with a view
What don’t you like and why? plot size is a bit small but no alternative
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 2000 €/m2 (186 €/ft2) living area, plot 83,000 €
Personal price limit for house including fittings: 600,000 € (excluding plot)
Preferred heating technology: n/a
If you had to give up some details/additions
- can give up: garden pool
- cannot give up: double garage with rooftop terrace
Why is the design as it is now? because it meets the requirements and fits the plot
Standard design from planner? no! individually designed
Which wishes were implemented by the architect? double garage with rooftop terrace
What do you think of it or do you have any suggestions for improvement?
G
Guido19806 Mar 2019 14:35Crossy schrieb:
Your guest and parking situation is definitely not the only reason for having the entrance in the basement, but it’s certainly a valid point. For visitors unfamiliar with the area, it might be hard to figure out where your entrance actually is. They will often end up standing in front of your garage.
The external staircase would be eliminated: no snow shoveling, lower costs, the main living floor frees up a lot of space, you could place a practical large cloakroom (or even a small wardrobe room) in the basement, and your front yard won’t be so elongated. The areas on both sides of the staircase should also be nicely landscaped.Why would the main living floor free up a lot of space if the main entrance is placed in the basement?
Which external staircase do you mean would be eliminated?
face26 schrieb:
Baden-Württemberg, about 50 km (30 miles) from Stuttgart.
Surely one of the more expensive regions.
Nevertheless, calculate roughly the often-cited 2000 €/m² (190 USD/ft²) but include the square meters in the basement as well, since your basement is more like living space than storage.
245 m² * 2000 €/m² = 490,000 €
Then you have decent finishes, maybe one or two extras—but nothing special. Not included here are dormers, garage, sloped site (earth removal, slope stabilization), garage attached to the house (thermal envelope considerations), balconies, terraces (including balustrades and railings), sauna, whirlpool, third bathroom, smart home systems, garden pond, and landscaping, photovoltaic system, etc.
At 2000 €/m² (190 USD/ft²), you might get one or two of the following extras but everything else comes on top:
- large-format tiles
- mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (almost mandatory in your area, check local requirements)
- external blinds
- exterior window finishes in anthracite, or possibly wood or aluminum
- higher quality electrical installations (e.g., recessed spotlights)
- walk-in showers or other higher-end bathroom fittings
What about all the other stuff? Kitchen, furnishings? Should those also be included in the budget?
I simply can’t imagine building a house at that standard with that budget. So, the budget seems too tight.
I’ll leave the floor plan to the experienced members here; if you’re open to it, you will surely receive great suggestions with completely new concepts (this is not meant ironically—really!).
Regarding soundproofing, that’s your area—I’m no expert. But for the first row of houses facing the street, it’s generally recommended to position the terrace on the opposite side or protect it with other structural elements. You’re in the second row but apparently at a higher elevation, and you’re positioning the terrace facing an open field, meaning sound can travel freely… by the way, the railway line is also to the west.The railway line will indeed be to the west, but at least 500 to 600 m (550 to 660 yards) away. As I said, there is already a land-use plan for this area, and additional residential development (including noise protection measures) is likely in the coming years. A free view with noise protection and not being “on display” at the same time is simply not possible here.
The €600,000 (roughly) budget is intended for the house itself, excluding finishing and plot costs.
11ant schrieb:
He is right. However, I am somewhat shocked by the idea that these drawings are supposedly already from the architect. A comfortable living setup is very important in daily life, so it shouldn’t be compromised lightly. Regarding my assumption about how this plan was developed, I am strongly tempted to invoke that. If this is truly an independent architect, then they must have a significant lack of practical experience.
Had the house already been finalized, I would probably recommend swapping the office and bedroom.
The tail might enjoy wagging the dog, but in reality, the opposite approach has proven its worth. Isn’t this “role reversal” a main reason why people build their own homes?
You can always rent compromises.
I agree, but here there is no ground floor or basement. Therefore, the main entrance belongs on the valley side level, and optionally a secondary entrance on the hillside side. A slope lot is not just a normal lot with a sloping yard and a half-excavated basement—it’s a category of its own. And with a valley side road, you’ve got a better deal than those who have only the hillside street.
If a bit of space from the second living room is allocated to an entrance area, the remaining space is still more than enough for a New Year’s resolution to build muscle (up to the weight bench).Honestly, I would prefer constructive alternative suggestions instead of statements that the architect lacks skill or that the plan is not good.
tumaa schrieb:
Some of your comments are informative, but I read a lot of “bad architect” here… sometimes I get the impression you’re just amusing yourself and writing quite monotonously.
Why don’t you show a really successful floor plan—or several? Maybe you could recommend some architects (via private message), or show your own house plan—but don’t tell me you’re renting…As I said… I would be grateful if someone could present alternative improvements here instead of just criticizing.
kaho674 schrieb:
No, why would that be? Nobody said the terrace should be relocated, only the garage.
Where exactly? The site coverage ratio is nearly maxed out. That’s why the garage has been pushed under the house and simultaneously serves as a terrace. Where exactly do you think the garage should go?
Guido1980 schrieb:
To be honest, I would prefer constructive alternative suggestions rather than statements claiming that the architect is not competent or that the design is poor. I have made constructive suggestions: 1. Complete redesign instead of modification; 2. Swap (referring to the existing floor plan draft) to an office/bedroom instead of dressing room/bedroom; 3. Clarify how you want to live and then position the walls around the furniture instead of building walls first and then adapting to them; 4. Entrance on the entrance level, even if the first upper floor is aligned with the terrain.
By the way, if from my point of view an architect is not yet ready for independent practice, that is also a useful observation. Although this is subjective and only helpful when considered alongside assessments from others, there are also reasons behind it, and often these are points the questioners themselves have not yet noticed or have given less importance to.
tumaa schrieb:
Show us a very successful floor plan or several. Maybe you could recommend some architects (via private message) or just show the floor plan of your own house—please don’t say you rent. I am not saying now that I rent; I have mentioned it here several times already. By the way, I live in a suburban district with many friendly neighbors. There are many floor plans in this forum to which I have added my "like." I have also praised several full house designs multiple times, for example from @daniels87, @matte1987, @spochtsfreund, and others, at least the facade of @RobsonMKK. Less mentioned by me but also well executed is the house from @Steffi33. Recently, @jucre45 showed their floor plan, which I find quite acceptable as well. Unfortunately, @montessalet’s design does not fit the plot here, but it still graces the Hall of Fame.
I am currently hardly active in floor plan design, and not in a visual way, but more in abstract conceptual terms. You could arrange to meet with @blaupuma]—maybe together you can manage to draw a floor plan from the many details I have already shared verbally about "my" house here.
If you had decided against new construction and instead worked on number 24, I might have recommended [USER=26645]@wpic, as I have for others here, although the one from OWL is still a bit far away.
So, the claim that I only share humor here and am not constructive or specific, in my opinion, shows a lack of thorough reading.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Guido1980 schrieb:
I already commented on that. For me, the front door belongs traditionally on the ground floor, not in the basement. Well, then not. By the way, you save the space for the entrance area on the ground floor. You could consider, for example, a half-turn staircase (possibly even a landing staircase) along the north wall and thus make the rooms on the south side of the upper floor into "real" rooms. For instance, a nice children's room in the dormer.
Guido1980 schrieb:
I have already written something about this. For me, the front door belongs traditionally on the ground floor, not in the basement.Guido1980 schrieb:
As I said, for me the front door belongs on the ground floor, not in the basement. We would almost always enter and exit the house through the garage anyway.Let’s be honest:
The garage is part of the entrance, right?
Same driveway, playground for the child, and so on.
And somehow the last sentence confuses me: since when do people no longer use their front garden? A car is just a means of transportation to get from point A to B. But you want to enjoy your own property every day, not just during pool season, right?
Don’t you spend time in front of the house every day, tidying up here and there?
Guido1980 schrieb:
As I said … I would appreciate if someone could present alternative improvements here instead of just criticizing. I have read enough constructive contributions here. Repeating the same points can become boring.
ypg schrieb:
And somehow the last sentence confuses me: since when do people no longer enter their front yard? Oops, I completely missed that. People are more than just drivers of their cars. With a garage serving as a hidden main entrance, a) the house is reduced to a chauffeur's flat, and b) the idea that the front door belongs on the "ground floor" is contradicted.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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