ᐅ Floor plan discussion based on the existing thread

SoL schrieb:

What @K a t j a said.
Additionally: Long distances from the door to the kitchen when carrying groceries. Why is the terrace only accessible from the kitchen?
Terrible walk-in closet, very narrow bedroom.

Addendum: Your hallways will be as dark as the Middle Ages.
I’m not sure if it’s even allowed to design a room on the ground floor right side without any windows...

If an architect worked on this, they must have slept through their studies.

Dachshund90 schrieb:

Vegetable garden, greenhouse yes

Dachshund90 schrieb:

Living area, terrace liked

But you wouldn’t have adequate access to the vegetable garden from the kitchen, would you?!

Dachshund90 schrieb:

It really looks like a “simple, rectangular, small house”

It is

Dachshund90 schrieb:

A covered entrance with columns, but a bay window or a projection, a dormer, or something along those lines would be the first ideas, depending on how much money is left.

How much budget is available?

No matter how big (or small) the wishes are – everything depends on the budget.
I’m surprised you’re dreaming of columns in front of the door when the entrance is planned right in front of the parking space where there’s no room for that.
Basically, the path to the kitchen looks more like a zigzag than practical.

And otherwise: think in 3D! First, focus on the plot: how much house is feasible on the slope? Then work in 2D.

I took down the other thread: the “waiting for a small interest rate dip” sounds like some things aren’t feasible or the budget is limited.
Hobby rooms and home offices can also be placed under the roof. Many prospective builders always forget the roof, which already exists and can be converted into amazing rooms (in pitched roof spaces). With dormer windows, it’s possible to create fully functional living areas at a low cost—just a fraction of what adding an extra floor would cost. Try stepping away from the idea of the standard villa with a partly underground basement and instead focus more realistically on your plot and budget.

K a t j a schrieb:

As mentioned, there is not enough information. The crucial questions remain unanswered, which are:

- Budget: Roughly estimated, you are looking at 160m² (1722 sq ft) x 3000 = 480K. Adding the basement with sauna, bathroom, and extras estimated at 80m² (861 sq ft) x 1500 = 120K (probably more), that brings you to 600K for the house alone. This doesn’t include landscaping, which you cannot skip on a slope. Not to mention a garage or carport. So, I suggest adding another 100K. Plus some upgrades, kitchen, connections, fees – 50K. These calculations are rather tight, yet we end up at 750K. Is this approximately what you have budgeted?

Other missing points:
- Setback regulations for outbuildings – also regarding the street
- Reference point for ridge height
- The depth of the plot is unclear. You haven’t indicated where it starts. Do the 5.50m (18 ft) and 4.39m (14 ft) add on?
- The floor plan sketch contains errors that no architect would make. This looks very unreliable. Exterior walls appear too thin. Roof slopes not considered.

So far, it seems you prefer to deal less with your plot and the possibilities it offers. That’s fine – a good professional will advise you accordingly, and if you like that, everything is okay. Fundamentally, however, as the client, you are responsible for your own outcome. If someone messes up because you approved plans like these, that is your misfortune. Therefore, a minimum of skepticism is advisable.

With the current info, we can’t really start a proper discussion as it is too contradictory. But once you get back from the architect, you should have something to show. Ideally, you’ll need sections, elevations, site plan, and floor plans with real wall thicknesses and heights. Then we’ll be happy to assist you.

Good morning! Thank you for taking another look at our project.

I’ll try to explain step by step:

Budget: I see the two upper floors as about 140m² (1507 sq ft) rather than 160m² (1722 sq ft). We are located in a very rural area where people still know each other and help out. We have contacts in most trades, so often we only pay for the materials and will do much of the work ourselves. We hope to manage with 500K, but we are currently waiting for more precise costs from the architect. We might have to increase the budget somewhat, which is feasible.

Setback regulations: As far as I know from the architect, the outbuildings only need approval from the local municipality. According to the initial inquiry, there are no fixed rules, and we only have to keep “some” distance from the road. The architect plans to account for this and finalize it later.

Height reference point: According to the architect’s inquiry at the municipality, the definition is actually unclear. In agreement with the municipality, we plan to use the average value of the four corners of the house as the reference point.

Plot depth: see attachment. The plots have since been merged. 27 x 28.5m (89 x 94 ft).

Errors: I have already noted the closet in the dressing room; I will also raise the question of wall thicknesses again. We plan to build with pumice stone.

Basically, of course, we are engaged with our project but also have some trust in the architect. We know her, and we have visited several houses she built nearby. That’s why we are basically convinced that the project will be well executed. Still, we naturally want to contribute everything that we notice now that could lead to problems. That is also why I registered here.

We are still waiting for the height details and a more detailed design, which I will gladly share then. Sections and elevations are of course missing, but there already is a floor plan and a sketch of how it will sit on the plot, which I am happy to discuss already :-)

Best regards!

ypg schrieb:

But then you wouldn’t have proper access to the utility garden from the kitchen?!

That’s true as well.

How much money do you have available?

No matter how big (or small) your wishes are, everything depends on the budget.
I’m surprised you’re dreaming of columns in front of the door when you plan the entrance by the parking spot in a way that doesn’t allow for that.
Basically, the path to the kitchen ends up more like a slalom than something practical.

And otherwise: think in 3D! Start by dealing with the plot: how much house can realistically be built on the slope? Then move on to 2D planning.

That’s correct about the access. For us, though, it’s not the highest priority.
The budget point is of course true; as mentioned, we are currently waiting for the cost estimate. Then we’ll see whether we stick to the plan or if there’s room for additional wishes.

ypg schrieb:

I reviewed the other thread: the “waiting for a small interest rate dip” sounds like some things might not be feasible or that funds are limited.
Hobby rooms and home offices can also fit under the roof. You building enthusiasts always forget about the attic, which already exists and can be converted into great rooms (in energy-efficient construction) quite easily. With dormer windows, cost-effective conversions create fully usable living space for a fraction of the cost of adding an extra floor. Just try to move away from the standard villa with a partially underground basement and focus on the plot and budget.

Basically, nobody wants to waste money, and no matter what you can afford: whether interest is 3.6% or 4.1%, you end up paying a lot more overall, which nobody wants even if it’s affordable.
We can generally spend more than our initial budget, but you have to ask yourself whether you want to spend it.

Regarding the roof, the current plan includes a pitch of 30° with a maximum ridge height of 8m (26 ft), which means the space under the roof won’t have sufficient height to be used as living space.
Or do you mean the basement should be omitted for that purpose?

SoL schrieb:

Postscript: Your hallways will be as dark as the Middle Ages.
I don’t know if you’re even allowed to build a ground floor room on the right side without a window...

If an architect worked on this, they must have slept through their studies.

Hello SoL,

we noticed that as well. The architect plans to install a skylight above the stairs to bring in some light. The only question is how to clean it...

We only finalized the window placement during the last meeting; not all windows were included in the initial design. Both the guest bathroom and the storage room will have windows.

Best regards