ᐅ Floor Plan Evaluation for a Bungalow with Approximately 1,500 sq ft of Living Space

Hello everyone,

this is my first post in the forum. I would like to ask you to evaluate our floor plan design, which is fitted to the plot of land. Since this is a new development area that still needs to be connected to utilities, it is difficult to position the floor plan accurately on maps.

Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size = 519 m²
Slope = no
Floor area ratio (FAR) = 0.4
Building envelope, building line, and boundary = -
Edge development = -
Number of parking spaces = 2 planned
Number of storeys = bungalow without basement
Roof style = hip roof
Architectural style = -
Orientation = see photos
Maximum height / limits
Other requirements

Owners’ Requirements
Architectural style, roof style, building type = solid construction
Number of occupants, age = two people (both 30); one child on the way; planning for 2 children
Office: family use or home office? = a mix of both would be ideal, as two days per week home office is planned after lockdown
Open or closed layout = open layout
Conservative or modern design = modern design
Open kitchen, kitchen island = open kitchen with island
Fireplace = no
Music / stereo wall = no
Balcony, roof terrace = no
Garage, carport = garage and carport planned
Utility garden, greenhouse = no
Brick facing = no

Plot

The plot has a depth of 22.57 m (74 feet) and a width of 23 m (75.5 feet). A 3-meter (10 feet) distance must be maintained between the house entrance and the pedestrian path. Behind the plot is an agricultural field, which is expected to be developed in the future. A detached single-family house may be built on the plot. It is required to plant a hedge and not to cover the front garden completely with gravel or paving. The plot is currently reserved. There is no view of other plots. Construction is likely to start in autumn 2021.

House Design
Planning by:
We created the house design/floor plan ourselves. Primarily, we want the room sizes and layout to be assessed and any potential design flaws to be pointed out. Currently, we plan to build covered parking spaces on both sides. On the side where the black car is parked (see photos), a garage is planned. On the other side, a carport will be built. We chose this solution to maximize the required 3-meter (10 feet) distance to the neighboring property. The carport will be created through the extended hip roof.

We plan rather large children's rooms and a somewhat smaller bedroom. For this reason, we are giving up our walk-in closet. The living area of approximately 140 m² (1,507 sq ft) will be maintained, as a smaller size would reduce the garden area too much. We opted for a bungalow because our plot is relatively wide and nearly square. A bungalow fits well across the width, and it is not necessary to build a long fence beside the house, as would be the case with a two-storey home. The garden size suffers with a bungalow, but we accept that. A larger main bathroom would be desirable; I think about 8 m² (86 sq ft) is a bit small. The living/dining room including the kitchen measures 39.9 m² (429 sq ft) in the drawing. The entrance should be positioned in the middle.

At the moment, we tend to choose a gas heating system, as it is cheaper compared to an air-source heat pump and the monthly costs are manageable. Initially, I considered an air-source heat pump with a photovoltaic system. Since we are currently planning a KfW 70 house and will not receive subsidies from the KfW bank, we believe that installing an air-source heat pump does not make sense.

According to the builder’s calculation, the costs will be about 450,000 € (euros). Self-performed work will include painting, flooring, the terrace, and the garage.

I would appreciate constructive criticism. If I forgot to mention any details, please let me know.

[POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW]

...too much hallway space: wasted floor area. A awkwardly shaped bedroom, a garage that is too small for a car, maybe just for a very small car. The garage also blocks the house’s southern side. In new housing developments, usually only one driveway per property is allowed. It would make sense to locate the utility room in the northwest corner and place the children’s rooms on the west side.

ArtemR90 schrieb:

Office: family use or home office? = A combination of both would be advantageous, since two days of home office per week are planned after the lockdown.

Where is the office?
I suggest starting over with a new design approach.

ArtemR90 schrieb:

A bungalow fits well in terms of width here, and it is not necessary to build a long fence next to the house, as would be the case with a two-story house.

I don’t understand the logic.

ArtemR90 schrieb:

The living area of about 140 m² (1,507 sq ft) should be maintained, otherwise the garden would become too small.

ArtemR90 schrieb:

The garden size suffers with a bungalow, but we accept that.

This logic is contradictory.

The challenge of accessing all rooms with a small hallway area has not yet been solved.
Research floor plans for bungalows of 130–150m² (1400–1600 sq ft) suitable for 5 people.

I think you, as young people, shouldn’t limit yourselves unnecessarily by deciding upfront that you absolutely want to build a bungalow. We—just a few days older than you—also wanted to build a bungalow at first but then changed our minds.

The floor plan of a bungalow has just as many advantages as disadvantages, like any other type of construction. As a young family, you are completely free in your planning, so use the full range of possibilities. Just plan a few options in parallel at the beginning and then see where it leads if you stay open-minded. Find your optimal floor plan—that is what really matters. Whether you choose a hipped roof or the heating system is completely secondary right now. YOUR floor plan is the priority!!!

ArtemR90 schrieb:

At the moment, we are planning to build covered parking spaces on both sides. On the side where the black car is parked (photos), there is supposed to be a garage. On the other side, a carport. We chose this solution because it takes advantage of the required 3 meters (10 feet) distance from the neighboring plot. The carport will be integrated into the continuous hipped roof.

Start by planning the house INTERIOR first; you’ll still be able to accommodate the cars properly later. You have gotten way ahead mentally with the rest, which is understandable but premature.

ArtemR90 schrieb:

We are planning rather large children’s rooms and, in return, a slightly smaller master bedroom. We will forgo our walk-in closet for this.

Why? Everyone—including the parents—needs an adequately sized room. For a children’s room, I’d consider about 14 sq.m. (150 sq.ft) as good. Having a master bedroom smaller than that only works if there is a separate dressing area.

ArtemR90 schrieb:

The living area of about 140 sq.m. (1,500 sq.ft) is to be maintained, otherwise the garden becomes too small.

An extra 10 sq.m. (100 sq.ft) of living space can make the difference between a poor plan and an exciting floor plan. Ten square meters more lawn or garden is more or less irrelevant or not noticeable. You live INSIDE the house.

ArtemR90 schrieb:

The garden size suffers with a bungalow, but we accept that.

🤨 🤨, now you do?

ArtemR90 schrieb:

Living/dining room including kitchen is about 39.9 sq.m. (430 sq.ft)

...I find that rather tight. As often, I ask you to enter the EXACT dimensions of your furniture. That way, the critical points become clear quickly.

ArtemR90 schrieb:

According to the builder’s calculation, costs will be around 450,000 € (about $480,000). Our own work will include painting, flooring, the terrace, and the garage.

...so a prefabricated house? Who is providing it? Has that already been decided? You should urgently review the scope of work and clarify the additional construction costs for yourself! I find the term “around” in the price calculation quite concerning.

It is also important to have an accurate site plan including the building envelope. The chosen design wastes the south and west sides. If a bungalow, I would rather consider an L-shaped bungalow... but as mentioned, an exact building envelope is essential.