ᐅ Floor Plan Review for a Single-Family Home of Approximately 200 sqm

Hello everyone,
I’m only moderately satisfied with our floor plan because the relatively square staircase causes the surrounding rooms to become quite awkwardly shaped. I’ve accurately transferred the floor plan into a program and created an alternative. Essentially, the alternative floor plan is more open, and with the staircase being more elongated, the rooms are less compartmentalized. I don’t want to burden the architect with many more changes that might not be implemented. Therefore, I ask for your understanding that I cannot provide the architect’s drawings for this alternative. We could definitely consider the concept of a staircase integrated into the living area. I know this might not be an option for many. I would really appreciate your opinions on this or perhaps suggestions for changes.

Development plan / restrictions
No development plan / no planning permission
Plot size: 620m² (0.15 acres)
Slope
Site coverage ratio
Floor space index
Building envelope, building line and boundary
Edge development
Number of parking spaces
Number of storeys:
Roof type: hipped roof
Architectural style: urban villa
Orientation: south/west
Maximum heights / limits
Other requirements

Owners’ requirements
Style, roof type, building type: single-family home urban villa, hipped roof, plastered façade
Basement, floors: 2 floors with finished attic and basement
Number of occupants, ages: 2 adults, 2 children
Space requirements on ground floor and upper floor
Office: family use or home office? 1x home office
Guest bedrooms per year: 2 guests
Open or closed architectural style: undecided, leaning towards closed
Conservative or modern construction: mix
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: yes
Music / stereo wall
Balcony, roof terrace: balcony
Garage, carport: garage, unclear whether attached or detached
Utility garden, greenhouse
Other wishes / special features / daily routines, also reasons why some options are preferred or excluded:

House design
Who designed the plan:
- Architect: standard design adjusted by us
- Do-it-yourself
What do you particularly like? Why?: large living area with big window fronts, spacious master bedroom with bathroom, pantry
What do you dislike? Why?: staircase – no highlight, space issues causing overly fragmented rooms, elongated guest WC and pantry
Cost estimate according to architect/planner: 620,000
Preferred heating system: air-source heat pump

If you have to give up something, which details / features
- Can give up: fireplace
- Cannot give up: kitchen island, number of rooms, open space above the living area

Why does the design look as it does now? For example:
We adapted the standard design to meet our needs. It was especially important that the rooms upstairs be as large as possible, and the hallway area small. That’s why we had to choose a smaller staircase. Since our plot is a corner lot and quite tightly built around, we planned an open space in the corner. This space is basically oriented toward the center of the gardens of the housing block.

What is the most important / fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters?

Basically, I would like to know what you think of the alternative I created. Do you perhaps have other ideas? We have already submitted the building application, as timing is an issue in Cologne. We will probably have to submit a change later because the window in the office should be larger and the window in the pantry removed. In principle, it would also be possible to modify additional windows. On the street side, we would like to maintain symmetry.
Thank you very much to anyone who can assist us here.
Corinna